Basic Information: Name Current Title City, State website (if any) regular community events that you produce or participate (limit 3) Favorite Leather item in your arsenal of bar/fetish wear & social media:

Jesbian Bagheera Ms. California Leather 2017 & International Little Miss Little 2014 San Francisco, CA

SF Little Scouts

SFgoL

San Francisco Bay Area Alliance 

Leather Kilt - Cute to wear, Functional to Buff at the Bootblack Stands  

Facebook Name - Jesbian Bagheera

Twitter Name - @JesbianBagheera

Instagram Name - @jesbianbagheera

Fetlife Name - Jesbian

POC Education Directory - VividLeather.org

Sponsors

I am Sponsored by the SF Little Scouts, San Francisco girls of Leather, Folsom Street Events, Leather Heat Inc. I am one of the Founding Members for SF Littles Scouts and currently work as the Public Relations Officer. I am currently the Outreach Officer for SFgoL and have been an active volunteer with them. I am the Bootblack Concierge for the Main Bootblack Stands at Dore Alley Street Fair and Folsom Street Fair. And I am the current Ms. California Leather 2017 which is produced with Leather Heat Inc.    

Favorite Charity:

I have two favorite Charities....

The Leather Alliance is 100% Volunteer Based that houses many projects.  They seek to facilitate community members in safely learning, growing, connecting, honoring and enjoying each other. They also also maintain an emergency Grants Account. Community members in financial need because of accident, serious illness or death of a significant other that causes financial hardship may apply to receive up to $1500 in assistance for basic living expenses.

The Second is Taking it To the Streets SF! This organization empowers homeless youth to lead better lives by providing a continuum of workforce readiness, job skills training, personal mentoring, safe housing, and other services to support self-sufficiency for youth and young adults ages 18-27. They work with youth who are ready to turn their lives around and get off the streets for good. We are in the game of ending chronic homelessness before it begins 

How you feel about community service?:

I believe community service is a human duty. I grew up in a Croatian Roman Catholic home where you practiced radical hospitality. I was taught to make the world what you want it to be by giving back to the world. Each act of giving and receiving service helps renew my faith in humanity. After all, we are good people trying to leave this world in better shape than when we got here. If we do not shape the world by giving back, then it ceases to be a place that reflects our best selves, our core values, and our authentic intentions.           

What makes you a Leather Woman and/or Bootblack?:

I live my life unapologetically as a sex positive, body positive, queer, little, chosen family adoptee, radical hospitality giver, leather licking femme. This is a very small glitter glimmer into what makes me a Leather Woman. Leather is not what we wear, it is who we are.      

Who is your favorite Leather Woman…Why?:

Jill Carter who coined the phrase in the Leather Community "Each One, Teach One".  I am not lucky enough to know her personally, however that phrase is one of the first things I was taught in the community. So before I even knew it’s attribution, I owed my approach to her and her legacy. Her phrase inspired me to push the envelope when no one would listen or give me the space. Her legacy sparked my desire to help other littles by co-founding the Little Scouts which is now in over 20 states. So thank you Jill Carter.       

What do you feel is the most dangerous mis-information passed through traditional & social media affecting our community today, and how would you combat it should the opportunity arise?:

Very simply the phrase...The One True Way. The belief that there is only one way to do, or be. This is encapsulated in the word: “should.” This phrase blocks any active listening our community could do in order to find common ground and inclusivity. The best way to combat this is by being an active listener. To teach others to be active listeners. In a moment when we are ready to interrupt and explain why someone is wrong, it is often better to instead sit in that moment and be uncomfortable. To learn to accept another’s opinion and hear fully what the other person has to say, and then to grow and learn.     

In 100 words or less what will you do as IMsL or IMsBB to promote your title?:

Everything and anything I possibly can. To be unapologetically me as a Leather Little. To travel to conferences and different towns to collect classes and presenters for my POC Education Directory. And do more cross over in the kink/vanilla world. I had no idea what leather was until I stumbled upon a Leather Alley at Pride. So my third focus would be to find the Leather people that don’t know that they are, and to be an avenue for them to ask questions and hope to bring them in as the next generation.

Basic Information: Name Current Title City, State website (if any) regular community events that you produce or participate (limit 3) Favorite Leather item in your arsenal of bar/fetish wear & social media:

Teagan, Southwest Bootblack 2017 Oakland, CA

leather.teaganwidmer.me

regular community events that you produce or participate (limit 3)

I’m the producer of the San Francisco Bootblack Contest. I coordinate the main bootblack stands for Folsom Street Events. I’m also a member of the Bay Area Bootlab.

