November 2007
Part 1
11/01/2007 LEATHERBEAR ARTIICLE 15: MR. MOUNTAIN LEATHER 2007
(Photo by Jim Lawson and background graphics by SKC GRAFIX)
Many of you know me from my reigns as a bear title holder and when I was Mr. West Virginia Gay Pride 2006. I would like to thank the many of you who supported Rainbow Pride of West Virginia, Inc. and attended my Leather Bear Pride parties. I appreciate all of my gay pride family in West Virginia. Being Mr. Pride was an honor and an experience I’ll treasure always. It was during that reign that I learned the concept of gay pride to mean family, which is all of you.
As my reign of Mr. Pride ended, I felt driven to explore a new journey in leather. I entered the 7th Annual Mr. Mountain Leather Competition and Leather Pride Celebration that took place this past summer on Saturday on June 2, 2007. The event was sponsored by the Mountain State Knights and was emceed by Viki Williams at the Tap Room on Quarrier Street in Charleston West Virginia.
When I decided to enter the competition, I was not aware my competition would be members of my own pride family. All three of my competitors were remarkable men who have felt like family to me over the last couple of years and helped support me at various Mr. Pride benefits. Pictured below are the contestants, left to right, myself (#1), Steve Magnusson (#3), Joe Wentz (#2), and John Pritchard (#4).
My judges were rigorous during the interview segment of the competition; asking tough questions and I did not know all the answers. I thank those judges as their questions have challenged me and helped me grow in the last several months. Pictured below are the judges, left to right, they were Rick Hite (Mr. Mountain Leather 2006), Gene Eberwine (Leather Centurions Columbus), and Sir Jeff (Ohio Leather Sir 2006).
Steve Magnusson owner of Long Fork Campground was awarded Mr. Mountain Leather 2007 Runner up, and I was awarded Mr. Mountain Leather 2007 and will have the opportunity to compete at International Mr. Leather in Chicago in May 2008. Former Mr. Mountain Leathers were Keith Adams (2001), Larry Gallina (2002), Wayne Fleshman (2003), Gus Hamrick, DDS (2004). Joe Boylard (2005), and Rick Hite (2006).
I feel honored to be the seventh Mr. Mountain Leather. My favorite quote is “Knowledge gives us the confidence to explore new horizons”. I feel that writing articles each week for West Virginia Queer News has helped me grow as well as share insight to others in the leather and bear communities.
In addition, I have been trying to gain more leather knowledge by attending leather events in the last year:
- Attended Bear Camp in Columbus, Ohio, winning Mr. All Ohio Bear 2007. See LEATHERBEAR ARTICLE 4. This was a bear run but I met some really cool Leathermen. And, of course, I wore leather.
- Attended Great Lakes Leather Weekend meeting Ms. Kendra and other Leatherfolk from the Great Lakes region. This event was educationally enlightening with the leather workshops. The competition was fun to watch, especially the leather fantasies.
- Visited the Ramrod Levi/leather/uniform bar in Ft. Lauderdale
- Competed at The Double L Leather competition in Rehoboth Beach Delaware winning Brotherhood Award and Mr. Double L Leather Runner Up
- Visited the Titan’s Ramrod in Washington DC
- Visited DC Eagle in Washington DC
- Walked in the AIDS Walk Washington.
- Attended Mr. Ohio Leather 2008 at Daddy’s in Akron
- Attended Mr. Kentucky Leather in Louisville
- Helped the Mountain State Knights with some of their recent events; Cops-n-Robbers benefit party for CAN and the recent Halloween Party.
I’m excited about some future events that I will be attending:
- I will be a judge at Leather Ball this weekend in Steubenville Ohio for the Mr. & Ms. Leather Olympus competition.
- I will be playing “Leather Santa” the first weekend in December at the Pittsburgh Eagle to help Captain Ahab with is 2nd Annual Foster Kid Toy Drive
- I will be playing “Santa” again on December 15th at the Christmas Dance 2007 at the Broadway in Charleston West Virginia for the Living AIDS Memorial Garden, Inc.
(Photo by Jim Lawson)
I’m looking forward to representing the Mountain State of West Virginia proud in the leather community over the next year.
