Leatherati

In-Depth Series with Kassie on Defining Leather

We're unveiling a new series today in our Voices blog with Leatherati Correspondent Kassie on the topic of Defining Leather.

Kassie asked a collection of community leaders to share their thoughts on the topic.  The first Q&A with Hardy Haberman just published this morning and a new one is on tap for each day this week.  Look for upcoming articles with Caro, Mike Gerle, Patrick Mulcahey, Lady Justice and David Stein.

It's all on Leatherati Voices

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. 

International Community Bootblack

Editor's note - we'd like to welcome Kassie as a regular contributor to Leathrati.  Kassie will report on people, news and events in the Bootblacking world.  Nice to have you with us Kassie!

by Kassie

In just a few days, the 2012 International Community Bootblack Title will be awarded at the ILSb/ICBB weekend in San Francisco, July 28 – 30^th. In an effort to understand what differentiates this contest from the other International Bootblack Titles, I thought it might be interesting to take an in depth look at the International Community Bootblack Title.

International Community Bootblack is distinguished from the other two International Bootblack Titles in a number of ways. First ICBB allows anyone of any gender to be eligible for the title. Secondly, this contest, unlike the others, is not a wide open contest. ICBB employs the regional feeder approach, and those that are eligible to compete for the International Title must have either won one of the pre-requisite regional contests or if there were no contestants, the regional producers are allowed to make an appointment on the regional level.  This year, there are 9 contestants, 7 of which won their Region Title, two contestants – Gulf Coast Bootblack and California Community Bootblack- are appointments.

Interview with Redwarrior - International Community Bootblack 2010

by Slave Kassie

Slave Kassie: So Redwarrior, let's start with the obvious, why Bootblacking?

Redwarrior:  I always had a boot fetish, and a little tiny thing for leather. I heard about this thing called "bootblacking" where you could handle boots all day and provide a service for others, so I sought out a bootblack to learn more about it.

SK: How did you learn?

RW: My Master would  drive me 5 hours downstate to learn from a bootblack named chris in Fort Lauderdale Florida, as there were no bootblacks available in Jacksonville.

SK: How long have you been Bootblacking?

RW: I started in Airforce/ROTC when I was about 18 and really enjoyed shining my boots and shoes. I found it relaxing and meditative...I'd even do other people's boots and shoes. I was popular!

I started Bootblacking at an ALE (Alternative Lifestyles Enthusiasts) in St. Augustine and it was a really good experience - I got to do quite a bit of leather and everyone was really welcomed by the group members and enjoyed it so I started doing their event every month and added events to my calendar.