LeatherPodium.com publishes selected writings from leading voices in the leather community to highlight significant speeches, essays, and other forms of interesting and provocative commentary.

LeatherPodium.com is always interested in receiving submissions for the site. Please contact us if you have something you would like to contribute.

FREQUENTLY ASKED:

What do you mean “not all [submissions] will be accepted?”
LeatherPodium.com isn’t interested in posting drama ridden rants, or material we think may be libelous. Other than that, as long as it’s interesting or offers some insight into a relevant topic, we’ll gladly welcome it.

I’m not a titleholder. Will you post my material?
It doesn’t matter if you hold a title or not. Just as long as it’s interesting.

MOBILIZE & ENGAGE;
‘We are not second class citizens’

Bo Ladashevska, International Mr. Leather 2006 - Jan 14, 2007

“We are a community with complex and ever-changing social and political issues. But as history has shown, there is nothing we cannot overcome. When we combine the tenacity and drive that exists in each and every one of us, we can make a difference. “

“Do we continue on the path laid down for us by our forbearers or do we remain complacent with the current patchwork of inadequate rights and freedoms and insufficient programs and services that exist across this nation?”

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THE ALTERNATIVE FAMILY;
Marriage & adoption rights

Alan J Bowers, Mr. Louisiana Leather 2005 - May 22 2005

“The time has come to … let the world hear with the unified voice of a loud and proud Leather Nation that we expect and demand our equal rights as members of the human family.”

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Reflections on Forty Years of Leather:
‘A warrior is ALWAYS Learning. ALWAYS.’

Daddy Peter Fiske - Apr 1, 2006

Forty years ago this month I arrived in San Francisco from New York City as a green young Leatherman, moved west by the famous Life magazine article about a new kind of masculine homosexual. Hopefully, in my 40 years of service since then, I have learned a few things that I can share with you tonight in your quest to give great Community service. …

I conceive of us Leatherfolk as Warriors. Warriors in the quest for a meaningful and satisfying life. A great warrior learns from all the other warriors. He (or she) speaks little and listens a lot. We learn from our successes and from our failures and from all that we observe. A warrior is willing to work, to do what is needed, whatever it is. We help one and other as a community of warriors. A warrior is strong but kind. A warrior speaks the truth… but SOFTLY.

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A Bootblack Step-down

Kelley Wilt, 2004 Northwest Community Bootblack - Sep 10, 2005

During the course of my year, I have been blessed with the ability to travel across the United States and Canada. In observing other titles and leather communities, I have learned that I can count myself as lucky to have been a part of the Pacific Northwest leather family. My sponsor, Gene Romaine, who took my criticisms to heart and made every effort to make sure last year’s problems did not happen again at this year’s contest. Thanks to JB, for producing my “dream” bootblack contest and listening to and acting on my concerns. If I can pass on one lesson learned from being a titleholder this year to future contestants, it would be to do your homework on the sponsors and producers of the title for which you intend to run. “Not everyone out there has your best interest at heart.” Thank you Robert Davolt for educating me and setting me on the correct path. I miss your wisdom and perspective so much.

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Stepping out of the spotlight;
‘When you find your path, share it with others.’

Don Cherkis, U.S. Daddy 2006 - Jan 19, 2007

One last thing that I learned this past year. Despite all appearances, there is no caste system in our leather community. Daddies are no better than boys and Masters are no better than slaves. We are all equal and our roles are just a chosen frame of mind, heart and spirit. Communication is and always has been the lifeblood of the leather community and is vital to its existence. Our platform this past year has been: “When you find your path, share it with others.” We have urged those whose lives we have touched to do just that and I am asking you to continue our legacy by sharing your relationship and leather life history with others, just as our leather brothers and sisters have done before us.

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MOVING FORWARD;
‘It’s about family’

Robert Davis, International LeatherSIR 2004 - October 2005

As my year comes to its conclusion, I take my place alongside of my brothers who have come before me. But I do not see this as an ending. Indeed, I see this as an opportunity to continue my work. The beginning of this journey placed my feet upon a path that would permit me to leave my mark upon our community. However, in doing so, the community has left its mark upon me.

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BECAUSE IN LEATHER;
‘What any of you are, I am too’

Caron Ryer, Ms. Olympus 2005 - Feb 19, 2006

For me, this was a year of passion and pride renewed. I officially came into Leather half past 1970 – a time when it wasn’t enough for you to decide or announce you were Leather, but more a time when you were “invited” to be a part of Leather. New York City, the 1970s, a time when on any weekend night, there were any number of Leather Bars and clubs – a time when the corner of West and Christopher was almost impassable and looked like the lobby at IML. I was fortunate enough to be brought into Leather by some wonderful men who made sure that I learned that wasn’t just what I wore, but how I defined myself and how that would redefine the life I would live. …

I’ve often half-joked that I was a gay man trapped in the body of a woman. But after this year, I’ve come to understand that I’m not just heterosexual, I’m also bisexual, queer and gay, a lesbian, a dyke, a fag, and transgendered – because I chose to live my life in Leather, what any one of you is, I am too.

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Unsafe at Any Speed but Making Good Time

Laura Antoniou - February 27, 2005

Famed author Laura Antoniou takes aim at players who mix wholesale fictions with our history, and those that allow it to go unchallenged.

“Silence is the voice of complicity. When you remain quiet in the face of bullshit, you are lending it your credibility. You are saying it is so, merely by saying nothing. You don’t have to confront every pretentious blowhard calling himself Lord Nightwind of Destiny House. But don’t afford him the same time and prestige of someone who goes by a more common name and has an actual address and fails the drama queen test. If someone has a real history, they should have something to show for it. Records, writings, photos, friends, organizational notes, something that says ‘I was here then and did this.’”

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