Reflections on the Hollow Men

"We are the hollow men
We are the stuffed men."

When I fashion a Leather mask, I begin by casting the face. I carefully mold a negative form and from that, I create a positive. Then I stretch the Leather, hammer it, and rub it methodically for hours until a near perfect replica of the visage takes shape. A mask that begs to be worn. Without a person to wear it, the mask is dead, an object without life. Every actor knows this. An essential part of the professional actor's training is learning to interact within its hollow. Acting en masque.

Decades ago, many of our Leather organizations were formed. They were fashioned by men who understood the need to raise funds and awareness for HIV, for service to members of the Community, to defeat right-wing political agendas that threatened to drown us in intolerance. Although the shape of these organizations has remained the same over the years, the skill of those who knew how to animate them seems to be gone. What remains are the shells of organizations, masks of clubs and contests that once served a vibrant purpose.

While a few of these organizations have found revitalization through the efforts of a few selfless individuals, most remain evident but ineffective. They seem to have little direct association with their original purpose. And their affiliation with Leathersex, with play, or with the individuals who make up our current Community seems strained. Many of these organizations have become but facades of broken stones from another time, objects that are the focus of "Old Guard" incantations and fantastical rituals.

Groups that used to facilitate brotherhood now foment politics and drama. And their leaders, once essentially hidden behind the masks of their organizations, now expose themselves. The desire to be seen, greater than the call to serve. For it was service that animated these organizations, not the egos of men whose appetite for accolades and awards compels them to move the mask from the borders of its surface rather than from the inside.

I recently attended a symposium in San Francisco called, "Is Leather Dead?" As a Sir to boys of varying ages I can attest that kink and perversion is alive and well in the lives of the rising generation of Gay men. What seems to be dead are many of our organizations that have no context in the lives of these men. They belong more within the context of a reliquary than a vibrant Community.

So all hail to the "Hollow Men" who claim to lead these organizations. To them, I say -

"A penny for the Old Guy."

Care and Feeding of Your International Titleholder

Hosting an International Titleholder is one of the most important tasks in producing a regional LeatherSIR/boy/Community Bootblack contest. A good host can either make or break the weekend from the Titleholder's standpoint. And a conscientious producer will understand this and assign the task to a person who is reliable.

Last year as one of your International Titleholders, I enjoyed the hospitality of some great hosts. Based on my experience, I would like to suggest four things to local producers that will help your Titleholder feel well-cared for and appreciated during a visit to your region:

1. Clear communication. Usually the International Titleholder will contact you at the beginning of the Title year regarding your regional event. Respond to the e-mail promptly. Let the Titleholder know that you are looking forward to the visit. That way, the Titleholder can take advantage of the best possible fares for a flight to your region. At least one month before the visit, write directly to the Titleholder. Ask if the Titleholder is coming with a partner or Leather Family member. Reconfirm the dates of your contest, and include host family information, local transportation arrangements, the schedule of your weekend, and all tasks expected of the Titleholder. Also include telephone number of the host and the address of the host's home, if the Titleholder is crossing the border. Very important, as customs requires an actual address when entering or leaving a country.


2. A good host home. The host should contact the Titleholder directly at least two weeks prior to the event. If the host has a dog or cat, the host should find out if any allergy exists. And the host should inquire regarding food preferences at that time.
   

   A good host home does not need to be large or luxurious. It should be tidy, clean, and peaceful. And it should have adequate space to allow the Titleholder to spread out luggage.

   The good host should provide breakfast, including coffee or tea. The host should know what meals will be supplied during the weekend in advance. Providing meals and snacks make the Titleholder feel like a valued guest.

   Finally, the host should never expect repayment for services in the form of sex. While hot play does occur on occasion, the host should never pressure the Titleholder to perform. If such an encounter occurs, allow the Titleholder to initiate it. Cruising face to face is still a valued art in our Community.



3. Reliable transportation in your region. A person should be assigned the task of providing transportation to and from the airport. The Titleholder must know who this person is in advance, and where they will meet upon arrival. The telephone number of the person greeting the Titleholder should be provided prior to departure. If the person meeting the Titleholder is late, or if there is a traffic problem en route to the airport, a text should be sent immediately. Making the Titleholder feel well-cared for begins upon arrival.
   

