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1. Why was Shibaricon conceived? Was this conception realized to your expectations?
Well, I was at one of my favorite general BDSM mega-events, and it was the first time I got to meet a lot of my rope bondage peers. Chicago was not a big rope bondage town, and I had to travel to others to learn from others. I was at an event with about 30 other big rope bondage experts (and their playmates) I knew from the Internet or had taken classes from them. It was amazing for me. I was stag and had no one to play with, the first night I was just walking around the huge dungeon watching other rope bondage people doing their craft. And I was wearing all leather, and another man wearing all leather with a whip comes up and stands next to me. I was admiring the really nice rope bondage work, and then he turned to me and said something derogatory about rope bondage people. I basically being one of "those" people I wanted to turn to him and tell him to fuck off! But I did not, and just ignored him and went back to watching art being made. I have heard a lot of negative comments from people before about * bondage people *, because generally I think most BDSM people or ignorant, close-minded or unskilled with bondage and what you can really do with it. They just think it as a form of restraint, and that’s all they would use it for anyway, if that was the case… might as well just slap on a leather restraint and play. But, if that’s what you want to do, nothing wrong with it at all. Rope bondage people tend to be the "outcasts" in the BDSM communities.
I decided I was going to get all the rope bondage people together from the next ]night on, and have them take over part of the dungeon, and created a notable force. And surprising everyone agreed and was up for it, and we pulled it off. The back corner of the dungeon, which was about 10-15 frames were taken over by rope bondage people only for the next 2 nights. It was awesome, and I think everyone at the event definitely took notice to it, and even admired it I believe there were always large crowds of people watching. Also there was a lot of friendly competition between the rope people in what they were doing, I know I joined in for sure and was having a lot of fun! I was standing there, talking to one of my friends, and said to him, "I wish there was an event just for us", to support our needs and our community. That is basically where the Idea for Shibaricon was born. I have this thing, where I like to take negative things and turn them into positive things. I did that here! And it worked.
From my concept of the idea and what I wanted, we pulled off 95% of it. I was very pleased with the outcome, and the other 5% were mostly superficial things that were not a big deal. It was an education event, with no politics or ego's, just a community of people all there for the same reasons; to have fun, learn, and met others like themselves. I was extremely happy with it, actually I could not of asked for anything more!
2. What was it like putting on an event of this magnitude?
It was a HUGE amount of work! If I knew what I know now, I probably would not have done it! It took me 18 months to get it up. I started out doing almost everything myself. The initial concept, legal, PR, contacting hotels, instructors and programming, etc. Unfortunately several people let me down through the process, but the last 9 months I had 3 other great teams members on my team who took other parts of the event planning: Florence Fox (Con-ops, hotel liaison, and special events); Andrea (Volunteer Manager and on-site organization); and Diana (Programming and Administrative assistant). I also had several advisors who helped me out a lot at the beginning. If it were not for them, I would not have had to courage to actually go through with it! Bill Stadt from IML was the first, also Bridgett, Viking, Midori and Greg , and tons of others in the BDSM community helped me out but volunteering their time, skills and equipment. But with the outcome, it was all totally worth it!
3. Did you have a good turn out considering that this was an inaugural event?
Yes, it had a very good turn out for a first time event of such a specific topic. Actually most of the people who did not know me personally did not know it was the first, because it was so well run from their point of view. I would get asked "so how many years has this event been going on for?" and my answer would be "this is the first" and then they would have a shocked look on their face because they could not believe it was the first event. Then they would usually reply with "I have never been to an event that was so well organized!"
4. How did you become involved with bondage? Why has it become a passion for you?
I am not exactly sure when bondage became part of myself, but I can remember back on 4 things when people ask me now. First time I ever tied anyone up, was my nephews when I had to baby sit them when I was young, and they were twins in there terrible two's. I was 8-ish at the time, and think I was getting revenge for when my bother used to duck tape me to things when I was a kid. The second thing, was the Internet when I was in my teens the internet happened mainly for the same reason like any visual technology … porn, I downloaded a lot of porn, and eventual came across Japanese rope bondage, which was really different and it was amazing! Gorgeous Japanese women tied up artistically, and photographed well. That was something I never saw in American porn before. Third, when I was in my first relationship at 20, at one point my g'f told me she was totally comfortable with me and I could do anything I wanted to her. I just jumped up, ran to the closet and pulled out a bag of 200ft of cotton clothesline. I tied her up with this one long piece, and I had no idea what I was doing. I ended up looking like a weird spider web mummification, which I am sure looked terrible. But we loved it! And finally when I was 25, got some good education and a partner and was able to practice a lot, and tied up about 1200 women in 2 years at BDSM play spaces, events and fetish bars, I became a bondage monster, but my skill got really good and fast. Rope bondage has become a big part of my sexuality. I love doing, I feel most alive when I am tying up a woman, and she enjoys it!
5. Who are a few of the people who you admire in the bondage community?
Anyone who is willing to educate others and their art form. Pretty much everyone who taught at Shibaricon did it out of the kindness of there own hearts, that wanted to help build a new community, and because of their kindness, it happened. Personally my ideal is Randa Mai from Japan, I have never met him, but hope to some day!
6 Do you think that Japanese Rope Bondage will enjoy the longevity that Western Bondage (e.g. magazines and then the website of Harmony Concept) has in the United States, or do you think that it is a passing fad?
Well from what I know (I may be wrong) erotic Japanese rope bondage has been around a longer then western erotic rope bondage has, and I am sure it will be around a lot longer. It's as artistic as it is functional. A lot of western style bondage to me that is very debatable. Nothing wrong with it, and I am sure western style won't go away, and as far as I am concerned it is all good as long as everyone is happy! Which is what it is really all about.
As far as media, there have been Japanese rope bondage photo zones since the 1920's (and if you want to get really geeky, in painting from as far back as the 1800s or before…Ukiyoe), where the western version didn’t really happen until around the 70's… that I know of. I personally think as more people learn Japanese style, the more people there are to teach others down the line. When I started doing Shibari 4 years ago it was almost impossible to find people who did it, or places to learn it. Now there are web sites, books, classes at almost any BDSM event, and now a specialized event just for it. It's spreading like wildfire, I am sure there is 100 times as many people doing Shibari now, as there were 5 years ago.
7. Do you think that many people find Japanese Rope Bondage a novelty because it is perceived as exotic and has history?
Generally no, I don’t think so. In the western world, I think some do like some of the mystique about it, and like to call things by Japanese words, and try to be more Japanese when doing it. It is exotic, erotic, and does have a history. But everything we do know, does have some history to it. Things evolve and mutate into new things that keeps things fresh and fun!
8. What are some of the historical misconceptions about Japanese Rope Bondage that are being perpetuated? How could this be potentially dangerous?
Well historically in Japan it started out as Hojojutsu, and other martial arts of that the samurai and constables would have to use rope to restraint prisoners. There was not much metal in Japan because it is a resource poor country, and the little they had was for weapons. The one thing they did have was material to make rope, and rope bondage was not supposed to hurt the captives, it was used for restraint only. Now the ties were literally keep a secret, mostly to keep prisoners for escaping, and each clan had their own style. There is ever little documentation on the subject, and none that I know of about how it evolved from a military restraint to an erotic pleasure. This was called Kinbaku-bi (erotic bondage), or what we call Shibari in the western world, which happened because of one of the first web sites in English that had incorrect information on it, and it caught on. Using the word "Shibari" is a misnomer, is just a Japanese word for "tie", or "bind". If you say "Shibari" to a Japanese person, most likely they will have no clue what you talking about, unless they’re a hentai (pervert) too. It is like walking up to someone on the street and saying just "tie" to them, and their going to be confused. But if you say "kinbaku-bi", which means "the art of binding tightly" which they will know your some kind of pervert! Ha - Usually Japanese just call it "Bondage",
The biggest misconceptions I can think that it harder to do than it really is, and that it hurts. If done correctly it should not hurt! And the only pain should come from any situation you create with it, not from the rope itself inherently. I cannot think of anything dangerous, except trying to do things with bondage above your skill level or trying to push limits too far or to fast. One thing that is dangerous I can think of is trying and reproduce everything you see in bondage photography (or read in erotic fiction), especially suspension work that can be very dangerous. There is a lot of what we call 1/60th second shoots, or 5 man shoots. Which means there is a crew of professionals that will tie up a girl in a very dangerous pose, they run out, and the photographer shoots a roll of film as fast has he can, then the 5 men run back in, hold up the girl and cut her out. So use common sense when doing bondage. And especially for learning suspension bondage, you should do it with someone who is experienced and know what he or she are doing.
9. What are some of the things that you see happening with the future Shibaricons?
Bigger and Better! Shibaricon will never become a mega-event because there are only so many rope bondage instructors and these are mainly hands on classes. So there is a cap to how many can attend. And I prefer the event to stay a more "intimate" to make sure there is a good teacher/student ratio and it does what the event was created for, education. Not profit. This will help make sure people learn, and have fun. There will be new classes, instructors, and special events every year to try and make it better and more interesting for attendee’s every year!
I love feedback, and ideas from people. I will keep striving to make it be the best event possible!
MorTis.
The Internet
By Sassy Jo
Copyright 2002 by sassy_jolene@hotmail.com
She had been lonely too long. This man had promised the sun and moons, she just hoped to see stars. Her car pulled up to the address he had given her. She was leery about meeting him, especially at his house. After all, they had only chatted online for about 5 weeks, but she was lonely, and he seemed trustworthy when she had started talking to him on the telephone in the last two weeks. The house was a big Victorian style, with a huge porch that seemed to wrap around the entire house. The landscaping was immaculate, and for some reason, that gave her comfort. She walked up the stairs, counting for some reason.... 15. Fifteen steps to heaven, I hope, she thought. She knocked on the door, and he answered before the third knock. He had been waiting by it. As he opened the huge oak door, she instantly found she was very attracted to him. He had light brown hair, blue eyes you could float in, and a smile that warmed her very being. He offered her his arm, and as she took it, he shut and locked the door.
The noise took her by surprise, and to try to ease her tension she jokingly asked, "Am I your prisoner now?" He grinned and answered her with another question; "Do you want to be?" Her heart skipped a beat and she smiled, hoping her nerves were not showing. She did not answer him though and he smiled again. "Relax" He led her into the living room. The furniture was casual, and the fires in the fire place warm. As she sat down on the couch, she noticed a tray with sodas still in cans, and some vegetables with dip. He sat next to her and tried to reassure her "I won't do anything you don't want to do. I want you to be comfortable here" They talked for a bit, sharing stories that they had not gone over in the Internet chats. Then as they were getting comfortable with one another, he leaned over and kissed her. His lips hit their mark on her lips, and at first, she was shocked. Then realized she liked his kisses, and opened her mouth for him to gain entry. Their tongues teased one another and she heard a moan from somewhere deep inside her. His breath was at her neck as he asked her if she was ready for some of the intimacies they had shared online. She whispered yes, and they stood.
He led her to some stairs, and they walked up them hand in hand. The room he took her to had a king-size canopy bed with curtains all around. The satin sheets were pulled back. He held her as they stood beside the bed. He began undressing her slowly and deliberately. He trailed his fingertips with his lips and she was trembling with ecstasy when he had totally undressed her. He urged her into the bed, and then reached to open the drawer of the table by the bed. She caught a glimpse of an array of sexual toys that she had talked with him about, but never actually tried. Her eyes grew wide and she asked him if he had been offended when she called him Wise one in sarcasm online. He grinned, and said, "you told me to teach you.... Here is your first lesson" He pulled a long satin ribbon from the drawer and wrapped it around her wrists. Then he wrapped it around the headboard, but did not tie it. He whispered in her ear as he pulled away "Trust me" The fear in her eyes subsided a little.
He stood up and undressed while she watched. He did this with slow, patient hands that seemed to be touching her all over although he was only removing his clothes. This task done, he climbed into the bed with her. He began at her eyes. He kissed her on the lids, the forehead, the cheeks, the chin, and finally the lips. She kissed him back when their lips met, and licked at his lips with her tongue. He pulled away and smiled at her, then shook his head no. He began touching her neck, shoulders, and chest. He followed his hands with his lips and tongue. He had her sensitivities high as he worked his way over her entire body. When he got to her knees, she heard him get in the drawer again. He had more ribbons that he wrapped around each of her ankles, and then around the footboard. She moaned as she felt his tongue on her inner thigh. She was wet with anticipation and heard him moan quietly as his tongue teased her clit. Soon she quivered as he led her from one orgasm to another.
Finally, he came up to face her again. She kissed him, tasting her cum on his lips. It excited her. He rubbed her wet puss with his hand and offered her more from his fingertips. She sucked eagerly, and whispered, "I want to feel you inside me." He chuckled and put his hands on her hips. He guided them so that she rolled over on her stomach, and he moved between her legs. As he pushed his hard cock inside her, he felt her hips come up to meet him. He held her hips in his strong hands, and pounded faster and harder. She began trembling again in ecstasy, and felt her cum get thicker. Then he pulled out of her dripping puss and rolled her over again. He held his hard cock in one hand. She raised up and tongued the little hole at the tip. He pushed her back and exploded his load all over her tits. Then he rubbed it in like cream. She fell asleep, exhausted.
She awakened after awhile, finding herself alone, with one of her arms handcuffed to the headboard, and no key. She glanced around nervously. Then she heard him call from the stairs, telling her he is fixing them a snack, and that he wanted to play some more. She relaxed, and waited. He took what seemed to be an eternity. She grew bored, and began thinking about their online discussions. She got wet again, began touching herself without realizing she was doing it. She also did not notice how foggy the mirror hanging on the wall across from the bed was. He stood behind it, watching her. First, her fingers just lightly teased at her clit, but then her need grew and she began stroking at her hole too. She had lots of practice in masturbation and he watched as she made herself quiver. Then he left the mirror and brought a tray into the room for her.
Just as he came in the door, he noticed that the fingers she had been stroking herself with were now in her mouth. She watched him now, and noticed his erection immediately. "Hi, I waited for you, but then started without you" She looked at his face again. "Oh you did, huh? Would you like something to wash it down with?" She smiled, "What do you have in mind?" He laughed. Then he poured some wine in a glass and handed it to her. She reached for the glass and then asked, "What is up with the handcuffs?" He smiled as he took a sip. "Just wanted to make sure you didn't go anywhere." "You gonna take them off now?" "You don't want to leave them on?" "I wore the ribbons, I think it is your turn to be bound." He laughed again at her forwardness. Then he handed her the key from the tray. "Impress me." She drank her wine while watching him. She was getting hot just planning. She handed him her wineglass, and unlocked the cuffs. He put both glasses back on the tray and then lay on his back and offered her his hands. She clamped the cuffs on him. He pointed to a small hook mounted to the headboard. She smiled as she hooked them on it. "Are you ready to be impressed?" Without waiting for the answer, she opened his little drawer. She was amazed by all the things she found in there, but tried not to look it. She lifted out the things, pondering and then replacing each item one by one. He seemed to enjoy watching her so she did not rush. She finally shut the drawer empty handed. He looked disappointed. "You don't see anything you want to use?" "I don't see anything I know how to use, you can show me later. Right now," she straddled him, leaning over his chest to whisper in his ear, "I just want to fuck you."
He felt her tits against him; she pushed against him harder. She licked at his neck and ear lobes. Then trailed kisses down his chest and belly. He felt her tongue as it dove into his belly button. He moaned, but lay still. Then she moved down further to his cock. He heard her whisper "this is my favorite part of the male anatomy," just as he felt her moist lips enclose the head of it. She grazed her teeth over the head just a bit. Then as she took the length of it in her mouth, she tightened her grip around the base of it. She sucked hard, but stopped short. He felt her tongue on his balls. She sucked each one, and then both together. When she moaned, it sent shivers through him. Then she moved up, straddled him, and pulled the cuffs off the hook.
She sat with his cock deep inside her, and unlocked them. She whispered as she tossed them aside, "I don't have the control you do, and you are going to need your hands when I pound you the way I am planning." He laughed and felt the strength of her words as she did indeed pound him. His hands held her hips as she got a slow rhythm going. She moaned and ground against him, hard. Then she pounded some more, and the rhythm became faster as she started cumming. Nevertheless, she kept pounding and grinding, until soon he shot off deep inside her. Now they both slept. As she dressed the next morning, he watched her. "Will I see you online again later?" He asked. "Of course, and I hope to get another personal lesson soon" she giggled and left.
