Thank you to Rodney Burger and The Leather Journal for publishing this!  Soon there is much more to come from Jace!

Water & Boundaries
Wuzzy Acres Here I Come!?
  

THE CONTEST
Honestly - I’m overwhelmed about the outpouring of support for my title win! From the Philadelphia Gryphons to my Onyx siblings nationwide, I have truly found the community of people who G.U.A.R.D. me! I am so grateful, and this title is a sign that the values I project and seek here are real. Thanks to the entire NEPOL 2024 class for making this event a blast! Finn, I could not have asked for a better example and seasoned activist to lead the crowd we call home. Mr. Blk, I learned so much from you about the nature of expression and FUN when playing a character - or better yet - releasing my true character. Bastet Khepera, you never cease to amaze me with your vigor, knowledge, and lighthearted spirit. I am honored to call you an ONYX sibling.

To the maven, and visionary of Twisting Culture- Jack Jackman - thank you for this opportunity, assembling a diverse judging panel, and hearing my message beyond words.
 
“Thank You!”

When my name was announced as having won the title of Northeast Person of Leather 2024, I screamed “Thank You!” This was my cry to the regional BDSM, Fetish, Leather, and Kink community who raised me in ethics and sexual safety. I cried to my ancestors - named and unnamed - because I felt seen as a whole Person, worthy of self-care, intimacy, and community.

Spring Event Schedule
I have been so excited to explore corners of the area that do not receive a lot of attention! From Appalachia to New England, I am planning a munch to serve each state under the NEPOL circuit. Local Leather clubs are also close to my heart - grassroots groups do the legwork to impart OUR collective story.

1.    International Ms. Leather (IMsL 2024)
IMsL on Saturday (4/12/24)
2.    Shipmates 50th Anniversary Dinner
The Shipmates Club of Baltimore celebrates 50 years of Brotherhood and service in the DMV. (4/20/24)
3.    New Jersey Munch & Podcast @The House of Steele
The first munch will be hosted at The House of Steele, mentored by Master SteeleToe the Bootblack. We will also be streaming a Fireside Chat to spill the tea on our favorite topics and share some resources too! (5/11/24-5/12/24)

Journeys & Stories

I have been blessed to travel a bit locally after the competition, specifically to see my favorite artist - Dawn Richard - in NYC. Also, I celebrated a friend’s bachelor party in Boston, MA. This was an opportunity to consider my existence as a multicultural person whose 23&Me says I’m 9.4% British & Irish. New Jersey Leather 2024 was a blast, and I was excited for the first opportunity to wear my patch with pride - and a good mentor, SteeleToe the Bootblack, was covered as a Master in accordance with strong traditions.

I feared for so long that sharing my scars and stories would result in isolation -being maligned as irresponsible and “crazy” (many thanks to Devyn Stone for adjusting my internal dialogue). However, my parents - in their own way - and older siblings (one of whom is an ordained pastor) encouraged me to be confident, outgoing, and proud of my journey - scars and stories included.

I recently started an MBA program, and one interviewee for an assignment divulged their own “coming-out” peril - noting that they had seen me on Where The Bears Are. Someone I never knew personally saw my yearning for self-expression through acting, music, and social media as their first glimpse of someone mirroring their experience. They asked about where to start their own journey of acceptance - friends, family, the larger LGBTQ+ community, and sexual safety. I know now that my story is the ONLY weapon I possess for the groups I represent - Black, Queer, Underserved, and Neurodivergent.

“WHAT WAS THE REASON?!”
In an often meme’d argument from Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta, Cardi B screamed, “WHAT WAS THE REASON?!” to an adversarial co-star, when an on-screen feud was discussed at the reunion.