   The person providing general transportation must know the Titleholder's weekend schedule and to make sure that the Titleholder is on time to every planned event. The person should also be ready to transport the Titleholder back to the host home after each event unless the Titleholder has made other arrangements. The Titleholder does not expect the person to be responsible for transportation to and from a trick's home.
   

   In addition, if there is a long interval between events, the Titleholder does not feel stranded. Ask if the Titleholder would like to go somewhere. It is courtesy to offer transportation during these times, too.
   

   Finally, the person providing transportation should insure that the Titleholder arrives at the airport in plenty of time for the return flight. After dropping the Titleholder off, the person should remain on call until the flight actually leaves, checking the cell phone for text messages or incoming calls.



4. Avoid local politics! Never discuss the problems of your region with the Titleholder. The Titleholder is there to serve everyone, not just those people preferred by the producer. Discussions regarding contestants who are favored must also be avoided. Instruct the host, the person providing transportation, and all in your production staff to avoid discussions that could compromise the Titleholder's position as a neutral visitor. If there are any politics or problems that you feel the Titleholder must be aware of, communicate them to the International Board and allow them to communicate your concerns to the Titleholder.

   Politics and the related drama drain the energy of any Title contest or event.

With simple care and feeding while in your region, theTitleholder can provide you with years of lasting friendship and much gratitude.

The boys of Boise

On Saturday I sat and judged four boys all vying for the title of Idaho Leatherboy. Quite a showing for a small city in the conservative Rocky Mountain area of the United States. With broad smiles, the boys were introduced one by one. Any region in North America would have been proud to have such contestants.

Hours before, I spent time watching the bootblack contestant. With the fastidiousness of a more experienced black, he serviced the boots of anyone who sat in his chair: cowboy boots, short ankles zips, high heels, and the occasional military boots. And Scout, last year's Northwest Community Bootblack, critiqued his work after each client, pointing out details in a way that was not only instructive but nurturing.

The highlight of my weekend, the boot stomping demo with Scout. Rather than line up the attendees in rows, we shaped the space in a semi-circle. An active and very light-spirited scene!

Last year began the tradition of Ruff n ' Tumble, an annual run in May that promises to become one of the most exciting events in the Northwest. Bravo to Kevin, Laura, and the owners of The Lucky Dog Tavern for hosting it. And for those of you who like hot boys, Boise is your kind of town. They just don't come any hotter than this.

Two boys gone WILD! Providence, RI

What happens when two Leatherboys connive to produce the first annual Northeast Leather Weekend? A great fucking contest and a helluva good time!

Jim and Arne aimed high, promising more than a Leather contest. Instead, they planned the first annual Northeast Leather Weekend. “A historic event,” said Jim in his strong, optimistic tone upon my arrival. “You are going to have a great time.” And he was right.

These boys thought of everything down to the smallest detail. I would like to offer a list of those things that made this weekend a success, from my vantage point:

Although the Northeast LeatherSIR/Leatherboy/Community Bootblack contest was the locus of all activities, the overall spirit of the weekend was on building a strong Northeast Leather Community. And the events encouraged not only social interaction but play. In short, the weekend reflected the mission of the International LeatherSIR/Leatherboy/Community Bootblack organization.

1. The weekend had a primary location, the Providence's historic Biltimore Hotel. The hotel was easy walking distance to all venues. The hotel staff was respectful and friendly. When I arrived at the hotel, one of the producers went out of his way to introduce me to a supervisory member of the staff. “We are honored to serve you,” he said.


2. Great food! The formal dinner on Saturday night was truly a formal Leather event in the hotel's ballroom with a well-prepared and plentiful dinner served buffet style. And the victory brunch took place on the hotel's eighteenth floor. Both the dinner and the brunch venues were the perfect size for both events.


3. Good communication. As an International titleholder my schedule has constantly morphed this winter and spring. I appreciated the e-mails from the producers containing updates and details as the event drew closer. I cannot emphasize how important this was to me.


4. Great accommodations that included travel to and from the airport. Once again, communication was key. The producers told me months in advance about my lodging. After almost nine months, with most of those weekends on the road, knowing this in advance gives the Titleholder a sense of security.


