RETURN OF THE JEDI

Hello everyone I have been away; so busy with so many things, my plate is full now, but I have not forgotten about my blog. Many of you have e-mail me and ask me what's going on you haven't post much lately and the answer is: I am sorry, I have been really busy with my personal life, and with my responsibilities as IML, read up and I will fill you in.

OK last time I was here was September 16 yeah John Pendal IML XXV cut me on that...

But here it is:

MML in Michigan the weekend was so well organize Randy and Calvin took the bull by the horns, and had an amazing contest with 6 wonderful contestants, David the winner really cut my eye, what a sexy guy! and he knows how to finger feed you WOOF! he will be competing in IML next year, so if you see him around tell him you are hungry it will turn him on :)
Right after that I was back in San Francisco for Folsom, Friday night I DJ at the Lookout it was a great party and even though is not a Leather bar few folks were there shaking their asses to my tribal beats, it felt good to see leather at my party is always good I should say. All of you know that Folsom is like the biggest leather gathering there is, I had the opportunity to share the stage with all the current title holders and I worked for Elbow Grease, company that have sponsored me few times and its owner Dave Mazer is a great friend of mine, look for their new add, is me on my stomach with a big rope across my behind:)
I went to Donna’s brunch, it was wonderful I had some Mic time and I invited the community to keep the unity, message that I have been carrying around ever since I won Mr. Barracks. I also had the opportunity to announce that I was engage to my now husband Julian Marshburn Mr. San Francisco Leather 2004 and some faces where a little bit shocked LOL...
As you all know I love to go out dancing so I took my ass to Magnitude wearing my rubber suit that I really love, Stockroom did a great job with it, and speaking of rubber is my new thing, I really like the feel of it and I like even more when Julian piss all over me when I am wearing it WOOF!
I partied like a rock star, fun FUN times... especially down stairs we had the chance to play in the dungeon for a little bit.
For the record, I want you guys to know that having fun is OK, that when you guys go to an event is not only about how much money you raise or the community services, all these aspects are as important as having fun is, there is a trend in every event I go, that is all about money money; charity charity; I am all for it, but we just can’t forget what a leather event is all about and the basis of it is: TO HAVE FUN! otherwise what we are going to have (in no time) is another church that no one wants to go, so my friends, go out there and have some fun with your peers, take a break from fundraising and treat yourself to a good dance or a bar or even better to a good play scene.
I flew back to Palm springs to spend some time with my family that came and visit me, it was a wonderful week, late nights chats and tons of food YUMMY.
In no time they were gone :( but I had also to continue my world tour, if you will.
I had my step down as Mr. Barracks Leather 2008, I didn't prepare an speech for it, just like when I competed for the title, I felt I didn't need to pre-pare my words to talk to my family at the Barracks, is my home bar though, is like being at home for me, talking to my family doesn't need any type of pre-parartion; it was right from my heart and few tears where in the audience, it was a moving moment for me, because I realize the my time as title holder is running short, so there is when all the concerns came to me, and questions like what am I doing? or is it enough all the work I’ve done? the fact of the matter is that it will never be enough, there is always good things to do for our community, and only one person can not do it all.
I encourage you brothers and sisters to pick up the paste and continue the magnificent labor of love we all do without forgetting to have fun.
The following weekend I was again on a plane destination SFO excited to see my babe and also to attend to International Leather Sir/boy, The super hot couple from Florida took the title, I was very happy for the Sir witch is Cuban, because was another big title to the Latino community as you know (or can read it in my English) I am Venezuelan, ABW Randy is Cuban and ILSb is Cuban too, the maracas where all over.
Speaking of Maracas take the time and get the new issue of Instigator Magazine there is an article about me that I’m sure will make you laugh, and after you read it will make you think, read it and catch up with our live style.

