Knights of Leather Celebrate 20 Years

(Leather Life column published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #267, August 19, 2005)

GRAPHIC: Knights Colors (shield)

This year the Knights of Leather became the third Minnesota leather club to reach the 20-year mark. Founded as a club exclusively for leatherwomen, the Knights were reconstituted in 2000 as a pansexual leather club. I recently interviewed P.J. Knight, the most senior member of the Knights of Leather, who told me the fascinating history of the club.

The Knights of Leather was founded in January, 1985, by five leatherwomen. Shortly after starting the club, two of the founders moved to San Francisco. Another was with the Knights for two or three years. Another, nicknamed “Kooks,” was a member of the Knights for six or seven years and now lives in Florida.

The only founding Knights member still in the area is Red (now Russ) Helbig, who for many years was involved with Twin Cities Gay Pride, Leather Pride, and Minnesota Leather Encounter as well as the Knights of Leather. Helbig left the Knights about ten years ago.

For years I was under the mistaken assumption that Knight helped found the club and that it was called “Knights of Leather” because of her last name. Knight was not one of the five original members. She was, however, the club’s first pledge, or “squire,” in March, 1985. Three months later she became a full member and has been one ever since.

Although there were clubs for leatherwomen on both coasts, The Knights of Leather was the first club for leatherwomen in the midwest. According to Knight, initial relations between the Knights and the two men-only leather clubs at the time, the Atons and Black Guard, were on the cool side. The Knights wanted to attend The Black Guard’s Black Frost run but, in Knight’s words, were initially “allowed—and I use that word very deliberately,” to attend only the banquet and show portion of the run.

Relations warmed up somewhat when the Knights were invited to stay for the after-hours party following the banquet and show. The Knights next attended the Argonauts of Wisconsin run and, in Knight’s words, “That’s where the boundaries disappeared.” Word got out that the women were around and wanted to be involved.

Another factor that made boundaries between the men’s and women’s leather communities disappear was the AIDS crisis. As AIDS decimated the men’s leather community, the Knights showed their support for their brothers. The club’s five annual Bowlathons raised about $32,000 for AIDS organizations.

Knight remembers the Knights also helping on a personal level: “We’d go to some of the guys’ homes who were affected with AIDS and do what we could—just talk with them and their partners, straighten up a house, take somebody to the doctor—things like that.”

Still, the presence of leatherwomen in a dungeon made many leathermen uncomfortable. “Every time we went to a run we would be as polite as we could,” says Knight, “but yet step over a boundary and push envelopes and say, ‘Oh, no, I totally understand. When you’re done, let us know, because we would also like to use the dungeon.’” Knight says that the reaction from many men was “‘Really? Women do that, too?’ And we’d say, ‘Of course we do. And we’ve love to learn what you’re doing, also.’”

After attending many men’s leather club runs throughout the Midwest, the Knights held their first Tournament run in 1987. Tournament started as an every-other-year event, but quickly became an annual event due to popular demand. The run is modeled on medieval tournaments, a weekend of games, rituals, camaraderie, a formal banquet—and rustic, rough-hewn, candle-lit dungeons in the woods.

In 1989 the Knights, Atons and Black Guard jointly produced the first Minnesota Leather Encounter (MLE) weekend. The idea was to bring the men’s and women’s leather communities together and to hold two title contests, Mr. and Ms Minnesota Leather.

The event lasted three years before internal politics and highly visible power struggles tore it apart. Members of the Knights were publicly accused of stealing MLE funds, and those allegations were used as a justification for taking over ownership of the MLE event and titles.

An audit later proved the allegations totally unfounded, but by then the damage had been done. The Knights went into seclusion for about five years. The Mr. and Ms Minnesota Leather titles were separated and produced as separate contests, which took away the whole philosophy of bringing together the men’s and women’s leather communities to support each other’s titles. The leather contest scene in Minnesota subsequently dwindled to the point where currently there is no active women’s leather title.

The Knights’ membership dwindled to four women and then to only two: P.J. Knight and Vicki King (now Vicki Knight). The two spent a year trying to recruit more women, with no success. In 2000, with the support of five leathermen, the decision was made to transform the club into a pansexual leather club—open to all shades of both gender and orientation.

