By John Hayden
At a time when the trans community is under attack by everyone from lawmakers to members of the LGBTQIA+ family, one pageant is embracing one of our trans brothers. James Tyrcha has just won Mr. Ramrod 2023, becoming a pioneer. “I am the first trans man to run and win Mr. Ramrod. I am just James,” he told OutClique. “I live my life as a gay man that happens to be a transman. I’ve been fully transitioned for decades, it’s not really my platform any longer, it is just a part of who I am.”
Being so comfortable in his own skin is key to Tyrcha rising to the occasion. “I feel zero pressure. However, me being a trans man and Mr. Ramrod is a very big deal and it is extremely inspirational to our South Florida leather community as a whole. I am always available to educate and talk to anyone interested in the background of my transition.”
While he has been a visible member of the leather community for decades, his decision to join the pageant was very spur of the moment. “I decided on the last day to sign up. I had no intention to run. My community kept asking me to run and be their community leader. My only preparation was just being my true authentic self.”
Fellow South Florida leather luminary David Hopkins says Tyrcha’s importance can’t be overstated. “He’s an amazing asset to the community who always shows up at events not just to be there, but ready to help. As a military vet, he exemplifies the ‘Old Guard’ of leather while also celebrating the new scenes that have risen in leather and kink.”
Leather Brotherhood
South Florida has a large, vibrant, and tight-knit leather community. It’s a bond he says grows stronger among pageant participants. “As contestants we are all very nervous and excited and we become brothers very quickly. We get naked in front of each other as we change our outfits, usually in a very small space. We help each other get dressed and make sure we look perfect before we go on stage. The entire experience goes by very fast and in the end, there can only be one winner. But no matter who it is, we support that person and become brothers for life.”
As the reigning Mr. Ramrod, Tyrcha will compete at International Mr. Leather (IML) next year in Chicago. He’s a Windy City native and says there’s one part of the contest he anticipates the most: food. But once he has his fill of deep dish pizza, Tyrcha will focus on the matter at hand. “To do my best at IML and bring back the title of International Mr. Leather to South Florida. There are two Mr. Ramrod’s (1998 and 2005) that won IML and many Mr. Ramrod’s that placed in the top 3. Let’s see if I can be the 3rd Mr. Ramrod to become International Mr. Leather!”
Lifelong Love of Leather
Tyrcha has been attracted to leather and uniforms since he was a kid. “When I was a teenager, I began wearing leather which was probably the beginning for me.” He has talked about hanging out at the local Marines recruiting station and doing pushups and embracing that vibe. He enlisted in the US Army as a Military Police officer when he was 22.
While he would have loved to have stayed in longer, another priority was calling. “I got out in 2006 and pursued my physical transition. Immediately. I then immersed myself into the leather community and I was welcomed and really built my true authentic self. I have always had a strong desire for leather, sex, authority, uniforms, structure, and camaraderie.”
