October 2007
Part 1
10/04/2007 ARTICLE 11: DON’T ASK DON’T TELL
It was reported on the CBS News on Logo that ”even though homosexuals were 60 percent more likely to be discriminated against in the military than hetrosexuals, they are even more likely to be discriminated in the civilian world.”
Many of us as Leathermen and Bears are within the confinement frame network of an everyday Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy in the civilian world. Our employers don’t ask us about our leather or bear lifestyles, so we simply don’t tell them. If they find out, are we ready to deal with discrimination? Thus, it is important for us to know our rights as American citizens. I encourage each of you to be aware of the important issues faced by not only soldiers, but also everyone in the civilian world.
America is the land of opportunity and “we are all created equal”, yet is it equal for a soldier to spend his entire career defending America, and then be stripped of all honors and benefits six months before retirement, because it was discovered he was a homosexual? I strongly encourage you to be aware of these issues and discrimination in the military:
The same can happen to anyone in the civilian world. Here’s some interesting links to consider in regard to discrimination in the civilian world:
Some good news is that this past summer, Charleston was the first city in West Virginia to protect GLBT citizens in employment and housing. Councilman Marc Weintraub introduced an amendment to the existing Human Rights Ordinance. The proposed amendment was read in a council subcommittee meeting, and passed the subcommittee unanimously on August 16, 2007. The full City Council unanimously passed the revised ordinance on August 20, 2007. The ACLU of West Virginia sponsored this action and the West Virginia Foundation for Equality endorsed it.
This law protects those working in Charleston or living in Charleston you have the right to be safe in your job and cannot be fired for being Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender. It also means that persons cannot be denied housing or public accommodation based on their gender or sexual orientation. If you feel like you have been discriminated against please file a complaint at the Charleston Human Rights Commission or by calling (304) 348-6880.
This law protects those working in Charleston or living in Charleston you have the right to be safe in your job and cannot be fired for being Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender. It also means that persons cannot be denied housing or public accommodation based on their gender or sexual orientation. If you feel like you have been discriminated against please file a complaint at the Charleston Human Rights Commission or by calling (304) 348-6880.
The City of Charleston took the bold step of protecting all citizens and by doing that it will also foster a better working climate and business climate for all. Hopefully this step will energize other municipalities in the state to take the same action. Be active in your local community. Report issues happening in the area. Get involved in the West Virginia Foundation for Equality or if you have a discrimination issue you can email Casie McGee at casiemcgee@gmail.com or Charlie Rouse at cr1209@aol.com
We have to remember that as American citizens, “we all are created equal” but as Leathermen and Bears we need to concern ourselves with important issues that are in our world today, particularly Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and it’s impact in the military as well as in the civilian world. I encourage each of you this week to please take a moment and review information about your rights as American citizens particularly in regard to the military and as citizens in the civilian world.
In Leather Bear Pride,
Steven Tompa
10/12/ 2007 LEATHERBEAR ARTICLE 12: INTERVIEW WITH MR. LEATHER COWBOY 2007 FROM MICHIGAN
View full size (Photos courtesy of BULLMANX WWW.BULLMANX.COM)
10/12/ 2007 LEATHERBEAR ARTICLE 12: INTERVIEW WITH MR. LEATHER COWBOY 2007 FROM MICHIGAN
View full size
(Photos courtesy of BULLMANX WWW.BULLMANX.COM)Saddle Up! This week LEATHERBEAR brings the Readers of West Virginia Queer News an interview with Randall Mr. Leather Cowboy 2007 from Michigan.
LEATHERBEAR: Introduce yourself to us and tell us about your leather competitions.
RANDALL: Randall, Mr. Leather Cowboy 2007 from Monroe, MI. I will be competing at IML in May 2008 in Chicago. I am also, Mr. Leather Cowboy 2006 first runner-up. I have only entered two title competitions. I am entering the Leather Cowboy contest, a way to learn what leather contests were about and why they are so important in the leather community. I learned that a title may increase your “visibility”, but it is what you do for the community that makes the titleholder successful.
LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about Michigan. Are there other leather contests there? If so, how many and tell us about them. Do you have other leather and/or fetish events in Michigan?
RANDALL: Michigan has five leather titles that advance to International Mr. Leather in Chicago. They include Mr. Michigan Leather, Mr. Detroit Eagle, Mr. Leather Detroit, Mr. Leather Michigan and Mr. Leather Cowboy, plus several bar titles. Michigan is in the top five states in number of men who have competed at IML. Michigan also has five leather clubs and multiple fetish groups throughout the state; there is an event almost every weekend somewhere in the state. I am a member of ICON Detroit, the most prominent leather club in Detroit and we are hosting our annual fetish carnival October 19 – 21. As part of the weekend long event, there will be the Mr. Fetish Detroit contest. Our bar night attendance has increased by promoting more fetish nights than leather nights. www.icondetroit.net
LEATHERBEAR: Please tell us something unique about yourself. In other words, tell us a little about yourself and your ambitions in life. What is your profession? How do you feel about education?
RANDALL: I am a project manager for a construction company. I feel education is very important in general and within the leather/fetish lifestyle. I am one of nine incorporators for LIFE (Leather Institute For Education) Detroit; the sole purpose of the organization is to provide education on aspects of the Leather lifestyle to the community. LIFE Detroit’s 5th anniversary event will be a formal leather dinner to celebrate the achievements of twp prominent people in the Detroit Leather community; Goddess Lakshimi & Mark Ensinger. www.lifedetroit.com
LEATHERBEAR: What is your platform in your role as a titleholder? Did help with fund-raising and charities? If so, please elaborate.
RANDALL: My platform has been to promote a positive image of a gay man, a leather man, a human to the leather, and gay & straight communities. Keeping and promoting a positive image has been very helpful in raising money for events and charities.
LEATHERBEAR: Why and how long have you been involved in the leather community? The bear community? What is a leatherman? What is a bear? What is the difference between a leatherman and a bear? Why are you a leatherman and/or bear?
RANDALL: I have only been involved in the leather community for about 2 ½ years. I consider myself a leatherman, although I do have the size & fur to be called a bear.
LEATHERBEAR: How and why do you classify yourself, i.e. a Sir, a boy, a Daddy, a Grizzly, a cub, a Cowboy, a Master, a Slave, or another category?
RANDALL: I am just “ME”, a farm boy. I was raised in a farming community in northern Illinois; my grandmother had 300 acres usually planted in corn and at least a 100 head of cattle & my parents boarded horses when I was growing up.
LEATHERBEAR: What is your stance on “old school” versus “new school” leather protocols and rules?
RANDALL: Old guard is strict and resistant to change, but change is going to happen. New guard has relaxed many of the old guard protocols, but still maintains respect for them. The Avante guard has to adapt the previous guards’ ways with the newer fetishes and attitudes while attempting to retain some of the older values. I would consider myself to have a new guard attitude, with great respect for many of the old guard protocols. I would like to see some of the old guard traditions revived, such as earning and being presented with leathers by the community, collaring ceremonies, no sandals or cologne worn in a leather bar.
LEATHERBEAR: How old are you? What are your stats? What are your hobbies?
RANDALL: I am 44, 6’4” 250 lbs 48” chest & 38” waist. Many of my hobbies have taken up a back burner since I became a titleholder, but they include travel, camping & working out at the gym.
LEATHERBEAR: Are you single or partnered? Have you ever been married? If so, does she know you’re a leather titleholder? If so, how was that perceived? Do others know about your title?
RANDALL: I am currently single; not being home every weekend is difficult to start a relationship. I was married for 20 years & she is aware of my title. She was apprehensive at first, but after explaining what I am able to do for the community as far as fund raising & education she has been supportive.