5. A complete registration packet that included a T-shirt with a hot logo and a detailed map showing the location of all venues.


6. Although I was a guest, I could not help but appreciate the affordable price of the weekend package. A great value that included the formal dinner and the brunch.


7. An appropriate location for the contest with good sound facilities, an appropriate stage, good sight lines, and a hot bar staff. Fantasies could be seen by all in attendance without difficulty. And the speeches were all audible, with the sound system appropriately designed to overcome the din of the audience.


8. A good MC who kept the contest moving. This was a tough to do, especially because the contest was the first event held in the club. William, the MC, did not shy away from the task. Banter was humorous without being too personal or bitchy.


9. Sir Marco Rosato. What more can be said of this professional who shares his talent with the Leather Community? His participation always raises the bar of any event. Thank you, Marco. Your voice always communicates to my soul.


10. Contest judges who not only were players, but also understood the overall tradition of LeatherSIR/Leatherboy/Community Bootblack. It was a joy to sit with my peers and interview the contestants. Questions would build on those previously asked. In addition, the interviews were timed well.


11. The producers worked behind the scenes, allowing the focus to be on the outgoing and incoming Titleholders.


12. Finally, the total lack of local politics. I despise going to a region where local politics are rampant. I appreciate when producers keep them far away from their out-of-town guests. Not an easy task, at times. I acknowledge not only the Northeast producers but many others who have enabled me to side-step local intrigues. I hate politics in our Community, including the politics in my own region. No part of my Leather!

In the producers' meeting in July I listened with disbelief as Jim and Arne boldly announced that they would be doing a full weekend. As a Boston native, I knew that the Northeast has always posed challenges to contests, especially those that are player and fantasy-based. When I congratulated the producers on a great weekend at the Sunday brunch, they graciously shared the accolades with Hooker and with other ILSb/ICBB producers. Jim explained how Hooker had given them tips over the previous months. They also had gone the extra mile to attend other successful contests including the Southwest Region's event, a favorite with many of the International Titleholders over the years. (Bravo again to Phoenix!)

This year I have attended many great contests. What made this weekend stand out was the professional way that two Leatherboys made this event happen. They dreamed high and worked hard. Thank you, Jim and Arne!

Leather Contests and Hard Cocks: Southwest LeatherSIR/Leatherboy Contest, Phoenix, AZ

When I came out as a Gay man I immediately felt an attraction to Leather. I stood in awe the first time I saw an older, muscled Leatherman in tight-fitting trousers. I formed my first fantasies the night I watched two masculine men walk hand in hand while wearing vests and chaps, their bulging cocks outlined in their tight jeans. And I will never forget the night when a handsome, titleholder knelt before me, took my cock into his mouth, and showed me what a blow job truly felt like. Twenty-five years later as a judge for Southwest LeatherSIR/Leatherboy contest, I still ultimately define Leather by what makes my cock hard.

There are no holds barred during an ILSb interview, with questions ranging from play techniques and personal history to the straightforward query, “Would you drop your pants?” I have judged quite a number of contests but nothing prepared me for the response of the winning boy contestant. After stripping off his Leather shorts, naked except for his harness and boots, he got down on all fours and began bucking like a rodeo bull. Double kicks, pawing the ground, nearly humping the floor while he tossed his head from side to side. His antics betrayed a sexual energy that had been masked during his earlier verbal responses. He arose, partially tumescent and panting.

“Well, you enjoyed that,” I observed, referring to his lengthening cock.

“Yes,” he said out of breath.

And, as if in response, I felt my own cock push hard against my tight jeans.

On Saturday night, this same boy suspended himself from a frame on stage. Midway through his fantasy, I heard him growl quietly to his top, “Hit me harder!” His musclar top obliged, flogging his naked ass with more abandon and then shoving a nightstick hard up the boy's jockstrapped hole. With no shame, the boy privileged us with full view of his sculpted ass. En face, in ballet terms. A true fantasy, I am sure that many in the audience retreated home after the contest and stroked their cocks with that image fresh in their minds.