The Oklahoma Mr. Leather 2005 weekend October 15 –17th 2004.
Club Maverick in Tulsa Oklahoma was filled to capacity as Ray Seabolt, Mason Alexander and Ryan Setzkorn took the stage. Our judge’s panel proclaimed that all three contestants were excellent, but only one, Mason Alexander, was chosen to carry the title for the up coming year.
Judges for this difficult task were OML 2004 Keith Hunt, Mr. Philadelphia Leather Victor Falero, Mr. Missouri Leather 2004 Ron Walters, Heart of America Leather Woman 2004 Daddy Amy, IML 1995 Larry Everett, Oklahoma Leather Sir 2004 David Clark and Mr. Kansas Leather 2004 Kerry Ellison. The scoring, once tabulated, revealed. Mason Alexander will advance to the International Mr. Leather contest in May 2006. Arnie Holder served as alternate Judge, Den Daddy, Steve Johnson and Judge’s assistant boi Griffin. Once again the one and only Dan Noel used his talents as the emcee for the evening to keep the crowd lively and entertained.
The fun filled weekend kicked off on Friday with a bar crawl as almost 50 Leather folk boarded the trolley and headed out to 7 local bars, ending with the "Meat and Greet" for announcement of Judges and contestants. Saturday afternoon at The Bamboo Lounge, the Kansas City Leather University held 4 educational workshops with over 50 people in attendance. Sunday brunch at The Metro Diner had 62 Leather Folk present to say farewell after a fun successful weekend. THANK YOU to ALL of our program advertisers and the weekend's sponsors, Club Maverick, The Bamboo Lounge, and The Metro Diner. More info
What’s Going On in The Sooner State
Oklahoma, Tulsa Dungeon Society, Diverse Paths, Oklahoma Leather Guard, NLA-OKC and the Oklahoma Leather Guard, seem to be pulling together socially and politically – which in my opinion is long over due. There seems to be a spirit of cooperation that seems to exist more so in the past.
Of course no, one is talking world peace, but it’s kinda nice that there is no mention of historical rifts – both fact and fabricated. Maybe the Oklahoma leather community has grown out of its adolescence and reached young adulthood so to speak. If so the next step would be to utilize resources to become economically viable and self-supporting.
Problems such as lack of good contestants and over saturation of the fetish market still exist; however, time will be a factor in solving many of these problems. Either the contest circuit will reinvent itself, creating new innovations or it will continue to utilize the same formula that has been in existence since the late 1970s. However, in the educational race for market share and an audience, the quality of leather and BDSM education \will improve because people will look for quality as opposed to education that doesn’t meet the needs of the community.
My Christmas wish, Santa would be a stronger economic plan for our communities in order for us to be able to co-exist. Maybe we need to regulate contests and events and only hold a limited amount, which would, theoretically, free up funds, for more relevant events, therefore allowing the less relevant events to die out gracefully.
Historically, I think that many of these events were planned with a vision to educate, entertain, but what about the pocket books of the consumer who is constantly aske to give and give, to events and causes, which in turn causes the groups who have received monies to pay for advertising to promote future events, which in turn allows other groups to produce their events, which in turn allows these events to pay their bills, which in turn creates a need to raise monies for various causes ad infinitum. I say this, with the full knowledge that I as a promoter of small events and contests could possibly fall victim to this rationale, but if I were to fall prey to this theory, it would be for the good of the community…in my opinion.
I honestly feel that this will be the next obstacle for our fair state….
Just a thought…Happy Holidays!
David M.
Interview With Mike Russell, International LeatherSir 2003
I’ve seen Mike Russell around at several events, but I finally got a chance to talk to him for a bit at IML2004 and asked him if I could interview him and he agreed. This interview is pretty much the culmination of months worth of email tag, phone tag and in between travel questions. Mike is a great person who always has a smile on his face and he’s one of the nicest guys out there right now. This Columbus weekend, Mike will step down as the current International Leather Sir.
DM:
So how did a country boy become this handsome international leather icon?
MR:
BY BEING MYSELF. TAKING WHAT I LEARNED FROM HOME, THE
MILITARY, MY LEATHER FAMILY AND PUTTING MYSELF OUT THERE. ALL I
EXPECT FROM ANYONE IS A SMILE AND HELLO, THAT'S ALL!
DM:
What attracted you to compete in the leather contest circuit, specifically
Southern California LeatherSir? Was there a preliminary to So Cal?
MR:
MY MENTORS (MY LEATHER FAMILY) ARE IN SAN DIEGO. BEFORE
ENTERING THE SOCAL CONTEST I CONSULTED MY FAMILY AND THEY
TOLD ME THE UPS AND DOWNS. I MADE MY DECISION TO DO IT BECAUSE
THEY SAW SOMETHING IN ME - LEADERSHIP. I WANTED TO DENY THAT
THOUGHT BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO APPEAR PRETENTIOUS TO ANYONE.
I'M NOT THAT WAY AND WILL NEVER BE. I JUST WANT TO BE ONE OF THE
GUYS. I AM THE FORMER MR WOLFS SAN DIEGO 2002
DM:
What and who attracted you to the leather lifestyle and do you think that the
LeatherSir title gives you the opportunity or more of an opportunity to be a sexual
being? Yes/No? And Why?
MR:
THE SMELL OF LEATHER WAS MY FIRST ATTRACTION. TOM DICKERSON,
MR SAN DIEGO LEATHER 2002 IS MY MENTOR. LEATHER FOLK ARE REAL
PEOPLE. AND I FIND THAT WE ARE VERY DIRECT IN OUR APPROACH AND
OUR REPLIES, WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET, AND I OF COURSE I LIKE
TO PLAY. I "AM" A SEXUAL BEING. No, the title does not give me more opportunity
to be a sexual being. I am a sexual being whether I have the title or not, hopefully.
Actually when you travel with a title you are always on a time schedule so your
cruising time is cut immensely. You're planning wardrobes, speeches, etc.
DM:
If you had to choose between, flogging, bondage, group sex, passionate kisses
and cuddling, which one would it be and why? (hmmm kinda sounds like a contest
question doesn't it?)
MR:
THE ANSWER IS MINE, SO I WOULD TAKE THEM IN THE ORDER YOU HAVE
THEM LISTED, ONLY BECAUSE I LIKE THEM ALL. AND SINCE YOU HAVE
CUDDLING AS THE LAST THING ON YOUR LIST, THAT'S APPROPRIATE. I KNOW
THAT SOUNDS LIKE CONTEST ANSWER, BUT IT'S REAL AND ALL IN MY TOP
HEAD SPACE.
DM:
How did you become involved in volunteering for the special Olympics and do you
feel that your title affords you the opportunity to be more community service oriented?)
MR:
AS YOU KNOW I GREW UP IN A SMALL TOWN IN TEXAS AND I LEARNED
TO HELP MY NEIGHBOR. I LEARN THE VALUE OF HELPING THOSE WHO WERE
LESS FORTUNATE AND WHOSE ABILITIES MIGHT NOT BE QUITE AS SHARP.
I FEEL THAT HELPING IS A VERY PRIVATE THING, NOT SOMETHING TO BOAST
ABOUT. Yes, the title does afford me this opportunity because now there is a title
attached to my name and for some reason that tends to give you a little more notoriety.
DM:
What other causes do you support and how do you support these causes?
MR:
I HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART FOR CHILDREN AND SENIOR
CITIZENS. I BELIEVE THAT ALTHOUGH THEY ARE AT DIFFERENT ENDS OF
THE SPECTRUM, THEY ARE ONE IN THE SAME. YOU START BY HAVING
SOMEONE CARE FOR YOUR DAILY NEEDS AND IN MOST CASES YOU END
THAT WAY. RIGHT NOW, I SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND HIV. I AM
A BOARD MEMBER OF THE SAN DIEGO POZABILITIES A SOCIAL GROUP
FOR HIV POSITIVE MEN. I support children by volunteering each year for Special
Olympics and donating money to their charities. I once trained to be a camp
counselor for children with HIV. I have delivered groceries to Senior citizens who
could not get out and shop. With San Diego Pozabilities, we plan a monthly calendar
of events, sometimes with groups from surrounding cities like Los Angeles and Palm
Springs. In April we had what you would call a run to Palm Springs.
DM:
What is your platform and do you think that you have been carrying it out effectively.
MR:
LEATHER SIR/BOY DOES NOT HAVE A PLATFORM, BUT I HAVE HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH HISTORY DURING MY TRAVELS. THE
CLUBS IN MOST MAJOR CITIES FOSTER MENTORING THAT HAS TAUGHT A
LOT OF US QUITE A BIT ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL. MENTORING IS TEACHING
AND CARING; NOT NECESSARILY ABOUT THE LEATHER LIFESTYLE.
DM:
What type of history have you connected with? Could you share that experience?
MR: The motorcycle clubs in a lot of cities date back over 40 years. I've also recently discovered that there were African-American groups as well.
DM:
How is LeatherSir different from Drummer in your opinion?
MR:
I WOULD NOT SAY THAT LEATHERSIR IS NOT DIFFERENT FROM DRUMMER,
BECAUSE IT WAS CREATED IN THE SPIRIT OF DRUMMER. I GET A LOT OF
ADVICE FROM FORMER DRUMMERS, AND SOMETIMES I NEED IT!
DM:
What was the best advice that you have received from a Drummer?
MR:
Be myself!
DM:
What has been the most interesting experience that you have had as
International LeatherSir?
MR:
WINNING THE CONTEST - YOU SEE THEY WERE ANNOUNCING THE
BOY WINNER, THE RUNNER UPS, AND I WAS HAVING SUCH A GOOD TIME
STANDING IN LINE CLAPPING MY HANDS AND SMILING FOR THEM. THEN
THEY CALLED MY NAME AND I CONTINUED TO CLAP AND SMILE. IT WAS
THEN I HEARD THE DEN DADDY BEHIND STAGE SAYING, "STEP FORWARD."
THAT WAS THE MOST INTERESTING EXPERIENCE OF THIS YEAR, BECAUSE
I THINK OF MYSELF AS JUST ONE OF THE GUYS.
DM:
Tell me about the day after the contest, how did you feel?
MR: I am not one for the limelight. I like to, like I said be one of the guys. I went down stairs at the Sun Coast Resort to the coffee shop and started talking to the guy working there and he got around to asking me who won. The coffee was on the house! I am glad that I have not changed because of the title. That's what I'm proud of.
DM:
What would you like your legacy to be as International LeatherSir?
MR:
THAT I AM A REAL DOWN TO EARTH PERSON WHO HAS A ZEST AND
PASSION FOR LIFE. THAT THERE ARE NO STRANGERS IN MY LIFE BECAUSE I
WANT TO CONNECT WITH EVERYONE ON SOME LEVEL. THERE ARE THOSE
TIMES THAT I DO FEEL VERY HOT, SEXY, PASSIONATE, HORNY AND I MIGHT
BE SMILING AT YOU!
Black B.E.A.T. “Mardi Gras 2004”
(AKA My Road Trip)
I was initially going to write about this immediately after my trip to BB04, but I changed my mind, because I wanted to make sure that I captured, to the best of my ability, my experience as well as address questions that many people who did not attend have. I feel that it is very important to communicate my experiences completely and objectively.
Education
The classes that I attended were great, I went to Lady D’s age play class, and Goddess Lakshimi’s Dominant Mind class. I had the opportunity to discuss some of the questions that I have and I was also able to get other people’s points of views about age play. I learned quite a bit in her class and I plan on taking that information to heart because I do play with a few littles myself.
Lakshimi’s Dominant mind class was great. She taught the class through sharing some of her mistakes, as opposed to teaching through success. I respect her very much for being open enough to do that as there are people who would not.
My slave for the weekend, mori went to Jamal’s sensation play class and said it was great. It was like being in one big giant scene. I really wanted to go to his class, but I was teaching an advanced bondage class while he was presenting.
As a presenter, I really had fun teaching. I presented on florentining/double flogging and advanced bondage. Out of the two classes, I had the most fun in double flogging. There was a lot of interaction and sharing. One of the most significant topics that came out of that class for me was how the technique is going to vary based on body type and anatomy. mori pointed out that women who are top heavy are going to have to bend over slightly in order to keep their breasts out of the way. That was something that I never really considered. So I also learned a lot as well.
My advanced rope bondage class started off slow, but more people came as time passed. The topics were varied based on experience level. When thinking back on that class, Midori brought something very important to my attention when I spoke to her after this event. She asked me how I taught a class with that name – because of the varying experience level’s advanced can mean a variety of things, from knots, to technique etc… I found this very true when teaching that class as well. It would seem as if I teach something like that again, that the topic should be a bit refined in order to focus on something specific, in addition to opening the topic up to various other issue that may be present. My bondage model was Aye Provide from www.providenoir.com. We’ve known each other for years and I was looking forward to meeting her in person. She’s a great person to work with, I like that she’s tall too because there was a juxtaposition of size, which in my opinion worked well especially for the demo later that evening.
There was also another caucus to discuss issues concerning people of color, Mufasa started this at IML2004 and kept his promise by saying that he would continue this at as many other events possible. Many other issues were brought up and I also came up with a solution (but not “the” solution) for places that have low populations for people of color. After I step down as President of LINK and a few other responsibilities, I am going to try to put this solution into action!
Social
I can’t tell you how many times, I heard that Black Beat was an exclusive event and that it was only for African Americans. I know that it was a concern of mine as well. But if in doubt go see for yourself and I did.
To me, BB was more like a family reunion. To tell you the truth, I have never felt more welcomed. There was a sense a family where everyone just talked to everyone; I didn’t notice anything that would indicate a sense of exclusiveness.
I met a lot of great people and I finally got to meet Mistress Mir! I think that she is a very awesome lady from what little I know about her and I am happy I got to meet her. I also met a ton of awesome new people who I hope to see more of in the future. In addition there were a few well known people there as well, I believe attendance was up and there were 20 or 21 states represented and one person from Canada who came.
The NCSF sponsored a very well stocked hospitality suite, and it was a hub for socializing. Other popular places to meet, was the “martini room”. One of the attendee’s made awesome chocolate martinis, which I indulged in late Saturday night after the play parties. All I have to say about that girl is that she makes ‘em big and she makes ‘em strong! And apparently I missed Lakshimi by a matter of minutes.
The food was great and the fellowship during mealtime was very good as well. During the Friday night dinner, there was a masquerade ball and everyone was dressed very well; except for me. Saturday’s luncheon was great as well. There was a tribute to Lady Quyit Storm who passed away in July. During the slide presentation/tribute, Lady Z played classical guitar, in heels and a corset! (very impressive) Diamond, Lady Z and BG, the producers of Black BEAT had an awards ceremony during this time as well, they presented awards to the presenters and people who had made contributions to the community on the whole. The highlight of this event was the presentation of the 1st ever Vi Johnson award. The Vi Johnson award is presented to people of color who have made significant achievements to the African American BDSM/Leather community. This year’s winner was Goddess Lakshimi.
Play
There was a lot of play happening in and out of the dungeon! I heard very interesting sounds walking down the hallway during the day and evening. Assorted smacks, moans, sighs and whimpers of pain and pleasure could be heard and it was a very good thing.
Dungeon play was pretty hot too. On Friday night, I was awarded the dubious distinction of having the fastest scene set up ever seen by Lakshimi. According to her, I walked in the door, scoped out my equipment, set up and commenced with the beating, all under 5 minutes.
I had a fairly intense scene with mori, which included deep tissue flogging, and abrasion play. It was very cool to have someone bite, kick, growl and fight back. I don’t get that a lot and I really get into resistance and primal type of play. She almost kicked me in my balls!
But on Saturday night, I scoped out a certain Goddess, breaking the fastest scene set up record set on Friday night! She walked into the Crucible, scoped out her equipment set up and commenced with the beating all under 3 minutes! Didn’t think I noticed did ya!
There was also a slave auction that evening, baby grrl and I were the Emcees for
the evening. There were quite a few slaves that were auctioned that night as well
as tops. But the auction that was the most heated in my opinion was Mufasa’s.
Women and men were in a heated battle over who would be topped by Mufasa.
The bidding was hot and furious and when the dust settled, Mufasa went for
$7,000 in Black BEAT dollars, which roughly translates into 105 dollars cash,
give or take. Jamal and I also auctioned off lap dances. However, the person
who won mine was busy doing a demo and I didn’t get a chance to give it to her,
maybe next year?