In Leather Bear Pride,
Steve Tompa
Mr. Mountain Leather 2007
At this event, several surprises took place. First, Michael and Lady Justice (pictured first above with Daddy Maxx) were formally welcomed into Steel Valley Leather as honorary members. Both were extremely excited and pledged to continue to represent the region well in the future. Second, KAT was proposed (see middle picture above with her girlfriend on bent knee with ring). And Third, Lady Lynette presented a Master/slave Creative Play workshop.
11/08/2007 LEATHERBEAR ARTICLE 16: LEATHERBALL IN STEUBENVILLE OHIO
11/08/2007 LEATHERBEAR ARTICLE 16: LEATHERBALL IN STEUBENVILLE OHIO
Wow, what a wonderful time last weekend in Steubenville, Ohio, at Leatherball at Club MAXX with Daddy Maxx and Davey (pictured above). I would like to thank everyone for a great, fun filled weekend. It was my pleasure and honor to be apart of the Steubenville Leather Family. This year it was an honor to be one of the six judges for Great Lakes Olympus 2007. Emcees were Maxx and slave garret. Workshop presenters were Maxx and Lady Lynette. To see some of the 103 pictures, click here: LEATHERBALL 2007 SLIDESHOW
The judging panel included:
· KAT, Ms. Great Lakes Olympus 2006 (Head Judge)
· “daveyboy”, Mr. Great Lakes Olympus 2006
· “jc”, co-Producer of Mid-States Leather
· Tina MacKay, co-Producer of CLAW
· Carrie Crouse, Ms. Upper Ohio Valley Leather 2002
· Steve Tompa, Mr. Mountain Leather 2007
In Steubenville, I felt welcome and a part of their wonderful Leather family. Maxx’s event was well organized, fun and friendly. The Staff at Club MAXX was more then friendly; they were caring and always making sure everyone was having a good time all the while working and running a super club. If you've never attended this Great Lakes Olympus /Raven's Leather Ball event, I highly suggest it. You'll find amazing leather hospitality, dance your butt off at Club Maxx, and come away with that wondrous sense of being invigorated by family and friends. I had so much fun at this event meeting new friends and catching up with old ones. I have been reminded of what a Leather Family is! I feel lucky to know this family and would like to point out two remarkable and amazing ndividuals pictured above who have done many things for the leather community and traveled to many leather events all around the world representing the Great Lakes region. They are Miss Kendra and slave garrett who produce GLLA Weekend 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana in August 2008. Maxx proudly announced they helped sponsor Leatherball.
Lady Raven (pictured above) performed her heart out at Leatherball in Steubenville, Ohio this past weekend. Lady Raven was Ms. Great Lakes Olympus 2005 then went on to Chicago and won Ms. Olympus Leather 2006. She is the first transgender to hold this title. As for her performances, all I have to say is "YOU GO GIRL"... Maybe someday, I’ll get to see her “Naughty Leather Nurse” fantasy production that she did to win Ms. Olympus Leather 2006. Check out more pictures from her performances from this past weekend LEATHERBALL 2007 SLIDESHOW
Congratulations to Lady Justice & Charleston’s very own “Flash” John Pritchard on their new titles of Ms. & Mr. Great Lakes Olympus 2007. I’d like to wish both of you the best of luck over the next year representing the Great Lakes region and also in your competition in July for Ms. & Mr. Olympus Leather 2008 at the Leather Archives & Museum. Pictured above is Great Lakes Olympus Royalty: “boydavey” Mr. Great Lakes Olympus 2006, Lady Justice Ms. Great Lakes Olympus 2007, “Flash” John Pritchard Mr. Great Lakes Olympus 2007, and KAT Ms. Great Lakes Olympus 2006.
At this event, several surprises took place. First, Michael and Lady Justice (pictured first above with Daddy Maxx) were formally welcomed into Steel Valley Leather as honorary members. Both were extremely excited and pledged to continue to represent the region well in the future. Second, KAT was proposed (see middle picture above with her girlfriend on bent knee with ring). And Third, Lady Lynette presented a Master/slave Creative Play workshop.
Before I close this week, I’d like to thank “boydavey” (pictured above) for his $100 auction bid for “The Steve Tompa Leather Bear” with proceeds donated to the Great Lakes Olympus Leather Travel Fund. In closing, a special thanks goes to all of the judges, bar and contest staff, Daddy Maxx and Steel Valley Leather, GLLA, and Lady Raven for making this event possible. Many more pictures from this even are available by clicking here: LEATHERBALL 2007 SLIDESHOW
In Leather Bear Pride,
Steve Tompa
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