I awarded a perfect score to the Sir contestant for his fantasy, something I rarely do. The Sir started his fantasy by picking up a handsome boy clad only in a cotton jock and boots, After slamming the boy on a raised table, he shackled his hands and feet together, and then proceeded to play the boy's body with a violet wand. The violent wand worked well against the darkness of the outdoor stage and the boy's defined body. Phrasing his play with deep, mouth-probing kisses, the Sir continued to build the intensity of the scene. Finally, the Sir pushed a twenty dollar bill hard into the boy's gaping mouth and made a hasty exit. A brutal contrast to the passion of the scene. Rough Trade indeed!

Adding to the sexual energy of the contest, I attended a formal Leather dinner and a victory brunch. Both full of hot men. Banter was cruisy and light-hearted, Leathermen accentuating their embellishments of yellow and red with personal comments about the previous night's, post contest play. Here was a group of like-minded, horny men that also defined their Leather by rough play. They were men like myself who understood that brotherhood is founded not only on trust, honesty, and integrity, but also on good, hard cock.

Congratulations to Sir Bill and boy Robert, the new Southwest titleholders. Two hot men. Can't wait to see your combined fantasy at ILSb/ICBB in July.

Contests, Sex, and Old Leather

On the way back to the airport on Monday morning, I was asked what one thing stood out during the weekend. A tough question considering the number of events produced throughout the weekend. I thought about the intense, single tail scene that I enjoyed on Friday night at the Black Eagle with a boy in my Clan, I revisited the interviews, smiling as I recalled the boy contestant channeling his inner puppy, his pants hanging down past his knees. And, looking at my partner in the van, I thought how great it was to have him beside me for the entire weekend. A rare treat. But the thing that stood out most was the absence of the producers at the events.

I did, of course, see Brandon and Dan during the weekend. Without fanfare they did their job as producers with a smile and an apparent sense of enjoyment. No unfolding dramas. No overt politics. Always greeting us with confidence and a smile.

I especially applaud them for celebrating their new Titleholders with a play party. LeatherSIR, Leatherboy, and Community Bootblack are players titles, after all. For me, play means hot, man to man sex. I do not make distinction between my SM and my sexuality. I get hard when I play. And to this end, Steamworks did a great job as sponsor, creating spaces to satisfy this SIR's twisted proclivities. Nothing better than a gaping mouth to piss in between scenes or an eager hole to fuck while beating on a man's distended balls.

Sexual play with few limits is the Old Leather that I encountered decades ago. In my opinion, it is the cornerstone of that Older Tradition that the Community tries to define today through workshops and textbooks. More important than protocols. More integral than ritual. Leather is about rough, hard sex!

On Saturday during the contest, Tom Stice posed a question to me. “What is the hottest sex you have had while traveling during your title year?” I stood sullenly and mumbled an answer. Seems I have always been too tired to bring a man back to my host's house or my hotel. After Sunday's play party, I now have answer for him.

“The cbt scene at Steamworks beside my Canadian brothers. Nothing hotter than grabbing the balls of a man in a sling and pulling him hard on my cock! A great fuck!”

Bravo to the producers of Eastern Canada LeatherSIR/Leatherboy for facilitating a weekend of hot, steamy play. And my hearty congratulations to their new titleholders, Master Chuck and boy Iain.

Gulf Coast LeatherSIR/Leatherboy Weekend: Dallas, Texas

This weekend proved both a pleasure and a challenge for the judging panel of the Gulf Coast LeatherSIR and Leatherboy contest. With five strong contestants, it was difficult to select only two men to represent the region as players in our Community.

As I reflect on the contest, I realize the importance of timing in running for a title. After decades in the Community, my time is now. Not last year, and definitely not twenty years ago. At 55 years old, I am now ready to serve my Community as International LeatherSIR.

After the contest on Saturday night I spoke to one of the boys who was not selected as Leatherboy. “So, at the Meet and Greet you wore a shirt that said 'bootlicker.' Well, I am a Bootman, a BootTop. Show Me now!”

The handsome boy kneeled down in the middle of the Eagle and began working the toe of my boot with his tongue. In response, I applied slight pressure with the heel against his chest. I watched as he continued servicing my boot. It became obvious that this man liked far more than simply licking boots. He pushed his chest back against my boot, suggesting that he wanted more from a boot than just a surface to lick. He was like me, a Bootman.

After this boy finished honoring my boots with his tongue, we spoke. I encouraged him to continue exploring his fetish. And I was happy to learn about the fine SIRs who had already guided him on his dark journey into Leather.