I think the biggest surprise of all is when it was announced that diamond was going
to auction herself off with no limits attached. People pretty much jumped out of their
skins to get money, but alas it has just a hoax! Ya better not do that next year girl!
I don’t think no one will have it!
After the auction and my “lap dance” I did a suspension demo with Aye Provide
( www.providenoir.com ). I put my ropes on her and she got some hang time. It
was her first time, so I did something basic and when I got her up in the air, I spun
her around slowly and then took her up to about 8-10 feet in the air. She looked
very lovely, it was to me kind of like a kotori or a bird flying. She took about 15
minutes for me, and I let her come down and she stayed perfectly still as I untied
my ropes from her body. Like I said earlier, the height juxtaposition worked very
well, with her being tall, I think the effect of her being suspended by someone
short looked really good and in addition, with her being in the air in that position,
the effect was more exaggerated.
I also let mori top that night, because I was a bit busy and didn’t know if I would
have an opportunity to play with her. She is an excellent top and enjoyed
watching her work.
That bus was also fun! Getting lessons from Momma Vi, about the care and
etiquette of food was invaluable. That’s all I’m going to say on that on one.
Event Summary
Lady Z, diamond and BG put on a great event, all I heard from everyone is how
they felt at home there and it was like being among family. And the farewell
brunch pretty much reinforced that family feeling. Vi Johnson led the group in
a round of lift every voice and sing while everyone held hands. It was very
emotionally charged as there were many people signing who did not have a
dry eye. People hugged and said their good byes or see you later. I said my
good byes and see you laters, and shared last minute experiences.
This was one of the best events that I have attended this year, because I just
had fun and acted silly. I played a lot and learned a lot as well.
In closing, three women, with very little contact to the global leather community
pulled off something that was very amazing in my opinion. They not only
produced an event with their private resources, but they also put on something
that was in my opinion galvanizing, not only to African Americans, but for
people in general.
I know that there is a concern that this event may be exclusive to the point of
exclusion, but the only answer that I can give to you is go yourself, volunteer and
make a decision for yourself.
The only bummer I had was that I set up my suspension rigging stuff before I went
to help emcee, a lady began to put her stuff on my rigging and use it after I walked
away to check on a few things. I went over and asked her nicely that I set that
specific piece of equipment up for a specific purpose and this person began to talk
to me condescendingly and in a very insulting manner. OK simply put she was being
a bitch. She did eventually remove her stuff, but I had never encountered such rude
behavior in a dungeon before, I was genuinely surprised, because there was no
reason for that type of behavior. I’m not sure if she was just a hostile person or if
she misunderstood what I was saying, but never the less, the woman was a bit high
strung and needed to take a chill pill.
News and Stuff
Pantheon of Leather Community Service Awards 2005
The nomination form and information for the Pantheon of Leather Community Service
Awards 2005 is now posted. San Francisco Leather Daddy VIII Don Thompson is the
nominations registrar this year. With the assistance of his life partner Henry Jordan and
the diligent work of Random Chance in creating a fabulous and user-friendly page,
nominations will be much easier to make than ever.
Don’t forget, TDS will have a demo and discussion day on September 25th.
Presenters include Major, Mr. New Mexico Leather 2004, Lord Prophett and
Daddy Bob Keltner. If you are interested in attending please visit TDS’s website
The Mr. Finishline Leather and Mr. Finishline Bear contest will be the weekend of 9/24.
It will take place at the Finishline Bar in the Habana Inn Complex. For more information
please visit this web site http://www.habanainn.com/hievents.html.
Living in Leather 2005 will be in Oklahoma City. NLA-I’s premier BDSM/Leather
educational event will take place in September 2005. More info to come.
Oklahoma Mr. Leather 2005 “Gods In Leather: Remembering the Past” will take
place the weekend of October 15th at Club Maverick, please come at and support
TULSA and our outgoing Oklahoma Mr. Leather Keith Hunt. This year, weekend
packages are $60.00! For more information, please visit www.tulsaleather.com.
I will give you a report on the Midori event, in my next column so stay tuned on that one!
Runway 822, the fashion show/contest/fundraiser for Tulsa Mr. Leather 2004
Ryan Setzkorn was a smashing success. Over $800.00 was raised to support
his bid for Oklahoma Mr. Leather 2005.
There also is a new leather club in Tulsa called the Tulsa Rough Riders, I hope
to see them out and about in the near future and working with every organization
in Oklahoma. Catalysts can be a very dangerous thing. Don’t ya think?
In closing, I have noticed online clubs, support groups begin to germinate
wildly in Oklahoma. It’s quite amazing to think about coming from a time when the
community was very sparse and disjointed. My caveat is over saturation will kill
the market and it has happened in here about 10 years ago. There seems to be
a DIY attitude about things, which is a good quality to have, but remember there
are only so many kinky people and these same people are the ones spending
the money and there are so many things that people will spend monies on.
We really need to look at regulating our events, at least for survival’s sake, in
addition to maintaining high quality.
Well that’s all I have on my plate, I hope you all have a good time where ever you are.
Cultivating Weeds (An Unorthodox View About Mentoring)
So I started gardening. For cathartic and therapeutic reasons, I felt that I needed something to do so far removed from my day- to-day routines as well as something that was completely alien to me. I also have this fantasy of one day retreating from the lifestyle in my old age after contributing for over years and years of service to garden. Why? Because people who seem to be politically active in this community seem to get burned out fast, by the time many years have passed, I can imagine that, by speculation, the attrition rate is extremely high.
What I really want to do is to grow bonsai trees. To me, it contains some of the principles of BDSM that I embrace as a Top. But, I am digressing from what I really want to say.
So far, I have been cultivating geraniums, begonias and as I continued, I added roses and tulips to my small little collection of assorted flowers. One day I saw a strange new growth a month into all of this. I let these things stay in there, they looked fairly innocuous so what the hell. In three days those suckers sprouted up! I was pretty much amazed by this. But I let them grow for a few more days. They began sprouting these leaves and all I could say was damn! These things are growing like weeds. I asked my wife and she said well they kind of have the same shape as the tree next to them so it could be that, but I honestly think you have weeds.
Fascinated with the idea that they could be saplings from this tree, I quickly entertained the idea that I could have stumbled onto an easy way to cultivate a bonsai from this tree’s offspring. I discarded the notion that these things were weeds. Well damnit why not! These plants seemed to come from fallen leaves from the tree and the decomposing leaves were, in many cases, attached to these plants.
So I very carefully transplanted these “saplings” into their own environment and something conducive to maintaining smaller trees. They thrived. I didn’t know what they hell they were but they were going to make great bonsai trees. All the while, my other plants and flowers that had some of these “trees” in them weren’t doing so well. I pretty much thought there was simply too much room and since I had the specimens that I needed, I got rid of them.
“Sweety, I don’t think you have trees, I think they’re weeds” my wife said. “No, no, they are trees, look at their leaves, they look just like the leaves of that tree”. “Okay”, she said. So overall my gardening has been going pretty good. The roses however, lost all of their blooms and I had to prune them, the geraniums were however, taking turns at blooming. One a magnificent white and the other bright red with magenta ring around their leaves. “Not bad, for a beginner” I thought. My “trees” kinda just stagnated, after a certain point they just remained the same size.
In May I asked my slave to watch the plants while I was away for a few weeks. About a week later she asked me why I was growing weeds. I told her that I wasn’t growing weeds that they were trees that I am going to cultivate into bonsai. She said that she was quite sure that they were and was thinking about taking them to the local nursery to identify them, however she had a slight fear that if she did, she might be arrested for fear that it might be something illegal. I was quite sure that they weren’t anything illegal, but how did I really know if I couldn’t tell a weed from a tree!
To make a long story short these things eventually died out and my slave tried to save them but to no avail. Looking around my apartment complex I just took stock in what plants were what and yes they did turn out to be weeds, yeah no surprise to you, gentle reader. But for a laugh at my expense and also hopefully a word of advice, I pretty much tried to make lemon into lemon aid with this really weird parable if you’d like to call it that.
Sometimes people appear in your lives and are more than willing and eager to be a part of this lifestyle. Some of these people even seek out to be mentored. These people may even show growth by exhibiting the skills that it takes to do what we do. However, this wonderful person who you think might be the next up and coming Tony Deblase or Jill Carter may not be all that wonderful to others, but you may think that they just don’t see the potential. These people often times appear out of nowhere and can become fast friends. The bottom line is will they stand the test of time. Ultimately just like weeds they eventually die out or they are removed.
On a bigger picture, these weeds may be seen as people who don’t have longevity in the community, but I don’t see it like that. I am talking about individuals who you take time to transmit your values and skill, they show great promise and then they just fizzle. Your efforts are wasted and you eventually are left gun shy. You also become less willing to show anyone anything or explain why you value the things that you do. Questions such as, how can I tell if this is the right person to teach and confide in will become a part of your decision making process.
Well what if these people screw up, does that automatically make them useless? God no, I am talking about people who make such egregious mistakes that they destroy whatever is around them like weeds do. People need to be forgiven for their mistakes, but there is a point where individuals are so detrimental to the community that they will destroy it rather than help to build it. These people tend to get shunned and exposed for what they are and eventually do go away or hang around the outskirts like predators.
So what about my flowers? They are doing great! The weeds are gone and my slave bought me a bonsai tree for father’s day. I spent the past week germinating the pine seeds and I just planted them this morning, on my fifth wedding anniversary! Get back to me in about ten years on that one!
International Mr. Leather 26 (Whoa Silver)
Whoa slow down! Moving beyond the silver anniversary, my IML experience was quite different. Looking at it from the perspective of a spectator observing the social atmosphere and the contest itself was pretty interesting in the sense that this event can provide various facets that can impact the individual. The facets that I will look at are: the consumer’s point of view, from the contest point of view, and the perspective of someone who is politically active in the leather and BDSM communities. It took me a few weeks to process all of this information in order to put down what I actually have to say.
My experience begins on Friday 5/28 when I fly into Chicago O’Hare at about 8PM. At this point the contestants had already received their numbers and they were well into their interviews. The parties and the meet and greets had begun and so some people were geared up for more partying. For those of you who are new to IML, it is worth noting that it is the biggest leather event of the year with approximately 10 plus thousand present each year for its various aspects. The vender market, parties, contests, rekindling old friendships or flames are some of the biggest reasons for attending. Other attractions are the leather archives and museum, bars such as the Chicago Eagle and the Touché are also attractions as well. With respect to parties, the biggest ones are: the Texas, California, Onyx and the Maple Leaf parties. This year the host hotel was the Hyatt Regency.
The Consumer
The vender mart is always the biggest and the best that I have seen. Venders come from all over the nation to sell their wares and people come with cash and credit card at hand to find the toys or implements needed, wanted or even coveted. Don’t worry about the airport security, as some of the venders are more than willing to ship your merchandise to your respective locations. If not, I always leave with a suitcase filled with assorted goodies and I have yet to be held over for carrying a flogger that is in my luggage or 300 foot of rope. This year, I bought a pair of floggers, lots of rope, a 10 piece cupping set, a really cool nipple ring two IML books that was compiled by Joe Bean, I had one of them signed by Chuck Renslow, the executive producer and founder of IML.
If you are planning on making it an event and you are out of town, I would recommend that you get a Styrofoam cooler and put it in your hotel room, as you will be on the go often and you can go to one of the local markets and fill it full of deli meats and assorted foods of choice. Eating can get expensive and if you live off of the hotel food, you will generally pay between 15-30 dollars per meal. A slice of pizza is $5.00 and drinks are gonna run you $5.50 and up. There are select areas to get water but sometimes they may be hard to find. Do I even have to mention room service? For further recommendations I would recommend Robert Davolt’s book Painfully Obvious. An Irreverent and Unauthorized Manual for Leather S/M it has some great survival tips about surviving at IML.
Finally for those of you going to the parties, remember that you must purchase tickets in order to get drinks.
Speaking of drinks, well let’s not speak about drinks because I had too many of them on Friday night. My primary objective was to just let go and have fun, which I did. I went to as many parties as I could attend, but the ones that stand out are: the don’t mess with Texas party and the Onyx party. They were packed, and wall-to-wall people shmooshed together with great music.
I got a chance to visit a lot of old friends and had a chance to actually play. This was a first for me as I generally am there to help out friends who are competing.
The Contest
The Consumer
The contest is always a great show from a spectator’s point of view and for anyone who is a die-hard IML attendee the crown jewel of the weekend. This year, there were 57 contestants coming from all over – six from outside of the US and the rest from various states in the Union. Within this microcosm, you will experience briefly the lives of these men who represent the ideals and values of their regions that they represent.
For the newer people, the IML contestants have two preliminaries: interview and pecs and personality (AKA physique). From those preliminaries, the top 20 finalist are chosen. The top twenty finalists have a final physique showing and give their speech; the speeches can only be 90 seconds. Finally the top three winners are chosen.
Whenever I go, I always pick my own top twenty-first and the see how far off I was from the judge’s choice, this yeah my choice was off by six people. Of course I put the Okies in my top 20, because I am biased that way!
However when the dust cleared: Thomas Schock, Mr. Fetish Switzerland was second runner-up, Remi Collette, Mr. Leatherman Toronto took first runner-up and Jason Hendrix, Mr. DC Eagle was named IML2004.
In conjunction with the IML contest, the International Mr. Bootblack contest is also happening as well. The winners were: Boot dog, second runner-up, Spunky, first runner-up and Alan Tunstall was chosen to be IMBB2004. I personally am impressed with Alan. He is articulate and he seems to be aware of some of the current issues happening not only in the leather community but in the BDSM/fetish communities as well. My personal pick was Spanky, I think he’s an awesome person and he’s been at this for quite sometime.
Tidbits and Stuff
The Consumer
Chuck Renslow’s annual message was simple, it was defeat George Bush. IML 2003 John Pendal’s speech lasted 32 minutes from my observation, hey I could be wrong. The “intended goal” of Pendal’s speech was to deliver it with the “Best British Accent”. For those of you who know your IML trivia, it was pretty much intended at “reminding” the audience about IML1999, Bruce Chopnik’s “epic” speech that lasted long enough for me to get several drinks, visit with several friends, have a smoke, take a whiz, have an emotional moment, and still come back for the middle of it. In addition to the monologue of 1999 there was the “concert” of 2001, when IML 2001 Stephan Mueller sang several classics. From that one, Pendal presented Stephan Mueller Song Book! Pendal also donated his IML and Hoist sashes to the LA&M, he along with Larry Everett, IML 1995 have recently done that.
The Politics
Looking at IML from a political perspective is pretty interesting. Looking at a contest that is viewed by some people a beauty pageant is different than what the contestants’ hopes are. Many hope to make some kind of social or political impact on the international community as International Mr. Leather.
Being a heterosexual person of color, my views of this event may not be the norm as I am looking for things that I identify with and if I don’t see them I tend to question.
One of the side events that I attended was the caucus for people of color that was put on by the Men of Onyx and moderated by Mufasa. Issues such as racism, visibility, and representation were a dominant part of the discussion. The panelists were, Mr. Marcus Hernandez of the Bay Area Reporter, Lady Cocoa, Stacey (Ms. NLA-I 1996), and Vern Stewart for LeatherWeb.com/vern.htm
Each participant gave a brief history of themselves and their participation in the communities (some spanning back 30 years) and they also discussed issues that were important to them. In my opinion, issues were addressed but nothing was solved. I would like to say that I was happy to see such a thing as it was long ever due and hope to see it next year.
One question that I had is that, being in the Southwest and a state that has a significant lower population where cities, such as Chicago, New York, L.A., etc., it would be easier for cities to network and maintain group that catered to people of color. However, being in a place like Oklahoma, it isn’t financially conceivable and maintaining social relations will be more difficult in regions such as this. It is great if one person comes in to try to rally, however, this problem is not going to be solved with individuals from other cities visiting.
Speaking of which, are there enough people of color competing at IML and whose fault is it. Is it the top down? Or are people of color refusing to compete on the regional level because they feel like this arena is closed to them? Where is Ebony Leather in 2004? Did it make a significant impact on the contest circuit? These are questions that may need to be asked in your respective communities and are there someone who is willing to step up to the plate and “represent” as well.
I also bought the IML book, two of them to be exact. But after reading them, I was wondering if significant information was left out about bisexuals, transsexuals, and heterosexuals. I am worried that a community speaking about diversity is also forgetting about those people who are a part of IML who aren’t gay. Is the global leather community giving pansexualism lip service?
