05/07/2008 WVQN LEATHERBEAR ARTICLE 37:
05/07/2008 WVQN LEATHERBEAR ARTICLE 37:
INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS GRASSO,
MR. MID ATLANTIC LEATHER 2008
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Pictured above are Mr. Mid Atlantic Leather 2008 Chris Grasso International Mr. Leather 2007 Mike Gerle
Tompa: It was an honor to get to know you at CLAW. Tell us about Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend.
Grasso: First, let me say that it was a pleasure getting to know you and the rest of the IML 2008 class.
The picture above was taken at CLAW. Left to right is Peter Schwartz, Mr. Eagle NYC 2008; Frank Nowicki, Mr. MAL 1993; Mike Gerle, International Mr. Leather 2007; myself; and CJ Smith, Mr. Club Xs Leather 2008.
My most memorable experience would be the food fetish workshop held by Mr. Dave Watt. As I never heard of this fetish before, I was appreciative to have the opportunity to learn and understand what it was all about. Let’s just say the next time I eat strawberries, I will be thinking of you and Mr. Watt .) I also enjoyed the flogging workshop that Mike Zhuil held right before the Food Fetish, I worked up an appetite.
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The picture above was taken at CLAW. Left to right is Peter Schwartz, Mr. Eagle NYC 2008; Frank Nowicki, Mr. MAL 1993; Mike Gerle, International Mr. Leather 2007; myself; and CJ Smith, Mr. Club Xs Leather 2008.
My most memorable experience would be the food fetish workshop held by Mr. Dave Watt. As I never heard of this fetish before, I was appreciative to have the opportunity to learn and understand what it was all about. Let’s just say the next time I eat strawberries, I will be thinking of you and Mr. Watt .) I also enjoyed the flogging workshop that Mike Zhuil held right before the Food Fetish, I worked up an appetite.
I really enjoyed the whole CLAW experience. This was my first time going to CLAW , so everything was enjoyable to me: from meeting new people to seeing you win The Miller International Volunteer Award. It was a grrrreat weekend! Dennis, Bruce, Tina & the whole CLAW staff did a great job.
Tompa: What are your plans for this Memorial Day weekend?
Grasso: What do you think I will be doing? I will be on a plane back home to CT, where I will be recovering from IML 30.
Tompa: What are your plans for the rest of the summer?
Grasso: For my summer plans: I am going to try and attend several pride events in June. July 11-13, I will be heading to New Orleans for AWB. July 18-20, p-town for the end of bear week, a few other events here and there. Check out www.mrctleather.net for upcoming events in my area. If anyone would like to see where I will be in 2008, please go to http://leatherweekend.com/ click on MAL calendar.
Dates to remember:
Aug 28 – Sept 1, 2008 Olympia XX http://olympia.centaurmc.org/
January 16-18, 2009 Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend, Washington DC. http://leatherweekend.com/
There is also another GREAT event that takes place in P-town OCT 3-5, 2009 called Mates Leather Weekend . It is one hell of a weekend. HOT HOT HOT! WOOF!
Tompa: Please tell us little about Chris Grasso.
Grasso: I will let you in on a little secret…believe it or not, I am somewhat of a shy person. People find that hard to believe, but I am. I think we all are shy in some way and form. I am 38, single (taking applications) 6’1 240 hairy, hazel eyes, Camping, traveling, kissing, jock straps, being a good bottom especially with hot Daddy tops that takes control.
I live in East Haven, CT. I have lived with the same two roommates, (David & Damien) for the past 15 years. No, this is not a 3-way relationship and I don’t have sex with them. They have been partners for the past 15 years. We just have a very special bond. If I could live anywhere hummm…. somewhere tropical.
Tompa: Please tell us how it feels to be Mr. Mid Atlantic Leather.
Grasso: Very honoring! The men before me have just been amazing.
Tompa: I hear you have a weak spot for children. Care to elaborate?
Grasso: I have a Godson named Julian Christopher Gray; I call him JC for short. He will be two at the end of November. I love him with all my heat and soul. I am very honored that his mother chose to use my name for his.
Children tend to bring out the softer side in people. They see the world in a different way then us adults. Imagine if, as an adult, we could see the world the way children see it. There would be no hate, no drama, no racism! Children view the world in colors, as where we adults view things in black or white. I ask you this, whose view could we learn the most from?