Since then the club has grown to a dozen full members, three squires, and more than 20 associate members. The Knights activism and visibility has grown, too. The club hosts monthly parties, and Knights members play significant leadership roles in planning and organizing other leather/BDSM community events such as Minnesota Leather Pride.

The Knights of Leather 20th-anniversary celebration weekend will include a Fantasy and Demo Night on Friday, August 19 at the Bolt Underground in Minneapolis (7-9 P.M.). A formal celebration and dinner (open only to those with advance reservations) will take place Saturday evening, August 20 at the Lost Spur Golf Course Banquet Hall in Eagan.

International Ms Leather/Ms Bootblack Contest 2005

(Leather Life column published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #266, August 5, 2005)

PHOTO: International Ms Leather 2005, Jessi Holman Ahart (above), and International Ms Bootblack 2005, Suka.

Is it possible to have a good leather contest with only three contestants? How about with only one?

(Answer: It’s possible. Read on to see how.)

This year’s International Ms Leather (IMsL) contest, held in Omaha July 16-18, had three contestants. The accompanying International Ms Bootblack (IMsBB) contest had only one—which meant she had to single-handedly shine a whole bunch of boots during the weekend.

IMsL’s motto this year was “Quality, not quantity.” All the contestants were strong and distinctive competitors who gave a very good account of themselves. That, along with a seasoned production staff, made both competitions worthwhile.

And the new titleholders coming out of those contests certainly seem as if they have the requisite intelligence and passion to serve their titles well in the coming year.

The weekend’s action centered around the host hotel, Omaha’s Redick Plaza. Friday evening started with a meet-and-greet and basket auction. Each contestant had put together a “basket” of leatherwear, toys, videos, books, and other leather-related items. The baskets were auctioned off to benefit the new IMsL’s and IMsBB’s travel fund.

Following the basket auction, the Texans in attendance hosted a cigar-and-brandy party for those not attending the dungeon party a few blocks away.

There was plenty to do on Saturday. In addition to shopping at the leather/fetish vendor fair, Kansas City Leather University (<www.KCLeatherUniversity.com>) presented a total of nine workshops. Topics included knife play, spanking, and “ASL (American Sign Language) for Fun and Leather.” Best workshop title: “When Daddy Has Tits.”

The IMsL contest and show took place Saturday afternoon at The Max, a gay bar two blocks from the Redick. For those unfamiliar with The Max, it is one of the nicest, friendliest—and cleanest—gay bars anywhere.

After an opening phone-sex monologue (read in a hilarious deadpan by Stephanie Locke), the weekend’s judges were introduced. This year’s judging panel included a Minnesota representative: Vicki Knight of the Knights of Leather.

(The judges had already conducted private interviews with the contestants on Friday. Because there were only three contestants, the judges were able to spend a half-hour with each contestant. By comparison, the judging panel at recent International Mr. Leather contests has only had eight minutes for each contestant interview.)

The contestants presented their speeches and fantasy performances. All three women spoke so eloquently and from the heart that if there was supposed to be a time limit on the speeches, no one was interested in enforcing it.

The fantasies were as individual as the contestants who performed them. Eddy (sponsored by the Centurions of Columbus, Ohio) played a schoolmaster disciplining a student with a bad attitude.

Lady Faye (sponsored by Flesh & Fantasy and The Dallas Eagle) performed a surprising and disturbing fantasy that drew a strong reaction from many of the men in the audience (two words: Lorena Bobbitt).

Jessi Holman Ahart (sponsored by Baltimore Eagle, Black Rose, FIST and The Playhouse) performed a graceful yet passionate story about a gargoyle that comes to life when she sees an attractive woman walk by.

Entertainment while the tallymasters were tallying was provided by Dossie Easton, a San Francisco-based author, family therapist and leatherdyke. She performed a breathtaking recitation of her own poem, “Do Me.” This was followed by the traditional IMsL best-tattoo contest.