I know that the leather archives and museum is benefiting from the profits of this book, and the purpose of the leather archives and museum is to preserve “our” history. But what does “our” history mean? When we speak of our past, what part are we talking about and are we exhibiting symptoms that are evident in mainstream culture?
What’s Up With the Badlands?
Noted San Francisco bar Badlands has just received a considerable amount of press for the alleged practices of racism. It seems like bar owner Les Natali has enforced policies that excludes African Americans and women. Hmmmmmmm wassup wit dat? For more information you can visit the following URL Is Badlands Bad?
Check Out The Breasts And Pecs At Ms. World Leather 2004
This year's Ms. World Leather, Goddess Lakshimi, has lost count of how many breasts and pecs she's examined in promoting her cause of prevention/early detection of breast cancer, but if she's missed yours, it's not too late! The Ms. World Leather 2004 Contest Weekend (August 6-8, 2004) will feature a special booth where you, too, can experience the practiced, appreciative (but respectful!) fingers of Goddess Lakshimi as she examines breasts and pecs alike. This is good news for the exhibitionists among us, but if you're shy, not to worry: Goddess Lakshimi promises a semi-private, discreet location, and there's always the option of persuading her to schedule a private, one-on-one session.
If submitting your breasts or pecs to the cause isn't enticing enough, Ms. World Leather 2004 is offering a plethora of other incentives that will make it worth your while to participate in this one-of-a-kind event:
What’s Up in Okieland
Link-Oklahoma their next open munch is going to be on Friday, July 9th if you are interested in attending you can go to for more information.
NLA-OKC and the Oklahoma Leather Guard are sponsoring a float for the Oklahoma City Pride Festival come out this weekend 6/25-26 and have a great time.
The next TDS munch will be Saturday day 7/10/04 for more information please see Tulsa Dungeon Society.
TULSA July members meeting will be determined due to the 4th of July weekend for more information you can go to Tulsa Leather.
Even though it will be the 4th of July weekend, First Friday will still be taking place. For more information you can check out Diverse Paths.
Anniversaries Abound
I would like to wish my lovely wife happy anniversary this marks the 5th year that she has put up with my crap! I love you very much.
This also marks the 4th anniversary that I have been writing for the leather community. Yay! Thank you very much for reading!
Have fun and all that good stuff,
David M
Interview With Goddess Lakshimi, Ms. World Leather 2003
1. Describe the feeling you had when you realized you were chosen to be Ms. World Leather.
First of all I was grateful to the Great Spirit, then to so many who helped me and I did not
let them down. I was also elated because all of our hard work paid off, David and ? made this
campaign a success.
2. What motivated you to compete? And how did you prepare for Ms. World?
Three things motivated me to compete...My Own Breast Cancer Scare, my Mother's diagnosis
with breast cancer and my being a Judge of the competition last year, which convinced me
that it was a contest with integrity. It did not matter if you were tall and blonde or
short and brunette, it did not matter if you had big hips or small ones, it did not matter
if your were gay, straight or bisexual. You could have an honest to goodness chance of
winning no matter who you knew in our lifestyle. If you were serious, put in the work,
knew your stats and had a plan/goal for the year as well as knew how to talk to people,
be courteous and just plain nice you had a very good chance to win. Add to this knowing
how to MEET THE PRESS and you had a really good chance...(soft smile)
My breast cancer scare peeked when we had to wait for the results of pathology while I was
still on the surgeon's table, I literally did not know whether I would wake up with "one
or two." (breasts) If I had not had this scare my Mother would not be alive. After my scare
I jumped up and down and made a huge fuss about her receiving her FIRST Mammogram. Thank
Goddess I did.
It was found that my Mother had invasive cancer in three different sites in one breast and
had to have a modified radical Mastectomy, followed by Chemotherapy. She is NOW Cancer free!
My preparations for the contest began quite a while ago when I decided to run. I asked my
leather family and my leather community to assist me. With Goddess' help and a whole lot
of late nights and grueling questions from my coaching team lead by Sir Nan, Amber and
Artilla the Limey LOL....(psst just do not get in their way David I warn you!) I was honed
into a formidable contestant.
3. What is your platform and how do you intend on carrying it out?
My platform, David, is simple: "Get the 411 on Breast Cancer", early detection saves lives.
This was an idea I developed and I am very proud of it. The 4 (1's) are:
One Community, Our Leather Community, becoming educated about breast cancer, it's
early detection methods and it's treatments, risks and prevention.
One Commitment, to LEARN and be responsible for OUR BODIES and for every one to
learn how to give a Self Breast Exam.
Once a month, Dom, Sub, Mistress, Master, Top, Bottom or Switch or any one who
identifies in any or none of these areas to take a moment (once a month) and do
a SELF BREAST EXAM... You can even make it fun and have your partner do you and
you do your partner.
Once a year, if you are a woman over forty or someone who has a family history
of breast cancer, have a baseline mammogram.
This is where some of my policies may seem strange however it is important.
MEN GET BREAST CANCER ALSO!!
So these same sad facts go for the Leather Brothers too!
I plan to carry this message everywhere I go into every community and that includes
Leather, Vanilla and any one who will give me a minute and a microphone. Breast
Cancer does not discriminate and nor will I, as I seek and fight to raise money
for those who are under insured or uninsured so they can have proper breast care.
I plan also to raise money for education, research and hopefully a cure.
4. How do you intend on getting the leather community to support your cause?
First I hope they, the Leather community, will get on board because I am a part of
that community. However I will also start pledging programs, There will be many,
many speaking engagements to the Leather community and I will be selling pins.
Most of all I hope to teach self-breast exams up close and personal. I am formulating
a plan to have a "Breast Cancer awareness/appreciation week" once a year, centered
through out the Leather Community.
One of the questions Ms World Leather 2002 Karen McGee asked me was, "I am having
an event and you are coming to teach about breast cancer awareness what will you do
to make the leather folk interested?" I told her I would name the class "Touch a Tit"
for the ladies and for the gentlemen "Check Your Pecs."
5. What are the statistics for breast cancer? People diagnosed annually (men, women), deaths.
These are some startling numbers David:
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. There
will be between 187,000 to over 200,000 new cases of breast cancer this year alone.
A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes. Startling, oh yes but
wait...One woman dies every 12 minutes from breast cancer. It is the highest diagnosed
cancer in woman next to skin cancer. Breast cancer has the highest mortality rate for
women next only to lung cancer. Approximately 40,000 women will die this year alone.
It is not just a disease for women, men get it to and these are their statistics....
This year 1300 to 1600 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. 400 of these
men will die. Looking at it in ratio and proportions it is not good all away around.
However do you realize that there are over Two Million Breast Cancer Survivors?
6. It seems like every contestant at Ms. World Leather has a platform about a certain disease.
Do you think that the community sees this and if they do, how would you react to that statement?
David, I am glad you asked me that question. This year there were platforms on,
"Education with a twist," "Cutting the red tape to get health care," "Serious about
Service," "War on Drugs" and "Becoming aware of Intersex issues." There actually were
only two that dealt with diseases, Pat Tucker's "HIV in Children" and my own "Get
the 411 on Breast Cancer." It is about the message David, and these women got their
messages across!
Some people see what they can do and do nothing. Others see what they can do and
talk about how bad the situation is and that someone should do something and then
these same people complain when someone does something. Others see what they can
do and then do a little something, which is wonderful and does assist the cause.
Then there are those who see what they can do, do it and then find others who will
help them do it, and get more people involved in such a way as to get others to
see the vision too.
I sincerely believe that is what Ms World Contestants are all about, taking action.
7. What brought you into the leather and or BDSM community?
A dominant mind and the ability to serve. A woman named Samantha and a Master
with a loving yet strong hand and heart.
8. Who were some of your mentors?
My Grand Mothers, My Father and Mother, Samantha, My Master, Soduire,
Master William, and a host of others who are still my Mentors today.
9. Describe the political climate in your local community?
The political climate is just as it is anywhere else, we grow, have growing
pains, learn from our mistakes and grow again. Yet ask us to come together
for the common good and you will find No Politics. Just a community ready
and willing to help in any way they can.
10. Living or dead, if there was a kinky or a leather person that you would
like to meet, who would it be and why?
I think I would like to meet them all, I could not name just one, from the
Marquis DE Sade and Leopold Von Sacher Masoch to Janet Jackson and the newest
person who just found out they are kinky, and all those in between for we all
can learn and we all have something to teach.
Announcements
The nomination process for the Pantheon of Leather Community Service Awards
began on Monday September 1, 2003. The awards will be presented at the Leather
Archives and Museum in Chicago, IL the weekend of February 13-15, 2004.
For more information, please see the
Leather Journal web site.
There is cause for celebration in the gay and lesbian community today, the
Kansas City Council voted 11-1 to pass the Domestic Partnership Registry and
Domestic Partnership benefits for city employees. Details will follow and will
be available on our website at www.midwesttimes.com.
T.U.L.S.A. is auctioning a leather sling. Tickets are $1.00 and if you are
interested in one, please find a T.U.L.S.A. member. Leathers West donated the sling.
Diverse Paths resource center almost closed this month due to low membership.
However it has been temporarily delayed, as people are pulling their monies and
resources together to make sure that it stays open. An executive committee has
also been put in place to ensure the center’s survival as well. But since the
center will be staying open for the time being, the previous scheduled events
will happen. Fifth Angel will be presenting at DP the weekend of 9/19 and Jay
Wiseman is also slated to present sometime in November. Stay tuned for more
information.
On Friday 9/19 LINK Oklahoma will be raising monies to sponsor the Leather
Windwalkers to participate in this year’s AIDS walk. Last year $1,800 was raised.
If you’d like to walk with the Leather Windwalkers or you’d like to come to the
fundraiser, please visit their URL.
BLACK BEAT 2003 took place on the weekend of August 22nd, 2003. And sources have
told me that it was very successful. Phil Ross reports, that it was probably one
of the best kept secrets as the leather press gave it very little exposure at all.
Presenters such as Vi Johnson, Goddess Lakshimi and Mistress Mir taught various
classes. BLACK BEAT was perceived to cater to people of color exclusively. However
that wasn’t the case. It was an event produced by people of color, with a focus on
the needs of people of color, but everyone was and are welcome. From my understanding,
there will be a BLACK BEAT 2004 so stay tuned &
an open newsgroup: BLACKBEAT2003@YAHOOGROUPS.COM.
Congratulations to Paul Weikel who just became the new Mr. PlayMor Leather. The
contest was held the weekend of September 5. Paul is the newest member of TULSA.
Out and About
The Oklahoma Leather Guard’s C.O.P. (coming out party) was a success. There were
tons of people who showed up at the Finishline. I did some boot blacking to help
raise funds for the new club. Yes, I do know how to bootblack. I am not the best
at it, but I also don’t suck at it as well.
Staying sedentary for extended amounts of time in the Sooner State is pretty
difficult. I ventured my way to events in Tulsa and OKC during the month of August.
I made my way to a BBQ earlier this month and ended up getting to do a little playing.
But the primary reason I was in Tulsa was to pick up Tulsa Dom’s suspension frame
for the Nawa Shibari Demo.
Numinous and laciee came to Oklahoma City from Atlanta once more. Numinous gave
a demo on suspension techniques for the Oklahoma Rope Art Special Interest Group.
There were about 20 people in attendance.
Numinous started out by giving a short history of Japanese style rope bondage and
the proper usage of some of the terminology used for tying. He stated that terms
such as 'shinju' (roughly translated means pearls), sakuranbo (cherry) and karada
(body) are words that don’t accurately depict the techniques that are used. Shinju
describes the name for the upper torso/breast harness; sakuranbo describes the
technique used for the lower body harness (rope panties); karada describes the
technique for the full rope dress. However, these three terms seem to be examples
of popularized terms that are just used in the United States and are not used in
Japan. I think that is a significant point because of the American fascination
for the exotic.
He spoke about safety, especially where the ropes can be placed and where they
shouldn’t be. This is especially significant, because of the counterweight
that the bottom will feel during suspension. In addition to possible nerve damage
to ropes that are placed in areas that are close to the lower humorus, joints and
the femoral artery.
Then he began with the 1st technique of Tsuri Nawa (suspension bondage), which was
tying the arms at the back otherwise known as 'Ushiro Takate Kote Shibari'. After
Numinous placed the ropes around laciee’s hands and torso he added a second rope to
secure as his line that would bare most of the weight. Since the jute that he was
using (8mm in width 25’ in length pieces) had a baring weight of 200 pounds, he
wrapped it around his karabiner several times, therefore increasing the weight
exponentially and also ensuring the safety of his submissive. He then bound the
left ankle and took the rope through the karabiner and then bound her thigh, which
left her partially suspended. He then did the same thing to her right leg and thigh
rendering her completely suspended in the air. He also went over some hair bondage
techniques (Momo Shibari), which I enjoyed as well.
I personally enjoyed watching Numinous work, and he was willing to give of his
knowledge freely. I plan on going out to Atlanta to learn more from him. Check out
his site.
David M.
Editor's Note: The following is such an important topic that we are repeating it again this month.
And in the near future it will have permanent residence at LeatherWeb's Educational Pates. /R.
Why Old Guard?
In the late 1940s early 1950s it was reported that a group of WWII veterans came
back to the united states to settle into their respective places in society.
However, some of these veterans still wanted the regimentation of the armed forces
and also preferred the company of men. Eventually, they integrated the structure of
the military with the motorcycle culture. The sex that was preferred was rough.
The community was very closed and exclusive and anyone who was interested in being
a part of this had to start from the bottom up - meaning a man had to enter into this
community as a bottom and work his way up to becoming a master or a top.
Every student of leather and bdsm history has heard this story or a variation
of it. There has been some research on this topic (e.g. Bienvenue, Brame & Brame,
Baldwin, Rinella). However, one thing that seems to be missing is primary sources.
This story doesn’t have many diaries, club minutes or pictures that can be traced
and verified to this time period. Many people seem to be able to obtain secondary
sources through oral histories from people who were able to talk to people who were
considered to be Old Guard. But when someone tries to reconstruct this story there
seems to be too many pieces of this puzzle missing.
When history is reconstructed, it usually starts with anthropology and archeology.
Specifically, cultural anthropology, or anthropology that deals with human culture
especially with respect to social structure, language, law, politics, religion, magic,
art, and technology. Archeology or the scientific study of material remains (as fossil
relics, artifacts, and monuments) of past human life and activities is also initiated.
These two disciplines are utilized to produce material evidence of a past that cannot be
physically verified. If I were to reconstruct a history, I would start at the Leather
Archives and Museum (located in Chicago and serving the world) or even Frank Puckett’s
collection of memorabilia that he has amassed.
But before I begin to deconstruct a myth, it should be important to understand
why this myth is important and address why this has continued. In order to do
this, it will be essential to examine the notion of identity and how it plays
a significant role in maintaining perceived order in our subculture or community.
Identity is significant as it allows the individual to justify their place in
the community. As a dominant, submissive, etc…it seems to be important to know
why these proclivities are desired. Some people explain that it is an innate
need; others say it is an enjoyed activity. However, one thing that these two
people have in common is the need to know why these needs are, as they are not
a part of the social norm. When this quest for identity takes place, they
sometimes begin to search the social sciences of history and psychology.
The problem with this is that generally many people are not professional
researchers and do not often verify their sources. The most common research
methods used are: the Internet, and BDSM cook books. The result of this type
of research is an incomplete knowledge base, yet an individual’s confidence
in the sources they have accessed is virtually unshaken.
With the advent of the Internet, bdsm and leather was made accessible to a
whole new group of people, but there was not a lot of historical evidence
about it. Prior to the Internet there was little documentation about how
this was all done and there were few organizations that existed. Clubs such
as TES, Janus, PEP (1986) and NLA (1986) gave people a place to learn how to
practice their desired fetishes in a safe environment, but it didn’t offer much
documentation about Old Guard if any. People were able to become technically
proficient and politically aware, yet the notion of what we know as Old Guard
was pretty much vague.
During this time, there was a dramatic increase in heterosexual participation
and with that came a new group of people who were curious about the history.
Fetish history seemed to be over looked by the novice bdsm practitioner, until
their search led them to the early 20th Century fetish advertisements and want
ads of people looking for strict disciplinarians. Literary connections were
also made through Masoch and DeSade. There is documentationthat these activities
were present well before the late 1940s and early 1950s, however that specific
time period in the US remains illusive. Evidence of its existence can be seen
in the artwork of Tom of Finland, Etienne, but the gay leather man is still
shrouded in mystery because of the lack of concrete evidence.
