Leatherati contributor West sat down with longtime community member Audrey Joseph for a look at where we've been and where we're going.
Intro:
As an active member of the LGBT community, Audrey Joseph became involved with AIDS activism during the height of the AIDS crisis. She organized the first International Ms. Leather and Ms. San Francisco Leather contests and has produced various incarnations of International Mr. Drummer, International Mr. Leather, and Mr. San Francisco Leather. She also contributed to the construction of the Pleasuredome dance stage at the Folsom Street Fair. Over the years, Joseph has helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to support local charities in San Francisco, California.
We sat down recently with Audrey to get her opinion on some current events in our community.
Q: Can you speak to the current state of affairs with regards to feeder contests for Mr. SF Leather, and the title of Mr. SF Leather?
A: I have not seen a lot of promotion on it and am not sure where it is going or how it is going. I no longer own or produce leather contests. The next generation has to do that from their prospective and we should all support them.
Q: Any predictions for the SF Eagle, which is currently for sale?
A: I have no predictions as of yet – the area is full of new condos and I fear that when sold the conditions governing it might change a lot and limit the use of the patio. So far no word on who wants to buy it – The Bay Area Reporter is also asking these questions and looking more deeply into it (http://ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=).
Q: How have large events like “Up Your Alley” and “Folsom Street Fair” changed over the years for better, and for worse?
A: Festivals and events should be driven by the times we live in and popular culture as well as some traditions. I think both fairs have moved forward into the 21st Century. For Folsom, their entertainment is current and relevant and everyone looks forward to the perverse debauchery which is part of that tradition.
Q: You’ve been a part of the leather community in SF for a long time. Can you please speak to your “coming out” process in this community? Tell us a little bit about your journey.
A: I came out in leather almost a year after I came out as gay and that was when I was quite young. The community was totally underground and I lived in NY at the time. There was nothing more exciting than going to underground parties, sneaking around, carrying your drag in a non-descript bag and changing when we got there – hiding our equipment – it was all very exciting because it was just not allowed. It made being bad even worse and that alone was an orgasm.
About 5 years after I moved to SF the movement had begun to bring the entire lifestyle, not just play but role playing and protocols, all of it, out of the dungeons and into the light – primarily because of AIDS. We had the knowledge and technique for safe, sane and consensual sex and the community needed that. It became more widely accepted and everyone started to gravitate to the leather community. Everyone had an armband or a harness. The sad thing for me is that as leather grew, S/M shrunk. It was hard to explain the sensuality and deep emotional appeal of it. Many of us started to move away from group or public play and kept it at home a lot more. Public events became more and more mundane as the years went on. Too many good people have said, “Been there, done that.” I don’t want to teach the next generation. Lots of folks are into posing and costumes and not the life. Just my two cents.
Q: Top assumptions leather people who are unfamiliar with you and your work, make about you (and your work).
A: People assume that I am a bitch, that I am old school, and don’t have a clue or that I will just give it away to anyone who asks.
Q: Three truths about yourself and your work?
A: I am honest to a fault and always speak my mind. I am a dedicated worker and never leave a task I have committed to undone. I love sex in all of its manifestations.
Q: Number one mistake made by leather contest producers? By leather contest contestants?
A: Producers who forget who their audience is and don’t cater to the entertainment and information value quotient. Contestants who think that they are too hot and handsome to have to really do the work to win.
Q: Where do you see events like IML headed? What was it like producing IML in years past?
A: I see IML sustaining itself. IML has morphed into more than just a contest – it is an event – a total weekend where people can come and exchange ideas, see the latest gear, hook-up and dance the night away. People are also curious about the Leather Museum and Archives. Producing IML was always my privilege. Chuck Renslow and his team are dedicated people who I deeply respect. They were open to new ideas as long as the traditional program was met. It was exciting every minute, meeting new people all the time.
Q: How is the fundraising drive to send Mr. Marcus’ items to the LA&M going? How can we help?
A: Well the drive has sort of stopped and lost steam. There was not a lot of money raised, probably less than $1000. We will eventually get it to Chicago and then the museum will have to find the funds to archive it all. There is so much stuff we are still working on it every week.
If you’d like to help send Mr. Marcus’ items to the Leather Museum and Archives in Chicago, please mail check or money order to:
Leather Archives & Museum
6418 N. Greenview Avenue
Chicago, IL 60626
773.761.9200
-West
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