October 2007
Part Two
“You have the freedom of choice, but not consequences” is a quote LADY JUSTICE used to hear from her Mother as a child. She hated then, but over time she’s come to appreciate the brutal truth. This week LEATHERBEAR brings the Readers of West Virginia Queer News an interview with LADY JUSTICE:
LEATHERBEAR: Are you lesbian, straight, bi-sexual, or pansexual? It’s my understanding you are straight, correct? Do others often think you are lesbian or bi-sexual? If so, why do you think so?
LADY JUSTICE: If I need to label myself, I’d have to say I am straight. But, I feel heat and sexuality can be fluid. I believe passion can exist between people, regardless of gender or “known sexuality.” I enjoy S&M and D/s play with individuals of varied genders and sexual proclivities, so does that make me queer? Either way, it’s all good. Others have thought I am lesbian and bi-sexual and of course I’m not offended. It’s probably because they assume there are no heterosexual women into leather or perhaps because they’ve never seen me around leathermen?
LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about GLLA. What is it? Where is it? Who is Ms. Kendra? How are you involved? Tell us about the events. Are there web sites we can visit to learn more? Tell us about the GLLA title competitions and categories especially about the “fantasy’ portion. Are there workshops at this event?
LADY JUSTICE: GLLA stands for Great Lakes Leather Alliance. Their large event happens in August of every year in Indianapolis, IN and information can be found about the event at: http://www.greatlakesleather.org/web/index.php. I’d guess there were over twenty-five workshops along with charity auctions, cocktail parties, plenty of social time, and a massive play space. Ms. Kendra is the executive director, works tirelessly for this community, and is always there to lend an ear.
GLLA sponsors several leather contests for our region: LeatherSir, Leatherboy, Ms., and bootblack. They also host a Master/slave competition. The men and women competing for leather titles are judged on: interview, fantasy, speech, on-stage question, attire, attitude, pecs and personality, and the like. Fantasies are my favorite portion of a contest because the performances are an insight into the contestant’s own desires.
I am into my second year representing GLLA as their Great Lakes Ms. Leather Pride and I am truly proud of this region and the wonderful leatherfolk in it. As of this year, I am the new judges’ coordinator for GLLA and look forward to serving in that capacity.
LEATHERBEAR: Have you ever conducted a leather workshop? What was the topic? How did your class perceive you? Tell us about this experience. If you were to teach more leather workshops, what topics would you teach?
LADY JUSTICE: I have conducted leather sexuality workshops at Pagan events, been involved in Fem-Dom panel discussions, and given demos on flogging and fire play. All I can say with any certainty about perception is that I opened some minds and that I am one kinky bitch!!!
LEATHERBEAR: If you were to compare yourself to someone famous, who would it be? Then tell us about your ambitions, your profession, and your views on education.
LADY JUSTICE: I recently had the pleasure of judging a contest with Andrew Keisker. He said I reminded him of the best parts of Elvira, Xena, and Bettie Page all rolled up into one.
I had the extreme privilege of being voted Pantheon of Leather’s- Community Choice Woman of the year for 2007. I’d like to take the time here to thank everyone who nominated me.
I feel very fortunate to be living the life I am. I began purchasing my home at the age of 30, which was a goal I set for myself. I have wonderful leather and birth families. Secretly, I’d like to be the worshiped Queen of my own private island where all sorts of depravity would occur on a daily basis.
Currently, I’m self-employed. Three years ago I sold my occult bookstore, cut my overhead in more than half, and moved to a home/internet based sales. In past years, I’ve done insurance billing for an ambulance company, learned to weld, been a professional Dominatrix, and a long-haul truck driver.
I feel educating oneself either through life’s lessons or formal lessons is crucial.
LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about your “kink”. What are you into?
LADY JUSTICE: Naughty man. You really want all the juicy stuff, don’t you?
LEATHERBEAR: Ever smoked a cigar? What kind? Tell us about this experience.
LADY JUSTICE: Ummmmmm…. YES. I enjoy almost anything from a Phillies Chocolate cigar or Garcia y Vega to a Montecristo. I do not smoke cigarettes, so cigars are a special treat. I like the deliberate enjoyment of smoking one and if the mood is right engaging in some hot ash play.
LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about leather competitions. Which ones have you competed? Which ones did you win? Which ones did you judge? How did it feel to participate?
LADY JUSTICE: I originally began competing after being encouraged and advised to do so by a dear friend and brother, Mike Gallagher. I initially “entered the ring” at the 2006 Ohio Leather Alliance competition. I became Ohio Ms. Leather Pride 2006 and went on to GLLA. There, I competed with two other women and when all was said and done, became Great Lakes Ms. Leather Pride 2006. The next step was an International competition and my sponsors thought IMsL might be a good direction. IMsL turned out not the place for me, but undeterred I moved ahead with my continuing goals and love for the community.
After a surprising series of events, I am the current Great Lakes Ms. Leather Pride 2007 and look forward to sharing the year with the new Great Lakes titleholders, Sir Rob, boy Joey, Riley, Zarius, & talina. Who knows what might happen next?