My favorite item is my pair of Wesco Voltfoe 16 inch black boots. They are comfortable, sexy, and make for a really wonderful thuddy kick.         

www.facebook.com/teaganbootblackwww.facebook.com/teaganbootblack

https://twitter.com/teaganbootblackhttps://twitter.com/teaganbootblack

https://twitter.com/teaganbootblack https://twitter.com/teaganbootblack 

 Sponsors:

I’m so lucky to be sponsored by four amazing organizations. The first is my regional title and the Southwest Leather Conference. SWLC is an amazing event in Phoenix every january. I’m also sponsored by San Francisco’s own Leather Bar, The SF Eagle. My third sponsor is Folsom Street Events, which produce the Folsom Street Fair and the Dore Alley Street Fair. The last sponsor is the Bay Area Bootlab, which holds a monthly bootblacking skillshare.

SF EagleSF Eagle

Folsom Street Events

Folsom Street EventsFolsom Street Events

Favorite Charity:

My favorite charity, and the one I’ll be working to raise money for should I win the title of IMsBB 2018, is Trans Lifeline. I know the founders personally and I really believe in the work they are doing. Suicide is an immense risk for transgender, non binary, and gender nonconforming folks. Trans Lifeline is a vital resource to the trans community -- providing crisis hotline services to those in need.      

How you feel about community service?:

Service to me is vital both as a leather person and as a human being. I’ve volunteered for as long as I can remember. If there is one thing I’ve kept from my christian upbringing it is living my life with an attitude of service. To be honest it’s why I started bootblacking. I was struggling to find my place in community. When I’m struggling to find my place, the first thing I do is find a job for myself. I find a way to give back to my community, and for me bootblacking serves as a reminder of the footwashing ritual of my youth.         

What makes you a Leather Woman and/or Bootblack?

I am a leather woman because I am a bootblack. I discovered the community in 2013, but I almost left in early 2015 after failing to find a safe refuge to be myself. Bootblacking is what kept me in the community. I discovered bootblacking right after I joined the community but I did it only in private. I had a ticket to IMsLBB 2015, and when I saw 5 bootblacks working beside each other, I decided to stay. I decided to become a bootblack. It’s because I became a bootblack that I’m a leather woman. It’s because I’m a leather woman that I’m a bootblack.

Who is your favorite Leather Woman…Why?:

The two are synonymous for me. It was in bootblacking that I found my identity as a leather woman. One of my favorite leather women is Mamma Vi Johnson. When I walked into my first IMsLBB, I found myself in the auction room and she had a leather history display set up. I sat down and asked her a question that had been burning in my mind: What did she know about the history of trans women in the leather community. She took the time to just sit and have a conversation with me, and try to answer my question about leather history. That really stood out to me. I admire all of her accolades and awards, but what has stuck with me the most was her willingness to make a human connection with an individual she had never met before. At its best, that is what this community is about.         

What do you feel is the most dangerous mis-information passed through traditional & social media affecting our community today, and how would you combat it should the opportunity arise?:

One of the most dangerous beliefs that I’ve witnessed over the past few years is the belief that a trans woman's place in our community is contingent on our appearance, our perceived femininity, and our surgical bodies. When we speak up about our oppression, on social media, or otherwise - we are told we are crazy, we are being aggressive and divisive, or we are ignored and silenced. Over the past year both online and in person i’ve had my appearance and perceived gender expression used to invalidate and question my womanhood. While I do not think this is an issue that is easily solved, I plan to continuing to combat this dangerous belief, which is based in mis-information and ignorance, by being a boldly out, gender non-conforming, transsexual woman.

In 100 words or less what will you do as IMsL or IMsBB to promote your title?:

One of my favorite things I’ve tried to during both my local and regional title years is travel to small communities who do not have the same access to the large conferences and classes. I think it’s important not just to promote the title within the International Leather Community, but to find the places where we can still grow the community and the IMsLBB weekend. I’ve taught in small communities at homes in Reno, Vegas, Bakersfield, and Santa Barbara. In addition to the normal duties of the title, I want to continue that work.

Basic Information: Name Current Title City, State website (if any) regular community events that you produce or participate (limit 3) Favorite Leather item in your arsenal of bar/fetish wear & social media:

My name is Carla Whitehurst and I am Washington State Ms. Leather 2017. I am located in Seattle Washington. My email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I am active in the community and I attend the monthly public mosh hosted by the Seattle Pups and Handlers (SEA-PAH) as well as the Dress Code Leather Social hosted by the Seattle Men in Leather (SML). In addition, I am an active supporter of the Seattle boys of Leather (SboL) and attend events as well as teach classes at their monthly meetings.

