International LeatherSIR / Leatherboy
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Bio
photo: David Roddis
Sir Tony Palazzo
(contact) I'm a native of Toronto, born and raised. I came out in the 70's and discovered that "new freedom" I had as a gay Man. I immediately realized My Leather/BDSM sexuality and have never deviated from that. Although it was sometimes hard to find willing and experienced Men since there were no seminars or demos at the time, I learned a great deal from Mentors in a very short period of time. I believe Mentoring is still an important part of our community in order to share our Leather/BDSM experiences and sexuality. I identify as a "Leather Man", and always will. I have always subscribed to and maintain the creed of "Safe, Sane and Consensual" ... but I believe that "Fun" weighs just as importantly in the equation. With 25 plus years experience in Leather/BDSM and have been very public in My sexuality, whether it be in the community or My work, home or private life. I am proud of who I am, what I have contributed and still have to offer. I'm looking forward to contributing further within the Leather/BDSM community. I am privileged to have a boy in My life. Our lives together are based in a Sir/boy relationship and we strive to maintain that dynamic. We are partners in life and live as Sir and boy. As I have taught him, so have I learned a great deal. I've found that as with everything else, learning is a constant. We continue to grow together in our Leather/BDSM relationship and life together. I have had the good fortune of presenting demos and workshops at the Black Eagle Toronto in a public forum that allows Me to share My experience and knowledge in Leather/BDSM. I have been able to share, hopefully educate, and provide actual hands-on learning and experiences in a safe and controlled environment to the novice as well as the experienced and those who are just curious enough to want to find out more! During My year as International LeatherSIR 2009, I have presented workshops to Leather Folk in many cities throughout the U.S. and Canada. It has been My good fortune to present to the Leather Community whether gay, straight or pansexual. The eagerness of others to learn and their desire for experience has allowed Me to experience the Leather Community outside of My own. Parting WordsThank you for a wonderful year and an amazing experience. To say that it has been an amazing experience just doesn't describe how deeply and profoundly My year as International LeatherSIR has impacted on Me. I had always been a LeatherMen who stayed away from contests and the people they all too often presented as representative of the "Leather Community." I never felt there was true representation of Me or what My leather and My sexuality really was. When I saw what the producers in My region were running for their contest, I decided to take a closer look at ILSb. I knew the kind of men the producers were ... real LeatherMen, real players. After discovering that ILSb grew from the Drummer years, I had no doubt I had found what was right for me. This is truly what I believed leather to be: a foundation of history, tradition and protocol, and definitely based in the sexuality I identified with. In My title year as Eastern Canada LeatherSIR, I grabbed hold of the title by the scruff of the neck so to speak, and brought the dungeon out into the public eye. I showed My own community just what leather and leather sexuality meant to Me, and not surprisingly it brought a great many people out of their own little leather closets. I was privileged to bring My experience to workshops, demos and in mentoring. The response has been overwhelming. This year, having taken on the title of International LeatherSIR 2009, I was given the opportunity to present workshops and share my knowledge at many gay events. But more than this, I have been invited to share and present workshops to both the pansexual and heterosexual communities as well. I came to realized one very simple thing: we are all brothers and sisters in our leather sexuality. It's a funny thing to realize at a later stage in your life that there is still a lot to be learned. I had always turned a deaf ear (okay, and some eye rolling too) when anyone mentioned leather family or leather community ... but this year has shown Me that I have missed out on so many great experiences because I could not see the actual "family" in front of My face. We are one greater Leather Family, gay, straight, pansexual. We as Leather Folk really are accepting and welcoming of each other, because we are Family! Just as a biological family, we may not see eye to eye, or may have sibling quarrels or rivalry. But when it comes right down to it we come together and stand strong beside each other regardless of whatever issues we may have, because we are Family! In talking about Leather Family, I can not be more thankful than for My Leather Title Family! International Leatherboy Brad Hill has been a strong, energetic, supportive title boy as well as a friend and confidant. International Community Bootblack Syr Evan is a deep, warm and loving person who has become an important part of My life. I am very thankful for having shared this year with both of them and I am proud to call them both Brother. I tell you, I am one lucky Sir!! I stand stronger and prouder for having had the honor and experience of being International LeatherSIR 2009, and I am humbled by the warmth and open arms that I have had the fortune of embracing. It has truly been an honor. Sincerely,
Sir Tony Palazzo |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