I judged this year’s GLLA Sir/boy/Ms. contest and I will be a judge at the upcoming Mid-States Leather contest in Cincinnati this November. I’ve also emceed for the OLA and tally mastered at the 2006 Great Lakes Olympus contest.
I’ve had both positive and negative experiences as a competitor. The positives have certainly outweighed the negatives.
LEATHERBEAR: What is your platform in your role as a titleholder? Did you help with fund-raising and charities? If so, please tell why and elaborate.
LADY JUSTICE: I have been involved in fundraising for HIV/AIDS and children’s charities for many years, so that’s been ongoing. I was raised watching my mom volunteer for many worthwhile causes and win a commendation from the Governor for being the volunteer of the year. Volunteerism enriches me and enables me to help provide for others in need.
But, along with helping meet those needs, building a strong, dedicated, leather family/ community has been my primary focus.
LEATHERBEAR: What was your most exciting fund-raising experience? We hear you like to sell jell-o shots. Tell us just exactly what you do to get the crowd to buy your shots?
LADY JUSTICE: I’d have to say it was being involved with Brian “Captain” McCoy’s and Three Rivers Leather Club benefit for Allegheny Children’s Services last December. It was amazing to see leatherfolk come together from several states for one common cause. I’ll be there again this year!
Yes, I enjoy selling jell-o shots. It’s a great way to meet the crowd and it provides an opportunity to speak to those who might be newly curious about leather. The best way for me to sell them is to smile…and sell them from my cleavage and actually, now that I think of it, many charitable items can and have been sold from that particular locale.
LEATHERBEAR: Why and how long have you been involved in the leather community? What is the definition of a “leather woman”? What are her responsibilities?
LADY JUSTICE: The why? Some of my senior pictures were taken in leather and I had a pair of handcuffs on the rear view mirror of my ’78 Camero at sixteen. I knew what I wanted and who I was. Exploration and education and frightening several vanilla boyfriends came next. I first began attending leather events in NE Ohio in the late ‘90’s. I went from supporting leather clubs, to pledging a club and joining a club, becoming a titleholder, while always continuing to serve the community in any way I can.
The simplest definition of a leather woman would be an individual who identifies as female who has an affinity for leather and the related lifestyles.
I’d say her responsibilities are to be true to herself, care for her leathers, and conduct herself with integrity.
LEATHERBEAR: Which roles in the Leather BDSM lifestyle do you fit? How do the following words compare to you: Master, slave, Dominatrix, dominate, passive, submissive, etc.
LADY JUSTICE: I’m definitely not passive, submissive, or a slave. When I began exploring leather, I was the only person I knew who was “into” it. Internet access was not available and the majority of my leather education was self-taught. I am interested in someday earning my cover from a willing and respected Master.
LEATHERBEAR: What is your stance on “old school” versus “new school” leather protocols and rules?
LADY JUSTICE: I most emphatically believe in the ideals of education, respect, honor, and brotherhood of the Old Guard and I also am firmly rooted in “new school” ideal of respectful pansexual inclusion in the leather community.
LEATHERBEAR: How old are you? What are your stats? What are your hobbies?
LADY JUSTICE: I am 34 years old, 5’11” with generous curves. I enjoy music, travel, collecting rare books on occult and erotica, gardening, laughter, being an absolute flirt at leather events, loving my family, and Absinthe after midnight.
LEATHERBEAR: How does your Husband feel about your lifestyle? Do you have children? Do you tell your family about your Leather BDSM lifestyle? Does your employer know? Do others know you’re a leather titleholder? If so, how was that perceived?
LADY JUSTICE: Michael loves it as much as I do. He was the vice president of our prior leather club and very active in his own ways. We are typically enjoying leather events together and he is remarkably supportive. We have five kitties but we have no children at this time.
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LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about your Mom, Dad, and other Family. Do they know you’re a leatherman? Have they ever attended a leather event with you?
LADY JUSTICE: My immediate birth family is relatively small. My Mother and Father are fortunately still with us. I have a younger brother and sister, and darling five-year old twin nephews. The leather flag flies in front of our home and they all know of my active involvement with and enjoyment of leather. All my adult family members have attended a leather event with me at some time or another!
LEATHERBEAR: What qualities about yourself do you like the most? The least?
LADY JUSTICE: I am loyal, dedicated, passionate, unafraid of loving, and tenacious.
The least? I can be quite stubborn, a little cynical, a workaholic, and I stand out in a crowd.
LEATHERBEAR: If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be? If you could change anything about others, what would it be?
LADY JUSTICE: For one night only, I would love to be a leatherman. To blend into a bar crowd and be just one of the perverted, accepted, anonymous, leather masses.
What I would change in others is uninformed prejudice and intolerance of positive change.
LEATHERBEAR: What organizations do you belong? Are you an officer of any of these groups?