So how does one reconstruct a history without much archeological and anthropological
evidence? Speculation? Oral tradition? It is really hard to tell. But the one thing that holds
true is that there is a mystique that exists and the both the gay and heterosexual novice espouse
this notion partly because of a search for identity. By claiming Old Guard training, it gives
an individual a sense of legitimacy. It also allows them to justify their practices, even if
it isn’t safe, sane and consensual or risk aware consensual kink. It also gives them a means
to attract other people to their practices and beliefs about how this lifestyle should be
conducted. But more importantly, the heterosexual who adopts this notion doesn’t realize
that this culture excluded them. I have personally yet to find any documentation (diaries,
pictures and club minutes) that says otherwise.
History is an interesting discipline because people tend to read a book about the history
of something and take it as gospel. The problem is, reading the history of something will
never be absolutely factual based on the inability of any human being to document history
objectively. Historiography or the writing of history itself is not an exact discipline such
as certain types of math and science.
Etymology or the history of linguistic form (word origins) is also a major factor as the
process, like historiography, is painstaking. It is more convenient to read the history of
something and accept it as gospel.
I personally challenge an individual to try it, you will find that going to your local book
store and purchasing a book about the history of something or other will be much more
easier and enjoyable.
If an individual does not examine the history of the leather community, they may try
examining the psychological aspects. By asking questions such as, “is what I am doing
ok”; they begin to research the ideas of Ebbing, Freud, Masters and Johnson; the Kinsey
Report and eventually the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders:
4th and eventually 5th edition which, by the way will contain a section on cyber disorders).
They will look at the progression of psychological opinions about SM. They will come to
the conclusion that SM behavior is not a disorder unless it disrupts your day-to-day life
and livelihood.
Justifying sexual proclivities through psychological research seems to be less involved
and convoluted than historical research as the information is compiled quantitatively or
through random sampling of the general population. However, this only seems to explain
or justify that SM is ok and it does not explain who you are. This consequently, seems
to bring about a dichotomy in the individual’s identity. The best way I can describe
this dichotomy of identity is to give it two labels - the historical identity and the
psychological identity. The historical identity provides justification based on immediate
and long-term past experiences while the psychological identity provides justification
based on acceptable social behavior. Each of these co-exists with one another as they
rely on past behavior both historical and psychological. For example, in Western
civilization it is OK to shake an individual’s hand when greeting them, because it is
socially acceptable and that greeting has been used throughout history. But, what if
you couldn’t verify that shaking an individual’s hand was not done in the near or
distant past? Just to put your worries at ease, it started as a familiar greeting, a
modern equivalent being "Hey, man, good to see you." The Oxford English Dictionary gives
a quotation for this use from 1589. It must have been a common greeting earlier than that,
though, because quotations for its derivative meanings have dates from 1580 on'’He greeted
him with the usual hail-fellow-well-met slap on the back and handshake.
Finally, how do we give credence to what we do, when our past isn’t clear? Better yet,
when we make allusions to our leather fore fathers, what do we mean if we don’t really
know what their values actually were? Was there an oral tradition or any tradition at all?
How do we verify it? What sources can we pull from? Will any of this information help
me swing a flogger better or help my slave behave appropriately according to what we
call protocol? I cannot provide answers to these questions, because I only have answers
for myself. I simply do it because it makes my dick hard.
David M.
Mistress Xenobia is a member of the Tulsa Dungeon Society (TDS). She has a passion
for wax play, temporary piercings and cbt. All around she is good people, and funny as hell>
Catch her fire show if you ever get a chance. Unfortunately, Oklahoma is losing Mistress Xenobia
to the great state of Nevada. She will be sorely missed. Check out her website at
Goddess Lakshimi is Ms. World Leather 2003!
Seven contestants vied for the coveted Ms. World Leather title on the weekend of August 8th
through 10th: Millarca, Dutchess Roscoe, Ms. Julia, Goddess Lakshimi, Ms Elise, slavette,
and Pat Tucker. This year’s contest had a very interesting twist to it as the board of the Ms.
World Leather Contest signed a contract with MTV for a new documentary pilot that will air
on VH-1. The show will be called “Eyes on the Prize”.
My sources have told me that, once again, the crossfire section of the contest was one of the
most exciting portions of the contest. However, it seems that there were some contestants
whose platform were still too “provincial”. For those of you who are planning to compete
in the Ms. World Leather Contest, I would recommend that you focus your platform on a
more global aspect as opposed to focusing on your local communities.
While Jules entertained the crowed, the scores were tallied. When the dust settled, Millarca
was named first runner-up and Goddess Lakshimi from Detroit Michigan was named Ms.
World Leather 2003. Lakshimi’s platform is breast cancer “Get the 411”. I’m sure that you
will see her out and about very soon.
Several major announcements were also made during this event. Jill Carter (the president of
Ms. World Leather) is stepping down and will become the contest’s executive director and
Annie Romano-Blas, MsWL 2001 will succeed her. The next major announcement was that
the International Deaf Leather Contest will be joining forces with the Ms. World Leather event
in 2004! For more information about Ms. World Leather, please click the following link.
Out and About
It’s been very fun in Oklahoma this summer. I’ve had lots of opportunities to go out and
hang out with friends. Honestly, I’ve had a blast at TDS parties, I really feel that Tulsa
RAWKS. But TDS you better look out, I must say that, you guys used to have the best
food, but LiNK-Oklahoma has been putting out a great spread at their parties.
The Oklahoma Rope Art Special interest group had a building party. They are building
a bigger suspension frame and in between construction bloopers, barbecuing was also
happening. In Tulsa, the TDS Shibari group has had their second successful party.
Flogg Day Afternoon was a success. It was a fetish flea market, organized by Lord
Prophett and was held at Diverse Paths. Some of the venders included Butt Boy and
Shades of Grey. Proceeds are going to various charities one of them being The
Leather Archives and Museum (located in Chicago and serving the world!)
Is it just me or is there a significant amount of Hollywood icons passing away? Kate
Hepburn, Bob Hope, Gregory Hines, just within that past two months. It just seems
like 2003 has witnessed the loss of many stars.
Announcements
Hello to All club members and friends of the Leather community. It is with sadness
I bring the news of "Daddy Dave Shook", a LONG time supporter of the Oklahoma,
and especially Tulsa Leather community. Although not all of you I am sending this to
knew Dave personally, I ask that you could please remember his family in this time
of sorrow. Daddy Randy
There is a new men’s leather club. The Oklahoma Leather Guard was formed in May
2003. They will have their formal “COP” (coming out party). On the weekend of
August 22nd and 23rd at the Finish Line Bar in the Habana Inn complex.
TULSA is gearing up for the 15th annual Oklahoma Mr. Leather Contest. The contest
will take place the weekend of October 17th-20th 2003. The host bar will be the Play
Mor this year. The infamous bar crawl will take place that Friday, KCLU (Kansas City
Leather University) will present classes on Saturday, the contest will take place that
evening and the victory brunch will happen on Sunday. For more information please
visit
There will be a Japanese Style Rope Bondage demo, presented by Numinous, who has
presented for events such as Black Rose. The demo will take place on Saturday afternoon
from 2-6 PM. For more information, please visit
Congratulations to the new board members of NLA-OKC the new male co-chair is David
T. TJ McKinsey served as NLA-OKC co-chair for over 3 years.
Congratulations to Tammi Nelson who has captured the title of International Ms. Leather and
Slaveboi eddie who capture the title of International Ms. Bootblack on the weekend of July
18th 2003. For more information about International Ms. Leather, please visit the following site.
Until next time!
David M.
Feature Leather Person
Boy Kevin is July’s featured leather person. Boy Kevin is acting
president of LiNK Oklahoma. He was also Gulf Coast Drummer boy 2000
and placed 3rd in the 2000 International Drummer and Drummerboy contest.
Kevin is an avid nudist and a member of the House of Dragon fire. If you
have someone you’d like to nominate as a featured leather or fetish person
please email me at
DavidM4Leather@aol.com
Out and About
For those of us who remembers the Oklahoma scene five years ago, you
will remember how little there was to do. Now it seems like it’s the o
pposite case. There is something to do every week and sometimes our
events overlap. This is a clear indication that the condition of this
community is currently waxing…..
On 5/31 NLA-OKC put on a fire play class. The class was conducted by
X-Mentor of NLA-Dallas. Later that night, LiNK-Oklahoma allowed me the
opportunity to do a body punching class, which was really fun. I’ve been
doing it for a few years, but I’ve never had the opportunity to do a class
on it. In Tulsa the New Ms. TNT Leather was sashed. But to my understanding,
the new winner went by the name of “Leather Tuscadero” (yeah you heard right,
but it wasn’t Suzy Quattro….I think I just dated myself) but the producer
never returned my call to verify this, hopefully I will have some information
for you soon.
I didn’t attend the Tulsa Pride Parade this year as I was a bit under
the weather, however I did decide to spend half of my father’s day at
the Oklahoma Whip weekend. It was put on by the Oklahoma Whip Enthusiasts
club. Some how I was “coerced” into competing in whip contest. I’ll just
let you know right now that I didn’t do too well, especially after trying
to crack a 25-foot nylon bullwhip. Let’s just put it this way….have you
ever been hit with a 25 foot bullwhip? I have! Ouch! Travis from the
Dallas Whip enthusiasts came out and participated in the contest as well.
Overall it was great fun. The winners of the whip contest included Daddy
Mikey, Don, Travis, and Lord Prophett.
The following weekend we had Oklahoma City’s pride parade, which “Rawked”.
We had our second annual leather pride party at Club Levi’s. It was great.
Craig Poos, Mr. Oklahoma Leather 93 MC’d the event. Oklahoma Royalty such
as OML2003 Richie Johnson, South Central Leather Sir 2002 Dwayne Mitchell,
South Central Leather boy 2003 marc hopkins, Oklahoma leather boy 2002 chad
neal, Ms Sooner State Leather 2003 Dee Beasley were there. There was also
a great contingency from Kansas and Texas as well. I had a chance to do a
flogging demo with Daddy R and we got to work on his boy brian and Richie.
All I have to say is WOOF! The crowd really liked it, but not more than I
did. But I also learned a lesson. I will NEVER use a set of unbalanced
floggers again. Even though they were supposed to be a matched set, they
were not balanced for their size and proportion. They were just pretty
much weighted down in the handles, which caused me to pull the muscles
in my shoulders and back. This was not a good thing, because my wife
and I were going to celebrate our wedding anniversary. But, everything
got better by the next day and we hung out at the pride festival for a
bit and spent our 4th wedding anniversary country dancing and watching
bull riding….where else but Oklahoma!
Later that week I was invited to Tulsa for the opening party of its new
Shibari Special Interest Group. It is headed by Master Falcore and Malik
of Tulsa Dungeon Society. I had a lot of fun and had an opportunity to
do a demonstration as well. Then on Saturday, the Oklahoma Rope Art Sig
had a demonstration day. Topics such as: bondage from the submissive
side by Pink, extreme bondage with a vacuum bag by Chewy and advanced
rope bondage by Sunny were covered. The small event was well attended,
which was really cool. So we’re going to try to do anotherone.
By this time, you’ve also heard about the Supreme Court 6-3 ruling (
Lawrence v Texas) that overturned the Bowers v Hardwick (1986,GA) case.
The decision states that the sodomy law is an unconstitutional violation
of privacy. The implications on this legal precedent will have a dramatic
effect on the GLBTA communities. For a look at the legal document you can
use this link:
I would also advise everyone to check out the events calendars of TULSA
and Diverse Paths. If you are looking for something to do, you will be
able to find out there. You may also post events on the TULSA site as
well. For more information about TULSA’s calendar, please use this link and
Diverse Paths.
For those of you who are into Japanese style rope bondage, there is a
great article in High Society magazine on Numinous. You can see some
of the pictures that are .in the magazine
The Butch Revue Press Release
The Butch Revue - two-time nominee for Pantheon of Leather Small
Event of the Year - is coming back for it's Sixth Fabulous Year!!!
And we'd love to have YOU join us for a rocking good time...
When? Saturday, September 13, 2003
You will see singers... You will see comics... You will see gorgeous
butch and femme erotic dancers... You will see muscle-bound leather
men strutting their stuff... You may even see an edgy belly dancer
or two!!! Every year it's different and every year it gets better
and hotter and more fun!!!
Come and see for yourself what the Butch Revue is all about. You
don't want to miss this event, so save this date!!!!!
Be on the look-out for more details in the coming months.
See you in September!!!!!
Annie Romano-Blas
Press Release for Ms. World Leather 2003
Fun, family, and of course the competition will be the agenda
for the weekend. The event starts on Friday August 8 with the meet
and greet at our host bar, The Dallas Eagle, with the introductions
and the competitors and the judges. The event continues on Saturday
with the beginning of the judging. Ms World Leather is unlike any
other competition in the Leather Community. You as registrants for
the weekend will have the opportunity see all aspects of the judging
as the judges are seeing it. The weekend culminates on Sunday with
the main event taking place on Sunday afternoon.
Registration rates for the weekend are, $89.00 (Received Prior to
June 30, 2003), $119.00, (Received July 1, 2003 to August 1, 2003)
or $149.00 if paying at the door.
The complete weekend package includes
Please check out the Ms World Leather web site at
www.MsWorldLeather.com
for information about the entire weekend. Payments for weekend
registrations and sponsorships are available on the web site as
well. Applications for vendors for the event are also still being
accepted.
For More information please contact Ms World Leather at 3878 Oaklawn
Avenue Suite 100B-303, Dallas Texas 75219 or by calling (214) 559-3511.
Information can also be obtained by e-mail at
info@msworldleather.com
Upcoming events
The Home Game by Thom Dombkowski
Forward by David M.
I met Chuck Lance at the Mid Atlantic Leather Weekend in January
of 2000. We were both part of the class of 2000 for International
Mr. Leather. I was a relatively new leather person although I had
several years experience of being in the BDSM lifestyle. We had
both won our respective Leather titles in the fall of 1999. He
was Mr. Louisiana Leather 2000 and I Oklahoma Mr. Leather 2000.
During that weekend he took the time to make himself available to
me for questions that I may have about being a leather man and about
the leather lifestyle in general. What really impressed me about
Chuck was that he actually new who I was. From that time until May
of 2000 we corresponded with each other and I asked him many questions,
which he answered. I thought this was pretty significant because we
were both competing for the same title. Chuck’s actions imposed upon
me the importance of brotherhood and camaraderie. We occasionally
communicated with each other throughout the years and the last time
I saw him was in Chicago at the Pantheon Community Service awards in
February of 2002. When I saw him that cold winter afternoon, chatting
among several of his friends, he still took the time out to say hello
and asked if I was doing well. I will remember Chuck as one of the most
thoughtful people that I have met in this journey we call life and I
will miss him very much.
The Class of 2000 “Men, Leather, Sweat”
The Home Game
I began this (lengthy) article as a simple tribute to Chuck Lance,
Mr. Louisiana Leather 2000, who left us during the night/morning
of May 30-31, 2003. It evolved into a story that I want to share
as part of the IML Silver Jubilee history.
I had the honor to serve as a judge for the 1999 Mr. Louisiana
Leather Contest, a centerpiece of the legendary Southern Decadence.
This was one of the first opportunities given me to judge a local
event outside of the Midwest. Chuck Lance was the victor, an easy
decision for me.
We next met up during the 2000 American Brotherhood Weekend in
Washington, DC the following April. In attendance were several
of the IML2000 judges and more than 20 IML2000 candidates. One
of my “warnings” to any Leather contest entrants is that they
take the time to eat properly. I followed my own advice (something
not always easy to do). On Saturday evening, I invited Chuck Lance,
another IML2000 judge and another IML2000 candidate to join me as my
guests for dinner at Legal Seafood’s restaurant. Among ourselves, I
joked that it presented an opportunity for “Leathermen of a certain
age” to sit together at table and solve the problems of the world.
Our conversations that evening led to what has been dubbed “the Home
Game.” Some have derided the idea, but inasmuch as they have not
“played,” they know not that about which they speak. (I jokingly
“blame/credit” IML1996 and LeatherPage.com creator Joe Gallagher and
a number of key IML staff for goading me into setting down my fountain
pens and entering the computer age. I’m glad they did.) Simply defined,
“the Home Game” consisted of MY personal correspondence with an individual.