“I expect to see you again,” I said. “There is so much in you, much more than mere licking.”

I thought about a remark made to me in 1990 when I was still a Leatherboy. “When you discover your real power, you'll be dangerous.” I recall feeling somewhat confused. What did this Community Elder mean by that statement?

I remember watching SIR Tony last year as he was sashed International LeatherSIR. “Not a position that I could fill,” I said to myself. Timing is everything.

Congratulations to the new Gulf Coast LeatherSIR and Leatherboy. My profound respect to all those who competed last weekend. It was an honor to have judged you and I know I will see one or two of you again on the contest stage in the years ahead.

In the Company of Women, San Francisco Ms. Leather: October 2nd

Leatherwomen have always played an integral role in my Leather. As a Leatherboy many years ago, the Women in Seattle played harder than the men. Playing beside them in mixed dungeons always challenged myself to plumb the depths of my dark side. Women were there for me when I found myself in an abusive Sir/boy relationship, providing a safe haven where I could rest. Indeed, the first couple of years of my involvement in the community seem to have been shaped more by women than by men.

Attending the San Francisco Ms. Leather Contest last Saturday was once again a lesson in Leather. As I listened to the contest, I realized the diversity of the women in our community. By this I am not referring solely to ethnicity. I am also referring to roles, femme/butch association, and relationship to social defintions of gender. Very different from the traditional men's Leather community where the perceived level of testosterone maintains its dominance as yardstick.

On Saturday night Miranda, our perky MC, held the sold out crowd in the palm of her hand, controlling the pace of the contest with ease and humor. As one versed in theatre, I applaud her improvisational skills. I especially loved the card game that she introduced, although I did feel slighted that I did not win the "squeal like a pig" segment. I was drowned out by an entire sty of pigs on the other side of the Hotel Whitcomb Ballroom.

Like the new Oregon State Ms. Leather, the winner, Leo Perralta, represents the new generation of Leatherwomen. With her friendly demeanor and open smile, I liked her immediately. I especially enjoyed her fantasy, combining elements of play within a humorous narrative that used choreographed dance segments. I don't think I have ever seen a fantasy that used dance as extensively.

Congratulations, Leo! And to all who took part in the San Francisco Ms. Leather contest on Saturday night.

Outside of the Lines: Seattle, WA

When I was a child, I loved art but despised coloring. I did not enjoy having my colors both dictated and contained by the context of the printed page. More than neatly covering the page with fields of red, yellow, and blue, I liked the simple act of coloring, the tactile sensation of the crayon against the slightly rough surface of the paper itself.

As Leatherfolk, we exalt the tactile at the expense of conformity to the neat lines of society's definitions. We enjoy coloring outside of these lines in our play. And many of us extend this to our relationships, forming tribes of seemingly disparate individuals.

The Northwest LeatherSIR/Leatherboy/Community Bootblack Contest on September 3 - 5 had a field of six contestants, each unique not only in terms of experience, but also in terms of social identification. As I judged the contest, I watched as these men melded together into a cohesive unit. Rather than competing against each other, I saw each man join with the other to form a temporary community.

I, too, joined in the spirit doing an encore presentation of the fantasy that I did in San Francisco in July. Instead of a man in the submissive role, I decided to use a woman, Ms. Oregon State Leather Michelle Bishop. Seen through the sensibilities of the feminist lens, the fantasy was all wrong, red riding hood feeling the bite of the Wolf's single tail and then, force-fucked up the ass by His huge phallus. But experienced in the context of community, it was very right.

As a judge, I especially enjoyed the fantasies of the contestants. Each SIR and boy had H/his own take on the Blue Collar theme. Darian included his penchant for motorcycles. Stan's fantasy set a burly foreman against himself and his handsome, real life boy, ending in a passionate kiss. And Enrique staged an all out brawl between a gang of workers.

Like the Sirs, the boys' fantasies couldn't have been more different. element became a Mary Tyler Moore obsessed shop clerk intent on bringing his Daddy home a handsome gift. And the ever dapper kent in suit and tie manipulated his blue collar workers into satisfying his endless appetite for men.