Tompa: Tell us about Mary Elizabeth Boyd, the First Lady of Leather.
Grasso: Ms. Boyd is just an incredible lady and a lady she is. We all could learn a few things from Ms. Boyd. Her community work alone, blows me out of the water. I am very grateful to have met her and have her in my corner.
Tompa: Tell us how you can be both a bear and a leatherman.
Grasso: Well, you know the answer to this question Tompa. You’re a bear yourself Tompa! We spent last weekend at BEAR TREK, the International Bear Jamboree in New York, where we saw Ultra Nate perform in leather. It’s not how can I be both, because I am both. I am a leatherbear and proud to be one. WOOF!
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Tompa: Tell us about the experiences you encountered during your leather and bear journeys?
Grasso: I am also the current Mr. Connecticut Leather 2008. Some (not all) believe that because you’re a titleholder on the leather side you can’t be on the bear side. I find that the bear and leather crowds go hand and hand. I enjoy both the leather and bear side. There is nothing hotter then seeing a bear in some leather...grrrrrrr!
Tompa: Tell us about your relationship with your family.
Grasso: it may not be a strong one, but I know they are there for me. My parents are the most understanding nonjudgmental people you will ever meet. They have always opened their doors to all my friends. I am very thankful to have them as parents.
Tompa: Do others in your life know about your leathers?
Grasso: My parents and stepsister came to the Mr. CT Leather contest to support me in the contest. There are some at work that I told. It is just hard for them to understand the whole leather thing. I had to explain that is not a sex thing. Just because someone puts on leather, does not mean that they are into BD, SM, WS, etc., I enjoy the smell, the look, the feel, and the fit.
Tompa: Tell us about your wildest leather fantasy.
Grasso: Let's just say there would be a sling, you, CJ Smith & Dave Watt…get the picture. Go now let's make the fantasy come to life… Enough said.
Tompa: Tell us about Mama from San Francisco.
Grasso: I met Mama back in January 2008 in DC @ Leather Cocktails (held by the Centaur MC during Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend) like Ms. Boyd, she too is just an incredible lady and a lady she is too. I have not had the honor of really chatting with her one-on-one yet, but when I do, it will be amazing, I am sure.
Tompa: Tell us about Mr. Marcus from San Francisco.
Grasso: I met Mr. Marcus when I was competing for MR MAL. The man is a legend! The things this man has seen, done and still doing is just amazing. I wish he would write a book and share all the great history with us all.
Tompa: Tell us about Mr. Marcus from San Francisco.
Grasso: I met Mr. Marcus when I was competing for MR MAL. The man is a legend! The things this man has seen, done and still doing is just amazing. I wish he would write a book and share all the great history with us all.
Tompa: Tell us about the bear events you have attended.
Grasso: I have been attending BEAR TREK since it started off in a little roadside bar in upstate NY, where about 50 bears came out to see what it was all about. It now has grown into this big BEAR weekend, where like 700 bears attend. Stevo is doing a great job and I am proud to call him a friend. Also, for the past few years I have been attending BEAR WEEK in PTOWN.
Tompa: Where can we find you online?
Grasso: http://www.mrctleather.net/ and http://leatherweekend.com/mal_calendar.php and my e-mail address is mrmal2008@aol.com
Tompa: What’s this fetish you have with a condom, a frog, a thimble, and a strawberry?
Grasso: LOL. smart-ass! To see the answer go to www.mrctleather.net click on the link that says MAL clip.
Tompa: A special thanks goes to Chris Grasso, Mr. Mid Atlantic Leather 2008, for taking the time to speak to the Readers of West Virginia's Queer News and LeatherBear.
If any of You want to come support Chris, myself , and the rest of the IML Class of 2008 as we wear our leather jocks on stage then Click here: International Mr. Leather - Package and Tickets
Hope to see You in Chicago May 22-26!
In Leather Bear Pride,
Steve Tompa
steventompa@yahoo.com
Tompa: A special thanks goes to Chris Grasso, Mr. Mid Atlantic Leather 2008, for taking the time to speak to the Readers of West Virginia's Queer News and LeatherBear.
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If any of You want to come support Chris, myself , and the rest of the IML Class of 2008 as we wear our leather jocks on stage then Click here: International Mr. Leather - Package and Tickets
Hope to see You in Chicago May 22-26!
In Leather Bear Pride,
Steve Tompa
steventompa@yahoo.com
bravenet.com