During the 2001 Leather contest season (my final year as IML Chief
Judge), I gave myself the gift of travel and I was on the road almost
as much as IML2000 Mike Taylor. I met with 45 of the 63 IML candidates
face-to-face in their hometowns, at regional and local events, and here
in Chicago. Our conversations ranged in time span from 30 minutes to
4.5 hours. With some of the others, I enjoyed lengthy telephone conversations.
And with 62 of the 63, I offered “the Home Game.” (We
at the IML Office didn’t know about the last man until
his application arrived on the deadline date.) Some of
the men were very forthcoming in sharing of themselves
with me, others reluctant. I never set deadlines for
responses, and I told the men that their participation
was voluntary. I have saved all of this correspondence.
(I know that other IML judges have engaged in their own
communications with IML candidates; each set his/her own
guidelines on how to use the information they collected.)
My ability to travel extensively was unique, and I believe
that I was able to treat each IML candidate that I met with
respect and fairness. I saw my role as IML Chief Judge as
one that allowed me to bring out the best in each man who
stood before any IML Judges’ Panel.
During the IML2001 Weekend, it became apparent to me that
I was enjoying a “last hurrah.” My efforts to keep the
reigns on the personalities of a very powerful IML Judges’
Panel and maintain the overall balance drained me physically,
emotionally and psychologically. By Saturday night, I
realized that I could no longer function effectively.
Immediately following that year’s Pecs/Personality
Competition, my staff put me to bed as I was sleep-deprived
and they were gravely concerned about my health. I woke
four hours later, quite refreshed. I packed up most of
my personal belongings, as well as the office supplies
that I provided that year, into one of my suitcases,
hopped on the Red Line just outside the doors of the
Palmer House, and I headed home.
As the sun was rising, I was here on the computer
revising the remarks that we had asked IML1979 David Kloss
to make later that evening during the IML2001 Contest at
the Congress Theater. David’s assignment was to announce
the names of the men and woman who had accepted the i
nvitation to serve as the IML2002 Judges’ Panel. I myself h
ad been asked to return as Chief Judge and I had accepted.
(I have the letter here in my hand.) However, I decided that
it was time for me to move on to other challenges, and I
removed my name from the list. I informed David, Mr. Marcus
and my staff of my decision. When David made the announcement
that night, only a handful of folks in the audience (including
Dave Rhodes, Viola Johnson and Craig Rutley) noticed the omission.
None of the IML staff did. When I met with Chuck Renslow
several weeks later, I told him that I was still physically
exhausted. I took the role of IML Chief Judge very seriously.
I believe that he is very grateful for the work I did during my
10-year tenure. At the time, he didn’t see anyone else who could
fill my shoes. Chuck had decided, therefore, to eliminate the
position of Chief Judge. He also increased the number of sitting
judges to nine.
I retired to the sidelines for the IML2002 contest season,
meeting only a handful of the candidates who managed to pass
through Chicago on their journeys. It was kind of them to
share some of themselves with me. I did my best to reciprocate.
This year, I helped to mentor seven IML candidates. My guiding
principles when interacting with them have been two: “Life is a
journey” and “Everybody has a story.”
My chief advice was, like others of my kind: “Be yourself.”
However, I believe that aphorism is too simplistic. I also add
two recommendations: “Know yourself.” This takes considerable
work and introspection - and it helps you to have person to
serve as a mentor or spirit guide as you undertake this quest.
Second “be the best that you can be.” This is where a different
kind of work comes in - from gaining additional information about
topics of interest, to the gym (I advise nutritional counseling,
diet, personal trainer, no steroids - a physical regimen that will
take them past IML), to public speaking class if they don’t have
the skills (this year, one of my men took a class at his community
college), careful selection of wardrobe (you have to look comfortable
in your leather, it has to be yours and not look like a costume, boots
need to be broken in), review contest videotapes, attend an event like
the NGLTF Creating Change Conference or Leather Leadership Conference
that will take you beyond your comfort zone (both of these are what I
call “estrogen rich” ), set up a mock interview panel or two and get
candid feedback, bone up on current events, read (starting with the
books by Guy Baldwin and Jill Carter, as well as those by Geoff Mains,
Trevor Jacques, Joseph Bean, Jack Rinella, and others), practice
talking on a microphone, pick a speech topic that is important to
you (and is personal) and practice, practice, practice its delivery.
That’s more than enough of my backstory for right now. Guy Baldwin
speaks of “high end sex magic.” During the International Mr.
Leather gatherings, I have found other types and degrees of “magic.”
That is a tale for another time and place.
Over the years, IML attendees have been curious to know what takes
place off-stage, in the interviews. During IML2000, I was persuaded
to allow a videographer to tape them. Most of that year’s contestant
interviews are preserved on the 44 hours of raw videotape now in the
possession of International Mr. Leather, Inc. The alleged documentary
that was released contained only a few snippets.
With the death of Chuck Lance several days ago, I have been
released from my pledge to him to keep our correspondence
“just between us.” The following excerpts will give the
reader a better understanding:
During our dinner conversation at ABW, you shared some of
your thoughts about competing for the title of International
Mr. Leather. Could you reiterate some of that in writing for me?
I can understand why some of the titleholders might not be as
enthusiastic as others about attending IML. While it is a
difficult experience for some people, I wonder if these folks
aren’t short changing themselves by not opening up to the
personal growth that they would experience by competing.
I guess we all have to make decisions as to what is best
for our individual selves and communities. Some of these
choices will, no doubt, be based in economics, and I
understand that.
I hope that the IML travel fund will take root. This
would allow the incoming International Mr. Leather to be
able to travel to some smaller communities that are usually
left out in a title year. It’s been my personal experience
that the Leatherfolk in these smaller places really need
exposure to role models and they are so appreciative when
some one they have read about or heard about visits them
and shares the energy that can make them feel they are a
REAL part of our community. Our more rural brothers and
sisters often remember those visits for a lifetime.
What qualities do you believe are the most important for
IML to possess? Are your own talents lacking in any of
these areas?
What is the one character trait that you wish you could change?
What do you appreciate in yourself?
Where is your greatest potential?
When was the last time that you cried, and why?
What have you done recently to make someone smile?
What is your greatest indulgence?
Is there a particular sexual activity that, at first,
thoroughly repulsed you for which you now find that
you hunger? Be as graphic as necessary to illustrate
your answer
Describe your asshole in three words.
What was your most embarrassing sexual moment?
The use of alcohol and drugs as a prelude to leathersex is
rarely discussed, yet fairly commonplace. Please share your
views on this subject.
What is the attitude of the New Orleans leather community
towards people of color? What have you done as Mr.
Louisiana Leather to increase the population of people
of color within your local community?
Our bars and Leather culture reflect this tolerance.
'We are really diverse community, and issues never
come up at the Phoenix.
Concerning race, we have two local Black titleholders
(out of a total of six), and we almost always have Black
contestants in our contests. My sash wife, Alisa Swindel,
and I make lots of appearances together; she is a beautiful
woman of color and I truly enjoy her company. I think that
the example we set in public is a good show of how well we
get along here in the New Orleans Leather community. We
also have a large number of bi-racial couples, as well
as Creole men, who are neither Black nor white.
If you could change one thing about your life, what would
it be and why?
Tell me how you chose your email address .
Are you ever afraid to be alone?
No. Never. I have lived alone for so long that I
actually require some time alone each day to ponder
my thoughts and think over my goals. I feel that the
time alone is what creates the glue that holds the rest
of my hectic schedule together.
If you could please one person, who would it be and why?
Using mathematical percentages adding to 100%, what
percentage of your effort to become IML is to satisfy
your own ego, what percentage is for other reasons,
and what are those reasons?
10% would be to be able to absorb the knowledge
that’s out there. Holding the title would enable
me to meet and converse with the best Leather minds
in the world. It would be the opportunity of a
lifetime to learn from them and to improve my mind.
05% would be to travel and meet Leatherfolk from
all areas of the world and around the USA, to see
how they run their communities.
05% would probably be an “ego thing,” more because
I like to see where I stack up against my peers. I
view it as a mark of how I am progressing in life,
in some ways. I loved being competitive in school,
and in some ways, competing for IML has been sort o
f the same thrill.
How ‘bout some practical considerations? You’ve
indicated that it’s sometimes hard for you to say
“No.” Given your employment as a Leather bar manager,
would you have the ability to travel away for some 35
weekends during the next year?
Are you financially able to do so, or can you access
other resources that could assist you in making this journey?
If you could know one thing about your future,
what would it be?
I feel so proud to be representing Louisiana. I think
my participation at IML will make it easier for the next
man to carry my title. Thanks for taking the time to ask
me these questions. I’m going to add them to my study guide.
I’m doing this in a binder format so I will have something
to pass down to the next Mr. and Ms. Louisiana Leather to
help them on their journeys.
The questions were actually a lot of fun to answer, and
they brought back a lot of interesting memories
Always in Leatherhood,
Chuck Lance
Chuck’s correspondence is among the more than 100 “interviews” I have saved over the past few years.
During the IML Silver Jubilee Contest, Guy Baldwin spoke eloquently about the need to save our history, and the importance of the Leather Archives and Museum as a methodology for effecting this. To what may be the surprise of some, Guy and I actually agree on quite a few matters.
The repository that is the LA&M is one of them.
In memory of Chuck Lance, I will be renewing my lapsed membership this week.
Boy Kevin is July’s featured leather person. Boy Kevin is acting president
of LiNK Oklahoma. He was also Gulf Coast Drummer boy 2000 and placed 3rd in the
2000 International Drummer and Drummerboy contest. Kevin is an avid nudist and
a member of the House of Dragon fire. If you have someone you’d like to nominate
as a featured leather or fetish person please email me at
DavidM4Leather@aol.com
Out and About…
April and May have been very eventful for Oklahoma and beyond. One Saturday,
May 16, 2003 Oklahoma Leather boy marc hopkins was chosen as South Central Leather
boy 2003 and he will advance to the International Leather Sir and boy contest along with
his new title Sir Norm Aster of Fort Worth, TX.
The following week, during Memorial Day weekend, Oklahoma Mr. Leather 2003
is the first Oklahoman since Larry Everett, IML1995 to place as a top 20 finalist at
International Mr. Leather. Richie placed at 11, therefore securing himself a place in
Oklahoma Leather History. Also, Daddy Ken, Mr. Texas Leather 2003 made the top
20 finalist as well. The winners of IML 2003 are: Second Runner-up Stephen Blackwell,
Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2003; First Runner-up Donald Dodson, Mr. Suncoast Eagle 2003;
and International Mr. Leather 2003 Mr. Hoist Leather (of the UK) John Pendal. For further
information and pictures, please visit www.imrl.com
Correction…
Last month I reported, that the International Gay Rodeo Finals were taking place during
Oklahoma Mr. Leather Weekend on 10/17/03. I have just found out that the IGRA finals will not
be taking place during Oklahoma Mr. Leather Weekend, it will be taking place during the weekend
of October 24th, 2003.
Up and Coming
5/31 There will be workshops presented Saturday afternoon by “X Mentor” of
NLA-Dallas. Topics to be presented are: Slave Training Elements and Philosophy
Two Hour Course with Practical Demo, Multiple Page Hand-out and Power Point
Presentation and a fire play demo. There will also be a potluck dinner hosted by
NLA-OKC. For more information, please see
6/7 TULSA Club Meeting
6/14 Tulsa Pride Parade at Veterans Park from 12 PM to 8PM located on 1875
South Boulder. For More Information, please see
6/15 OKC Whip Weekend please visit this site
6/21 Oklahoma City Pride Festival and Diverse Paths is hosting a Men only Leathermen's night June 21st at 7 PM. This will be during Pride week in OKC and the night before is NLA-OKCs Leather Pride night on 6/22/03 at Club Levis.
For more information, please visit,
6/29 Bondage Demo presented by Oklahoma Rope Art Special Interest Group. Topics
to be presented are: Immobilization and sensory deprivation, bondage from the
Submissive point of view, advanced rope bondage and a dungeon monitoring
class for advanced rope bondage. For more info please visit
6/22 OKC Pride Festival and Parade For more information, please see
Why Old Guard?
In the late 1940s early 1950s it was reported that a group of WWII veterans came back to
the united states to settle into their respective places in society. However, some of these veterans
still wanted the regimentation of the armed forces and also preferred the company of men. Eventually,
they integrated the structure of the military with the motorcycle culture. The sex that was
preferred was rough. The community was very closed and exclusive and anyone who was
interested in being a part of this had to start from the bottom up - meaning a man had to enter
into this community as a bottom and work his way up to becoming a master or a top…
Every student of leather and bdsm history has heard this story or a variation of it. There has
been some research on this topic (e.g. Bienvenue, Brame & Brame, Baldwin, Rinella).
However, one thing that seems to be missing is primary sources. This story doesn’t have many
diaries, club minutes or pictures that can be traced and verified to this time period. Many people
seem to be able to obtain secondary sources through oral histories from people who were able to
talk to people who were considered to be Old Guard. But when someone tries to reconstruct this
story there seems to be too many pieces of this puzzle missing.
When history is reconstructed, it usually starts with anthropology and archeology.
Specifically, cultural anthropology, or anthropology that deals with human culture
especially with respect to social structure, language, law, politics, religion, magic,
art, and technology. Archeology or the scientific study of material remains (as fossil
relics, artifacts, and monuments) of past human life and activities is also initiated.
These two disciplines are utilized to produce material evidence of a past that cannot be
physically verified. If I were to reconstruct a history, I would start at the Leather Archives
and Museum (located in Chicago and serving the world) or even Frank Puckett’s collection
of memorabilia that he has amassed.
But before I begin to deconstruct a myth, it should be important to understand why this
myth is important and address why this has continued. In order to do this, it will be essential
to examine the notion of identity and how it plays a significant role in maintaining perceived
order in our subculture or community.
Identity is significant as it allows the individual to justify their place in the community.
As a dominant, submissive, etc…it seems to be important to know why these proclivities
are desired. Some people explain that it is an innate need; others say it is an enjoyed
activity. However, one thing that these two people have in common is the need to know
why these needs are, as they are not a part of the social norm. When this quest for identity
takes place, they sometimes begin to search the social sciences of history and psychology.
The problem with this is that generally many people are not professional researchers and do
not often verify their sources. The most common research methods used are: the Internet,
and BDSM cook books. The result of this type of research is an incomplete knowledge base,
yet an individual’s confidence in the sources they have accessed is virtually unshaken.
With the advent of the Internet, bdsm and leather was made accessible to a whole new group
of people, but there was not a lot of historical evidence about it. Prior to the Internet there
was little documentation about how this was all done and there were few organizations that
existed. Clubs such as TES, Janus, PEP (1986) and NLA (1986) gave people a place to learn
how to practice their desired fetishes in a safe environment, but it didn’t offer much
documentation about Old Guard if any. People were able to become technically proficient
and politically aware, yet the notion of what we know as Old Guard was pretty much vague.
During this time, there was a dramatic increase in heterosexual participation and with that
came a new group of people who were curious about the history. Fetish history seemed to
be over looked by the novice bdsm practitioner, until their search led them to the early 20th
Century fetish advertisements and want ads of people looking for strict disciplinarians.
Literary connections were also made through Masoch and DeSade. There is documentation
that these activities were present well before the late 1940s and early 1950s, however that
specific time period in the US remains illusive. Evidence of its existence can be seen in the
artwork of Tom of Finland, Etienne, but the gay leather man is still shrouded in mystery
because of the lack of concrete evidence.
So how does one reconstruct a history without much archeological and anthropological
evidence? Speculation? Oral tradition? It is really hard to tell. But the one thing that holds
true is that there is a mystique that exists and the both the gay and heterosexual novice espouse
this notion partly because of a search for identity. By claiming Old Guard training, it gives
an individual a sense of legitimacy. It also allows them to justify their practices, even if
it isn’t safe, sane and consensual or risk aware consensual kink. It also gives them a means
to attract other people to their practices and beliefs about how this lifestyle should be
conducted. But more importantly, the heterosexual who adopts this notion doesn’t realize
that this culture excluded them. I have personally yet to find any documentation (diaries,
pictures and club minutes) that says otherwise.
History is an interesting discipline because people tend to read a book about the history
of something and take it as gospel. The problem is, reading the history of something will
never be absolutely factual based on the inability of any human being to document history
objectively. Historiography or the writing of history itself is not an exact discipline such
as certain types of math and science.