My Wesco Lineman boots are my favorite item of leather. They are the piece of leather that makes me feel the most confident and kick-ass and they embody the in-your-face strong diesel femme presentation that I want for myself. They are the armor that allows me to feel confident."            "Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carla.rene.98

Fetlife: https://fetlife.com/users/71331

Twitter: @WaMsLeather2017

 Sponsors:

My run for International Ms. Leather 2018 is sponsored by my contest producers, the Washington State Mr. Leather Organization, the Seattle girls of Leather which I am an active member and board member, the Seattle Pups and Handlers which I am an active member, the Seattle boys of Leather which I attend events and support, Lover’s Laire a local business and play party venue, Everett Leather Alliance a newly established club to the north of Seattle, and Bad Daddy Leather a business owned by my Husband and Daddy.

Favorite Charity:

Living Without Boxes promotes wellness, education, community, advocacy, and support for transgender and gender nonconforming people of color, as well as their partners. According to the mission statement on their website, Living Without Boxes “[creates] intentional healing conversations and safe spaces… [and] we will work to equip people with much needed skills such as self-care, personal advocacy and empowerment, while providing a voice in the fight for racial equity.” I feel very strongly about justice for transgender people and justice for Black, Indigenous and People of Color. It was my honor to have Living Without Boxes as the recipient for one of my fundraisers during my title year. The Living Without Boxes website is:https://www.livingwithoutboxes.org/

How you feel about community service?: 

I feel that without community service, the spaces, events, contests and clubs that give us the opportunity to connect and grow with one another would not be possible. I feel like community service is either treated as mandatory or taken for granted by many people. As an active leather community member of over 25 years, I have seen that service is the gears that keep our community working; however too many people get ground up in those gears and become burnt out. All too often, it is the newcomers who have the energy and excitement, having just discovered leather, who jump in full-force to provide service, and it’s the people who have been around for a long time who sit back quietly and develop expectations that things will fall together without their labor. I see the attitude from older community members, “I did my time so I don’t have to do it anymore.” I would like to see more reciprocity and support for those who give of their labor through service. My current feelings about service are that those who give of themselves need to receive support in turn.

What makes you a Leather Woman and/or Bootblack?:

I identify as a Leather Woman and a Bootblack. I feel that there are no set rules or criterion for being Leather; If you ask 50 people “what is a Leather Woman?” you are likely to get 50 different answers. I was around 15 years of age when I realized that I was highly attracted to Leather Dykes, and that was who I wanted to grow up to be. 31 years later, I have manifested as a Femme Dyke, a Queer, a Sadomasochist, a body positive sexual outlaw and an insatiable pervert. Sexuality, joy, friendship, connection and love are what drew me to and keep me involved in Leather. These are the things that call me to Leather and these are the things that make me a Leather Woman.

Who is your favorite Leather Woman…Why?:

As a Bootblack, I am drawn to the stories and connections others have with their leather. I feel like leather community is largely about collective story-telling and memory keeping. When I work a stand and care for the leathers of my community members, I feel like I am honoring their stories as well as my own."    "When I was just starting my journey, I used to go to The Off-Ramp, which was a bar/restaurant that was frequented by local Leather Dykes. It was the first time that I was able to connect women with the kinky stuff I had read about in gay men’s porn. That was where I first saw Lainy Beitler (Dr. Danger), and it was very much a “Ring of Keys” moment (the song in Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home).

As I grew older and became involved with the community, Lainy was always there as an example, teacher and mentor for so many people. What I most admire about Lainy is that she has never stopped supporting newcomers, just as she supported me almost 30 years ago. Lainy genuinely cares about the longevity of our local community, and she has demonstrated she genuinely cares about the people within it. She shows that with her actions all the time.

What do you feel is the most dangerous mis-information passed through traditional & social media affecting our community today, and how would you combat it should the opportunity arise?:

I feel that the most harmful idea circulating nowadays is that women, non-binary and trans folk do not belong in Leather spaces, because Leather spaces are gay (cis) men’s spaces. I believe that there is misinformation circulating about the history of leather, that positions all leather history as originally and authentically cis gay male. From this perspective, it could seem like gay men’s space is “letting” women and trans folks in, and that we are demanding that they share “their” space with us. However, this perspective is a bit of revisionist history, and it does not acknowledge all that women and trans people have done over the decades to help build Leather community.

