International Community Bootblack Rollcall

by kassie

On Thursday, July 28^th, the 2011 International Community Bootblack Contest will commence as part of the International Leather Sir/Leather boy and International Community Bootblack Weekend and as such let’s meet 2011’s seven regional contestants competing for this year’s International Community Bootblack Title. 

But before we introduce our contestants, we, at Leatherati, were saddened to learn that 2011 Bootblack Toronto slaveboy jake will not be competing in this year’s ICBB due to a death in the family. Our deepest condolences go out to slaveboy jake and his family during this difficult time.

From the Northwest Region, we have Sole Survivor (Northwest Community Bootblack 2011). Hailing from Seattle, Washington, Sole Survivor is active in the community working with Lambert House, a safe place for queer youth, Bradley Angle, the west coast’s first Domestic Violence Shelter and The Tony Deblase Scholarship Fund. 

Oakland, California brings us Luna (California Community Bootblack 2011). Luna is resident bootblack at The Powerhouse and volunteer’s her time in the community, with San Francisco Gay Pride, International Ms. Leather, the AIDS Emergency Fund just to name a few. As an educator, Luna continues to share her passion for boots, bootblacking and leather care. 

The Great Lakes region is represented by Piglet (Great Lakes Community Bootblack 2011). Piglet is a member of C.L.A.W, has recently graduated Cleveland State University with a degree in Urban Planning focusing on GLBT and Leather issues pertaining to Urban Planning, an associate member of Ohio Rangers and is co-founder of the 12 step leather club.

The Gulf Coast Region appointed Brenton to Gulf Coast Community Bootblack 2011. This is Brenton’s second appearance at ICBB as he held the title of South Central Community Bootblack in 2004 and ran at ICBB. When not fundraising through his bootblacking, Brenton’s passion is to educate others on bootblacking and leather care.

Boi Jen (Florida Community Bootblack), rekindled her love of leather care in 2008 upon moving to the Florida Region, attributing the scent of polish and leather as compelling her to hone her art and define her own style as a bootblack. Boi Jen has been bootblacking around Florida at events such as The Leather Masked Ball, Sunshine Stampede Gay Rodeo, Police Motorcycle Rodeo, Beyond Leather, the Ramrod and more and can be found teaching the art and craft of bootblacking in and around her community.

Leo hails from the Mid-Atlantic Region and is Mid-Atlantic Community Bootblack 2011. A full member of the Bootblack Brigade, Leo has worked to gain skills and respect for bootblacking through mentorship. Leo regularly bootblacks for Baltimore TNG, and has made appearances at Leon’s Leather Lounge, The Baltimore Eagle and events such as Dark Odyssey: Winter Fire. 

The Northeast region sends Jay (Northeast Community Bootblack 2011). Jay was introduced to Bootblacking while living in Puerto Rico as a member of the Police Academy for Young Adults in his teens. He relocated to Boston in 1979 and became part of Boston’s leather community in the early 1990’s and is a member of Fits Like A Glove (FLAG) Leather Club in Boston.  In addition to furthering his skills as a bootblack, Jay enjoys camping, bike riding and travel.

Best of luck to each of the 2011 regional title holders in their quest to become International Community Boot Black 2011!

Got news about the bootblack community?  Send it to kassie@leatherati.com

Comments

[boy nick]

boi jen, work that magick that you do so well!! you're in my thoughts. go get 'em boi! your brother, boy nick

[Hardy Haberman]

Sounds like a great line-up! I know Brenton, our representative, will make us here in Texas proud!