Editor’s note: Out of respect for the protocol within the leather community, these articles will adhere to the accepted punctuation and gender pronouns. For example, names of Dominants/Sirs/Masters are capitalized, while submissives/boys/slaves are not.

Dear community,

The letter below is a compilation of a series of encounters that I have experienced as a Leather Sir over the past several months. It happens every day all across the world.

Dear Sir,

That’s how i was told how i should address You. Hope that’s okay!

i am a 28 and from a small town. i joined the military after high school. That’s when i came out. i went back home after i got out, and i didn’t fit in, so i moved to San Diego. i had a boyfriend, but we broke up a few months ago.

A couple of weeks ago, i went out alone to Pecs for the first time and i saw You dressed in leather. i heard someone say that You were part of the leather community. i kinda knew that! By the way loved those boots – what a shine! It was then i wondered, “What is this leather thing all about?”

All the people around You all seem to be having a good time. i sensed a connection between all of You – a kind of brotherhood or fraternity.

You all left Pecs, to my dismay, but when i got to the Eagle You were there, and You had removed Your shirt to reveal broad shoulders draped by a shiny black harness. i passed by, and You smiled. Everyone seemed to know You. i asked the bartender who You were, and he replied, “Oh you mean Sir!” i moved closer and began to listen to Your conversations. You were talking about friendship and caring – i liked what i heard!

You all seem so family oriented. You were concerned about one of Your friends, who had too many drinks. You asked him for his keys, and he handed them over – just like that!

You were talking to this guy, and You referred to him as “boy,” then You rubbed his head, gently. That was nice, coming from such a strong hand.

i want to know more. i want to feel that trust, know that honor and experience the respect that i watched You give, from a distance.

i thought leather was scary, but now after i witnessed from You and Your Brothers, i have no fears. i would also liked being called boy by You and feel that strong hand caress my head, gently.

You’re a strong man, yet You are very approachable, so the next time i see You, and You smile back at me, i’m going to say, “Hi Sir!’ That will be the beginning of my “second” experience of knowing “What this leather thing is all about!” boy

Sir Mike Russell

International LeatherSIR 2003

Dear folks who are finding the kink, leather, fetish and BDSM community,

at this point there are folks who would use a different umbrella term to label or refer to what they enjoy in this community. For the sake of this letter I will use the term leather. Please know that it is not better or more valid than any other labels listed above. It is quite simply the one that resonated strongest with me. With that said, I became active in, this my leather community, back in 2003. During my title year as Ms. San Diego Leather 2004, my platform was of personal safety and education. This was done with teaching the basics in First Aid and CPR; “It is not if something will go wrong, but when it does and are you prepared?” Using the example of an extreme sport, I would not go skydiving without training and a parachute. I feel the same way about the activities in kink/leather/fetish/BDSM. Learning how to do any number of the activities should be done from those who have experience, and not just out of a book, DVD or off the Web. Part of the traditions in this community is to pass down one’s knowledge, wisdom and experience. This San Diego community has a long, strong and diverse background with education as a watch word.

San Diego offers several groups, clubs and organizations that provide opportunities to learn more in safe and non-threatening environments by way of workshops and demonstrations by respected and experienced members of the San Diego community as well as the national community. Leather Realm, Club X, San Diego League of Gentlemen, Back to Basics, So Cal Shibari, and the Woman’s Leather Rap are some groups that offer a wealth of information to members and guests. A few of the other groups such as The Next Generation, Submissive Voice, and the Co-ed Leather Rap offer guided discussions on numerous topics with opportunity to learn from our peers. The folks who lead, support and attend these groups have a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from. This journey begins with taking the first steps and coming out. The specifics of how it is traveled are different for every one. Individuals who are coming into finding their kink will find a very diverse landscape of folks around them, and a chance to learn.

Leather Pride is one more opportunity to learn and find out more about what the San Diego kink/leather/fetish/BDSM community has to offer. I would like to officially invite you to check out any and all of the events of 2009 Leather Pride.

In leather,

Karen Yew

Ms. San Diego Leather 2004

Mama’s Community Outreach

Producer of All Clubs Night kick off to San Diego Leather Pride

Dear community,

I still remember the cool smoothness of the chain collar against my warm skin, as Trish and Bear, my soon-to-be Daddies securely clicked the lock and sealed my role as their pup. There were three rules, be respectful, be obedient, and get the best possible grades at UCSD.

The months that followed helped develop a deep respect for the leather, fetish, and kink community. It taught me discipline, provided me structure, and most importantly it give me, a lost small town country girl some of the most valuable life lessons that would help guide me in my young adult life and give me the confidence and strength to pursue my dreams!

A few months later when my best friend, Steve, was dealing with leather-phobia within our GLBT student population at UCSD, Steve and I with the help of the university’s psychological and counseling services created an educational workshop to help students understand the leather community. We presented our workshop to human sexuality classes, residence halls and student organizations. It was one of the top requested workshops!

After graduation while working for AIDS Foundation San Diego, I was encouraged to enter the inaugural contest for the Ms. San Diego Leather. Ironically enough, during the interview portion of the contest one judge asked how I would educate people that misunderstood the world of leather, fetish and kink…I smiled and thought of my Daddies who only asked me to be the best person that I could be – through respect and discipline – and how through education we had dealt with the leather-phobia at UCSD.

That night as I fell asleep holding my “Ms San Diego Leather 1994-1995” title vest, I had no idea of the incredible ride that I was about to embark on, a year that entailed learning how to fundraise, doing outreach and education about leather issues, and public speaking. All of sudden I had become the face of our leather, fetish, kink community and San Diego’s representative in the International Ms. Leather Competition in Chicago.

This small town country girl that had become the first Ms. San Diego Leather later went on to become the Administrative Director/Volunteer Coordinator for The San Diego LGBT Community Center, managed 150 parenting groups nation-wide as the Program Director for Family Pride Coalition, a council representative for a local elected official and even coordinated the schedule of San Diego’s first openly gay Mayor, Toni Atkins. Today you can find me in my cotton T-shirts and jeans coordinating volunteers for San Diego LGBT Pride.

All lessons learned and experienced provided courtesy of the leather, fetish and kink community. Thank you, Daddies – Trish and Bear, for your love and support. Thank you Cory Baca and Kim Sontag for teaching me community responsibility and leadership and Thank you San Diego Leather community for guiding me and giving me the strength and courage to follow my dreams.

Cheli Mohamed

Ms. San Diego Leather 1994-95