I have felt a sense of urgency since my youth to fight injustice. As an adult this has taken new shape - especially given the socio-economic privilege my career has granted. I have healthcare - but not everyone does. I have cultivated a dedicated support system - but many are excommunicated and further isolated, in fear of ourselves and the vulnerability which relationships demand.
I will always express myself artistically, and this has earned me a platform - but I do not need the attention. I wanted a title to spur our collective action. This is for the three-year-old within me who was economically underserved, the sixteen-year-old who could not find safe, trustworthy spaces to bloom in adolescence, the young adult who was seen as “drug-seeking” when demanding Adderall for undiagnosed ADHD, and the grown man disoriented by mania during a worldwide pandemic.

Triumph Among Losses
A wellness resource listed below (2), shows a possible road to communal and spiritual healing - “A queer stress-trauma continuum, along with a queer resilience-growth-hope continuum[…] draws upon past collective experience to meet the violence and injustices of the present, projecting queer imaginings of a future that is not conscripted or overdetermined by […] the White cis-heteropatriarchal present. The past, the present, and the future must be open, fluid, undecided, and resilient—therein, they must be queer.”
On a personal note, this title is a personal marker of a recent period where I broke ties with previously trusted friends and did my best to support ill loved ones. I have always been resilient to cope with isolation and stress - but my life now is different from my formative conditions. As a result, I practice PRICK (Personal Responsibility, Informed Consensual Kink).
Stress & trauma are part of the human condition, but resilience, growth, and hope are systemically hidden. The lessons from loss, humble my gratitude in triumph.

Who I Am
I won a “title” - so what? In my recent experience, much of the Queer world isn’t familiar with the history of Leather titles, Ballroom “Balls”, Imperial Courtship, Beautillions/Cotillions, etc. These traditions attempt resolution to our human experience - abandonment & isolation. We create our own leaders and select our own heroes. Leather titles are confirmation that we are not alone in the way we choose to share intimacy.
I needed a space to explore these aspects of myself in an environment free of secrecy, coercion, and shame. The Leather Community provided space for me and saved my life. I now do the same for others. Coming from the context of a faith-based community, I was never informed that my sexuality was part of self-care.

For more info on that basis, see these resources:
1.     Camp, Jake et al. “LGBQ+ Self-Acceptance and Its Relationship with Minority Stressors and Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review.” Archives of sexual behavior vol. 49,7 (2020): 2353-2373. doi:10.1007/s10508-020-01755-2
2.     Menhinick, Keith A, and Cody J Sanders. “LGBTQ+ Stress, Trauma, Time, and Care.” Pastoral psychology vol. 72,3 (2023): 367-384. doi:10.1007/s11089-023-01073-z

My origin in Prince George’s County, MD - a thriving black city - formed my awareness of HBCUs, Beautillions, multicultural praise & worship, and the positivity of social hierarchy. With any collective structure, shared values and understanding are paramount. As a teenager, I volunteered with the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington. And I became a spiritualist shortly thereafter. I initially sought support for my natural Poly & Pan orientation from a local youth pastor I trusted. He saw my vulnerability as an invitation to flirt, and I distanced myself for protection - isolated again. No leader is perfect, but I can attest to the self-correction found within the Leather community.

Cornel West once said, “Justice is what Love looks like in public.” I’m a pansexual, polyamorous, neurodivergent, switchy, driven, spiritual, geeky, imperfect person. When I feel brave enough to approach my own life, I am more concerned with what I learn from my mistakes than, “getting it right”. I would rather be understood than to be liked…heard instead of tolerated…and valued instead of tokenized. I stand ready in the public square - not “woke” - but awake to opportunities for “Twisting Culture” toward equality. Let’s go to work.

By Jace The Caveat

Wuzzy Acres Here I Come!?: Part II
Legends & Legacy

Honor

The initial months of my NEPOL ‘24 journey have been a true exercise in honoring the past, present, and future of our community. My schedule was very full with packing up my apartment (my sub Jax, partner and friend all helped 😊), club events with the Baltimore ShipMates, the New Jersey Leather 2024 contest and fundraising by using my talent of Tarot. I feel like I’m starting to heal my heart from my difficult past. Although, I cannot know my present without my it; I cannot forge the future without being present.

