International LeatherSIR_® / Leatherboy_®

There's something special between a SIR and his boy!

I am deeply honored by the Florida LeatherSIR & Leatherboy organization's "Leatherman of the Year" award, which was presented to me via speakerphone during the Florida LSLb contest in Fort Lauderdale this past Saturday, and accepted on my behalf by my partners, James Sands and Todd Smith. I thank SIR Travis Smith, Producer of Florida LSLb and the International Leather Sir & Leatherboy board for this great honor.

I congratulate the new titleholders, Florida LeatherSIR 2006 K.C. Juergensen and Florida Leatherboy 2006 John Susanjar, and wish them the best for their title year. I would also like to congratulate the 2005 titleholders, Florida LeatherSIR Miles and Florida Leatherboy bronte, and say what a pleasure it has been for James, Todd and myself to work so closely with you during your title year. Thank you for your kind words during your step-down speech. We look forward to working with the 2006 titleholders to build a stronger Leather community in South Florida.

It has been a great pleasure for me to be involved with the ILSb organization at so many different levels, to judge the South Central LeatherSIR/Leatherboy Regional contest and, particularly, to have the honor of being the first reigning IML to be invited to judge the international contest. It has been a pleasure to work in tandem with that organization's titleholders, particularly International LeatherSIR 2005 Dexter Edmond, International Leatherboy 2005 stallion and International Community Bootblack 2005 Shawn Patrick Finnerty.

The ILSb organization has worked diligently and tirelessly to foster unity within the Leather community, and to provide help wherever it has been needed. Of particular interest is a recent addition to their www.LeatherSir.com website. Triggered by the death of Northwest Leatherboy 2005 James Hall, ILSb has provided an online resource for links to the forms necessary to legally protect our partners and loved ones, such as Durable and Medical Power of Attorney, Living Will, and Last Will and Testament. In the absence of the rights accorded by marriage, these forms ensure hospital visitation rights for our partners, enable them to make medical decisions on our behalf, and ensure that our estates are passed along as we choose, and not according to precedents determined by state statutes. I urge you to visit the website, click on the "Protect Your Family: Getting Your Affairs in Order" button, find the appropriate forms for your state and execute them without delay.

I regret that I was unable to attend the Florida Regional contest this year, but after three consecutive weeks attending and supporting Leather and GLBT events in South Florida, it was time to resume my travels in service to the global leather community I represent.

There has been some discussion lately regarding the duties of a titleholder to his or her home town. Your duties, as a titleholder, are to the constituency imprinted on your title medallion, and not to your home town, unless, of course, you are the titleholder for your home town. If you want to remain in your home town for all the local events, I would strongly advise you not to run for a state, national or international title that would require you to travel away from your home town!

During the same weekend as the Florida LSLb contest, I was able to visit three different communities on the west coast. I attended two events at the commencement of San Diego's Leather Pride Week on Wednesday and Thursday, delivering an address at the Knight of Leather contest and Titleholder Appreciation night. Friday through Sunday, I attended Washington State Leather Pride in Seattle, and delivered an address at the Washington State Mr. & Ms. Leather contest. On Sunday evening, I flew to Portland for a dinner with members of the Oregon Leather community, where I was once again the guest speaker. I returned home at 5:00 am yesterday morning.

I leave again next Wednesday for a series of meetings and events in London and Belgium. The following weekend (April 7-9), I will participate in a panel delivering a workshop for titleholders at Leather Leadership Conference X in New York, and will also be giving a presentation on the global Leather community, leaving briefly to judge the Mr. Midwest Leather Contest in Chicago on Saturday night and returning to New York Sunday morning for the remainder of the conference. There are links on my online travel calendar at www.IML2005.com for more information on these and additional events I will be attending prior to IML on Memorial Day weekend.

Once again, my deepest appreciation to FLSLb and ILSb for the great honor. On behalf of my family, myself and the entire Leather community, I would also like to extend best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to ILSb President and Executive Producer, Master Mike Zuhl, after his recent surgeries. We need you back on your feet a.s.a.p., Mike!!

I look forward to seeing you all at IML in May, or at the events prior: LLC-X, ABW or CLAW.

Warm regards,
Michael