The way I combat this is to be in Leather spaces and to go to events. I will show up and continue to do what I have always done. I know Leather history because I have lived it. Myths about “old guard” or who Leather is “really” for cannot deter me from living my dreams."          I want to have fun with this title, and I want to be out, visible and playing. I want people to look at me and see that I am doing community service, raising money for charities and also remember that what drew us to Leather is BDSM play and sexual perversity.

In 100 words or less what will you do as IMsL or IMsBB to promote your title?:

As IMsL, I would model this goal to both work hard and play hard. In addition, I would like to provide support for those doing service which makes community possible, and encourage everyone to get the most joy they can out of what it is we do.

Basic Information: Name Current Title City, State website (if any) regular community events that you produce or participate (limit 3) Favorite Leather item in your arsenal of bar/fetish wear & social media:

My name is Brynn Beitzel and I am Washington State Bootblack 2016 from Seattle, Washington.

There are many one-off events and fundraisers that I support and volunteer for. In addition, I regularly attend the monthly events held by the Seattle Pups and Handlers (SEA-PAH) as well as the Dress Code Leather Social hosted by the Seattle Men in Leather (SML). I also do everything I can to support the growing bootblack community in and around Seattle. I work with other local bootblacks to teach, mentor and host our local quarterly Bootblack Skill Share.

Over the years, I have come into my own aesthetic and represent my Leather identity through what I refer as Premium Petrol Femme! Not quite High Femme. Not quite Diesel Femme. I’m just me. I have many items of leather in my arsenal but my favorite by far is one that I rarely wear. I was gifted a leather corset by a member of my Leather Family, even before the family was established. She had held onto the corset since the time of her first contract and saw something in me that she had been waiting for. After all those years, she gifted it to me and it is my first piece of heritage leather."  I am a product of my generation. I love social media but I’m not fully immersed in all the various platforms. I can be found on Facebook as Brynn Beitzel, on Fetlife as TeaseAndPlease and on Twitter as TeaseAndPlease3. Brynn  

Sponsors:

"My run for International Ms. Bootblack 2018 is sponsored by my contest producers, the Washington State Mr. Leather Organization, the Seattle girls of Leather which I am an active member and board member, the Seattle Pups and Handlers which I am an active member and a part of the Audit Committee, the Seattle boys of Leather which I attend events and support, Lover’s Laire a local business and play party venue, Everett Leather Alliance a newly established club to the north of Seattle, and Bad Daddy Leather a Leather Family owned business.

Washington State Mr. Leather Organization

Seattle girls of Leather

Seattle Pups and Handlers

Lover’s Laire

Favorite Charity:I have enjoyed working with many charities throughout my years in the Seattle Leather community so it is difficult to choose one. There are also many charities based in other areas that I would love to work with and support. I am proud to support Pride Lives, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and Washington State non-profit dedicated to suicide prevention and awareness in Seattle. Pride Lives officers and volunteers work to strengthen ties in the LGBTQ community; bring an end to suicide in the community; support survivors, their families, and friends; and educate the public in an effort to improve communication and end social stigmas. Pride Lives has strong ties to the Leather community and directly supports many of us who have lost someone to suicide, contemplated or attempted suicide, or hurt others or been hurt because of stigma and assumptions.

How you feel about community service?:

Community service has been a part of my life since I was a child. My desire to serve is not tied to the LGBTQ or Leather communities. I am a service oriented individual. I have been of service to the Girl Scouts, to my home town, to my schools, to the SCA, to my political party, to the support of women and equality and now to the LGBTQ and Leather communities. I believe that giving without expectation of receiving is the definition of being of service.  I also believe that one cannot truly be of service unless the cause lines up with one’s personal morality and compass. It is that alignment that truly allows one to give, because it matters to you, not because you want to matter to others. I have learned that only with time. When I found the causes that truly aligned with my beliefs, my ability to serve grew to something more than just myself. Community service keeps us moving forward and allied towards a common goal.  

What makes you a Leather Woman and/or Bootblack?:        

I often joke that I have been taking care of leather since the grunge era. I used to go to concerts and spend hours in muddy mosh pits and then spend Sundays cleaning and polishing my collection of Docs to be ready for school on Monday. I would go camping with my fellow Girl Scouts and come home and clean and condition my oil tan hiking boots. I would take care of the family horse tack as one way to contribute to my home. I had some of the necessary skills long before I was introduced to the Leather community. Those skills however, did not make me a bootblack.

