SELF Step down speech

A few people asked about my step down speech from last weekend. I’ve decided to post it finally. My first experience as a titleholder was an almost ideal one. Thank you to all of you who so generously contributed to my success.

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A year ago I was honored with the Southeast Leatherfest Bootblack title. From the beginning my goal was simple. I wanted to be the best ambassador for bootblacks and the southeast leather community I could be. I think I did just that.

The reason I was able to achieve my goal, simple though it was, was because I had tremendous support. I had heard horror stories of various titleholders’ years. So I braced myself for the very worst.

The worst never came.

A number of the horror stories I had heard had to do with the owners of a title or the board of an event being less than helpful. Catherine, Kyle and Nic were there for me from the very beginning. I got to have weekly phone calls with Catherine Gross until she felt I was squared away. I had permission to call any time if I had a question or needed anything. If you know anything about her schedule, you know how big a deal it is to have her ear whenever you need it.

Thank you Lady Catherine.

Nic made sure any reimbursement of funds for my travel was accurate and expedient. Anytime I asked questions I was given exactly what I asked for as quickly as possible. There were even unexpected funny notes that lifted my travel wary spirit.

Thank you Nic.

Kyle. What does one say about the Panda that dances his way towards just to make you laugh it seems? He some how would be standing quietly beside me out of nowhere with a supportive hand on my shoulder or pat on the back. I swear, it really is the little things

Thank you Kyle.

I was told how very few titleholder relationships hold up under the stress of travel and the like.

My lovely partner Kathy is someone most of you have never met. She doesn’t identify as a leather person, but has been super supportive of my travels as your Southeast Leatherfest bootblack. She has dropped me off or picked me from the airport, train or bus station at all hours of the day or night. We spent the longest time we’ve been apart in seven years because I was attending an event. She listens to me vent, makes me fabulous welcome home dinners and loves me as the boi I am, despite my psuedo-rockstar status attitude some days.

Thank you Kathy.

Other stories I heard centered around the community a titleholder belonged to turning their back on them. We have been known to eat our own I was told. Last year I asked you all to light a candle so that the young ones knew you were there. Indeed, each window with a light on that I knocked at the door of I was taken in, fed, shared knowledge and stories and looked after quite well.

You didn’t eat me. You guided and supported me.

For that, I thank you all.

One of the things I hadn’t given as much thought to when I set out on this journey as Southeast Leatherfest bootblack was my training as my Sir’s boi. Or rather, how my travels would alter that training. I have only had the privilege of being my Sir’s boi for the past two years. One year of that time has been spent on the road representing our community. Fortunately, my Sir believes in service to our community.

Unfortunately, that has meant everything she may have wanted to teach me in regards to service to her was placed on hold. Instead, she taught me more about proper etiquette, the importance of being on time and thank you cards. She has given me invaluable insight to those I’m meeting and the keys to making a good impression. After all, I was representing the southeast leather community and initial impressions, like it or not, go a long way.

We often don’t think about what a titleholder, their owner or loved ones have to give up to be our representative. It’s a lot. We should all be mindful of what is sacrificed in order to represent us. I could have never known that my travels, as much as I enjoy them, would make me miss my Sir so very much. The more I travel attending events, watching other bois in service the more I have longed to be just a boi in service to my Sir.

I am incredibly thankful for her seemingly never-ending patience. The boi you see before you is in large part due to her guidance, support and sacrifice.

Thank you Sir.

My year as your Southeast Leatherfest bootblack was simply amazing! I have thoroughly enjoyed my year and am sad to see it end. So many of you stepped forward in ways large and small to contribute to my success, each contribution making a difference. I ask that you continue to support future titleholders from our community, and other communities as well, as much as you have supported me this year.

Again, this has been an absolutely amazing experience and I thank you all.

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