Regardless of whatever draws Family together, what keeps Family together is a common desire for camaraderie, support, love, and a “safe haven” from the slings and arrows, the judgement and ebb and flow of the default world. For Leatherfolks, this can be lifesaving: we sometimes can’t hope to find unconditional acceptance “Out There.” So. We make our own Family.

Canadian Leather Bear, Mama Reinhardt and Mo at IML 2010

A few months ago, someone I respect deeply and admire fully invited me into one of the more unique and wonderful Families I’ve had the pleasure to know.

“Mama” Sandy Reinhardt has been a central figure in the Leather community for quite some time. I’d heard of her, and of her extended Family, before I’d even fully entered the Leather / BDSM Community.  ”Mama’s Family” was well known for their numbers, their massive efforts at fundraising, and their camaraderie. I was curious, back then, of what it was all about.  I wondered if I would ever know, and then I filed it away as information I should keep handy as I processed the possibility that this journey I was considering would radically alter my life.

In the intervening years, I learned more about the charitable and community-building efforts of Mama’s Family, and saw how they formed a network that stretched around the world.  I noted the diligence, dedication, warmth and humor with which people treated their status as members of “Mama’s Family.”  And in my heart? I was fiercely proud that another woman of color was a force to be reckoned with in a Community where we are wildly underrepresented

This spring at International Mr. Leather as I awaited the main part of the contest, Mama Reinhardt beckoned me over to her table. After a bit of catching up, she took my hand in hers and invited me to be a part of her Family. I admit I had to blink at a superfast pace to avoid fucking up my eyeliner there and then, and I thanked her for the honor.  I was glad I managed not to cry, because then I’d have been all racoony for that there photo op!

Part of the honor also involves being able to wear a pin that indicates your place in Mama’s Family, and announces your nickname.  Some of the names are chosen, some requested, some a total surprise to the new Family member. My input was requested, I came up with a couple of nicknames that might be more or less suitable, and the rest is up to Mama

Life has been…a little busy for me, so I haven’t had the chance to see Mama Reinhardt in person to receive my pin. Lo and behold, the heavens opened and, thanks to a party being hosted by the American Brotherhood Weekend Family, I will have the singular honor of receiving my Mama’s Family pin from Mama Reinhardt very soon!

If you can, please join me and a bunch of other people in the extended Families  of outlaws, renegades, perverts and Leatherfolk at the SF Eagle Tavern on Sunday, September 12th! The party is from 3:00 – 6:00, and we’ll probably gather around 4:00 on the patio for the pinning.

I would love to see you there, regardless of whatever circle of my life’s Venn diagram in which you dwell.

Mama Reinhardt, thank you. This globe-trotting leather-clad freak is so, so humbled and grateful to be able to have a place in Your Family.

]]> http://www.mssfleather2009.com/2010/08/10/aclc-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.mssfleather2009.com/2010/06/08/on-my-way-to-s-e-l-f/ http://www.mssfleather2009.com/2010/06/08/on-my-way-to-s-e-l-f/#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 07:22:51 +0000 mollena http://www.mssfleather2009.com/?p=273

Nah, it ain’t some crunchy navel-gazing post. I am on my way ot the Southeast Leatherfest. And, believe it or not, this will be the first time I’ve traveled to a leather event at which I was NOT presenting since my very first Black Rose back in in 1998.

What  long strange trip it’s been.

I am looking forward to hanging out with my “twin” Q, and meeting new folks…and checking out the five (!!!) Titleholder contests being held there.

What I am VERY much looking forward to is not having to fret about classes, about formal appearances, about having to be somewhere.

Long time coming I get to be a Citizen at a Leather Event!

Well..as much of a Citizen as I can ever be with my crazy-ass self.

Are you gonna be there? Let me know, and do say hello!

I will TELL you WTF!

PARTY TIME, CHICAGO!

Join the LRA Chicago and the International Ms Leather Contest over the International Mr. Leather Weekend!

Even if you can’t make iot to IML, you CAN come on down and meet me, making my first (but sure as hell not my last!) appearnce in ChiTown as International Ms Leather!  my Sashmate, Jayson Da Boi, International Ms Boot Black 2010 will be tearing up the place too, so come on down!

Thank you to my friend Pinky, for IMsL2010 Barbie!

It has been a month since the International Ms Leather contest. One month ago today, I was in a dazed haze, worrying about the opening number, freaking out about the interview, praying I wouldn’t completely melt down before the weekend was over.

Thanks to Glenda, tomo, Ms. Rhonda and Levi for pulling together a stellar group of people to make this event happen.

