Supported by an audience of about 100 leatherfolk, Jessi from Baltimore went on to win IMsL 2005, and Suka of Chicago to win the IMsBB 2005 title.

I was blessed with the fortune of being able to speak again on the IMsL stage about organ donor awareness. Unlike last year's blunder, I didn't ask how much time I had, and kept it to just about the time where the audience hushed in silence as I told them about how IMsL last year was the last time one of our brothers was dialysis free. More importantly, I was able to share with them that in part for my advocacy work, several members of our leatherfamily have stepped forward to be evaluated to be a donor for Tug. Many people were wiping their eyes. Frankly, I'm not sure how I managed to keep my eyes dry. But, I went on to simply say that it's as easy as saying yes, signing a donor card and telling your family what you want. It's just THAT easy to change the lives of our loved ones, our brothers and sisters, and close to 89,000 others in the US who await a life saving transplant.

Thanks to the Nebraska Organ Recovery Services for providing brochures and donor pins for the event -- this is the second year in a row for them contributing to a leather event in the midwest. Their community relations advocate and I had a wonderful conversation on the phone about my plans and what I've learned concerning gays and organ donation. She thinks that might be a new avenue for them to explore and market to!