This isn't how I'd planned my speech. I'd wanted to start in the back of the crowd, and work my way to the front, just as I had in my past 9 years. But, the layout of the audience, lack of chairs like the previous year, and for brevity, I just chose to do it from the podium. Unfortunately, the podium was built for 10 foot tall drag queens (or Ryan!) and I couldn't even SEE above it! For those who were unable to be there with me...here is the speech:

Let's go back, well 9 or 10 years now, to where I began, on my knees, in the crowd, learning and growing, and discovering leather and BDSM. I was shown the way of this primal, erotic and sometimes dangerous world by many of you. I climbed a ladder that helped me evolve into a leatherwoman. And as that leatherwoman, I've gone on to show others, again, many of you here, that pathway. That same leatherwoman who would sit out here, in THIS audience, awestruck by the everyday people who would come here to compete, and go on to win and do so much for their community. It took me close to 5 years to get this far…..to the point where I was ready for the challenge, the responsibility and the privilege of being before you. And it was on this stage last year, by a jury of my peers and elders…that I was entrusted with a job, and a calling. That job, the position of Ms Philadelphia Leather 2004, was not one of leadership in my mind. To me, it is a position of service to all of you. I've been entrusted to represent this sliver of society, you kinky, hedonistic, hot and playful explorers from all walks, all genders and all proclivities, and even sometimes beyond these leather borders, and try to give you what you've ASKED for. We've done outreach, education, sunshine and campaigning. I've not accomplished everything that I had set out to do, but together, we have come a long way and I sure think we've accomplished quite a bit.

Know that each and every one of you, the men and women of the Philadelphia Leather Community, who have been with me through my title year and who remain with me as friends, allies and brethren all mean something so very special to me. In the program is also a list of where WE have been and what we've accomplished this year. A jaw-dropping 30,000 miles have been racked up this year on this funny ol studded strip of leather. And through that, I've learned that across the globe, there are so many who KNOW that Philadelphia IS the City of Brotherly Love and hold us in the highest regard, despite what many here at home feel about “the way things are.”

I've really been at a loss for what to say about our current state of affairs here in the BDSM community. That was, until I spent some time with Judy Tallwing, the very first International Ms Leather from 1987. She shared with me an enlightening story, and something about her message clicked. I don't think it at all ironic that Judy's sash brother was our very own Scott Tucker, Mr Philadelphia Leather and International Mr Leather 1986. This story is about the leather flag. While many of us know that Dr Tony DeBlase, author, teacher and leather elder, came up with the concept of the leather flag…..we often don't hear about its history and meaning. In the late 1980s, during the time that NLA was merging with SSCA (Safe Sane Consensual Adults) Tony, Judy, and co-chair Jim Richards, among others, talked about something to display akin to the gay pride rainbow flag to signify presence of leatherfolk. This was just following the 1987 March on Washington, the Gay Games, and the upcoming 20th anniversary of Stonewall. Rather than work with a committee, Tony did the unprecedented, and simply had his concept worked out and put into “action” by two staffers at Drummer Magazine, and the creation emerged. First mentioned in an article in Drummer 131, the leather flag was “presented” at IML on Memorial Day 1989. Tony insisted that that each of the colors and symbols on the flag….it's black, blue and white stripes with a red accent-originally a heart-are intended to remain “undefined”. His hope was that each individual would embrace what the flag meant for them, knowing that for each person that viewed it, it's meaning would somehow be slightly different, unique, just as we are as a subculture, and that's what makes us collectively, diverse. In Mr Marcus' words, “The flag obviously represents the leather/SM fraternity and their caring, loving brotherhood”. Not only has the leather flag become a widely accepted banner, but a strong message for all of us to embrace. Tony had 11 wonderful years seeing his concept embraced by countless leatherfolk around the globe until his passing from liver failure in the year 2000. So, in the spirit of Tony's vision, I ask that all of US continue to carry his legacy in our hearts and our lives as leatherfolk. We as a community here in Philadelphia might be fractioned or feel as broken or rifted as the crack in the Liberty Bell, but it is our individuality…and our rights to be different that make us what we are. Like we choose the meaning of the leather flag colors for ourselves, embrace leather for what it is for you, accept that others might be different, and together, find a way to exist that fosters growth, sensitivity, sexuality and a way to collectively stand proud and defend our freedoms.

It has been an honor to be representative to all of you, in the Delaware Valley and around the country, for the past year. I will continue, for the next 6 months, to serve YOU and the City of Brotherly Love as your Ms World Leather 2004, in teaching organ donor awareness to thousands more across the globe, bringing you the third annual Leather Day of Caring in the spring, and being of service to you locally whenever possible. Without ALL of you, this year could not have been possible.