The IML Producers asked Leatherati to post this speech from the opening ceremonies of the IML 33 contest finals. Unfortunately most of this inspirational speech from IML Executive Producer and Founder Chuck Renslow didn't get delivered that night due to time considerations. So here it is in its entirety
Good evening and welcome. Welcome to the International Mr. Leather Contest and welcome to the Harris Theater in Millennium Park. Isn't this place amazing?
Speaking about amazing, I sure hope your all having an amazing time here in Chicago as we etch a little more IML history into the city. And what an amazing time to be in this city. We have a new Mayor of Chicago. Rohm Emanuel took his oath of office just two weeks ago about 100 feet above us in Millennium Park. The President of the United States just opened his re-election campaign office directly across the street in the Prudential Building.
Mayor Emanuel, President Obama, IML and the Leather Archives and Museum all succeeded because so many people supported them. And on behalf of IML and the Leather Archives and Museum, I'd like to thank all of you... because these two organizations not only succeeded but they've become institutions because you've supported them and grown them with your energy.
This is International Mr. Leather's 33rd year and the Leather Archives and Museum is celebrating it's 20th Anniversary. Both of them began with a simple idea... a seed, if you will. But they were grown by all of you. They may have begun with my ideas but they owe their success to you and the many others who've supported those ideas over the years.
And because I know that, last year on the contest stage I announced the creation of a foundation to take ownership of International Mr. Leather on my retirement and to continue it for the benefit of the Leather Archives and Museum. And, I'm happy to stand here tonight to tell you that the foundation has been formed and is now working to secure 501c3 status with the Internal Revenue Service. This is just my way of saying thanks to all of you who've made both IML and the Leather Archives what they are today. It is your energy that fuels us.
You know, for years I've stood here at the opening of the contest and I've challenged you, I've urged you to take the energy and excitement of this weekend back to your own communities. I've urged you to use that energy to fuel you're own ideas. And whether it was because of what I said here or because someone else urged you on, many of you planted those seeds. And while we'll never know how many great ideas have been planted... tonight I'd like to single a few out, just to make a point.
Let me tell you about TYNAN FOX up in Minneapolis. Tynan is a younger generation kinkster. Almost 2 years ago, he began a blog – The Fox Den – because he felt he had a story to tell and he wanted to find a way to reach others who felt the same way. In 2010 he began organizing “Gear Night at the Eagle” only he didn't tell the Eagle. I don't suppose they mind, he's drawing upwards of 150 people these days.
I hope most of you hear have heard of LEATHERATI.COM. It's a vibrant, unique and special place on the internet created by Alex Lindsay and Loren Berthelsen, to report on current community news and events. Then, last year they launched an Issues channel which is sometimes controversial. I agree with them that controversy spawns discourse and in the right space, discourse can be both respectful and enlightening.
JUSTIN TERRY-SMITH, Mr. Maryland Leather 2010-- Created a well respected and well read blog, at times very personal, about HIV and safer sex awareness. More recently, he published the book "I Have A Secret," a children's book about a child living with HIV. He is a champion for both acceptance of people, all people, with HIV as well as a fierce advocate for safer sex practices and awareness.
RACE BANNON, no stranger to many in the community, set about to bring people together in of San Francisco. "Race's Bar" takes the flash mob idea and marries it to social media outreach to let people know it's happening. It is random and happens from time to time. But the goal is to get people off their computers, into their gear and out meeting like minded people.
My last example involves an event this past Friday at the Leather Archives, the grand opening of the Women's Leather History Project, a great idea which came from SARAH HUMBLE, who tonight sits as one of our judges.
Working with her partner LEIGHA FLEMING and the Leather Archives, Sarah Humble made her dream a reality. And created a dedicated space to display and protect the rich and vibrant heritage of the Women’s Leather Community. I'm proud of her and proud of the Leather Archives and Museum.
I choose to single out these five examples from our very diverse community to make the point that any of us can make a difference, any of us can stitch our own ideas into the rich fabric of the fetish lifestyle. Any of us can establish an institution which can grow as influential as the Leather Archives or as long as IML. Any of you can do it BUT only if you actually do do it.
The purpose of International Mr. Leather has always been to celebrate the kink lifestyle, to meet up with like minded brothers and sisters and to find a leader to carry the banner of that lifestyle. But its unintended value is the energy and excitement and networking that it generates. Your job, as I've told you so many times over all these years... your job is to take that energy and excitement and take all the contacts you've made here at IML and to return them to your own communities. Plant your own seeds and use the energy to fuel your own good ideas.
The challenge of International Mr. Leather... your challenge... is to take it home and build upon it and leave this world a bit better for the time you've spent in it.
Thank you for listening... Thank you for being my family all these years. I love you all more than you can ever know.
And now..... ON WITH THE SHOW.
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