RE: Leather Community

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peachgirl -> RE: Leather Community (3/14/2011 9:52:27 PM)
- slight derail - quote: ORIGINAL: LPslittleclip i sat at Her feet many hours while She answered e-mails and made flyers for events and did research online to further the lifestyle. I think it's one of the most glossed-over part of being of service to an organization - someone has to do all the boring and tedious stuff. having helped out at events with those on both sides of the "slash" I know it takes a lot of time away from doing the more exciting personal stuff, and it's not always fun, either.

TheShrew -> RE: Leather Community (3/14/2011 9:52:55 PM)
hausboy ~ I know the physical receiving can be a proud and public moment .. but the words spoken are most often very personal. Thank you, very much, for sharing them.

hausboy -> RE: Leather Community (3/14/2011 9:58:13 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LPslittleclip as my Mistress said when She was presented Her cap she was the last one to say She earned it, but as Her collared slave i can say with certainty that She had earned it through very hard work perseverance and dedication to the lifestyle. i sat at Her feet many hours while She answered e-mails and made flyers for events and did research online to further the lifestyle. i have been privileged to be present at 2 leather presentations the 2nd one was at the sanctuary for the lifestyle arts in dallas where the local leather community presented the cap it really is a great honor to be presented with leathers by you peers and I'm sure you've rightly earned your collar as well! You both are very very lucky indeed. When Master C. took me to the airport-- her last words to me were: "You taught me a lot." I'm gonna tell you right now--that was downright impossible. I was a rude, crude, snot-nosed, foul-mouthed, smart-ass street urchin who knew absolutely NOTHING about leather lifestyle and they tore me up six ways to shanghai for those 3 months. I know I didn't teach her a damn thing--but she taught me that a little bit of humility goes a long way sometimes. A lesson I still have to be reminded of when I get too big for my britches. Actually, come to think of it, I think her actual last words to me were "now get out of my car, dumbass. Try not to do anything stupid"

LadyPact -> RE: Leather Community (3/14/2011 10:12:48 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: hausboy I swear, I remember it like it was yesterday. It was one of the happiest moments in my entire life. I was just sitting here thinking the very same thing about your post. My first was a crop. When I say old leather, I mean old as in age. Not pretty, shiny, or new by any means. It was what leather was supposed to be (or at least what I was taught). Used. Probably pretty ratty by most people's standards, but it was pretty special to Me. Still is, even though I passed it on some time ago.

Jennislut -> RE: Leather Community (3/14/2011 10:17:15 PM)
i think this passing on of treasured items is really cool! it makes it like a big family, where each item has a history of its own going back through several owners. really cool.

hausboy -> RE: Leather Community (3/14/2011 10:26:54 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Jennislut i think this passing on of treasured items is really cool! it makes it like a big family, where each item has a history of its own going back through several owners. really cool. check out: http://www.leatherarchives.org/home.htm If you can't get to Chicago, they have a traveling exhibit.

LadyPact -> RE: Leather Community (3/14/2011 10:32:16 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Jennislut i think this passing on of treasured items is really cool! it makes it like a big family, where each item has a history of its own going back through several owners. really cool. That's what it is, pretty much. The history of a piece of earned leather is what makes it mean more than just something that you buy from a store. It's all of the contributions of the folks who owned it before you did that made it even possible for it to come to you.

BitaTruble -> RE: Leather Community (3/14/2011 11:08:47 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: peachgirl I did a quick search and didn't find a thread that seemed to have the info I was curious about. What is meant by "earning leathers" and what is the significance of each item of apparel? Seems like I've been hearing more about it lately. Please do not turn this into a flame war about the "old guard"...I just would like to the background and what significance does it have nowadays. Thanks muchly. I haven't read through the thread yet (I'm taking a break from a huge sewing project but will read later if I have time). First and foremost, there is no standard way to earn leathers. Earning pieces is going to be, usually, just within a particular organization that recognizes community fellowship and hard work in furthering the cause of Leather and Leatherfolk within a particular group. There are several exceptions, of course, where someone of Leather is recognized on a national level but mostly, it's a bit closer to home and may or may not transfer with you if you relocate or things of that nature. No harm, no foul there because if it's in your nature to futher the cause of Leather, you will do that no matter where you are. To earn your leather means that other folks have recognized your contributions and have bestowed a piece on you out of respect for your hard work and dedication as well as respect for your person. Leather can be earned by any orientation as it's not whether you top or bottom, but how much of yourself you have put into educating, mentoring .. what have you ... but I will say this, if your fingers haven't bled from stuffing envelopes.. if your tongue hasn't dried out and swollen to three times its size from licking stamps, and if you haven't worn the leather off your shoes from walking the beat.. if you don't believe that Leather is who you are.. rather than something you do or just something you wear, I would be highly doubtful of any claim from anyone that they have earned their Leather. It takes action to be honored in such a way.. attitude and desire just isn't enough.. at least, not in the Leather Vats that I sit in. As far as the import of any particular piece, covers (or caps), vests, chaps, boots, wrist bands.. all those items and more may be presented in any sort of order depending on the org which is doing the presenting and someone may be presented with any given piece depending on why it is determined that Leather has been earned in the first place. Really, it's quite subjective and dependant upon geography, how much treasury they may be to purchase items etc. There just isn't a One True Way to present or to receive a piece. Getting that first piece and subsequent pieces..well, aside from giving birth, getting collared.. there aren't may highlights in life that are much better for someone with Leather running through their veins. YMMV - okay.. back to the sewing room!