Baltimore Shipmates

The ShipMates Club of Baltimore is the oldest Leather/Levi social club in Baltimore. Founded in 1974, The ShipMates have raised thousands of dollars for locally based LGBTQ charities all while preserving the traditions that we hold so dear. My first public event in the Spring was their 50^th Anniversary. And they gave an award to my Onyx chapter for our continued support in their activities. My utmost gratitude goes out to the ShipMates of Baltimore. May you have 50 more years!

New Jersey Leather 2024

New Jersey Leather 2024 was a wonderful time where I saw a lot of old friends, and made a lot of new ones. My mentor, SteeleToe the Bootblack - of the House of Steele - was also covered as a leather Master. This was then followed by the Saturday afternoon Cigar Party hosted by Camp Out Poconos. Jax and I attended and had so much fun! I was also able to catch up with my sash Daddy – Master S’ango. Thank you to DRAGONSLAIR Productions and the NJ Leather Family. Congratulations to Mr. NJ Leather 2024 - Steven Pup Yellow, and Ms. NJ Leather 2024 - Beth Bicoastal!

Tarot For a Cause

I read Tarot cards for my own spiritual and mental health journey. That is no secret. However, my superpower is reading for others and offering perspectives about their lives that they may not regularly observe. Maso Mutt was that person in the Leather Community for me, and they always had a kind word for me – whether we were going to a warehouse party, or they were bartending at The Bike Stop. So, in their honor Mx. Philadelphia Leather – Diamond Anthony – created a Legacy Fund in their honor. This fund is for black/brown queer, trans, non-binary/non-conforming people to support their journey into Leather, Latex, and Kink. My good Onyx sibling, and Ms. DC Eagle 2020 – Mx. Symphonee Sym - is always kind enough to let me read from her Zoom room, for visibility and awareness. Well, I donated the proceeds of this activity to the Maso Mutt Legacy Fund, and will be doing so in the foreseeable future when I go live. Thank you so much to Diamond & Symphonee – and may Maso rest in power.

By Jace The Caveat

Wuzzy Acres Here I Come!?: Part III
Summer Sun

Behind Closed Doors

This has been a truly wild ride this summer! I’ve been to such fun places! This brings my memory back to our queer ancestors who literally, and metaphorically – had to stay inside. We celebrate pride and our kinky lives in their memory every June. We’ve achieved great goals like marriage equality and access to sexual safety tools since generations past. We depend on their lessons to make a better world for our queer tribe in the future. These last couple months, I’ve been able to party with my club – Onyx Mid-Atlantic. I held a munch to support my black brothers, sisters, and siblings for Juneteenth. And, I marched in the Baltimore Pride Parade. None of us need to cower behind closed doors - anymore.

Lusty Luau

I often speak in my bio about how Onyx showed me that fundraising for a club or a cause could also be fun. This event was no exception. I was greeted at the Green Lantern with a lei, and hugs from my brothers. We danced and chatted; reconciled and repaired; lived and loved. Thank you so much to the organizing committee for the Lusty Luau. I had a blast!

 Juneteenth Munch

My mission for NEPOL is to foster community in social settings and elevate our humanity in the presence of Leather & Kink. In the Black community, we only knew we were free after somebody else told us so. Juneteenth is the celebration of the African oral tradition, the American struggle for freedom, and community struggle. 

As queer, kinky, counter-culture individuals - we owe ourselves and each other acknowledgement of the intersections that make us strong. The Juneteenth Munch offered an opportunity to learn from myself and my Onyx sibling - Hades Onyx. He taught Erotic Massage, and I reprised my class - Dating 101: Solitude+. 

All proceeds from the door benefitted the Maso Mutt Legacy Fund - an organization named for Philadelphia's kinky angel, Maso Mutt. Maso saw and created a better future for kinksters of color and that tradition will continue as long as I have breath in my body.