LADY JUSTICE: along with being the new judges’ coordinator at GLLA, I am also a member of Mama’s Family and of the Leather Bear Tribe. In past days, I was a full member, secretary, and member of many committees of the Iron Eagles. My guys started a group called the Justice League and there is a new leather club forming based in NE Ohio, so we’ll see what happens in those realms!
LEATHERBEAR: Have you ever walked in a gay pride parade? Which ones? Tell us about your experience at this parade. Were you in leather?
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LEATHERBEAR: Have you ever walked in a gay pride parade? Which ones? Tell us about your experience at this parade. Were you in leather?
LADY JUSTICE: Yes, I walked in and was the head of my (leather) club at that time parade committee for the 2005 Cleveland Pride. I also marched in the 2006 Cleveland Pride parade and the 2007 Columbus Pride parade. One of my fondest memories of a pride parade was seeing a beaming elderly woman at this year’s Columbus Pride. She was seated on her car on the parade route, smiling and waving to all the participants. I hope others that day received her message. I’m always in leather for Pride. I might venture up to Chicago next year for theirs.
LEATHERBEAR: Are you involved with any political organizations? Which political updates do you keep up with on the Internet and newspaper? Do you keep updated on topics like “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, “ENDA”, or other important issues that affect the LGBT communities? Which ones are important to you?
LADY JUSTICE: LOL…my gender in some circles is political enough! I actively follow gay & lesbian civil liberties, women’s reproductive rights, and issues such as 2257 and Spanner Trust. I have been keeping up with the progression of ENDA and unfortunate exclusion of transgender men and women. Our government needs to bring itself into the current century and allow marriage and/or civil unions for its gay and lesbian citizens.
LEATHERBEAR: What is the last book you read that deals with leather? Why did you choose that book? What is the last book you read that is a non-leather topic? Why did you choose that book?
LADY JUSTICE: I recently re-read my early 80’s copy of The Leatherman’s Handbook. The perspective of the Larry Townsend is an insight into times past and I believe we have to know and evaluate the past to successfully move into our future.
A special man in my life recently gave me a copy of The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. I had not read it since I was a child, but I will be forever touched by it now. The story is about how love makes you real.
LEATHERBEAR: Tell us more about your lifestyle in the BDSM leather world. If you were to partake in the Leatherman Hanky Codes, which colors would you wear? Would you wear them on the left or the right?
LADY JUSTICE: I am a leather-loving dominant. To name a few favorites, I enjoy varied delights like flogging, spanking, electric play, single tails, teasing and denial, interrogation, biting, D/s, foot and boot worship, rough sex, and cigars.
I have been known to flag when I’m wearing jeans, but as a femme those times are few and far between.
Left: Black, pale yellow, coral, hounds tooth.
(One of those I could wear on the right as well…)
LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about the recent ILSb event you attended? Who puts this event together? Where was it? Is there a link to the web site? What was your most memorial part of the event? Tell us about the competitions, especially Great Lakes Leather Sir JoeE’s “fantasy”.
LADY JUSTICE: International Leather SIR & leatherboy and International Bootblack took place in Dallas, TX and Master Mike Zuhl produced the event. Currently, there has been a changeover and Mark Frazier will be the new producer. The web address for ILSb/BB is: http://www.leathersir.com.
The most memorable part of the weekend for me was spending time with my “Midwest Peeps” after the contest; living, laughing, loving, talking about the future, and beating boys in the back room of the Dallas Eagle.
Sir JoeE and boy Doug make me so proud. Their fantasy included my Michael and boy Earl. It was a group effort and the best combination of humor, a bit of camp, and hard play.
Mister Marcus loved the fantasy and featured it in his current column in the Bay Area Reporter. The link is: http://ebar.com/columns/column.php?sec=mrm&article=127. Thanks Mr. Marcus!
LEATHERBEAR: Do you have a dungeon or play space? If you do, tell us about it. If you don’t, tell us how you would design your dungeon? What colors would the walls be? What kind of furniture would you have?
LADY JUSTICE: Yes, I have a play space in my home. The room contains a bondage table, St. Andrew’s Cross, an Amsterdam box, a leather sling, a cross-shaped chair for restraint, and a spanking bench. The walls are deep red and the floor is covered with Persian rugs and cushy pillows; kind of a sensually sadistic Middle Eastern motif.
LEATHERBEAR: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
LADY JUSTICE: I am always willing to speak with those curious about leatherwomen and leather in general. And always, if my schedule is permitting help out with charitable endeavors and leather events. I believe in giving ‘till it hurts!
LEATHERBEAR: Where can we find you online? Do you have e-mail or a web site you’d like to share with us?
LADY JUSTICE: You can find me online at www.leatherjustice.com and e-mail me at Iron_Goddess@sbcglobal.net.
LEATHERBEAR would like to thank LADY JUSTICE for taking the time to speak to the Readers of West Virginia Queer News and would like to end with one of her favorite quotes by Anais Nin, “The only abnormality is the incapacity to love.”
In Leather Bear Pride,
Steven Tompa
bravenet.com