MLP hands over naming rights

MLP hands over naming rights

Melbourne Leather Pride (MLP) today handed over the name of its organisation, the Mr Leather Australia/New Zealand Contest and Leather Pride Fair to rival group, Melbourne Leather Community.

The new leather group formed on July 11 after concerns Melbourne Leather Pride was not representing the Melbourne leather community.

In a letter today, former MLP director Alex Schoeffel effectively handed over the festival to Melbourne Leather Community, which is soon to be renamed Victoria Leather Inc.

“I am pleased to put in writing for you that I am releasing the intellectual property of Melbourne Leather Pride to the new formative organisation,” Schoeffel said.

The move halts plans for MLP to run the Leather Pride Festival and the Mr Leather competition in October and November next year.

Schoeffel also said handing over the organisation will mean it is no longer auspiced by the ALSO Foundation when it comes to applying for future funding applications. MLP received a $13,000 Yarra Council grant this year.

Melbourne Leather Community spokesman Nathan Niessen said the group will release a statement shortly in response.

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3 responses to “MLP hands over naming rights”

  1. It takes courage to settle a dispute. Too many GLBTI organisation fail because conflicts remain unresolved. Personal recriminations are just bitchy comments from grown men who should know better. Congratulations to the parties for resolving this issue and my personal gratitude to those who have owned up to their role in the resolution. The community is stronger today because of this outcome.

  2. Hmm – makes no mention of ALSO being Alex’s employer .. just that MLP had been auspiced by ALSO

    However, funny you should raise that he is still there though – wasn’t Alex moving on from his position one of the grand staff cut gestures provided at the recent special meeting of ALSO to show that management was removing cost layers from the organisation?

  3. Hope no financial liabilities come with this ‘gift’. MLP was one man’s toy. The new organisation will belong to the community. So they are not rivals: they are different.

    Is ALSO, Alex’ employer, relevant?.

    t’.