In one of the most memorable titleholder step-asides ever, outgoing International Ms Leather Lori Ellison made a brief but eloquent speech. At its conclusion she was surrounded by all the other female titleholders in the room—who then completely covered her by spraying her with cans of Silly String.

After the Silly String was cleaned up, artist and leatherman Ray Castro presented Ellison with her official title portrait.

International Ms Bootblack 2004 izzy passed the torch to the sole (no pun intended) 2005 competitor, Suka (sponsored by Cellblock Chicago and Lesbian Community Cancer Project). The fact that there was no suspense about the transition did not make it any less touching.

Finally came the announcement of the new International Ms Leather: Jessi Holman Ahart. She now joins a long and distinguished line of leatherwomen and activists who have held the IMsL title.

At the closing Victory Brunch on Sunday morning, contest producers Amy Marie and Megan Meek-deJarlais (IMsL ’93 and ’98, respectively) reminded the crowd that next year will be IMsL’s 20th anniversary. Planning is already in progress for this milestone celebration.

The Pink Triangle Project: A Modest Proposal

(Leather Life column published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #265, July 22, 2005)

The recent Pride celebrations (leather and GLBT) were both great, energizing experiences. I’d like to share a line of thought that occurred to me while I was basking in the afterglow.

For awhile now we’ve been hearing that the GLBT acronym has been widened to GLBTA: Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Trans and Allies.

That’s the society we’re trying to build—a society where every sexuality is accepted (not just tolerated, but actually accepted and honored) and no sexuality is discriminated against.

Well, if you ask me, the leather/BDSM/kink community could serve as a prototype, model and mentor to society at large, because we’ve already evolved into that kind of society. That idea brings up several points.

At a recent Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus concert, the chorus sang a song called “Not In Our Town,” about what happened in 1993 in Billings, Montana when white supremacists started committing hate crimes against minorities there.

There wasn’t much reaction at first. Then, one night during the holiday season, a cinder block was thrown through a window displaying a menorah.

The town’s residents responded by displaying paper menorahs in a window of almost every home, whether the people who lived there were Jewish or not.

The owner of a sporting-goods store posted a message outside his store that quickly became a rallying cry: “Not in Our Town. No Hate. No Violence. Peace on Earth.”

That’s what I call having allies.

I also read recently that when the Nazis invaded Denmark and ordered the Jews there to identify themselves by wearing a yellow Star of David, the response of the Danish people was that everyone started wearing the Star of David, whether or not they were Jewish.

It’s good to have allies.

I recently heard Judy Shepard, Matthew’s mom, talk to members of several GLBT employee groups in Minneapolis. She talked about the importance of coming out, and also of having everyone who knows us come out as having a lesbian daughter, gay uncle, transgender teacher or whatever.

If the Danes could all don Stars of David to protest the Nazis’ discrimination and hate, and if the people of Billings, Montana could photocopy, color and display thousands of menorahs, what would happen if we in the Twin Cities, in Minnesota, in the United States of America—gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transpeople and allies alike—all started wearing pink triangles?

Maybe armbands would be a bit much, but how about cloisonne pink-triangle lapel pins? Even if we ourselves don’t happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, what would happen if we wore a pink triangle as a show of solidarity with and support for those who are?

Would that be like the menorah in the window of all those homes in Billings, Montana? It would.

Would that send the same message, that hate and discrimination is not wanted, not welcome and will not be tolerated coming from the mouths of our political leaders and our religious leaders? It would.

Would that mess with people’s minds, when they see a happily married woman or man—whom they’ve known for years, with children at home, an usher in church on Sundays—wearing a pink triangle? It would. And that would be good.

Would things change? I think they would.

So, I hereby call for the start of a movement—an ongoing, quiet demonstration. I think the leather/BDSM community should be among the leaders—or, if you will, the instigators.

Wear a pink triangle. Wear it all the time. Wear it proudly. When people look shocked and say, “I didn’t know you were gay,” either tell them, “Well, I am” or tell them, “Well, I’m not—but I have a lot of friends who are, and I don’t like seeing them discriminated against.”