Thanks to my friend Tee, for pulling it (and me) all together. Thank you, Patti for anchoring me backstage. Endless thanks to everyone who donated to help IMsL’s silent auction. Thanks to Lamalani and Pony, for setting the stage and showing us how that shit is DONE.

Thank you to the Judges. I hope to live up to the honor I have been given.

Thank you to Janet Hardy of Greenery Press, to Lance Holman, Mr. SF Leather 2009, To Liza and Jody of the the Ms. SF Leather Competition, to Crowded Fire, to Tess & Diva of Tied-Up Events,  to The Exiles, San Francisco and to Lolita Wolf, for your visible and humbling adverts in the IMsL Program! Holy cow, did that make me cry. But I’m a weepy bitch. It is what I do.

Thank you everyone who hugged me, gave me a thumbs up, or wished me well throughout the weekend. Thanks to the fucking RAD  Den Crew, who herded all of us Contestant types around and about and kept us as sane as could possibly be imagined.

To Daddy Faye and Uncle Eddie, for bed checks.  To Jim Deuder and Bijkka Amy, for those little smiles and hugs that meant so very, very much, and for dragging…er…showing us a great time all over SF. You are are full of endless WIN.

Thank you stage crew. You had mighty challenges, and you stepped up.

Thank you each and every volunteer. You work your fucking asses off, and I appreciate you.

Thank you, to all of the IMsL graduates who were there to offer such fantastic advice and to serve as role-models for all of us in the running.

Thank you to my (inexplicable) Doppelganger and brother-in-spirit Q, for being there, for capturing my “Fantasy,” and for bouncing The Hungarian. Nothing is as gratifying as a former bouncer being bounced!

Thank you to the IMsL Class of 2010.

One might expect me to say that the highlight of my weekend at International Ms Leather was being given the honor of wearing the sash for the next year. And that is, in fact, completely amazing. Yet, the moment that touched me the most was the point where I really saw the “Sisterhood” that people describe among those running for titles. My Tee,  my Wrangler, was stuck in a traffic jam and couldn’t make it to the hotel in time to help me set up my silent auction table. I had already compromised my time by attending a Recovery Meeting that ate into my allocated slot, so the prospect of having only half the time to now do twice as much work all alone freaked me out. As I was racing to try to get my items in order, the other contestants, seeing my stress about getting my table together, came over to help. Without asking, they stepped up to the plate. Asked what was needed, offered hugs and calming words once all of the work was allocated.I was very much humbled by their generosity, their spirit, their caring. It was the final moment where I let go of any expectation and knew I was in the company of truly Amazing Women. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

In the weeks following the contest, I haven’t had much of a break! I went to Florida for Beyond Leather, which was my first official event as IMsL. Talk about hitting the ground running! There were so many Titleholders, there, and as well, it is a Title Run event, so the excitement never ever flagged.  I received a very warm welcome, met some new friends, reconnected with some old friends, and was so grateful to have a kick-ass entryway to my title year. I was thrilled to be able to meet Master Obsidian and Slave Namaste, our International Master & Slave 2010. It really defies words how proud I am to see people of color stepping to the plate and being given the honor of  doing service as Titleholders in the Leather Community.

I returned from Beyond Leather, took half a breath and went to San Jose…a little closer yet still not “home,” for the Northwest Leather Celebration.  I was blessed to be able to reunite with a friend of many years acquaintance, Kyrana, who was kind enough to let me crash in her room. And thank Ganesha for that! I was running on fumes and being able to take a moment here and there to rest, refresh, and gather my energy was an ineffable blessing.

At this event, I held my step-down for Ms. San Francisco Leather. This was a bit of a surprise for many, and some folks might not even know it happened! To clear up any residual confusion: initially, upon being awarded the International Ms Leather Sash, I assumed I would be stepping down. However, there are no clear-cut rules for how Titles are held or relinquished. I was assured, at IMsL, that I should absolutely keep both titles, and so was informing folks of this decision. Subsequently, the owners of the SF Leather title shifted their stance and said that yes, they did want the title to go to Tracy Wolf, the first runner up. Best of luck to Tracy Wolf, and I know she will bring pride and honor to the Ms SF Leather Title!

I can’t tell you how it felt to stand in solidarity when, at the Northwest Leather Celebration, the call came for all current Titleholders to stand, to look around and see myself, Namaste, Obsidian and Lance standing. Four Black people, proudly serving. What a sight. What a sight.

I have been thrilled to have had the opportunity to speak with folks from different segments of the media. I was interviewed for Playboy Radio’s The Playboy Advisor (albeit before IMsL, but it broadcast thereafter) and for Bitch magazine! Keep an eye out for me in their Fall issue. Did I mention I’m on the poster for the Folsom Street Fair 2010? Squeeek!

