LLC Organizing Commitltee

	John Weis - FOUNDER guy baldwin - keynote address
Papa Tony - San Diego.	Papa Tony - San Diego Robert Devolt - DRUMMER MAGAZINE

LEATHER LEADERSHIP - WE GOT IT!
WEEKEND OF LEARNING
by Mr. Marcus

The 3rd Leather Leadership Conference took place over last weekend (April 16-18, 1999) with 
almost all of the action at the Holiday Inn at Van Ness Ave. & Pine St. a record crowd of 
almost 300 gay and straight leather and SM people gathered to attend various workshops that 
were geared to enhance the ability of young and new adherents to our life style who will someday assume 
positions of leadership in the leather nation. It's safe to say that the corps of "presenters" also learned a lot 
in their visits to other workshops to further augment the knowledge they already possess in other areas.

The keynote speaker at the opening of the conference on Friday night, April 16th, was Guy Baldwin who didn't disappoint 
in his concise interpretation of defining leadership - those who have it and those who think they have it. Mr. Baldwin told it 
exactly like it is. And while no one in particular was pointed out, almost everyone listening had a name or two in mind about a
person or persons they know or have known who consider themselves "leaders" when in fact, do not have any followers 
and therefore are really not leaders. The name Ron Hadfield comes to mind in this context.

It was made plain as day. Any so-called leader, who rules, rather than leads, is not a eader at all. It was an inspiring, insightful talk. 
And telling it like its, Mr. Baldwin sprinkled the address with humor and some biting truths. It is no wonder that Mr. Baldwin is still 
held in high esteem. Like other leaders, there is nothing to gain in tooting your own horn. Your leadership will inspire others 
(and especially your followers) to toot the horn for you. Such a man is Guy Baldwin. His speech was a preview of the dialogue that 
emanated from the many workshops for the rest of the weekend that ran the gamut from how to write a press release to airing the 
pros and cons of what is viewed asthe motto/slogan/credo/mantra of the leather/SM community's much touted "Safe, Sane, 
Consensual" (SSC) words.

I would have paid $50 for a simple dictionary during that workshop. There are those in the genre who are not happy with SSC
And the three words were dissected, interpreted, raked over the coals, re-defined, given new angles/interpretations/concepts. 
There was even a suggestion that it be changed to FRACK (functional, reasonable, aware, consensual and knowledgeable). 
It will remain SSC for the foreseeable future.

There are countless people tobe thanked for their efforts in conjunction with LLC 3, but the recognized leadership and the accolades 
must go to Peter Fiske of The 15 Association, Steve Koenig of the Janus Society and John Weis of New York's GMSMA. It was 
Mr. Weis who initiated these conferences 3 years ago in New York City. LLC4 will take place in Washington, DC next year, 
March 31 - April 2nd.  It's being called LLC2000. It should be an interesting weekend in the capital. LLC3 in San Francisco was 
a resounding success.
Plan now.





LEATHER LEADERSHIP - DO YOU HAVE IT?
by Mr. Marcus

So you think being into leather is only about getting laid and
winning a title? And maybe you think it's only about bondage and discipline,
kinky sex, dungeon parties, orgies and being a good top or a good bottom? 
What about the men and women who are out there on the front lines raising 
money for the less fortunate, or for causes that will benefit not only 
leather people but the whole LGBT community? What
about those people who toil behind the scenes to insure a benefit works; 
who get the "word" out about demonstrations and picketing and meetings and 
fund raising events? 

Sure, leather contests and title holding is part of it, but not all of it.
The fact that we have fun (the key word) while doing contests and being 
activists is what makes it all worthwhile. Bonding becomes more meaningful, 
the feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood is enhanced and being "accepted" 
for who and what you are, is part of what it's all about.

Next weekend, leather men and women not only from San Francisco but from all 
over the country, will converge here to share ideas, expertise,
inspire those wavering and hopefully give impetus to those of you who may be 
wondering about your lifestyle choice. Yes, it's the 3rd annual Leather 
Leadership Conference and it's the first time it will be held outside the 
confines of New York City. While he would be the last one to take credit for
it, John Weis, the current chairman of GMSMA in New York, is the man
who managed to inspire others to gather and share ideas, tap
into expertise and utilize the great talent out there that will make our 
community stronger, more successful in worthwhile efforts and enhance the 
somewhat tarnished image of the Leather Nation.