Pink triangle pins are out there. Everybody doesn’t have to wear the same one. But wear one. Be a proud GLBT person or become an honorary one. In the short run it might be uncomfortable. In the long run, it will be much more comfortable for everyone, when society doesn’t spend all that energy on hate and can use it for better things.

No hate. No violence. Not in our town. Not in our state. Not in our country. Not in our world.

Peace on Earth.

LeatherLife.net Debuts

GRAPHIC: Leather Life logo

For the last ten years this Leather Life column has appeared in Lavender Magazine, and for the last several years the current column also has been available at <www.lavendermagazine.com>.

Now, your humble columnist is pleased to announce the launch of <LeatherLife.net>, a new online community resource that will feature the Leather Life Library, an archive of past Leather Life columns and other writings. (New columns will continue to first appear in print and online exclusively at <www.lavendermagazine.com>.)

<LeatherLife.net> also will include Leather Lens galleries of previously unpublished leather photos. Currently on display: the 2005 editions of International Mr. Leather, International Ms Leather and Minnesota Leather Pride.

Other features of <LeatherLife.net> will be audio files, links, a blog and more. More columns, photos and other features will be added constantly, so bookmark the site and visit often.

Robert Davolt, 1958-2005: Elegy for a Dinosaur

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International Mr. Leather 2005: Day by Day

(Leather Life column published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #263, June 24, 2005)

Thursday, May 26: What a beautiful sight—the Hyatt Regency on Chicago’s Wacker Drive was stuffed to capacity with leather enthusiasts of every description. They had come to witness the 27th annual International Mr. Leather (IML) Contest, an annual ritual that this year attracted 52 contestants from 25 states and six countries.

That evening in the Hyatt’s Grand Ballroom the contestants met their public and the contest’s nine judges. Introduced alphabetically by last name, they drew numbers that determined their order of appearance for the rest of the weekend.

In a break with tradition, outgoing International Mr. Leather 2004 Jason Hendrix delivered his step-aside speech at the contestant introduction ceremonies. (In past years the outgoing IML’s speech had always been delivered at the contest on Sunday night immediately before the new International Mr. Leather was announced).

Friday, May 27: It was a beautiful day in Chicago. The sun streamed in through the Hyatt’s atrium roof and beckoned me outside for a walk through nearby Millenium Park. Throughout the hotel, the park, and the surrounding Michigan Avenue neighborhood the Leather Nation was on full and beautiful display. I remember thinking that it doesn’t get much better than this.

Friday evening started with a touching memorial service for a fallen comrade, writer Robert Davolt, whose recent and premature death brought shock and grief to many attending the weekend.

The Davolt memorial ceremony was followed by an event of an entirely different sort: Now that IML 2004 Jason Hendrix had stepped aside, it was time to roast him. The stories flew thick and fast—wicked and bitchy and tender and loving, all at the same time. (Hendrix handled it all with good humor, only occasionally burying his head in his hands.)

Then it was time to make the rounds of the evening’s other parties hosted by bootblacks, International Ms Leather, Texas, Canada, and smoke fetishists.

Saturday, May 28: In the morning I dove into the Leather Market, which was huge (137 vendors) and jam-packed. Along with the usual array of leather and fetish goods were some items I’d never seen before—for example, an ingenious St. Andrew’s cross that becomes a curio shelf and plant stand when non-kinky company comes to call. (See it at <www.foxyfurniture.com>.)

Saturday evening’s entertainment was the Pecs and Personality portion of the International Mr. Leather competition, in which the contestants try to be witty while wearing as little as possible. This year they seemed wittier than in years past—if I didn’t know better, I’d swear IML hired Bruce Vilanch to write their shtick.

One thing I found notable about this year’s Pecs and Personality event was the way the audience embraced and enjoyed all of the contestants, whether they were gym-bodied or not. It was an entertaining, and hot, evening.

Sunday, May 29: During the day I was lucky enough to be invited to an ad-hoc meeting on the subject of putting sex back into GLBT politics. The thesis of the organizers was that the gay community basically neutered itself in preparation for the last presidential election, and our side lost anyway. So it’s time for a different, and perhaps more honest, political strategy. It was a stimulating and thought-provoking discussion to which I could (and probably will) devote an entire column.

