photo courtesy of dc's most fabulous
This week's video will also appear on my YouTube channel, "Mister J's Living In Leather," where I post videos meant to educate people about the leather community. Its purpose is also to show that the leather community is not all about sex, but putting service before self.
This has been an exciting year for me. First I was awarded my Associate's Degree in Communications, then I got married, and I was given my first award for the activism work and community service that I have done with Justin's HIV Journal. But nothing could have prepared me for what was next to come.
On November 6th, 2009 I was Contestant #3 in the Mr. Maryland Leather 2010 contest.
That night we had the meet and greet for the contest, which is a relaxed atmosphere where all the contestants can be introduced to all who plan on attending the contest. The next day of the contest was a full day of categories: Interview (in which you are interviewed by a panel of judges); Bar Wear (what you would where at your home leather bar), 90-Second Speech in Formal Wear (about your platform) and Pecs & Personality (need I say more?). There were two other contestants, Yoshi and Charles. We became very close in just a few hours and made a bond.
We were the only three competing. There was tension between us, but not because of the reasons most people would think. The tension came from doing the best we could. It's really you against the scoreboard/sheet, not you against other people. The goal is to have fun; if there is no fun then there's no point to doing what we do as leathermen and community leaders. It's common for people to get along during leather contest. The camaraderie and friendship can last a lifetime.
In the beginning of the contest I was so nervous I didn't know what to do, so I just decided to be myself. After looking into the history of the contest and past title holders I felt like I was ready. I didn't know if I would be awarded the title; all I knew was to be myself and have fun doing it, and I did just that.
you can read the rest of this post at thebody.com
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