Baltimore Pride

I don’t often allow myself to get outwardly emotional. But Baltimore pride filled my heart with so much joy that I can’t help but tear up when I reminisce. Marching in a parade is a public display of pride, joy - a reflection of the inward knowing that we are free and loved. I was able to hang out with fellow titleholders, and the adoring public. That morning, I borrowed a pair of boots that were a size too small for me. So, I marched the end of the parade in my socks. 

After it was over, I spoke with a HIV prevention and testing professional who educated me on the at-risk groups within our ranks. I vowed to spread his knowledge far and wide. Some of us went home. A few others and I went to get food. As I sat on the curb, shoeless, stuffing my face with the refreshment we sorely needed – I knew I was loved.

By Jace The Caveat
 

Wuzzy Acres Here I Come!?: Part IV
Winter Wind Down

"This is how we do it!"

 I love to have a good time – that's no secret. But some of the best parties I’ve ever attended were just a couple of friends, some sodas and sunshine. In this last part of my title, I’ve learned what community means through joy and selecting leaders to keep our focus. I was grateful to emcee for the pup community in Georgia, teaching in the Midwest, helping judges in Maryland, and being honored here at home in Philadelphia.

New Jersey Munch & Fireside Chat w/House of Steele 

I had the privilege to host a munch in New Jersey – but I ended up having car trouble! I missed my own event, but arrived at the after-party in enough time to catch up with the House of Steele, and have a fireside chat the following day. It can be found on Facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HMCi2proZ/) We discussed the practice of Leather and how that includes accountability, consent, and the willingness to experience submission in order to understand dominance.

Georgia Pup & Handler Contest

The perfect end to a great summer isn’t complete without cute puppies! I was the emcee for the Georgia Pup & Handler competition, hosted by the Metropolis Complex (formerly Parliament House) in Augusta, GA. The winners were Handler Saint, and Pup Kato. I had a blast telling jokes, and keeping the crowd entertained between heartfelt fantasies, speeches, and pop questions.

Midwest Leather Kink Alliance

As my leather family continues to grow, I am blessed to see different corners of the country elevate their own leaders. I attended the Midwest Leather Kink Alliance, which selects the Midwest Person of Leather. The winner was Jett Forte and I had tears in my eyes on multiple occasions during her performance there. I also taught the second portion of my class Solitude+, which focuses on First Date Behavior.

Maryland Leather Weekend

As a card-carrying “Old Bay Boy”, it was so humbling to be the Judges Person for Maryland Leather weekend. I was able to catch up with old friends, and make a lot of new ones. And Chris Jay won the title of Mx. Maryland Leather! I was responsible for escorting contestants through interviews, and making sure the judges had scoring materials and beverages during the contest.

Adventures in Leather (AinL)

Fundraisers are my favorite activities, and this reminded me of auctioning my underwear at World Bear Weekend. I got to play Dungeons & Dragons for Charity! Myself, Jack Thompson, Mara Miske, Lord Thunderknight, Vanas Vorstin, and Pup Archie gathered at No Land Beyond – an inclusive bar and game space – to raise money for the Deaf Queer Access Foundation. All together, we raised over $2000! We didn’t beat the boss, but we did narrowly escape with our lives!

The Holidays

The holidays were uneventful, but I spent both holidays with titleholders! Thanksgiving was amazing, with the backdrop of Atlanta, GA and the Atlanta Eagle. I was hosted by Handler Saint. Christmas Day was a whirlwind trip to Lancaster, PA with Mx. Philadelphia Leather, Diamond David Anthony.

Mid-Atlantic Leather

On a whim, I decided to attend Mid-Atlantic Leather. I was able to catch up with my club, Onyx Mid-Atlantic. Additionally, I saw some old friends and made a few ones!

Black BDSM

Finally, in the month of my step-aside it is fitting that I will be honored by Mx. Philadelphia for my local activism and advocacy for the leather and LGBT+ community. This event is February 22, 2015 at BarX.

By Jace The Caveat