Then it was time to board the bus for the high point of the weekend, the International Mr. Leather Contest and Show. It was a short ride because the contest this year was at a new venue: the Grand Ballroom at the end of Chicago’s famous Navy Pier. (What a treat it was to be able to go outside during intermission, walk along the water, and feel the lake breeze on my face.)

Along with the new venue, the contest and show gained a new and quickened pace. A short opening dance number was followed by the introduction of all 52 contestants, a welcome by IML Founder and Executive Producer Chuck Renslow, introduction of the weekend’s judges, and the announcement of the top 20 semifinalists.

The nine bootblack contestants were brought onstage, and the 2005 International Mr. Bootblack title was awarded to Arthur “Boo Boo” Funni (sponsored by the Great Lakes Leather Alliance of Indianapolis and Laws Leather of Cleveland).

The twenty semifinalists each gave their 90-second speeches and worked the crowd during the physique-judging round. Then, with all the evening’s competitive events completed, there was a very short speech on behalf of the Leather Archives and Museum before the inimitable Judy Tenuta was brought to the IML stage for twenty minutes of politically-incorrect and hilariously unhinged comedy as only she can do.

The evening’s brisk pace had paid off—barely three hours after the contest had begun, it was time to announce the winners. Except, unfortunately, it wasn’t time yet—the tallymasters were still computing the final scores. This was trial by fire for first-time IML master of ceremonies Brad Balof, and he gamely rose to the challenge to keep the crowd entertained until the winner could be announced. Eventually he was joined onstage by outgoing IML 2004 Jason Hendrix, and then by IML Coordinator Bill Stadt, who finally had the house lights turned up for about ten minutes until the scoring was completed.

Finally the winners were announced: 2nd runner-up, Alan J. Bowers MD from New Orleans; 1st runner-up, Dodger Allen of San Francisco; and the new International Mr. Leather 2005, Michael Egdes of Fort Lauderdale.

Buses carried the IML audience back to the Hyatt for another new tradition: the IML Official Closing Ceremonies, which featured a parade of club colors participated in by 56 clubs.

The Closing Ceremonies also saw the completion of another new IML tradition: the IML flag. Unveiled at Thursday’s Contestant Introduction, the flag had been on display all weekend in the Leather Market. IML attendees had been invited to sign the flag with a short message for future generations. Now the 2005 International Mr. Leather, first and second runners-up and the 2005 International Mr. Bootblack became the last four people to sign the flag before it was turned over to the Leather Archives and Museum for display and safekeeping.

Monday, May 30: As the weekend wound down, the weekend’s winners and other contestants met the press and posed for photos at the IML Press Conference. The final blowout party of the weekend was the Black & Blue Ball. It was held at Excalibur, an amazing club (the building formerly housed the Chicago Historical Society) with an atmosphere highly reminiscent of the original Studio 54 in New York. The dance area on the second floor seemed to go on forever, and there were three levels of balconies above it from which to view the action below. Amazingly enough, the air was not smoky and the music was at a level that allowed conversation without screaming.

Tuesday, May 31: Back to reality. The Hyatt’s lobby was filled with leatherfolk enjoying the few last moments until it was time to exchange goodbye hugs and catch their cabs to the airport.

“Spark Your Future” at MN Leather Pride

(Leather Life column published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #262, June 10, 2005)

PHOTO: 2005 Minnesota Leather Pride Dog Tag on chain with drop shadow

It’s time again for Pride—both GLBT and Leather. In that spirit, Leather Life and your humble columnist present your guide to Minnesota Leather Pride 2005.

This year’s theme is “Spark Your Future.” While it could be taken as an oblique reference to electrical play, the theme is also a call to vision and to action.

Where are leather and BDSM going? Where do we as a community want them to go? How will we get them there? We need to ask these questions and then act on the answers—if we don’t, who else will?