OK stands for Oklahoma, at the Republican town 5 of my classmates got together, it was great what a great experience, all of us hanging out together and Judging Mr. Oklahoma, we talk about everything, I mean everything!!! we shared once again the real brotherhood that bound us at IML, we laughed, we cried, we did silly things together, Dave and Alfaro I hope they are not mad anymore, my advice to you Alfaro let him have the go-go boy you can do much better, but honestly Dave I need more details of the scene, I’m sure Alfaro doesn’t want hear about it, but I do LOL. I had the privilege to meet Larry Everett IML XVII WHAT A DADDY!
My brother Alfaro represented Texas and made the top 20 at IML XXX he is a working bee, but for infortuitos (unfortunate) of live his title was taken away from him, for what it sounds to me like a she said, he said situation, and the gossip enter in our home and destroyed what we cherish so much; our integrity.
Integrity is more valuable than anything to me and the type of integrity that my brother Alfaro shows makes me believe that there is way more that what the public eye knows, but we just live of what others, papers or publication say; don't we?
Next time you see him please take the time to talk to this wonderful leather brother and listen what he has to say. I say everywhere I go, we cant let our egos or power take control and damage the institution of our brotherhood, lets start talking like responsible adults and before we attack, do anything or take away titles from candidates, that earn them (fair and square) and were man enough to stand on stage for their community, look at yourself first, and try to re consolidate, because the damage that we can cause is not only to one person, is to all of us!!! & I feel so much for it. Alfaro I love you Bro! you can count on me.
In Oklahoma they kept asking to the contestants do you think you are pretty? OMG! who came out with that one?

My brothers had a bachelors party for me witch I don't quite remember... oops those lemon drops where too sweet LOL but it was a blast. Congratulations to Brad and good luck in IML.

Back on a plane to see my babe for a whole week, it was his birthday I got him a nice gift, and we played hard, oh he is so hot and when he gears up even hotter!!! ...beating the hell of each other... I just got hard thinking about it. I am not allow to share much but my friends, trust me when things get going at home they get really hot.

Well I guess I just can’t skip this part; sometime that week I got married to Julian it was a very nice ceremony at Rotunda San Francisco city hall, he figured out a way to get us there on a Sunday so it was MAGNIFICENT it was perfect, simple, elegant, and all the important people in our lives were there, we had a nice reception and the cake was the best thing ever; honestly it was a moment to remember as the happiest day of my life.

I’ll be back really soon with Halloween, Palm Springs pride, my step down as Mr. Palm Springs, some story about being attack at a bar, my moving out day, and all the details about proposition 8 protests I am attending.
BTW I don't hate Mormons; I am not like them, but they need to mind their own business and they are going to hear from me.

"There's no place like home"... right Dorothy?

I went to the heart of America Kansas city...

My dear friend, my brother and the last Mr. Dixie Belle, a panel of judges and I, had the chance to work together choosing the new Mr. Bootleggers; a title that replaces the "OLD" Mr. Dixie Belle.
I was really surprise with the city, nice vibe, cool people, even better Drag Queens, and young people all over. Friday night Mr.DB, NYC, and I went to the meet and greet where I had a chance to sense the leather scene in KC, I was delighted, there was some tension because the contest was going to be cancel due to no entries or received applications, but 2 guys save the party at the very last minute... here is where my concern is.

Are we in desperate need of people willing to step into the plate to rescue our title system? Are we going to continue to let party savers rule the future of it? Who is it to blame? Me? You? All of us? Maybe it’s the over done leather contest system hurting us. I am trying to understand what's going on; and I am really confused. Can anyone explain why there are less and less contestants and more and more contests? Is it so important to have a title? Is it vital to the community to have yet another title holder? Is it important to our egos to hold a title? Are we looking for recognition or are we afraid of not having what others have? I am sure you are just as confused... but the reality is that the title system is hurting right now; and anyone who wants to create a contest jumps in without taking into consideration how this new title may hurt the system even more. Introducing the new
“Mr. S.E. Leather Popcorn” (along with the Ms, the boy, and the dog).

Let’s look at the big picture here, most new contests strive to embody the functions of: representing the community, raising money, bringing awareness to the community, looking impeccable, speaking like the Dalai Lama (and to practicing his philosophy), helping, recruiting, educating, sharing the leather experience, having fun, supporting, being part of a family, loving, caring, traveling around and outside of his/her hometown… then all we’ll end up having is pretty much the same leather people I already know, who are out there wearing or not wearing a sash. And shouldn’t we all be doing this anyway? So if we already have what we need, why is it so important to have another title? It this is still so important for us, why is it so difficult to support the title-holders we already have?

My point is that even though we are living in a community with an over-done leather-title system, we still can rescue and make what we have work. We can start promoting, and unifying the system, we can pause the creation of new titles and work with what we have, making it stronger and more powerful by coming together, and forgetting the senseless expectations and demands of the title holder/s. Why? Because at the end a title is all of us, (isn't it?) supporting the Mr./Mrs (whatever); (this is a big part of it); we title holders need you as much as you seem to need us. Thorn (a brother who is close to me) says, “Strive to create win/win situations. Win-lose ones are easy – it’s why they happen all the time. If you’re stuck, try creating a WIN/WIN/WIN scenario – those are by far the best.” I help you, you help him… he helps me. Easy right?