While all the fantasies were quite different, they all incorporated an element of play. Play brought the contestants together after the contest, too. A dungeon party that continued until 3 am!

Leather contests and play spaces share the ability to bring Leatherfolk together. By coming together, we negate the lines that have been drawn by society to divide us. While some contestants think that the point of a contest is to beat out their opponents, these men left the beating until after the contest. And that's the way it should be!

Congratulations Sir Darian, boy element, and Bootblack Dylan.

What is a Fantasy? Advice for Future LeatherSIR/boy Contestants

The fantasy is a genre unique to our Leather tradition. The performance of fantasies onstage goes back to the early 1980s. In a general sense, fantasies are an opportunity for Leatherfolk to have fun on stage and to show off their SM prowess. In the past, it was not unusual for full evenings of fantasies to be produced as fundraising events, each titleholder vying to be the most inventive. In the context of LeatherSIR/Leatherboy, the fantasy gives each contestant the opportunity to demonstrate creativity and stage presence. It also allows him to show off his play skills while providing a necessary respite for the audience from the more formal elements of the contest.

The fantasy portion carries a great deal of weight in the judging of a LeatherSIR/Leatherboy contest. 60 points total, as much as the Interview portion. It should be planned out far in advance, with music, costumes, staging, and props carefully chosen.

Here are the things I look for when I judge a fantasy:

• The fantasy must have a plot, that is, a beginning, a middle, and an end to the narrative.


• A fantasy must be entertaining. Humor and surprise are often useful in telling a story and in engaging the audience.


• The fantasy should use tropes common to Leather or contemporary society. For example, if the given theme is MOVIES, using "Rocco and His Brothers" is not a good choice. While a brilliant, Italian film (and one of my personal favorites), it is a poor choice because most people have not seen it. For the Northwest regional contest I chose "The Wizard of Oz" because everyone knows it and recognizes the characters.


• Action should be broad. A good rule of thumb, eliminate unnecessary movement. Think in terms of big gestures. The performance often takes place in a bar setting with less than adequate stage lighting and lots of noise. Trying to communicate onstage creates a challenge. Using movement well can overcome these obstacles.


• Good fantasies often include the audience as an unseen "player." This can be done by using the old theatre trick. Address the audience directly at times, turning to look out as if to share a secret. Playing with the audience as a performer can often bolster weaker sections of the narrative.


• The music must be supportive of the action. It helps if it has a driving beat. Avoid using recorded narrative as much as possible. In fact, mix your own music. It's easy and fun. And with today's powerful computers and media applications there is no excuse for relying on found material. For my ILSb fantasy, BAD WOLF, I spent at least 20 hours to find the right music and sound samples. I used three Nine Inch Nails mixes of "Closer," two songs by Sam the Sham and the Pharohs from the 1960s, and at least ten, live wolf calls.


• Finally, a fantasy MUST have play. Actual play, not just feigned play. While a fantasy is NOT a scene, it must demonstrate your ability as a player. Once again, in BAD WOLF, I single tailed Little Red Riding Hood, boy dan. With no warm up, he took the whip and stayed in character, not an easy feat. And his reaction to the severity of the whip was part of the narrative.

I love the fantasy tradition in Leather. As a Leatherboy, I looked forward to the fantasy portion of the old Drummer contests, the highlight of the evening. I am especially proud that the LeatherSir/Leatherboy contests continue to build on that tradition.

To sum it all up, play and have fun!

What I learned at Leather Camp: Wichita, Kansas

Leather runs and contests come in all shapes and sizes. IML, the grandaddy of them all, offers something for almost every taste, with thousands of Leather clad men, giant dance parties and an enormous vendor mart. Often small runs are neglected in favor of attending larger events. This weekend I was the guest of Wichita's local Leather club, WOOLF, at their annual run, Leather Camp VI. This run includes their regional contest, Central Plains LeatherSIR/Leatherboy/Community Bootblack, a feeder to the International contest in July.

Although there was only one bootblack competing this year, future years should see a more robust field of contestants. Young, Mid-West Leatherboys were in abundance. And there were the volunteers that worked seamlessly together to create a great contest and run.