Etymology or the history of linguistic form (word origins) is also a major factor as the
process, like historiography, is painstaking. It is more convenient to read the history of
something and accept it as gospel.
I personally challenge an individual to try it, you will find that going to your local book
store and purchasing a book about the history of something or other will be much more
easier and enjoyable.
If an individual does not examine the history of the leather community, they may try
examining the psychological aspects. By asking questions such as, “is what I am doing
ok”; they begin to research the ideas of Ebbing, Freud, Masters and Johnson; the Kinsey
Report and eventually the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders:
4th and eventually 5th edition which, by the way will contain a section on cyber disorders).
They will look at the progression of psychological opinions about SM. They will come to
the conclusion that SM behavior is not a disorder unless it disrupts your day-to-day life
and livelihood.
Justifying sexual proclivities through psychological research seems to be less involved and convoluted than historical research as the information is compiled quantitatively or through random sampling of the general population. However, this only seems to explain or justify that SM is ok and it does not explain who you are. This consequently, seems to bring about a dichotomy in the individual’s identity. The best way I can describe this dichotomy of identity is to give it two labels - the historical identity and the psychological identity. The historical identity provides justification based on immediate and long-term past experiences while the psychological identity provides justification based on acceptable social behavior. Each of these co-exists with one another as they rely on past behavior both historical and psychological. For example, in Western civilization it is OK to shake an individual’s hand when greeting them, because it is socially acceptable and that greeting has been used throughout history. But, what if you couldn’t verify that shaking an individual’s hand was not done in the near or distant past? Just to put your worries at ease, “It started as a familiar greeting, a modern equivalent being "Hey, man, good to see you." The Oxford English Dictionary gives a quotation for this use from 1589. It must have been a common greeting earlier than that, though, because quotations for its derivative meanings have dates from 1580 on…’He greeted him with the usual hail-fellow-well-met slap on the back and handshake.”
Finally, how do we give credence to what we do, when our past isn’t clear? Better yet,
when we make allusions to our leather fore fathers, what do we mean if we don’t really
know what their values actually were? Was there an oral tradition or any tradition at all?
How do we verify it? What sources can we pull from? Will any of this information help
me swing a flogger better or help my slave behave appropriately according to what we
call protocol? I cannot provide answers to these questions, because I only have answers
for myself. I simply do it because it makes my dick hard.
David
Russ is the first truly international titleholder that the International Ms. Leather contest has ever had. Hailing from Calgary, Alberta Canada, she is the 1st IMsL that is not from the US. Unlike international Mr. Leather which has had four non-US titleholders in the past 24 contests. Russ is an accomplished bootblack and has represented her local and the National Leather communities very well.
1. What are some of the important social issues that are prevalent in your local community?
I would have to say the police raid on Goliath’s bathhouse in December of 2002. While this happened late last year, it is still an ongoing issue. Calgary had, what we thought was, a good relationship with our local police force. All that came crashing to a halt December 12, 2002.
From the looks of things, this case will be ongoing for sometime. There is one remaining person that was charged in the raid who refuses to plead guilty. There has been a defense fund set up to help cut court costs, as the Crown Prosecutors are dragging their heels.
As well the owners, manager, and staff members that were charged in the raid are also still making appearances in court. They, like the only remaining man to be charged, are pleading not guilty.
We have never been given a good reason as to why this raid happened, only to say that a complaint was lodged. It has left the city shaken. Bars that used to play videos of SM, gay sex type of videos have shut down the TV’s.. People are watching their backs, wondering when the next ‘raid’ is going to take place.
It is going to take the city some time to get back to normal.
(For further information about the Goliath Bath House raid, please visit the following site http://www.times10.org/lock32003.htm)
2. Have there been any interesting experiences during your title year?
One interesting experience I had happened at the Cell Block in Chicago..but I can’t talk about that…
It’s really hard to sit back and think about interesting experiences..I could talk forever about that…The people I have met, the friendships I have built..the sites I have seen…
If I had to talk about one experience it would be with Tom Dickerson at Ms. San Diego Leather, this past Oct. We were sitting beside each other, both of us were judging. He lit up a cigar. Up until that point, I was not into cigars..yet that night, WOW…Poor Tom..I started leaning closer to him, and then closer until I was almost resting my head on his arm. I was in heaven smelling his cigar. Once I got enough nerve I tapped him on the arm and asked if I could feel the ash..he smoked for a bit more, then put his ash into my hand. Being that was my first time with cigars I had no idea what to do. So I just held my hand out, looking at the ash. Tom put his hand over mine and squeezed my hand around the ash, squeezing tight. It was hot, it was burning, it was really wild. Every time I see Tom now my eye’s glaze over. Once again, poor Tom.
3. What is your platform and how have you been able to communicate it to the global leather community?
My platform was to try and bring out the local lesbians in my community, and get them thinking about the kinky world. I have not tried to take this global, this was a goal that I was working on at the local level only. We did not have a recognizable group of Lesbian woman in our community at the time of my speech.
I tried three times over my year to bring together the lesbians of Calgary. Three times I failed. Then I met a girl, and she had the connections to the lesbian women I didn’t. I knew about kink, and she didn’t. So together we set about pooling our talents, with the end result being a meeting place of lesbian women where we could hold workshops and teach them about being kinky.
We have held two workshops to date. We have also set up a kinky Calgary girls mailing list so that the girls always have contact with each other. I feel this is important because without this contact they have nothing between workshops.
This sort of thing has never been done in Calgary before, and not for lack of trying. It was near impossible to get the girls to come out.
So getting back to your question, I have found success with my platform on the local level. I feel I have accomplished my goal. In my speech I was happy to bring one lesbian into the kinky world, I have blown far past that goal. This is something I will be working on for some time.
4. What inspired you to compete in Ms. Calgary Leather and then IMsL? What was each experience like?
The producers of Ms. Calgary Leather are 3SM from Calgary. They are my Leather Family. The contest had two people running. One of those two people was very unsure if they wanted to run or not…when she backed out, I stepped up to the plate so that the contest would not die.
Ms. Calgary Leather is set up on the system of a travel fund. The winner of the contest got a travel fund, which was for one of two trips. They could either attend Ms. World as a spectator, or attend IMsL as a contestant or spectator. I had chosen to attend Ms. World…Ms Christine Baker, who was 1st runner up for IMsL in 2000 urged me to run for IMsL…it took her two days to talk me into it, as I did not feel I was ready to compete at the international level.
5. How did you become interested in the leather community?
I was in fetish world of kink. I was sitting in a workshop, a whip workshop, and in walked two Leathermen, and a Leatherwoman. I was hooked from the start. Within an instant I knew I was in with the wrong group of people. I set my sights on one of the Leathermen, my goal was to get to know him, get to know his world, and then enter his world. That turned into a very informal mentorship that lasts to this day.
6. Who are some of your mentors?
I have only ever had one mentor. His name is Mr. Don Bastian. He is not only my mentor, but my good & close friend.
7. What legacy would you like to leave as IMsL 2002?
I believe the people I have met over my year, will help shape my legacy. I could say “this is what I want it to be” but that does not mean much…I feel my legacy will be shaped from what I have done over the past year.
8. What are your plans after your title year is over?
There are some events I went to this year that I would like to attend again next year, C.L.A.W being one of them. I also want to attend a few events I was not able to make it to this year, South Plains Leather fest being one. Also I will take some time just for me, to refocus and plan for the years ahead
What a Strange and Unusual Trip!
Well everyone, things are gearing up for the Super Bowl of Leatherdom - IML or International Mr. Leather Weekend. Going into its 25th anniversary, IML will have some significant changes this year. It seems like the scoring system will be “slightly” changed this year. The scoring percentages will be changed in the two preliminary sections; interview and physique. Now, a contestant may obtain a possible 700 points for interview and 700 points for physique, after the highest and lowest scores are dropped. This means each preliminary is worth 50 percent of your score. In the past, interview was worth 75 percent of your preliminary score and physique was worth 25 percent. For information, please visit the following website http://www.imrl.com/IML2003/scoring.asp. Other IML news is that this year, the winner will also get a limited edition 100th anniversary black Harley Davidson XLH Sportster 833. Nothing like this has been done since the second IML when Patrick Brooks of Australia won. If I remember correctly, the cost was so great to ship that motorcycle to Australia, the contest promoters offered to purchase him one in his native country, however Brooks refused because he wanted the bike he won. I wonder where that bike is today? Hmmmmmm
April was a fairly busy month in Oklahoma. The second annual Tribal Fire went off without a hitch and was a success. A few days before the contest, the local news stations began to cover the event, however there was no visible press there. NLA-OKC is busy planning for their third annual conference. Leather Day of Caring was a success, however, it seems as if more money was raised than clothes were collected. Three hundred dollars was raised for Other Options, which is an organization that provides assistance for people living with AIDS. The monies and the clothing will officially be delivered on Saturday, May 10th 2003. Karen McGee, Ms. World Leather 2002 is responsible for the National Leather Day of Caring. She challenged the national leather community to participate by donating food and clothing to organizations that help people living with AIDS. Please visit the following website for more information http://www.msworldleather.com/ldoc1.html. During that same weekend, the Mr. and Ms. Sooner State Leather contests took place. Robert Beavers and Dee Beasley were named Mr. and Ms. Sooner State Leather. They both advance to their next level, which is Mr. and Ms. South Plains Leather, which will be held in March of 2004.
I would also like to inform everyone that CW’s Bar has been closed. Unfortunately, no one knows why. The owner just came in one day and simply locked the doors. Very interesting considering that in October of 2002 at the OML contest, he assured everyone that the bar was not closing.
What’s Coming Up
On the weekend of May 10th, there will be a fundraiser for our State titleholders: Oklahoma Mr. Leather 2003, Richie Johnson; Oklahoma Leather Sir, David Clark; and Oklahoma Leather boy, Marc Hopkins. The event will take place at Club Levis and will start at 8PM CST. The address for Club Levis is 2807 NW 36th in OKC. Each titleholder will compete at their next level of competition. Richie will be competing at International Mr. Leather during Memorial Day Weekend. David and Marc will be competing at the South Central Leather Sir and boy contests on the weekend of May 17th 2003.
Oklahoma Mr. Leather 2004 will be very interesting this year. It will run concurrently with the IGRA (International Gay Rodeo Association) finals also to be held in Tulsa Oklahoma this year. At first people perceived each respective event to conflict with one another, but on the contrary each event will compliment each other. Oklahoma Mr. Leather’s activities are primarily held during the evening and the IGRA finals will be held primarily during the day and late afternoon. There also seems like there will be a lot of crossover participation from each side. The city of Tulsa looks like it will be very active the weekend of October 17th.
Until next time…David M
Ms Karen McGee is an HIV/AIDS Case Manager, a Social Worker and
an Activist. She resides in Jacksonville, Florida. And has been
an active member of the North Florida Leather Community for over
14 years. Ms. McGee is the current president of "Code 12 Jax".
Her list of credits for work in the field of HIV/AIDS is extensiveas
well as being a founding member of six HIV/AIDS related health
service groups. Ms McGee won the title of Ms World Leather in
August of 2002.
What/who is/are some of your social and political influences?
My biggest influence would have to be a gentleman by the name of Patrick.
A gentleman that I met at club Brothers who would sneak me inside. We
became friends (this is when AIDS {Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome}
became GRID - Gay Related Immuno Deficiency) and he became sicker and
sicker. He tried a bunch of medicine but he became sicker and sicker.
How was he treated?
He died on a steel gurney, with {the} doctors fully covered-- they were
afraid to touch him. He died having no human contact and at that point,
that's when I made a decision to do something and educated myself.
He was the first person that I ever met with the virus and that was way
back in the early 1980s. I watched helplessly as Patrick lost faith in
his doctors and him self and I also experienced my own helpless feelings
in having to stand by and watch him die.
Another who influenced my life is Mother Theresa of Calcutta--
How did some of these influences inspire you to choose your current
platform?
(Please provide statistical data
One in four homeless people have the HIV infection. If you look at
Jacksonville Florida, for example, with it's population of around one
million. There are probably five or six thousand homeless people within
that one million. I see approximately 180 of them per day, and many just
driving to work. Most employed Americans with AIDS or HIV must spend three
quarters of their pay to fight this disease, and they are one paycheck away
from being homeless. There is a large urge to survive, and the youth, with
their more prevalent sexual activity have a one in three chance of contracting
HIV if they are with a partner who has the disease.
Lets look at the HIV community; the minimal entitlement for assistance is
about 436 dollars a month and if you look at someone who is working at a
minimum wage job, you will find that they make much more money than PLWAs.
This assistance doesn't cover rent and utilities. In addition to that, if a
PLWA looses their job, they will have to wait to get unemployment and wait
2 years to qualify for medication. By that time they will have to requalify
for meds received, experience all of the side affects of the meds and get
re-acclimated to them.
What makes AIDS a unique disease is the fact that it infects people at
the peak of their productive years, at a time when they would not normally
require medical care: the incubation period is long and the condition can
be fatal. AIDS knows no social boundaries, it thrives in all environments.
There is strong evidence today that HIV/AIDS is contributing to poverty.
Poor families tend to bear the greatest burden from HIV. Surveys have shown
that AIDS-affected households experience dramatic declines in income of up
to two-thirds. At the same time, their spending on medical care for sick
family members can increase exponentially. This causes them to reduce their
outlays on food, leading to malnutrition.
This is real poverty; it is a living nightmare that doesn't discriminate.
It is invisibility in the face of resource, exclusion to the point of
non-existence. It is powerlessness to effect the smallest change, and yet
to receive blame for society's ills.
Can you tell me about a person who was successful and lost everything
because of AIDS?
There was a young woman, Cecilia, she had a position at a downtown bank a
beautiful home and had it all. She bought a new wardrobe every week.
She came to me because she had met someone new and she wanted to be tested
and she turned up positive. She started on the meds and it laid her out
with horrendous diarrhea, massive weight loss, being forgetful, and a
chemical imbalance, which caused her to be verbally aggressive. Because
of that, and not wanting to tell her boss, she hid it, because he might
find a way to fire her and eventually she lost her job. She couldn't pay
her bills, she loss most of her friends because of her disposition.
When I found her again, she had lost over 100 pounds and was living next
to a bridge under a railway park. She recognized me but I didn't recognize
her. Her pride was taken away and her whole being was more different than
I'd ever seen.
What did you to help her and did she tell her family?
We got her disability, a doctor, and the meds and got her mental health counseling. After about 6 months, we decided that it was time to call her mom. After about four months and a lot of tears we decided that she needed to go home with her mother, so we packed up what she had and got her home. A few weeks later we got a letter saying she was doing fine and it was only eight or nine months later we received a letter saying she had passed away.
What about the prejudice that PLWAs have to live with?
We are still fighting the shame and the fear of it, if you say you're
HIV positive, you are automatically labeled as a prostitute, a drug
user, or gay. You had no other choice about what happened to you, but
the real cause is that you loved someone and were unprotected from the
disease.
Is that due to lack of education in the heterosexual communities?
They don't understand that this is not a gay disease? During National
Day of Testing in Duvall County, Florida, I had quite a few heterosexuals
come to be tested and they thought "it was free why not?" We counseled
them and they would say they are not at risk. We ask, "how do you know
that you don't have it" and they respond "I'm not gay I haven't been with
a man or I don't do drugs or gave it up years ago"...normally when they
leave my office they are pretty aware of the risks involved to anybody.
Do you think that AIDS education is improving in the "het" community?
Yes, in the African-American community, especially. Let's take Magic
Johnson, who in a press conference let everyone know that he was HIV
positive. Because of acts such as that, HIV education in the African-
American communities has improved. In the Caucasian communities, not
so much, however---they are still thinking that they are going to get
diseases such as cancer long before AIDS will get them.
How has your previous work prepared you for the work as Ms. World
Leather?
This is a good question. My work has taught me to not only listen,
but to hear. To stand up and say "NO" when I see an injustice. It has
taught me to reach out, to accept and give assistance where I can,
hopefully with grace. And, It has taught me that an act of civil
disobedience is only fun until the cops arrive.
Could you please elaborate on "A Day of Leather Caring Worldwide"?
What is your rationale and what is your expected outcome?