The title system is important to me. I am very passionate about it. I don't want to see it die. I can't let it die. That’s why I need your help. I want you sit back and think; do some good for what is already part of our community; our title system is vital part of our community! But the creation of yet another contest, just lessens the impact and potential for finding those rare leaders of tomorrow.

PLEASE… let’s stop the proliferation of unnecessary titles...


The rest of the weekend in KC was great I even drove around an area with the most amazing mansions and I was like:

"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore"

ALL

Hello everyone!

I recently started reading a book that so far has inspire me a lot, Urban Aboriginals a Celebration of Leathersexuality by Geoff Mains, (and I know many of you have read it) In the foreword of the 20Th anniversary edition, the last two paragraphs are very meaningful to me, and I feel like sharing it with you...

"Yet in the social and ecological crises that may threaten much of world society; in our inability to meet what is basically human and animal at the same instant; in our search for meaningful relations between people and places; in our attempts to find significant perspectives; in all of these there is need for reconciliation.

Leathermen have taken an important step toward this. What is for them a deeply moving and highly personal world, lends itself unwittingly to larger significance. Leathermen have, I believe, created a form of tribal culture that finds both perspective and identity through the recognition of heavily suppressed but vital human capacities. And in achieving this recognition, they find balance."

Family; I want you to think about these thoughts, and consider reconciliation with the ones, that aren't in your "buddy list", and for whatever reason you have separated yourself from them, let go, reach out and include them; we are family! and we should care for each other, and support each other. When one of us is falling, extend a hand, offer help, or a shoulder for them to cry.
Wasting our time looking for what others aren't doing right (base in our own criteria) and gossiping for the sake of it, because we run out of ideas to write or talk about, isn't the solution for our problems, we ALL are humans, we ALL make mistakes, we ALL are here in this world, we ALL are brothers and sisters!!! think about it...

I love you ALL, with ALL my heart. You are my family!

My new CD is great!

Download and have fun!

http://rapidshare.com/files/134925690/Julers.mp3.html

I found the Shaman at Dore Alley

Last Thursday night I received and instigating phone call, my Bro was on his way to SFO for Dore, I said I'm in... The silver Mustang, the dark electro beats, the beginning of a brotherhood, the paradisaical views, the ethanol and the hope to find the Shaman to ask for healing; were the things that travel with me for nearly 5 1/2 hours that took us to get there from the city of angels, pretty fast huh? later I found my Bro was speeding at 120 mph and I didn't even feel it, boy that car was smooth.

We arrived at the Love Manners around 10, we got ready and hit the bars, late that night after looking around for the Shaman with no luck, we decided to go to new spot in the leather scene Chaps II place where I went for the first time with Mr Rosi and I vividly remember our encounter in the only restroom that the bar has (yellow hanky anyone?) the place was busy and I was enjoying a conversation with a friend, who minutes later end up knocking at the exit door like a bar back, after he took the instigation of my Bro LOL... and just like that there he was! The Shaman, looking better the ever with a beer bottle in his right hand, shirtless and sexy as hell OMG my knees were so week, I felt someone shacked the floor, my tingling dick and my bleeding heart, met in a shortcut inside my chest, while my empty stomach filled up with butterflies, yes I am pussy. The rest of the night was unpredictable, and all I can say is AWESOME.
So waking up at Love Manners with the best host there is the next morning, is the kind moments that you guys wanna have in your live, Mr Re-porn is just the friend anyone needs and I am bless to have him in my life (spell sweet). I went to the gym with Po, and we eat in some lil cafe in Market St, over ice tea and grilled chicken breast, we agreed to start a new journey in our lives; TOGETHER! I am happy, I found the shaman, I found the healer...


(Shamanism refers to a range of traditional beliefs and practices concerned with communication with the spirit world. Practitioners of shamanism are known as shamans.
Shamans have the ability to diagnose and cure human suffering and, in some societies, the ability to cause suffering. This is believed to be accomplished by traversing the axis mundi and forming a special relationship with, or gaining control over, spirits. Shamans have been credited with the ability to control the weather, divination , the interpretation of dreams, astral projections, and traveling to upper and lower worlds. Shamanistic traditions have existed throughout the world since prehistoric times.)


