Draft: Page Seven of Eight

During intermission we go out to the lobby to circulate. There is a grand staircase and on it is a gorgeous/handsome brotha in slinky red gown and huge platform shoes with stiletto heals stealing the show. So we just must photograph her - and we do. What a body! Personally I’d like to dress her/him in head to toe rubber or something - but hey, it’s his fetish and it works him. I have a hunch just about anything would work for him - or at least he would ‘work’ it.

The winner of the contest is the second physician in a row to win, Mr. Tony Mills The runner up is from Australia and an audience favorite Mr. Andrew Lennox. Winners are chosen not just for looks, but for their ability to represent the Leather community and raise funds at the many benefits throughout the year. The leather community has given more to HIV causes than the rest of the gay/lesbian community combined - something they too often overlook.

So the contest is over. rodtney gets an inside scoop that a bus is waiting down the street headed our way. We run out a side door and manage to get a seat. The gay community as a whole is one of the most socially diverse in the world. Sitting in front of us is a man from Detroit and beside a man from Hamburg, Germany. Behind us a man from Omaha and another from the East Coast. So we quickly learn all the gossip and newest hang-outs and upcoming events. It’s all very festive and informative.

It had to happen: the bus gets lost. The leathermen turn into leather bitch queens for too long a brief moment. Most are going to the After Party at the House of Blues. We’re not. We’re tired. We anticipate crowds, sweat and rock and roll - just what the market is asking for... but we’ve had our public party - and we’ve seen everyone already, mostly. It's private party time for us now - and some rest. Maybe we’ll go to the Black and Blue ball at the Eagle tomorrow night. We’ll definitely attend the press conference in the morning.

During the ONYX dance we are invited to an international bar-b-q which we’re told is a tradition each year. We’re also know there’s going to be a POC, that’s People Of Color, brunch before that, but we don’t know quite where - somewhere near Ophra’s Harpo Studios. This is as close as we get actually. In this case we’d have loved to attend but just the invitation is enough. It would mean giving up our parking space, rushing around and taking a big risk with our gear. Actually a cab would have been the answer - or a limo - but more important is not overdoing it and getting sick during our trip which at this point is only 1/3 over. Maybe next year. One day we’d like to also do Black Gay Pride in D.C. which happens the same weekend. We can fly down and back for one of the days. Now that is pushing it but we know a couple who do it actually - Graylin Thornton for one. I just seem to never get enough networking.

It’s Monday now, and I’m taking one of my numerous baths - the bathroom also serves as a steam room. The homeowner, Jim has installed an instant water heating system that requires no tank - unlimited hot water. And steam. Fantastic anytime - but especially when you come in off the road. You don’t get this kind of treatment in a hotel usually. boi is up early today. We’re going out to do the tourist thing after we attend the press conference for the winners.

It’s a photo-op and interview session - and we get to hear from Chuck Rinslow, the Founder and Producer of IML. He is credited with opening the first Leatherbar anywhere, the Gold Coast here in Chicago in 1958. He also owns Manspace which is a bathhouse next to his present bar, the Eagle. And, he has made the Leather Archives possible. He says that he doesn’t really care what happens to IML in the future so long as it continues to be a focal point for the Leather Community. We take lots of notes and pictures.

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rodtney also runs into Graylin Thornton who publishes GBM (Gay Black Male) magazine. He is part owner of Greg’s Ballroom in San Jose and is also Mr. Drummer ‘93 - the only man of color who has been on the cover of that magazine in over 20 years. But the personal news is that Graylin has braids and we’ve been looking all over to get boi’s hair done. It hasn’t been cut since we met at his Daddy Ross’ request so it’s time. What he finds out is that there is a salon off Market Street in San Francisco staffed by women who are recently from Africa. Soon boi will manifest as a Maasai Warrior. We are, after all, the Griot (that’s storyteller) and the Shaman/Warrior. So when we get home this will be an early priority.

The conference over, we walk north to the river. It’s time for our anticipated boat ride down the river and later, up through the locks into Lake Michigan. The forthcoming pictures will show what a good time we had. Just perfect. Moving to Chicago is not beyond the realm of possibility for us - in fact, it’s on the top ten actually - that is if we decide to deal with cold winters, or become Snow Birds and head south.

It’s turning to dusk. One thing we notice as we travel north is how late and how long it says twilight. Not at all like our California experience where the sun goes down and it gets dark basically. We ride the train home - about 12 minutes - and decide to do web-work instead of going out. There’s a lot to catch up on - especially the mail. We’ll be leaving early on Tuesday morning to drive to the RV Heritage Museum in Elkhart and on to Kalamazoo to visit with my cool, 20-something, niece. We’re encouraged to stop by the Indiana Dunes but we decide to do that next time as a day trip on the train. And we’re pretty sure we’ll be visiting the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes up north on the West coast of Michigan in a few days.

So now you have it. The first week of our three week journey. They say it’s the journey and not the destination in life - but this has certainly been a fantastic destination experience for us. If you want to hear more, we’ll be recording the rest of our trip on LeatherWeb shortly after we return home.

Love, peace and blessings,

Phil & rodtney Ross

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