Too many of us live our lives passively, going day-to-day, without
stopping to figure out what we can do in our own communities to help
out. I am talking about living and giving with passion. We are a
passionate community, just look around its evident in the way we carry
ourselves, in our speech and in our deeds. Its time to take that passion
into the streets, giving to those who have a need greater than ours and
show the rest of the world the heart that lies within each and every
one of us
I do this for the young girl devastated to learn that she is living
with HIV, for the mother who suffers the loss of her only son and the
father who cannot cope, for the partner facing the prospect of releasing
the hand of a loved one for the last time, for the case worker who weeps
at the end of the day as the faces of suffering flood their thoughts,
and for the world that still faces AIDS with contempt.
I'm asking for a single act of passion with one day of your time, one
ounce of your sweat, your courage to gather and motivate your community,
and all of your imagination.
How did you come up with A Day of Leather Caring Worldwide"?
Jill Carter called and asked what do you think of doing an event and
we talked about it and it took off from there.
When was it conceived?
November 9th, we wrote the 1st draft of the press release and then
we released it on the 24th. And all they have to do is take a day out
and start giving: e.g. blood, clothes, all it takes is just one small
act and it doesn't even cost money. There will be a website in the future
where all you have to do is send me what you are contributing and we are
going to post it on the web site. What what's been done, etc. It goes
a long way, and the only reward we're are going get are those warm fuzzies..
Have people been receptive to it so far?
Since the "The Leather Day of Caring" Press release, on November 26, 2002,
I have received 53 e-mail requests for additional information, 20 requests
for permission to post it on Web sites, 18 firm commitments from clubs/
organizations, and 9 firm commitments from individuals.
How has your title year been so far? Have people been receptive to you
as Ms. World?
WOW!! My title year has been an amazing journey, I have never felt so much
warmth, and everyone has been open and loving. And the hospitality!! It
surprises me that people actually know who I am.
One funny thing though, and I'm starting to think this is planned, I seem
to ALWAYS stand next to the tallest person in the room when pictures are
being taken (I'm 4'6") coincidence?? I think NOT!
Do you find that more people are aware of the title and understand its purpose?
Oh my YES! I feel that our community understands and embrace MsWL as a
community service title which is amazing. I have Annie (Ms World Leather
of 2001) to thank for that, she set the pace, she was out, visible and
dynamic, a real classy lady.
I have been approached by at least 30 women who are interested in the
contest, but what surprises me, is that they think they need more experience
before they make the commitment to compete. My words to them "HUN you already
have it, look at what you have accomplished, look at what you are doing in
your community" (Yes I'm talking to YOU! You know who you are.)
Prospective contestants are sometime intimidated by the contest requirements.
Do you have any words of wisdom for people who are possibly considering running
for this title?
Yes! Be nice to the press, they are your friends, don't argue with them, and
have your facts straight.
Talk to everyone, be yourself, don't take yourself too seriously, let them
see the real you. Read Jill Carters book, And smile, smile, smile.
What legacy would you like to be remembered for as Ms. World Leather 2002?
Legacy?? I would like to be remembered as someone who made a difference in
just one person's life; who reached one person and opened their eyes and their
heart. I would like to be remembered as saving just one person from life on
the street. I would like to be remembered as warm, approachable, with an
easy smile (and the one who survived the year with the fewest bumps and bruises).
Do you have any memorable events as Ms. World Leather that you'd like to share?
St Petersburg, Florida at (International Leather Sir and boy) ILS/b
it became a game to throw me in a pool so it was a big thing to do this and I
told them I couldn't swim. By the time the contest happened I had nothing dry--
everything was wet, even my shoes. And here I am schlepping in my red plaid
flannel pjs looking very dykish and I had to beg the hotel to let me use their
dryer. They consented and after I finished drying everything, I went to take
my clothes to my room and I'm there with my dry clothes and some smarty-pants
decided to throw me in the pool again, WITH my clothing! I went to ask hotel
management again and the staff found this funny but they let me dry my clothes
again. Finally I had to sneak in the back to my room so I could put up my
clothes safely.
They also always place me next to the tallest people. In Toronto, they placed
me next a drag queen who was wearing 10 heels and is 6'2'' flat footed and she
had on this wig with these 2 towering cones on teach side. This made her about
8 feet tall...it was like the Jolly Green Giant next to Sprout.
In Dallas, at "Beyond Vanilla", I was approached by a young man who told me that
a few of his Leather family heard me speak at Ms. World. Since then his rent had
been paid anonymously for 3 months, long enough, hopefully for him to receive
his Social Security benefits. It saved his home.
In Toronto, again I was approached by a Leather Man, he was concerned over a
friend, who is facing eviction due to the inability to work, he will be opening
his home at no cost, to save his friend from the streets.
In Tampa, Houston, Atlanta, Orlando in each community I have visited, I have
heard similar stories, similar acts of love and passion. People are learning,
and growing, and loving. Don't forget to write me at Karen@msworldleather.com
if you would like to help too. I look forward to hearing from anyone who wants
to help in this noble cause.
We'll find out more about Richie very soon, so stay tuned!!!
Viola Johnson, Oklahoma's Leather Mom, once said that "Oklahoma was just
a place that people stopped on their layover flights, then people later
began to stop and look around, and now people are taking notice!!!"
With that being said, Oklahoma has received 12 nominations for the
Pantheon Community Choice Awards. For those of you who are new to what
the "Davey" is; it is an award recognizing people in the national community
for their outstanding work in the local and or the global leather communities.
Nominees from Oklahoma are:
The winners will be announced on Saturday, February 15th in Chicago,
Illinois. For more information please go to the Leather Journal Website
http://www.theleatherjournal.com/pantheon.htm.
Come see them and wish them well as they step aside. For more information
you can contact Randal Kinnear at Wkinnear@swbell.net, David at
OML2000@aol.com or boy kevin at nakedleatherboy@nakedleatherguy.net.
If you would like to find out more about the San Diego boys of Leather, please
visit our website at www.sdboysofleather.org or email me at josboyakio@yahho.com.
Happy Holidays from the boys!
In brotherhood, boy Akio President, San Diego boys of Leather
-30 -
Back to LeatherWeb News
Return to People of Culture News
Return to Calendar
Nominations Now Open
To participate check out www.leatherdaddy.org
www.tulsadungeonsociety.com.
• This year, Ms. World Leather will be held in conjunction with the International Deaf Leather Contest—that means two great contests packed with features that are sure to provide both provocative eye-candy as well as more intellectual food-for-thought
• A new hotel hosts this year's event: the Sheraton Brookhollow , located at 1241 W. Mockingbird Lane, offers a bargain rate of $68.39 per night (including tax), plus plenty of amenities. Just call 214-630-7000 to make your reservations by July 7, 2004 to get this special rate and make sure you mention that you're part of the Ms. World Leather 2004 group. Or call official Ms. World Leather travel wizard Charles Durbin at Carlson Wagonlit Travel Agency (800-714-8728), who can make your reservations and get you great deals on airfare.
• All the distinctive features that set Ms. World Leather apart, including substantive, vital platforms developed by each contestant, “Crossfire,” a stimulating, rapid-fire Q&A between the press and the contestants, and the opportunity for attendees to be present during judging interviews.
• Special attractions at this year's Ms. World Leather contest include:
• The lovely, incomparable Queen Cougar as emcee for Ms. World Leather
• An exciting array of vendors, including Achella, Marvelous and Mayhem, among others
• Entertainment provided by Satin
Ready to enjoy a weekend that will host two stellar leather contests packed full of play, shopping, entertainment and an opportunity to participate in a truly unique event weekend? Copy and paste the URL (http://www.mollyguard.com/event/9720073) register online. You can also e-mail (info@msworldleather.com) us or call us at 910-350-8866. To volunteer, become a sponsor, get vendor information or learn more about Ms. World Leather, browse through our site now. Don't forget to check out the Web site for International Deaf Leather also.
August’s Featured Leather/Fetish Person
Why? Because of Early Detection!
You will find these and many more important facts on The Breast Cancer Foundation's site and The National Alliance of Breast Cancer
Organizations
August’s Featured Leather/Fetish Person
By: David
Where? The Hole on Lytton in San Diego
Why? Proceeds go to produce the Ms. San Diego Leather contest
in November
What is it? Only the most fun, most exciting, most titillating
time you can have!!
Producer
. Meet and Greet at the Dallas Eagle
· Demos and Cocktail Parties throughout the Weekend
· MsWL Reception/ Competitor Basket Auction
· World Class Vendor Mart
· Competitor Interviews
· Crossfire (press portion of judging)
· Ms. World Leather Competition
· Victory Toast at the Dallas Eagle
· MsWL Sunday Brunch
· Official Ms. World Leather Pin
Registration for the weekend can be done online at
www.MsWorldLeather.com
through Mollyguard/Paypal.
The host hotel is the Radisson Hotel Dallas located at
1893 West Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75235. A special
weekend rate of $59.00 a night will be given to individuals
who mention Ms World Leather when they are making their
reservations. Reservations at the hotel can be made by calling
(214) 634-8850. You can also contact Charles Durbin, the official
travel agent for Ms World Leather 2003, at (800) 714-8728 for
your travel needs.
7/12-14 Thunder In the Mountains
7/18-20 International Ms. Leather
7/26 House of Darkwatch Flog day Afternoon (fetish flea market)
8/8-10 Ms. World Leather http://www.msworldleather.com
9/13 Annual Butch Review San Diego, California
I believe that International Mr. Leather must be
Approachable, Knowledgeable, Dependable and of Outstanding
Character. I feel that I have to use each of these qualities
in my job as manager of the (Phoenix) bar. It’s the only way
that I could maintain the respect of my co-workers and customers.
It would have to be my reluctance to say “No.” I tend to try
and do everything that people ask of me. I was raised that way.
Consequently, I sometimes don’t leave myself as much down time
as I would like to have.
Definitely, it’s my very high energy level. It
allows me to take on and accomplish my goals and projects
aggressively.
In my opinion, everyone’s greatest potential is in
mentoring. Everyone who passes a bit of knowledge on can
be sure that it will be multiplied to and through others.
It’s the best way we can empower our tribe to see its full
potential.
My ex-lover left me 13 years ago for another man, and
I hadn’t seen him since. He was my one true love. Last
year, he walked into the Phoenix. We had about two hours
of intimate conversation and some closure to things. I
fixed him up with another friend, and I went home and cried
like a baby. We converse regularly by e-mail now.
I put flower blooms from my garden all over the DJ’s
turntable (at the bar) because he was fighting with his
boyfriend this past weekend, and not in the best of moods.
Only one answer to that for me … SEX! In all of
my favorite forms, of course.
Over the years, I have developed a taste for lots
of sexual sports. To a degree, I think they almost all
turned me off or weren’t interesting in the beginning,
but “repulsed” is something else. Maybe water sports.
Cigars and fisting, but for me those make for a good
scene these days
Ready, Willing and Able. Honest answer.
Waking up in bed with a Leatherwoman in Male Drag when
I was 19 years old, and her telling me she had fisted and
I were roommates. We all went out that night, got very
drunk, and I woke up in bed with her. To this day, she
swears that she did fist me. I don’t believe it, but I
still eat crow from those who remember. BTW, she went
by the name of Ramrod!
I myself rarely drink these days because I feel it rapes
my body. I did discover, though, that the use of alcohol
and drugs tend to desensitize the areas of the body that I
sought to stimulate, and to me that seemed like both ends
fighting the middle. Then there is the safety issue,
depending a great deal on how intoxicated the person is
and what activity is being attempted. It’s not very wise
to play with someone who is more than a little buzzed.
This is not to say that having a drink, or a little smoke
(if that’s your thing) can’t relax you and make you more
receptive to your partner’s mind. But get “blottoed”?
No way.
The city of New Orleans has a population that is
68% non-white. About 60% of them are Black. I have
lived in a lot of cities, but we have the most
integrated city I have ever lived in. Just on my
block, my neighbors are Asian, Black, white, Creole,
gay and straight - people who are parts of all of us.
I would change my marital status. I have been single
and living alone for 13 years, and I feel that I am at a
point in my life where I would like to share it with someone.
I’m not outwardly seeking, but if the guy walks up, I think
I might know it was he. I work in a bar, remember, and I
have probably met 10,000 men and I have not yet met “him,”
but there is always the chance that he will walk in the
door and shake my hand one day.
I like to hunt deer. I saw bears, otters, beavers,
seals and all other manner of animal life out in “internet
address land,” but I hadn’t seen a “buck.” Where I grew up,
the phrase Wild as a Buck insinuated wild, hot men chasing
women. I knew these men were horny and that got my attention
early on in my life. My Dad wanted to name me Buck, but my
mother wouldn’t let him. They settled on Charles, shortened
to Chuck. Wildbuck just seemed to fit. The 2 and the 8
are so it would fit into the domain name “therange.” I
just liked the way it sounded, as one of my relationship
philosophies is “It takes a big pasture for two bulls.”
And the open range seems like a good place for me.
My Dad. He has yet to see the similarities between
us, and I feel that my pursuing a career in the gay bar
industry disappointed him - that in his eyes, I didn’t
work to my full potential. I am the least educated of
my siblings, and I don’t think that my Dad understands
why I chose the road that I did. When I was graduated
from Carolina, he assumed that I would go on to grad
school like my brothers and sisters, but I went to
Atlanta to work in a Leather bar. Although he and my
stepmother are extremely supportive of me and my l
ifestyle and my friends, I wish he knew how fulfilled
I am and how useful I feel I can be in my life just
as it is.
80% would be to be able to use the platform to
help unite our community - by attending and promoting
events sponsored by all segments of our Tribe, by
interacting with ALL members of our community, both
those well known and not known at all. I think my
visibility would help to foster unity and pride. (
My platform is “mentoring.”)
I am so fortunate to have a wonderful boss, the
owner of the Phoenix, Jamie Temple. He fully
understands the responsibilities of the Mr.
Louisiana Leather title, and of the International
Mr. Leather title. He was voted Leatherman of the
Year in 1997, and he is an active member of the
Lords of Leather, my contest sponsors. (He was
my entry sponsor for the Mr. Louisiana title.)
He discussed [this question] with me on Saturday
past when we were balancing the safe: what might
we do if I got really lucky in Chicago? We decided
that it would be no problem for me to work on Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday, and have the balance of every
week for travel. BTW, I think that it would involve
more than 35 weekends, and I would expect that.
I am confident that I could maintain my current
lifestyle on the three-day-a-week schedule. Actually,
by giving up my manager slot for the year and taking on
three full weeknight bartender shifts, I would be making
a couple hundred more a week than I am now. I’m also
fortunate to have inherited a small farm in North Carolina
when my mother passed away, and I receive a small amount
of income from that, usually enough to cover my regular
living expenses. I would have the same amount of
disposable income, if not more, than I do at present,
and I would welcome the commitment. I also feel that
my wonderful community in New Orleans would continue
to support me. They organized a send-off party for
me last Friday night - the first time that’s ever
been done here.
You’re asking me this the week before IML, huh?
May 17, 2000
David, Mr. Oklahoma Leather 2000
Ms. World Leather 2002
By: David
In the HIV/Homeless community are the people I care for, those who are
living on the streets in shelters, and those who are in danger of losing
their homes due to HIV/AIDS. In each of them I see a little Patrick...a
little Daddy Mack...a little David Simmons...a little of the many friends
I have lost to this disease and I remember the words of Mother Theresa:
"It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing.
It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving."
Every minute, 11 people worldwide are infected with the HIV Virus.
Every 3 minutes, a PLWA (Person Living With AIDS) looses their job.
Every 7 minutes, a PLWA has to make the decision to pay rent, or
purchase medications.
Every 10 Minutes, a PLWA is faced with living on the streets.
This is just State side! I have several pending commitments from groups
in Australia, and New Zealand. It hasn't been a week and I've already been
besieged with questions about what can we do. I have been contact and people
have been in contact with me from all over and it has been amazing response
so far. Anyone else who is interested can write me here:
Karen@msworldleather.com
Our New Symbol of Excellence
Oklahoma Mr. Leather 2003
Man of the Year: Randal Kinnear
Small Club of the Year: LiNK-Oklahoma and NLA-OKC
Small Event of the Year: Tribal Fire
South Central Regional Award: Michael Harned, Randal Kinnear, T.J.
McKinsey, Miss Julia, and Randy Wheeler
Community Choice Awards Man: Michael Harned
Community Choice Awards Woman: Melissa Brown and TJ McKinsey
Proud boy of Jo Romano-Blas www.sdboysofleather.org
CONTEST SEASON
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