That night was the BOP dance all I can remember is the next day though, I was still pealing latex from my head, yes you guys he Thorn it out didn't he? I love you Bro!
Po went to work at the street fair, we got ready for Dorey, dirty jock, thigh-highs, fuck me tank, and the pink hanky, which surprisingly not many people knew the meaning so here is a link for you guys to check out the hanky code, (pink is not worn out fister you guys is dildos) http://www.sacbolt.com/hankycode.htm
The best part of the weekend was without a doubt to see all my brothers and sisters gathering together in unity, at this event, where one more time the brotherhood, the Trust, Honor & Respect credo of our tribe were present, and followed by everyone. I am so proud of my family and I am looking forward to be around them again
.... the ends.

I was around.

OK OK OK... I am back home after a long ass trip around the east coast. First I went to Philadelphia invited to judge the Mid Atlantic Leather Sir boy; by one of the sweetest guys in the Leather Community, Justin C. this kid worked so hard to have and excellent contest and he definitely did; the contestants were the finest you can find, the emcee Tyrannosaurus Regina was unbelievable, and the panel of judges were nothing less than extraordinary, the Philly stakes the best of the best! The Bike Shop what a great place, and the door man... woof! he is just a good excuse to come back to the place; boy what a man! I don't want to forget about the fish next door; you guys gotta go to the Bike Stop and ask about the fish next door (LOL)
Philadelphia is without a doubt a fascinating city, with small blocks, lots of history, and a great leather vibe, I had the chance to meet great people and to enjoy myself .

I wish the best to the new title holders and I know they will do well in the international contest next October.

So I came back home for few days; 3 I think... in no time, I was saying hello to my TSA friend Bob again, (he doesn't know he is my friend shhh), but he is always checking my ID at the gate; he is part of my trips, he is always there, therefore he is my new friend... This time I was on my way to New Orleans, DC, and back to Philly.

New Orleans, hot, steamy, Cajun, big ass bears, hurricanes, and lots of people, OMG a lil overwhelming at times, I stayed at very nice hotel in the French Quarter, me and DCW got to meet Shady, "I ain't got no fries..." so if you have the time stop by MCD's and say hello, just pay attention to the door guys asking for rides... fascinating!

ABW was a real gathering of Leather celebrities, the panel of judges was prime, from very important sources of the leather world in America though, so my respects and salutes to ALL of them. The contest was awesome my uncle (and his hair) emceed it just like no one else can, the producers were extraordinary, and the whole crew, the production, everything just right. The contestants blew my mind, especially the one with the aqua green eyes and reddish hair that was so extremely beautiful, and well spoken, I can see her cowgirl ass getting big big accomplishments in her life and in our community. Congratulations to the winners! btw that leg harness looked amazing on you Mr. ABW. The cute note of the weekend was that on Sunday night we all got together at a bar to celebrate the American Brotherhood Weekend, with fry chicken and good drinks, watching Miss Universe 2008 and my girl (Miss Venezuela) WON! I was so happy, YES! I made a big deal about it. It was something being in a leather event watching a beauty pageant, I guess we all love beauty queens don't we? ;)
On Monday, I was on my way to DC my aunt died after being sick for long time. R.I.P.
I spend time with my family in Fairfax, I went to the mall with my other aunt, she is so much fun to hang out with. The time with my family was short, I wish I could be there longer but my responsibility as IML was calling me again, I was coming back to Philly to be a judge for IDL what a treat!

Being around deaf people is a trip. I was more than once almost in tears of joy, looking around and hearing the loudness of their ASL the laugh, and the love there is between them, it was something! I am telling you being in the other side of the fence, where I couldn't understand their language, made me realize how much we are missing, but we are all humans, and we just can do so much right?... I was in another galaxy perhaps, were people can communicate with their eyes, with their hearts, with their souls, with ASL! What really really impress me was the blind/deaf community (God can you please explain why?) and this guys were having a blast a laughing, meanwhile I felt like this life we live is just extraordinary and sometimes we take for granted what God gave us...

The contest was so good, the emcee was so vivid and entertaining, that I forgot he was not speaking, OMG what a great weekend! (I got to see the bell and it's crack) My BFF was there with me the whole entire time and I enjoyed every minute of his company,(it's so good when I see my good friends) I'm looking forward to see him again, and spend some time in his new apartment in the middle of the capital.

