The discrimination – amongst one another – within our own LGBT community is appalling, especially when it happens here in San Francisco. Worse yet, that it takes place within the realm of leather.
Months back, the Northern California LeatherSIR/boy contest, a regional for the International LeatherSIR/boy contest, was in the spotlight because of a requirement of contestants. The contest rule states they "must be biologically male from birth." The rule blatantly discriminates against transgender men who wanted to compete in ILSb contest system.
I have kept my views private, only sharing them with a select few people, including current International LeatherSIR 2005, SIR Dexter Edmond of Alabama. I tried engaging him in conversation on this topic via an Internet chat site, to no avail. I would think an African American gay man, from the Deep South and the current top titleholder of the ILSb system, would be the first to step up to the plate to end hate through discrimination.
As a man, and a boy of leather, I have a deep love for leather and the entire LGBT community. I am probably making many enemies by making my views public as I ask Master Mike Zuhl, president and executive producer of DCI Productions (producer of the ILSb contest); plus the ILSb board of directors, regional producers (including San Francisco's own Jay Hemphill and Michael Holeman), judges (including the B.A.R. 's own Mister Marcus), current and past titleholders, contestants, and all others affiliated with the ILSb contest system to reexamine the contest's exclusion of transgender men. Please put an end to the inexcusable hate with in our own community.
With the ILSb exclusionary rule, I find it odd that women are involved with all aspects of the ILSb system from the board of directors to judging. The Bay Area's own Sandy "Mama" Reinhardt judged the Northern California LeatherSIR/boy competition this past July, during the Up Your Alley street fair weekend, and even sold tickets. A slap in the face to the transgender people she has pinned as part of her Mama's Family in Leather organization. Talk about hypocrisy! Please Mama, with all the good you do, and as the leader of your 800-plus family nationwide, stand up and do the right thing!
I ask that if the appropriate changes to end the hate through discrimination cannot be made during the ILSb weekend – taking place in Dallas this October – that we as the greater LGBT community make sure we react appropriately. Publicly voice concerns of disapproval and protest the various regional contests and ILSb competition in 2007. Also, fiscally show our lack of support by not attending or sponsoring anything related to the ILSb contest. And LGBT political supporters should also publicly denounce the event.
Who am I to be telling producers of a contest how to run their own event? I am a leatherman with hope and aspirations for myself, for leather, and most importantly, for the greater LGBT community. Our community already faces discrimination, hate, and the fight for equal rights from those outside the LGBT community who don't understand. To think about it happening inside our own community is vile and inexcusable.
As a leather titleholder myself in the ILSb system, the experience and growth I gained during my title year has lead to my own realization of the hypocrisy of exclusion. Especially when I too want to be included and accepted in all aspects of my life.
Best of luck to the contestants competing for the Mr. San Francisco Leather title this Saturday evening. The winner of this title will represent the city of San Francisco, and advance to the International Mr. Leather contest held in Chicago next May. I applaud the IML contest system for its openness and acceptance of transgender men.
Lastly, I hope that the greatly respected Mister Marcus of the B.A.R. will be a leader of the upcoming ILSb contest weekend. As a man with over 30 years experience in leather journalism, plus his wit, charm, and knowledge is sure to make everyone want to follow the right path of openness and acceptance of this event. Please Mister Marcus, help steer the ILSb contest system away from the axis of evil!
Please join me in educating and mentoring LGBT community members against the awful act of hate through discrimination; not just in leather, but our entire community. Put a stop to it when you see it, read it, and hear it. It's only right! Don't you agree, Master Mike?
Phil Nickerson is Northern California Leatherboy 2004, and second runner up at the International Leatherboy 2004 contest.