Yeah, I’m stoked about that.

Many thinks to Sigma, one of my long-time heroes of the Leather Community, as well as one of my Judges at IMsL, for permitting me the opportunity to share some of myself in an article he put together for the Gay & Lesbian Times. Thanks to Leatherati for their coverage! The Bay Area Reporter was in the house as well!

SO much is happening. I am, even as I type, juggling a calendar that already looks impossible, but so very, very exciting. I’m getting ready to perform a re-mount of 69Stories: One Pervert’s Tale, May 21st – 23rd, as a benefit performance for my Official Charity: Crowded Fire Theater Company.

Tomorrow, I have a book signing, too! Yep, kind of lost in the IMsL shuffle is the fact that my book, The Toybag Guide: Taboo Play was just released. If you’re in San Francisco, come over to Wicked Grounds between 5:00 PM & 7:00 PM! The book’s a steal for $10!

The week after the 69Stories run, I’m off to Chicago to take part in the International Mr. Leather festivities. This will be my very first trip to IML, and though it kind of rolled over my being able to fully participate in Shibaricon (where I will be presenting a class!) I am so proud to be the latest IMsL to represent the long and illustrious line of Leatherwomen who have gone before me.

Well, that’s a wrap for my first in a series of Monthly Reports I will be giving on my Year As International Ms Leather.

Follow me on Twitter for a low-level feed of IMsL2010 tweets! Thank you for reading!

Peace.

Mollena (Mo) Williams

International Ms Leather 2010

Ms. SF Leather 2009

Delicate, Trembling Flower of Submission & Executive Pervert

There are parties and functions galore but for me the whirlwind of the contest is my focus. I’m feeling amazing and positive and so honored by the love and support I’ve received and continue to receive.

With me luck, my friends!

Tickets for the Weekend Package - Purchase Tickets
Or in person @  Chaps on 18th St.
Leather Etc on Folsom & 8th

Friday March 5, 44th Annual SF Bay Area Community Awards Dinner
44th Annual SF Bay Area Leather Community Awards Dinner & 2010 Mr. SF Leather Contestants Meet & Greet & Fantasies Doors Open at 6:00 pm at the Hotel Whitcomb, 1231 Market St.
$30 Adv. and $35 Door Purchase Tickets

Saturday March 6, 32nd Mr. SF Leather Contest
2010 Mr. SF Leather Contest
Doors Open at 7:00 pm
at the Hotel Whitcomb, 1231 Market St.
$20 Adv. and $25 Door Purchase Tickets

Sunday March 7, 44th Victory Beer Bust
To Be Announced – save your weekend package tickets

Yeah baby!

Mr. Powerhouse 2010

and looking as good as he wanna be!

Since 2009 was the first Ms. San Francisco Leather contest in a decade, this is a very exciting and somewhat daunting run I have ahead of me. I am SO grateful to everyone who has extended the hand of help, and am appealing to folks to help us bring the title Back to the Bay!

If you are a provider of goods and services, and would like to donate to my run basket, please contact me! Hard goods and soft service items are wonderful contributions.

As many people will be visiting from all over the USA, some services or goods that are local to SF might not translate so well. A local masseuse isn’t gonna do someone from Toronto much good! To that end, I’ll be fragmenting a “SF Special Foggy-Ass Basket” to the run, in the hope that we can have the homegrown folk represented!

The donation doesn’t have to be kinky! From Collars to Cupcakes, Floggers to Fondue Pots, everything is a good bet! Restaurant coupons, bath beads, an enema kit (Um, NIB, please.) all bets are on, baby on!

And if you are thinking of advertising in the IMsL program, have I got a deal for you!

If you’d like to endorse my run, you can do that, and save a few buckaroos!

…from the IMsL site:

ALL ads for the program book are due by Feb 15th. Ad Sales Contracts are available on the IMsL website (www.IMsL.org) through the advertise button. If your sponsor mentions you in their ad they will receive a 10% discount on regular ad prices. Complete instructions are on the advertising form.

See?

I can even save you money!!

Yaaay!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

Thank you, so much, for the opportunity to continue in my quest to diversity the Leather and BDSM communities, further the cause of Kink Education and “Out Perv Pride”

Love

Mo

Seriously, this is a tribute to the Leather Community and how people will pull together for a common cause. Further, it is a testament to how fortunate we are to live in a world where people of ALL walks of life believe in our vision of spiritual and sexual freedom!

Check out my SPONSOR PAGE for info on everyone listed below. These people and companies are on the cutting edge, folks. They believe in freedom, and I believe in them.

I am humbled to add their gifts to the fund to raise money for LYRIC and the Transgender Law Center!