Now back home, dealing with the reality of life again; one of my lil nephews just died, he was only 5 :( R.I.P. ... someone told me in Philly "life is only one, and we have to enjoy every minute of it"

I hope Mr. Rosi feels better soon, maybe we can fight over dumplings again in no time... you are the secret ingredient Po.

IML Speech

PROUD TO BE GAY... PROUD TO BE GAY

OK I got back home last night from SFO pride... but first I want to talk about FLL pride. (THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME) It was the weekend of June 20th, it was fun they treated me like royalty, the guys at the RAMROD were extremely nice to me, they had a welcome reception on Friday night, the bar was packed, what a cool space I felt great! they made banners with my name on it so big that I was overwhelmed with them, I have never seem my name written in such a big font (the U.P.S. guy just dropped one of them here as I am typing) The guys at Leatherwerks were without a doubt one of the friendliest and outgoing people I have ever met, definitely FLL rocks! I had the opportunity to spend time with 26 and 27 it was so cool to hang out with them and enjoy Thai food and a great conversation sharing experiences as IMLs and live in general, I really bound with my brothers and I am so glad I have them in my life, one of the high lights of the weekend was that I had the opportunity to reconnect with the a beautiful part of my past, all the feelings are emotions were redeveloped and it felt that the time never went by, those blue eyes and that sexy smile made my heart bit really fast, is all good when we fix things that were broken and we tight the knots at the right time. DCW is back an stronger than ever. The weekend was wet and with tons of thunder storms, the actual parade was really something I could not believe the amount of people who was there even though the rain was falling hard, It was a demonstration of our pride, the slogan in my mind was: we are here, we are queer and we support our pride! Thank you so much FLL for such a wonderful time, I’ll be back really, really soon. So then it was the SFO pride, last weekend, OMG! there is no comparison what a big parade and the amount of people was incredible, the only thing in my mind the whole entire time was why haven't we achieved what we deserve yet, if we are so many and so powerful? I guess the answer for that is very complex, but I know in my heart we’ll do anything to obtain all the rights we deserve. SFO was cold, great to be out all geared up in leather and be in the middle of so many people, it was like an a/c city to me, you know I live in Palm Springs and anything cooler than 115 degrees is paradise to me lol... I want to make a public apology to the leather contingent because I made it to the parade just in time to jump to the truck and I didn’t have much time to hang out with you guys, but I had another compromise with a company that flew me there for work, and I needed to be responsible with them, I hope all of you understand. The time I spend with my dear Mr. Rosi was magnificent... and to learn about martial arts and pinkies was a real trip right BO? tee teezz a bizness....

OH Mah SISTAH...

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to hang out with my sisters, they are fun, inspiring, and money makers. I am sure they have a place in heaven, or in any of our events;)
This group of hard working "nuns" will do anything to help our community; I mean ANYTHING!!! they go down on their knees A LOT! (in the picture one of my favorites Sister Honor Kneesalot)
and is not for prayers LOL; and they go up to the top too, to raise the mighty buck; to help organizations like, the Gay Associated Youth, one of many.
It was the 1st anniversary of the Palm Springs order, and it was such an honor to be there with them, laugh with them, and support them. The place was full of angels, saints, and me, the lil devil. Events like this fulfill my soul.
I found out how much money they raised, should I say OH MY GOD?, or WORK IT GIRL! few thousands of dollars in 3 hours, JESUS... OK ladies you are the A list to me, love you all, and keep the good work!!!
The MC Lenny B. was just the icing in the cake what a sweet Daddy woof woof.


...wellness, identity, tolerance and diversity within our communities...

Since our founding in 1979, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have raised and distributed over a million dollars to non-profit organizations that serve the queer and sex positive community. Each year, we raise thousands more. The next time you see a Sister with a collection bucket, drop a couple of bucks in. The money goes right back to the community.

Historically, The Sisters have given grants to under-funded, smaller organizations and projects providing direct services to our communities. The majority of these organizations and projects receive little, if any, government or main-stream funding and may be in the early stages of development. Our grants are typically $250 to $1,000.
http://www.palmspringssisters.org/