A legion of people knowledgeable in fundraising, consciousness raising and 
other facets of our tribal rites, will conduct workshops and demonstrations 
and hopefully attract people who are wavering or unsure of the direction
they want to take as gay persons. Some of the holy cows in the leather 
community are getting burned out. We need new blood, new ideas, new strategies 
and new ideas and while we know you're out there, the recruiting of these 
talents is not as easy as it may sound. If you're holding  back, here's a 
chance to explore what the leather community is all about. You really owe
it to yourself to explore the possibilities of doing something meaningful 
and realizing a goal or two being accomplished and feeling good about
yourself.

The majority of the activity will take place at the Golden
Gate Holiday Inn (Van Ness Ave. @ Pine) with parties and dances at other 
locations.

Friday, April 16, registration is between 1800 and 2200 but at 2000, 
Guy Baldwin will give the welcome and keynote address. 

On Saturday, April 17 between 0900 and 1030, workshops centering on
media expertise, organizing and kinky families. 

Between 1100 and 1230, panels on volunteers, people of color, presentations, 
leather, SM & the radical right and community bonding, all just before the 
lunch break. 

The afternoon sessions beginning at 1400 will give you more info on reaching
out to the next generation, leadership skills, and leather on the Internet 
and model community work. 

Up to 1730, you can glean worthwhile information on interactions with deaf 
leather people, laws about leather activity, leather events, educating sash 
queens on S/M andcommunity outreach (people of color issues).

Sunday morning, April 18, more workshops on the leather credo,
SM vs. Abuse, and POC issues. Following the 1130 to 1300 brunches, a lecture 
onleather/SM history and from 1430 to 1530, the plenary session. 

For more detailed information, write to LLC-III, PO Box 420905, SF94142; 
email to: info-llc@leatherweb.com or
call (415) 289-7982.
More details on their web site by clicking on:
www.leatherweb.com/LLCIII/. Be there!

The 1999 LEATHER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, LLC-III SAN FRANCISCO, will take place in San Francisco on April 16-18, 1999. Planning for the event will be handled by the LLC-III SAN FRANCISCO Organizing Committee. Four themes will be emphasized at the conference: Organizational and Group Development, Personal Development, Media and Communications, and Activism. The objective of the conference is to improve the management skills of leaders and activists in the SM/Leather/Fetish Community. Steve Koenig will serve as Director of  LLC-III, and longtime activist Peter Fiske also agreed to a major leadership role in organizing the event. Mr. Koenig stated that the aim of LLC-III is to help members of the SM/Leather/Fetish Community confront the many unique issues and situations the community is apt to face and added: "In the SM/Leather/Fetish Community, we face numerous obstacles to organizing not faced by other communities. This Conference is a way for our community to network, to learn how to combat the biases of mainstream society and to teach people how to deal with the unique issues our community must address." Two previous Leather Leadership Conferences have been held, both in New York City, and these were very successful in presenting useful tools and information for activists, advocates, and individuals in the SM/Leather/Fetish Community. Now, the organizers of the original conferences are working with San Francisco activists so LLC-III SAN FRANCISCO can help spread this information throughout the country and develop a cohesive group of activists and leaders, to ensure safety, equality of representation, rights, and freedom of expression for our people in society. LLC-II Participants The LLC-III SAN FRANCISCO organizing committee is a diverse group of individuals who constitute a cross-section of the San Francisco SM/Leather/Fetish Community. Planned events for the Conference are still being decided. The Conference committee invites interested participants to attend future meetings, and to help with the many tasks this event will require

Interested participants should call: (415) 289-7982 or send e-mail to: LLCIII@leatherweb.com

Anyone who wants to be on the mailing list for the brochure and application to attend the conference should send their name and address to:         LLC-III San Francisco         P. O. Box 420905         San Francisco, CA    94142-0905

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