by Joe Mannetti – Mr. International Daddy Bear 2009
Going back to LA after a year of living back east was a very empowering experience for me. The Southland was my home for twenty-four years after I made the move there from New York back in 1986. I packed up my bags once again in June of 2010 to start a new chapter of my life in Connecticut just outside of the New York area where I grew up. I felt love on my return to LA, and I am very appreciative that I have friends on the west coast who still remember me. I hope that you will always remain my friends. I know that Los Angeles, California will always hold a very special place in my heart.
I experienced so many wonderful things on this visit. Every moment only reminded me of why I loved LA so much while I was living there. I loved the energy, the diversity, the city action, the thriving LGBT communities, and all the amazing organizations that continue to support and serve them. I did my 
best during my brief visit to do what I enjoy doing most when I have the opportunity to do it. I hosted a fundraiser for the HIV/AIDS support services provided by the LIFE GROUP LA in recognition of the 30 year anniversary of AIDS memorial services that were taking place upon my return visit. We were able to raise nearly $1,000 thanks to the efforts of the West Hollywood Cheerleaders, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Empress Martini Moore of 
The Imperial Court of Los Angeles & Hollywood, Chi Chi LaRue, Arturo Quitevis and WET, Kristin Confer, the LIFE GROUP'S Executive Director Sunnie Rose Berger, Charlie & Hunter, the always amazing staff at the EAGLE LA, and the communities that came out to support the event. Thank you to everyone.
These people are the real leaders in LA. They made it all happen. They will continue to make good things happen for all of us. You do not need me to be there for any of that love to continue to support you. It's all around you. I felt it during my visit. My presence was only incidental.
I even got the honor of co-emceeing a wonderful event produced by the PAYASOS! My heartfelt thanks go to Leo Iriarte for asking me to be a part of a very special and successful evening. I will never forget it thanks to the teamwork of the PAYASOS, the staff at MICKEY'S, Javier Ozuna as Cher, the fabulous performers and fashions on display, and my fantastic co-emcee Paul 'Pablo' Sanchez. These were the REAL stars of the night, and they continue to remain true leaders for the Latino communities and all the communities who are touched by their creativity and vision. Celebrate them! You are fortunate to have them amongst you.
This visit made me realize, more than ever, that the real value that exists in LA has always been the people that I was consistently lucky enough to be surrounded by at fundraising events, community outreach, and in my everyday life. They are still what are truly important, and that is why they are still in LA thriving and making the world a better place. I am no longer there because my role of importance has yet to be achieved. I am working on it.
In the meantime, please realize how fortunate all of you are to have people like those mentioned above in your lives along with leaders like Jimmy Palmieri and the outstanding meth recovery outreach that he continues to promote with his TWEAKERS PROJECT as well as individuals like Arturo Quitevis at WET who is always so generous and helpful with the supplies that he provides for events and fundraisers that benefit our communities. Please, honor the memory of important people like Leather icon George Wong for what they have left behind for all of us.
I am where I belong for now back on the east coast. I was in LA to learn so that I could make a difference as others do. Now, it is time to put what I have learned into action in my new location. I'll do my best.
I am home.
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