LEATHERBEAR: Do you have children? If so, how many and how old? Do they know you’re a leatherman? Have they ever attended a leather event with you or seen you compete?
RANDALL: I have a 15-year-old son. He knows dad is more interested in men than women, but doesn’t want to know more. I am sure, as he gets older, he will start asking questions. He is not interested in attending a leather event or seeing me compete. I am hoping he will come to Chicago to see me compete at IML, but it will have to be his choice.
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?
RANDALL: I am the oldest of 3; I have a sister & a brother. Mom & Dad have been married for 45 years.
LEATHERBEAR: What qualities about yourself do you like the most? The least?
RANDALL: As far as the most, I am self-reliant and trustworthy. As far as the least, it’s my size, being a big guy that stands out in a crowd isn’t always an advantage.
LEATHERBEAR: What qualities do you like in other people? Dislike in other people?
RANDALL: As far as like most, it’s honesty & Integrity is what I like most. As far as dislike … EGO! Dishonesty!
LEATHERBEAR: What organizations do you belong to? What offices do you hold within them?
RANDALL: ICON Detroit (a leather brotherhood) – member, Michigan International Gay Rodeo Association (M.I.G.R.A.) –treasurer 2006 – 07, trustee 2007 - 10, LIFE (Leather Institute For Education) Detroit – incorporating member, Tennessee Raptors – associate member. I was the committee chair for my son’s Boy Scout troop for three years.
LEATHERBEAR: Have you ever walked in a gay pride parade? Which ones? Tell us about your experience at this parade. Were you in leather?
RANDALL: I walked in gay pride parade twice. It was the Michigan Pride in Lansing, Michigan. I was in cowboy attire with sash both times.
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?
RANDALL: I am a member of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). I need to become more politically active.
LEATHERBEAR: What is the last book you read? Why did you choose that book?
RANDALL: Skipping Towards Gomorrah by Dave Savage, a “straight” friend lent me his copy to read and I couldn’t put it down.
LEATHERBEAR: Tell us more about your lifestyle in the BDSM leather world. Which hankies do you like? Do you wear them on the left or the right?
RANDALL: In 1984, I was given a black & white check hankie that I have incorporated into my sash, worn on the right. I have also, worn a rust hankie on the right, but have stopped because of the confusion with orange.
LEATHERBEAR: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
RANDALL: I am featured in a charity fundraising calendar that can be seen and purchased at www.icondetroitcalendar.com . Proceeds from the calendar go to AIDS partnership Michigan, Triangle Foundation & the Ruth Ellis Center (for runaway & abandoned youth).
LEATHERBEAR: What does the title “Mr. Leather Cowboy 2007” mean? Which bar awarded it? Does it have meaning? How many former Mr. Leather Cowboys have there been? Were they the typical cowboy type? How do you fit in the category as a “leather cowboy”?
RANDALL: Diamond Jim’s Saloon in Dearborn, Michigan. www.diamondjimssaloon.com Diamond Jim is the originator of the Michigan International Gay Rodeo Association; the title combines aspects of the leather community with the gay rodeo. The former Mr. Leather Cowboys have varied from old guard leather men with little rodeo experience to very active gay rodeo cowboys with little leather knowledge. Growing up in the country, being around animals as a kid give me basic cowboy/farm boy knowledge; I have volunteered at several rodeos working the chute crew (the crew that is responsible to get the animals in the chutes for the contestants to play with) and I have represented the Leather Cowboy title at several gay rodeos.
LEATHERBEAR: Where can we find you online?
RANDALL: www.bear411.com/semigay
LEATHERBEAR: Thank you Randall, Mr. Leather Cowboy 2007 from Michigan for taking the time to speak to the readers of West Virginia Queer News-- LEATHERBEAR column. 
.
Randall, Mr. Leather Cowboy 2007
(Photos courtesy of BULLMANX WWW.BULLMANX.COM)
In Leather Bear Pride,
Steven Tompa
bravenet.com