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.

Femina Potens, the amazing Gallery and art space curated by the Lovely and Talented Madison Young will host these events, so please do check ‘em out! The Folsom Street Fair and Leather Week are right around the corner and you won’t want to miss out on the chance to put together some hot gear or learn a few new tricks! :-)

photo by Leland Carina

Friday, September 10th, 2010
10:30am-Noon – Making Leather Gear

Saturday, September 11th, 2010
12:30-2pm – Making Leather Strapon Harnesses
2:30pm-4pm – Military Play
4:30pm-5:30pm – Leather Eye for the Pan Guy

And here’s how you getcher tickets

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/123008 – Aftercare

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/123010 – Making Leather Gear
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/123014 – Making Leather Strapon Harnesses
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/123016 – Military Play
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/123017 – Leather Eye for the Pan Guy

I’m joining the freaking FABULOUS Abiola Abrams tomorrow night on her show, Love, Sex, Dating and Drama!

She’s on Shovio, which is an interactive webcast situation. Go register and then you can log in on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25TH at 10:00 PM EDT and join in what is SURE to be a juggernaut of AWESOME!!

]]> http://www.mssfleather2009.com/2010/08/10/aclc-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.mssfleather2009.com/2010/07/31/stockholm/ http://www.mssfleather2009.com/2010/07/31/stockholm/#comments Sun, 01 Aug 2010 01:15:09 +0000 mollena http://www.mssfleather2009.com/?p=294 I was invited to Stockholm to speak on BDSM at Camp WISH and at Stockholm Pride. Amazing honors, incredible women. Some trying obstacles in my own life, but so much learned. I’ve made some new friends I am pretty sure I will have in my life for a while to come. And I love, love Sweden!

Then yet another humbling miracle.

The Scandinavian Leathermen SLM have never invited a woman to roll with them in Pride. The honor goes to Klara of RFSL and Lilaa of WISH Camp for laying the groundwork for International Brother & Sisterhood in Leather.

I will add more as I can…this adventure is already amazing. And even the obstacles that seemed terrible losses at first have reminded me that for all I lose, I gane tenfold in new opportunities.

Next stop? Berlin!

From the No H8 Campaign website:

On November 4, 2008 Proposition 8 passed in California, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The defeat provoked a groundswell of initiative within the GLBT community at a grassroots level, with many new political and protest organizations being formed in response.

The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska (http://www.bouska.net) and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with “NOH8″ painted on one cheek in protest.

Nearly two years since its inception, the NOH8 Campaign has grown to over 4,500 faces and continues to grow at an exponential rate. The campaign began with portraits of everyday Californians from all walks of life and soon rose to include politicians, military personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists, celebrities, and many more.

The NOH8 Campaign has received overwhelming support from around the world, appearing on various local and national news programs and publications. The images are currently being used on various social networking sites to spread the message of equality, predominantly Facebook and Twitter. Eventually the images are expected to be compiled for a large-scale media campaign.

Funds raised by the NOH8 Campaign will be used to continue promoting and raising awareness for Marriage Equality and anti-discrimination on a global level through an educational and interactive media campaign.

Happy Pride from International Ms Bootblack, Jayson Da Boi and International Ms Leather, Mollena Williams!

We could use a little help, if you;re feeling helpful!

Here are the following positions we need filled:

8pm-10:45– Volunteers needed for Door Duty;
- collecting donations from attendees
- applying wristbands to those that have paid

945pm-11pm (or last shuttle pick up near our event time)

– 2 volunteers needed for organizing people being picked up/directing those getting off the shuttle to Mr S & Madame S Leather

10:30pm- done! – 2 Volunteers needed for clean up

If you can help please drop a line to Lance, Mr SF Leather 2010 at MrSFLeather2010@gmail.com

I’m performing the re-vamped 69stories: One Pervert’s Tale at the Exit Theater to benefit the Cynthia Slater Memorial AIDS Walk team.

It is This coming Wednesday, at 8:00 PM

You can buy tickets here, and I’ll be selling copies of The Toybag Guide To: Taboo Play post-show