When I found the Leather community, I felt at home. Sadly, I didn’t always know how to interact. I have anxiety and social situations could often be overwhelming. I offered my skills to those I trusted and did leather projects at home. I watched other bootblacks. I sat for other bootblacks. I took classes and I asked questions. I did all of that without opening up about my interest. Even though the bootblacks were the first group to make me feel like I belonged, I was still afraid to take the leap. When I finally did, there was no going back.

Bootblacking gave me a way to belong in the community when I often felt like I was watching from the sideline. Instead of focusing on all the people, all the conversations, all the activity, I could focus on one person at a time. I could focus on the person in my stand. It gave me a sense of calm when I often only feel chaos.  I developed relationships and friendships through 20 to 30 minute interactions with people I wouldn’t know how to talk to in another setting. I found my place within this world and it was at the feet of those I love and cherish.

I have always loved leather but now I am Leather and I am a bootblack.

Who is your favorite Leather Woman…Why?:
There are so many strong and powerful women that I admire and I would not be where I am today without their guidance. Equally, there are many other Leather people that have helped me become who I am today. There is one Leather Woman however that will always be my favorite.

When I started in the BDSM community, I was not familiar with the concept of Leather. I started in the pansexual kink community. I spent many years finding Doms on Craigslist and playing unicorn to established couples. I have many fond memories but I could also share a dangerous horror story or two. I was eager and I was reckless.  As I grew, my desired style of play and my personal values were often at odds with those around me. I met more and more people and I noticed a trend. I was drawn to certain people more than others and as I learned, I found they all had the same things in common. They were queer and they were Leather.

After a particularly heavy pick-up play scene, I was sent home. As I drove and then loaded onto the ferry, I began to drop and I didn’t want to go home to my vanilla roommate. The local dungeon often hosted munches on that particular night but I had never been. It still felt like a better alternative than going home. When I arrived, I saw a group of people talking and laughing. They were sharing stories of their heaviest scenes. They were comparing bruises. I had some pretty decent ones to show off that were just beginning to bloom. At that time, I have never seen anyone play to the level that I often played to. I thought I was a freak. I was proud of my marks and as we shared I saw the woman who would become my best friend. Her marks blew mine out of the water but there was a mutual respect that could not be ignored. I met my Leather Family that night. I met the woman who would later see something in me and gift me with my first piece of leather. I met Carla Whitehurst.

What do you feel is the most dangerous mis-information passed through traditional & social media affecting our community today, and how would you combat it should the opportunity arise?:

Social media is an excellent way to stay in touch and spread information across the world. That being said, social media is not a representation of all that it is that we do. When we see a picture, post or article, we make assumptions about what is happening in other people’s lives. We sometimes forget that we only put our best foot forward. We edit, we filter, we share the best parts, we rant, we vague-book, and we resist.

These actions have the power to bring us together towards a common goal. We see someone at their best and it makes us strive to do more. We see someone hurt and we want to support them. We see an injustice and we rise up to fight. Sadly, we also feed into themes of cliques, popularity, perfection, ageism, ableism and fat phobia.

I personally may take an excellent selfie but I am not always that person and others may not have the confidence to post photos. I may be able to articulate myself online but others may have barriers that prevent them from writing online, be it confidence or disability. I may resist isms and fight for causes but there are others that accomplish more than I do. I have privilege when it comes to the technology of social media. I have confidence in my appearance, I present the way I want to, I can articulate myself well and I understand the various platforms and how they operate. But.

Social media in itself is mis-information. I find it to be valuable but I also find it to be tiring. We need to be more inclusive to those that may not understand the platforms, may not have the ability to express feelings and opinions in writing, may not have access or desire to be present on online platforms, may not have body confidence to share photos or any other barriers that make us feel othered in our own circle. We need to remember that our lives and our efforts are not confined to what is shown online. We need to remember that each of us have an identity and purpose in the real world, for better or worse than what is seen online. 

In 100 words or less what will you do as IMsL or IMsBB to promote your title?:

I feel the best way for me to promote the title of International Ms. Bootblack 2018 is to be myself, the person who competed and the person who was chosen by the judges. I would like to travel through the United States and beyond and learn the stories of others. I want to hear the history. I want to visit the home bars. I want to teach classes and take classes. I want to expand beyond the women’s community and share my experiences with the Pups and Handlers, with the Men’s and Pansexual communities. I want to learn from everyone.