Wayne Nesbitt

OUR BROTHER WAYNE NESBITT was called to be with his beloved partner GLENN CARPENTER Friday Night June 13th at the D.C. Eagle where he collapsed. Wayne was a beacon these past 12 years ushering in the Age Of Aquarius in Leather. We met at IML in 1998 when my partner Rodtney and I overheard him giving delightful sound-bytes in an interview. He made the top five that year and have been friends ever since.

It is wonderful that Wayne got to see his successor Mr. ALEX HOLMES become the current Mr. D..C. Eagle last November, exactly 10 years after Wayne was voted the first African-American Mr. D.C. Eagle. It's SAD, and it makes one MAD, that He is gone. But the gladness is that He's now with Glenn. Wayne was proudly out to his family and his mother has asked that the news of Wayne's death be conveyed to all in the community who knew him. Wayne will be deeply missed by ALL who knew Him. He was just 44. Phil Ross, LeatherWeb

Far too many of us sometimes take many things for granted. Of course things change but such is not the case with friendships. We know our friends, love them and cherish them. Somehow we think they will always be there. Our own selfish thoughts of friends always being there for us to ask advice, spend time with and love came to an abrupt halt this week,

The abrupt halt came by way of the terrible news that mentor, advisor, activist, and last but not least, leatherman Wayne Nesbitt of Washington, DC. left us. Wayne Nesbitt, Mr. DC Eagle 1997, collapsed at the DC Eagle. Efforts to rescutate him at the bar and to the hospital were to no avail.

Wayne was much more than just a local title holder and IML finalist. He was an individual who set the tone for future aspiring leather title holders. His knowledge and experience in the communication field, assisted many in their quest to attain those sought after leather titles. As an active volunteer, planner, and producer of dozens of fundraiser's, he left his mark on many charity events, both local and across the United States.

Being a person of color title holder and becoming the first to do so at the DC Eagle, was not his goal. His goal was the opportunity to educate, mentor and become a role model for all who followed in his footsteps. There has been no doubt that he succeeded in everything that he attempted.

Wayne was a perfectionist. His gift of speech writing was legendary, making certain that his speeches held a valuable message. In the production and direction of videos for which he was known worldwide, he achieved critical acclaim. I have first hand knowledge of this. Wayne asked me to be a part of a World Food Day video, which was shown worldwide. I was asked to do the voice over parts. Wayne was not satisfied until I had every word, every intonation, every phrase absolutely correct. Many,many hours later, the words I had been waiting for came.... "it's a wrap, Perfect". After all he said, you will be a part of very important high government officials including the President of the United States. My comment was..."Oh, I See!"

Wayne was down to earth and loved people so much and was always there to help with anything and anyone. The word "NO"
rarely came from his mouth. His partner Glenn, proceeded him in death in his sleep on December 1st, 2006. They were the perfect couple, with a complete understanding of the real meaning of what a relationship should be.

Wayne was a realist, and prepared for whatever may come. Wayne entered the Mr. DC Eagle contest in 1996, and was not successful that year. He decided that was it, no more contests for him. I suggested (insisted) that he go for it the next year. He prepared for the following year. And then the day of the contest, he had second thoughts, and decided he would not enter. His partner (Glenn) called me and said he (Wayne) had a upset stomach, and did not want to enter. I said "Oh, ney, ney, ney". Glenn then went back and told him "you have two choices, either enter the contest or the both of us will have to listen to The Mouth of the Wicked Witch for the next 12 months. Given those choices said Glenn, I would rather you enter tonight!

Enter he did, and the rest became history. He prepared for IML. He researched every bit of leather history. He prepared five speeches. I was asked to review his speeches. They were all fine speeches, however nothing caught my eye. He looked at me and said, Hmmmm you don't seem impressed. I said ...Well......

Another folder was laying there, and I asked to see it, and in it were 4 or 5 other drafts of speeches. I picked up one and read it several times, and I said...This is the one!!! and he looked at it and said, "Really?" I said, "yes Really!" ...and once again the rest was history, Parts of that speech have been quoted in many publications, including the IML 25 years of Champions.

The quote goes as follows: "I want to stand with Jill Carter International Ms. Leather 1996, whose motto, "each one teach one" still resonates in my brain. I want to stand with Patrick Richardson, International Deaf Leather 1997, who reminds us not of tolerance but of acceptance and inclusion. "Where do YOU want to be?"

My heart is breaking this sad week...But Wayne (for all who knew him) leaves us with a plethora of wonderful memories, inspirations, and love. It's a huge loss for the Leather Community.

Vern Stewart
aka The Wicked Witch
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A LOSS IS A LOSS    Mr. Marcus - San Francisco Bay Area Reporter Week 25, June 19th, 2008

It's hard to shake superstition and Friday the 13th has been one that some people dread and others pass off as "silly". But it wasn't so silly at the DC-Eagle in Washington, DC last Friday when one of that city's most respected leather men collapsed with a heart condition and could not be revived by the Emergency Ambulance that arrived. Wayne Nesbitt, a highly-respected leather man in the entire DC-Metro Area and the East Coast died there - in his favorite spot - the DC Eagle Bar.This incident cast a vivid pall over the entire nation of leather people who had the good luck to be acquainted with Wayne Nesbitt. He was wise, articulate, and very friendly, an ardent fundraiser for causes both gay and straight and his loss is viewed as catastrophic to everyone who knew him or who knew of him.

Wayne Nesbitt was Mr. DC Eagle 1997 and made the cut at IML in 1998 when he delivered an outstanding speech that was taped and is in the Leather Archives & Museum. His intense energy in bettering the lives of others was exemplary and he MC'd numerous charitable events and even produced the Mr. DC Eagle Leather contest more than once. He remained an ardent supporter of, and attended various events at that bar. He was proud to be Mr. DC Eagle and mentored many that aspired to that title. His outgoing personality, masculine appeal and gentlemanly demeanor endeared him to natives and visitors alike.

If anyone epitomized "leather pride", it was Wayne Nesbitt. He was welcoming and warm with friends and strangers alike. He both gave and demanded respect willingly and made the DC-Eagle his welcoming aerie for all that visited that bastion of leather in the nation's capital. To say that he will be sorely missed is not enough to eulogize a man with integrity, honor and self-respect. Wayne Nesbitt's name and his countenance will be long remembered in the history book of Washington's vibrant leather community. He was a hard worker, a team player and fully accepted as a black leather personality - one to be emulated, respected and eulogized. It was a tragic message in my Email early Saturday morning when I received the devastating news. I will never forget this man. Funeral Service to be held at the Metropolitan AME church, located at 1518 M St NW, Washington, DC, on Monday, June 23rd. There will be a 10 am wake and 11 am service
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