This club knows how to treat an International Titleholder! From the moment I arrived in Wichita until my departure, someone was always close by to tend to my needs. What stood out was the fact that the event's success did not seem to rely on one or two people. The club had spread around tasks. And if a conflict arose in the course of the weekend, I was unaware of it. No politics or drama. A well-run event suggests a good club where all members take part.

WOOLF set a high standard of hospitality for the rest of the year. I expect to see some great regional titleholders coming out of Central Plains in the years ahead.

Thank you, Wichita!

From the Judge's Chair: Portland, Oregon

I was honored to be one judges last night that chose shell Bishop and Peter Pinn Palermo as Ms. and Mr. Oregon State Leather. Two people in the Portland Leather Community with very different backgrounds in Leather and kink.

shell is owned by a Mamma and a Sir. she is Northwest Community Bootblack 2008. Although young, she has an impressive background in service and play. A femme girl who not only charms through her pixie, good looks, but also through her intelligence and wit. Sexy without being vulgar. she represents the next generation of female titleholders.

Peter has been in the Leather community for just a few years, although he admits that he has been lured by Leather for far longer. Born and raised in Boston, he came to Oregon via Seattle where he did volunteer work for Chicken Soup Brigade and the Tacky Tourists. He identifies as a Radical Faerie. Upon meeting him, I was immediately struck by his dark Italian good looks. Most striking, his eyes that betray the confidence and spontaneity that defined his answers both in the interview and onstage. I was also impressed with his genuine humility and openess to those with more experience.

I always find it difficult to be a judge. Only one person can win. Unfortunately, too many contestants believe that the reason to run for a title is to become number one, to beat out their fellow contestants. But I did not run for either the Northwest or the International titles to win! In fact, I refused to think about winning during the contest. Instead, I focused on doing my best.

Running for a contest is a wild ride. And it is an exercise in building community. At a contest, all the competitors share the same challenges. Backstage at the ILSb/ICBB competition, when someone needed help with a quick change, or when a boot was scuffed
or Leathers needed attention, a fellow competitor was always there to assist. This created a feeling of family that now extends beyond the confines of the contest. As a judge, I expect each contestant to demonstrate this spirit.

The ILSb weekend changed my life. I believe this is because I focused on living each moment to the fullest, to enjoying the communal experience of the contest. To those I judge this year, I encourage you to do the same. Let yourself go and enjoy the ride together with your fellow contestants. Create community. That is what these contests are truly all about.

In bocca al lupo!

I'm Not a Title Holder Type!

After the excitement of Dore Alley and a few nights of good, sound sleep, I have started to digest the results of last weekend’s contest. International LeatherSIR 2010.

For twenty years I have avoided titles. I felt that I could contribute to my community better if I stayed behind the scenes. I reasoned that I was already a leader in my local community, and I was respected as a Sir. I was a player who mentored others in the Tribe. Why did I need a title?

After undergoing the refiner’s fire of this weekend’s contest, I understand. The process of running for a title pushes one beyond comfortable limits. In particular, the International LeatherSIR/boy/Community Bootblack contest is a crucible in which contestants are put to the test over a period of three days. It is a scene that begins on Thursday and ends on Saturday night.

The first day begins slowly, with closed meetings for contestants, producers, and judges. This year the day ended with a Meet and Greet at Mr. S. Leathers and a subsequent welcome at Chaps II. The second day focused more on the head space of the contestants. Interviews, speeches, and a jock strap portion that should be thought of as an exercise in improvisation more than a pose down. The third and final day turned to actual play, with demonstrations and fantasies.

As I stood beside my brothers on the stage Saturday night, I felt proud to be counted as one of them. Also leaders in their respective regions, I felt kinship for having undergone the weekend journey together. I listened as my name was called out and stood in disbelief for a second. I looked down the row on stage, brothers together. All outstanding men. And I stood still for a moment in disbelief.

“How could I have won?” I thought. “I’m not a titleholder type.”

I reflect over the last two decades and realize that there are many types of men that have held titles. I think of Brian Dawson, the International Mr. Drummer the year I inched my way into the community. I reflect on Woody Bebout, a judge this past weekend. I think of the most recent LeatherSIRs. All very different men who have one thing in common. They served their community well during their title years.

I feel honored to add my name to the list of International Drummers and International LeatherSIRs, a line that goes back to 1979. And I look forward to representing the P/players’ community through service.