This year’s dog tag, the latest in a long line of Minnesota Leather Pride dog tags, is the first to be decorated on both sides. The front shows this year’s theme; the back displays the names of six of the seven local organizations sponsoring Minnesota Leather Pride 2005: Knights of Leather, MSDB, Atons of Minneapolis, Whipsters, MN Storm and TIES. (Also a sponsor this year, although not listed on the back of the dog tag, is Athenor.)

The 2005 Minnesota Leather Pride dog tag is good for free or reduced admission to many 2005 Minnesota Leather Pride events as well as discounts from various merchants. Besides all that, it’s eminently collectible.

You can get your 2005 Minnesota Leather Pride dog tag for $5, while supplies last, at Cockpit Project, Rainbow Road, Smitten Kitten, Query Books and Dreamhaven Books, or from Minnesota Leather Pride committee members at meetings, munches and all Minnesota Leather Pride events. A limited edition of 500 tags were produced. They have been selling well, and when they’re gone, they’re gone.

This year’s event beneficiaries: At all 2005 events, Minnesota Leather Pride will be collecting non-perishable food items, toiletries/personal care items and cash donations for The Aliveness Project food shelf.

In addition, all net proceeds from Minnesota Leather Pride 2005 will be donated to the Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP).

This year’s events actually started May 17 with the first in a series of four Leather Roundtable discussions. The May Roundtable, a spirited discussion on roles and relationships in the leather/BDSM community, attracted about 30 people.

Events during the month of June are listed below. Information was current at my deadline but is subject to change. Updates will be posted at <www.MNLeatherPride.org>.

Friday, June 17: This year’s Minnesota Leather Pride kicks off with Fetish Night at The Minneapolis Eagle. Fetish-of-the-month: Rope harnesses. 10 P.M. to midnight. Free.

Saturday, June 18: Bound for Glory, a bondage workshop for all levels of experience. Patrick’s Cabaret, 2:30-4:30 P.M. $25 admission (or $20 with your 2005 Minnesota Leather Pride dog tag). There will also be an Asylum Party in the evening exclusively for workshop participants.

Sunday, June 19: Triple Threat, an afternoon of classes on electricity, fire play and hot wax—plus bonus latex demonstrations. Patrick’s Cabaret, 1-5 P.M. $7 admission (or $5 with your 2005 Minnesota Leather Pride dog tag). After the classes, head to the Minneapolis Eagle for their Sunday afternoon Beer Bust.

Tuesday, June 21: Leather Roundtable—Rituals, Protocols and Conventions (second in a series of four conversations). Bolt Underground, 7-9:30 P.M. Free admission with 2005 Minnesota Leather Pride dog tag.

Wednesday, June 22: Leather Roundtable and All-Clubs Mixer (third in a series of four conversations). Leather clubs, cliques and organizations—why have them? What do they do? Who joins them, who doesn’t, and why? Get to know this segment of the leather/BDSM community up close and personal. Bolt Underground, 7-9:30 P.M. Free admission with 2005 Minnesota Leather Pride dog tag. (Roundtable discussion will be followed by an all-clubs mixer.)

Thursday, June 23: Leather/Fetish Swap Meet. Clean out your closet, then fill it up again! Bolt Underground, 7-11 P.M. Free admission for shoppers, suggested donation from “vendors.”

Friday, June 24: Fetish Ball. Live demonstrations—and a reprise of Floggapalooza! Bolt Underground, 9 P.M.-midnight. Admission: Bar cover charge.

Saturday, June 25: GLBT Pride in Loring Park. Join us at the Leather Pride booth all day, then party at The Minneapolis Eagle’s Scorch Fireball VI that night.

Sunday, June 26: Pride March. Help carry the huge Leather Pride flag down Hennepin Avenue. (Meet at 3rd St. and Hennepin Ave. at 10 A.M.—parade steps off at 11 A.M.) Then spend the day in Loring Park, and be sure to drop by the Leather Pride booth. On Sunday evening you can wind down (or rev up) at The Minneapolis Eagle’s Scorch Fireball VI featuring music by Brat Pack Radio.