SpiritedRadiance -> RE: Leather Community (3/14/2011 11:47:22 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: hausboy quote: ORIGINAL: Jennislut i think this passing on of treasured items is really cool! it makes it like a big family, where each item has a history of its own going back through several owners. really cool. check out: http://www.leatherarchives.org/home.htm If you can't get to Chicago, they have a traveling exhibit. For anyone on the east coast somewhat close to Maryland or can travel there is an event NDDs bootcamp where the library and Vi Johnson will be may 13th through the 15. its 180 dollars for the weekend thats all inclusive and they have a payment plan until the 15th of april. where its 3 payments of 65 dollars. http://www.nddsbootcamp.com/registration.html http://fetlife.com/events/19232

LillyBoPeep -> RE: Leather Community (3/14/2011 11:54:14 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LadyPact quote: ORIGINAL: Jennislut i think this passing on of treasured items is really cool! it makes it like a big family, where each item has a history of its own going back through several owners. really cool. That's what it is, pretty much. The history of a piece of earned leather is what makes it mean more than just something that you buy from a store. It's all of the contributions of the folks who owned it before you did that made it even possible for it to come to you. i have to agree, that is very cool. =) sometimes there's something to be said for tradition

BonesFromAsh -> RE: Leather Community (3/15/2011 4:54:30 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: hausboy When I came out into the leather/BDSM community, one of the first questions I was asked was "Who's collar is that? Who gave it to you? Who collared you? Where did your leathers come from?" I defiantly claimed "ME." My leather family (and mentors) told me--you wear them proudly....but wouldn't you rather wear them with pride?" They took them away--I (temporarily) stopped wearing them, and bit by bit, piece by piece.... I earned them back. hausboy, Thanks for sharing your story, along with everyone else who did. The quoted part above stuck out for me, the bolded part in particular, because it shows, in my opinion, something that seems to have been lost with the use of online bdsm and D/s. Seems anyone can be a master now....and a Leather Master at that, given a recent thread I was reading...so long as they have leather toys and the right outfit. [:'(] What I read in the responses from you, LadyPact and others is that there's a humility that comes with the feeling of pride in receiving these items as an acknowledgment for time invested and served within the community...serving others and not just yourself...giving back. Beautiful!

peachgirl -> RE: Leather Community (3/15/2011 10:46:40 AM)
thank you again to everyone who responded. your responses help flesh out further what it means to be active in the leather community and be recognized for it. I know it has certainly furthered my knowledge.

hausboy -> RE: Leather Community (3/15/2011 8:33:11 PM)
Hey SpiritedRadiance thanks for posting that--I've heard a lot of good things about that event and know a few folks going. Vi and I go waaaaaayyyy back--haven't seen her in a long, long time. I haven't decided if I'm going yet due to other unrelated issues, but it sure looks like a great time!

stellauk -> RE: Leather Community (3/15/2011 9:12:05 PM)
I'm another one who's 'earned my leathers' under my formative Domme in Warsaw who identified primarily as a leather Mistress and trained me in the old ways of the Warsaw community. My service and training was exclusively Polish, according to the codes of the Polish leather community and was entirely in the Polish language with a focus not only on my service to my Dominant but also activism in the local community and the crossing over from one culture into another and embracing all the values of Eastern European culture. As the others such as LadyPact, hausboy and Bita have said it's not so much about the leather items which are bestowed on you for they are mere symbols, it's what they represent which is important. One of the proudest moments shared between Mistress and I during my period of service was when she was presented with the whip which featured in Roman Polanski's film 'The Pianist' and somewhere I have a photo of me kneeling before her with the whip balanced on my hands. It remains one of her most treasured possessions and is reflective of her service and activism over many years, including during the former communist period, to the Warsaw leather community. I am a Brit, but so much of my mindset and attitudes here were formed and developed in that process. This is how I got my name of Stella, which I didn't choose. I was christened Stella by the Warsaw community. They chose it because in Polish it corresponds to 'gwiazda' or 'star' to teach me the necessity of 'shining', to serve with courage, with honour and with dignity. This process, like my name, and my attitudes is something which is deep within me, and it will remain so for as long as I live.

LillyBoPeep -> RE: Leather Community (3/15/2011 9:16:43 PM)
what an interesting story and experience, stella ^_^ thanks for sharing it with us ^_^

hausboy -> RE: Leather Community (3/15/2011 9:18:00 PM)
Hi Stella I'm completely unfamiliar with the European communities but absolutely intrigued. Are there any major differences in tradition from the States? (this may warrant it's own thread!)

SpiritedRadiance -> RE: Leather Community (3/15/2011 9:27:17 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: hausboy Hey SpiritedRadiance thanks for posting that--I've heard a lot of good things about that event and know a few folks going. Vi and I go waaaaaayyyy back--haven't seen her in a long, long time. I haven't decided if I'm going yet due to other unrelated issues, but it sure looks like a great time! I got to Meet Vi for the first time this last November and I'm SO excited to see her again. Shes an AMAZING woman. And shes a great teacher and speaker. As for the event it will be my first year for it but everyone's sung nothing but praises for the event and the people who run it are amazing people as well. ^_^ And if you do make the event I hope you have just as an amazing time ^_^

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