LA Pride

Saturday afternoon I drove from Palm Springs to the Mr. CSW contest at the Erotic City section of the festival; it was a hot afternoon, I met with the tribe and bitched about the heat, so George W. suggested to take my shirt off, oh boy; I'm glad I did...
Hobbit and I, enjoyed the contest and also one of the longest step down speeches ever OMG! (I don't mean to offend anyone though) but it was a lil much seriously... the contest was great, a good gathering and fun times, the winner Michael was very happy, good luck to him next year at LAL.
Later I went dancing with Meatball, his BF, and a lil sweet boy, that kept me busy for a good while. Next morning I ran with few inconveniences trying to get to the parade, but I actually made it. It was fun tons of cute people and happy faces, after that I walked around the festival met with my buddies, met new people, took pictures, I had fun; I also saw a good friend of mine that I hadn't seeing in long time, it was sweet to held him in my arms a talked to him, he is moving to Sweden in a month but at least we'll stay in touch, I will miss him (again). So the music was kicking the team DJ (I never got their names) made the crowd while and very energetic, so I shacked what my mama gave me, fun times for real. To end the night I went to see Olivia and her physical and hopelessly devoted concert, with my Swedish pal. I felt really good about the whole experience, it was my first duty as IML, and I felt the love and welcoming hearts around me. It was great! Here is a picture of my brothers and sash wife of the leather contingent, oh BTW Mike was so happy with "all his children".
Gary.

International Mister Leather

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

•

International Mister Leather (IML) is an international conference and contest of leathermen and leatherwomen held annually since 1979 in Chicago, Illinois.

IML's forerunner was the 1970s "Mr. Gold Coast" bar contest held at Chicago's Gold Coast leather bar, owned by Chuck Renslow and his then-partner, Dom Orejudos. As the "Mr. Gold Coast" contest became one of the bar's most popular promotions, it expanded to a larger venue in 1979. Along with the change of venue came a change in name to International Mr. Leather.^[1]

IML is an independent contest in that there is no contract or formal connection with feeder contests.^[2] To qualify, IML contestants must either be the winner of a bar, local or regional leather contest or be sponsored by a leather bar, business, club, or organization.^[3]

Over the years, a whole conference and another contest, the International Mister Bootblack Competition, have arisen around the IML contest.

Leather

La bandera de orgullo leather, tambien utilizada por las subculturas aficionadas a los fetichismos sexuales y al BDSM.

Un grupo leather en una marcha de orgullo gay en San Francisco.

La subcultura leather (del inglés “cuero”) comprende prácticas e indumentos que se organizan con un fin sexual o erótico. Una de las maneras en las que el grupo se distingue de las culturas sexuales convencionales es mediante el uso de indumentos de color negro y artículos de cuero.

Aunque la cultura leather es más visible en la comunidad gay y se la suele asociar con hombres gays, en realidad se manifiesta de muchas maneras en el mundo gay, lésbico, bisexual, y heterosexual. Muchas personas asocian la cultura leather con prácticas de bondage, disciplina, dominación, sumisión y sadomasoquismo. Pero para otros, usar indumentos de cuero de color negro es simplemente una moda erótica que realza la masculinidad del portador o reclama el poder sexual; la afición por las motocicletas y la independencia; y/o una erotización o fetichización en torno al cuero y otros productos de la cultura leather.

Las mujeres y la cultura leather [editar]

En el comienzo, pocas mujeres lesbianas y pocos heterosexules participaron de la cultura leather. Pat Califia, una activista lesbianas que participó de la cultura leather de San Francisco, fue la primera en definir la subcultura leather lésbica. En 1978, Califia fundó uno de los primeros grupos S/M lésbicos, Samois. Con el paso de los años, Califia se convirtió en una escritora prolífica de literatura erótica lésbica BDSM y de guías sexuales.

My Speech

Gary Iriza
IML Speech

In 1987 Chuck Renslow said, “This is a celebration known as International Mr. Leather – a celebration of life and love.” Today, on the 30th anniversary of IML, we are once again celebrating our life and our love.
Let’s be glad, because celebrations like this are not accepted everywhere in the world. For example, in my home country of Venezuela, homosexuality and HIV are taboo.
In the United Kingdom, The Spanner Trust still fights for our rights. (PAUSE)
Sadly, in many countries, including the U.S., some people believe homosexuality is a free ride to hell.
And the list goes on . . . (solemnly)
What can we do to eliminate this awful ignorance? We all must:
First – Understand our history and not repeat mistakes.
Second – Harness the two awesome, awesome powers that we have – the youth and the established. “Old guard, you teach us; New guard, you reach us.”
Third and above all – we all must stand together, and stay together, as tight as a metal cock ring and bound in unity. (PAUSE)
Brothers and Sisters, would you please stand with me?
Thank you!
###

Me

I am International Mr. Leather 2008!