Wait! We’re not done yet! There’s one more 2005 Minnesota Leather Pride event in July:

Tuesday, July 19: Leather Roundtable—Sparking the Future (fourth in a series of four conversations). Bolt Underground, 7-9:30 P.M. Free admission with 2005 Minnesota Leather Pride dog tag.

A Decade of Decadence: Ten Years of “Leather Life”

(Leather Life column published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #261, May 27, 2005)

From Lavender Lifestyles, Issue #1, June 9, 1995:

“Greetings! New magazine, new leather columnist. When the editors of this publication asked me if I was interested in writing a leather column for them, I immediately assured them I was. By the time I hung up, I had recovered my senses, and asked myself, ‘What have I gotten myself into now?’ Well, I guess we’ll see.”

That, folks, is how it all started—ten years ago. Where has the time gone?

When I started writing this column (at the invitation of my leather mentor, J.D. Laufman), I had no idea how long the column would last, or how long the magazine would last. Back then the life expectancy of any new local publication aimed at a GLBT audience was not very long. Come to think of it, it still isn’t very long—which is why this anniversary is such a milestone.

I decided I would write this column as long as I could come up with something to say every two weeks. When I no longer had anything to say, I would stop writing.

Obviously, I haven’t run out of things to say yet. I have always had the opposite problem: how to cram everything I have to say into the space allotted for me to say it.

It’s been quite a trip. I’ve publicized leather events beforehand, been there to take pictures, and then written about them afterward. I’ve covered leather contests and even helped judge a few. I’ve interviewed a wide array of fascinating people—titleholders, porn stars, leather luminaries and ordinary people who have lived extraordinary lives.

Ten years ago I was asked to make this column “interpretive” rather than “descriptive.” That has meant that besides writing about what’s happening, I have also had the privilege of sharing my perspectives and opinions. I have tried not to abuse that privilege. I have tried to use my writing as an opportunity to strengthen and encourage the community.

I have inspired a few letters to the editor—some complimentary, some not. I’ve occasionally had requests for permission to reprint a column. I was even syndicated to the Gayly Oklahoman for awhile.

I am blessed to have been a part of this magazine since its inception. I think the community is blessed not only that Lavender is still publishing, but that it keeps getting better and stronger. I give great credit to Lavender’s publisher, Stephen Rocheford, and his dedicated staff—I’m glad they understand that publishing this magazine, and producing the website as well, is a business and must be run as such.

Because they understand that fact, Lavender is still here. Over the years, too many leather writers have watched as the magazines or newspapers for which they wrote were pushed into extinction. I feel very lucky to be one of the few leather writers left who still appears in actual print.

I thank all the editors I’ve had over the years for their guidance, for giving me chances to write other articles besides my column, and for not editing me too much. I especially remember two Lavender editors who are no longer with us: Heather Henderson and Tim Lee. I miss them both.

Thanks to Lavender Founding Editor George Holdgrafer for coming up with “Leather Life” as the name of the column—I think it has turned out to be more appropriate than anyone could have known.

A very special thank-you to my partner of over five years, Bill Schlichting, for love, support and encouragement. Bill is also a writer as well as a great copy editor, and my column is immeasurably better and more focused thanks to his suggestions.

I am grateful that Lavender has such a great website that allows these columns to be read anywhere and everywhere, much further than the distribution boundaries of the printed issues. And I am grateful to Joe Gallagher and Leatherpage.com, who link to my column on the Lavender website.

Since I began writing this column, my audience has grown from primarily gay leathermen and leather lesbians to include members of the burgeoning pansexual movement—heterosexuals, bisexuals, transsexuals, gays and lesbians, and those who don’t identify as any particular sexuality or gender but who identify as kinky. Because of the coming together both locally and nationally of previously separate factions, the community is much stronger than it was when I started writing this column.

I have met so many great people along the way. My horizons have been immeasurably widened. It’s impossible to put a price on things like that.

Thank you to everyone who has been reading my column over the last ten years. And thank you to the leather/BDSM community for being such fascinating and beautiful people. Thank you for giving me so much good stuff to write about. If you all will just keep being who you are and doing what you do, your humble columnist will keep on writing about it and sharing it with the world.