Next weekend leather women, men and everyone in between will descend on San Francisco to celebrate the pride and diversity of our sisters in leather. A few years ago, the International Ms Leather Contest, headed by Glenda Ryder re-emerged with a new sense of passion and commitment and was named the Pantheon of Leather 2009 Large Event of the Year. On Thursday, April 15, I will have the privilege of joining the panel of judges at the world’s largest event for leather women to select the next International Ms Leather. Also on that judging panel are American Leatherwoman 1994, Sarah Humble; producer of the Northwest Master/slave Contest, Ms. Margaret Anderson; Executive Director for Sex Positive Culture, Allena Gabosch; International Ms Leather 2008, Hobbit; Southeast Master 2007, Sir Top and International Mr. Leather 2009, Jeffery Payne.

One of the contestants for the premier title of the women’s leather community will be Ms San Diego leather 2008, Donna Lady of Light. San Diego is one of the few leather communities which require titleholders to complete the full term of the local title before going to compete for a national or international title. This enables the local titleholder to fulfill his or her contractual duties while gaining valuable experience at the local level.

Like the international contest, the Ms San Diego leather Contest has re-emerged with a new sense of passion and commitment and Donna, Lady of Light, was a major factor in its success. She has been recognized by her local community as the recipient of a Lifetime membership in Club X, San Diego’s largest pansexual leather/bdsm fetish group, for her service to the community. She upheld and surpassed her obligation as Chair and primary fundraiser for the Leather Float in the 2008 San Diego GLBT Pride Parade. Each year the current Ms and Mr. San Diego Leather take an active role in the Gay pride festivities and Donna overcame unforeseen challenges in order to fulfill her duties. She opened her home and welcomed gay leather men and women and brought us together with the Pansexual leather community so that we may have a stronger and united San Diego Leather Community. In 2008 and 2009 she made us proud when she represented in Phoenix at the Butchmann’s Southwest Leather Conference where she sang in the chorus of opening ceremonies and in the Tribal Revival. Donna, Lady of Light upheld the high standards of successful past Ms San Diego Leathers during her reign as the representative for the San Diego leather community. She served as judge at the 2008 San Diego Knight of Leather Contest, 2008 Mr. Southern California Bear & Bear Cub Contest, 2009 Mr. Bear San Diego Contest, and 2010 Ms San Diego Leather Contest. She has presented workshops in her local community on topics ranging from bondage to temperament profiling. Donna, Lady of Light’s leather journey is one of “Spirit” and it’s an honor for all of us to play a role in that journey.

Best wishes, Donna, Lady of Light as you compete for International Ms Leather 2010 next weekend. We are all so very proud of you!

If you decide to stay in San Diego for the weekend remember Saturday, April 17, is L.L. Bear at Rich’s with DJ, John LePage.

The following weekend we’ll make our way to Palm Springs for the 2010 California Leather Sir/boy and California Community Bootblack competitions. This year’s contests are produced by former International Leather Sir, Mike Russell and former California Leather Sir, Ray Busby. The weekend begins on Friday, April 25 with the Big Black Boot Party and Contest.

For more information on the 2010 California Leather Sir/boy and California Community Bootblack competition check out the website Caleathersir.com or the California Leather Sir/boy and Community Bootblack Facebook group page.

See ya in Palm Springs!