honour of the constant battle we face around the world to protect our freedoms. We are very honoured and proud that our keynote speaker from South Africa will speak in the very same city that Nelson Mandela spoke in back in 1993. OUT: Tell us something unexpected about yourself… Jen V: I am a butch leatherwoman who is afraid of motorcycles and instead am a proud owner of a scooter to ride around the city on. It’s not about the size but the convenience and I still get the same feeling of freedom that motorcyle enthusists have. OUT: Tell us more about Gay Rodeo… Jen V: I have been a competitor for the International Gay Rodeo Association (www.igra.org) since 1992. Our circuit has chapters acoss the United States and Canada that involve hundreds of competitors and tens of thousands of fans. There are 14 different events that have both men’s and women’s catagories for most. Unlike the traditional sense of rodeo, women compete in all the same events as men do. We have female bull riders, bronco riders and of course my specialty, steer wresting. The word gay may be used to describe our rodeo circuit, but it is there to describe the base orientation of competitors not the competition itself. For the first time gay rodeo will be part of the 2014 Gay Games taking place in Cleveland Ohio. To give you an idea….It Gets Better http://youtu.be/-0tFM1DZu_s OUT: How big is the Lesbian Leather Scene in the States? Jen V: There are multiple women’s groups around the United States like the Lesbian Sex Mafia, the Jersey Amazons, FIST, Women in Leather International and the Exiles to name a few. Very few of them anymore require the female members to be lesbian as we all share the common interest of leather. My paticular region does not have a specific women’s leather club or scene. I have to travel to other regions if I am looking for female specific events and gatherings. I am much more comfortable with the leather men and the leather boys and attend as many events that I can to support their communities. As a result I am one of the founders of the Philadelphia Leather Alliance, a leather patch club that is open to men and women of any sexual orientation. OUT: Would you be surprised to find out that there is no lesbian leather scene to speak of in South Africa? We could not find a single lesbian in Cape Town who would admit to being into leather, and believe me we asked. Why do you think this is? Jen V: I think this falls back to the preconceived notions that many have. As I “grew up” there were many times that I would attend something or meet someone where things just clicked…. That’s why I feel this way… now it all makes sense. OUT: How important is it for the leather community to be visible?
Jen V: I feel it’s very important in the right atmosphere. I would never suggest that someone wear their leathers to their job or family dinner. I do however encourage leather contingents in gay pride parades and such. The more we are seen the more people come to accept us, the less they are afraid of pre-conceived bigotries that create an aura of hate which makes the world a safer place for all of us. To this day we still have members of our community viciously attacked for being themselves. OUT: Is it important to get Africans contesting in IML? Jen V: I am a avid fan and supporter of the International Mr Leather contest and weekend. I think its extremely important to have Africa represented there. There are about 18,000 visitors from all over the world that attend the weekend that will continue to see the pride that the South African contingent brings with them. If you could have heard the roar of the audience the very first time a contestant from South Africa took the stage, you would have a better understanding of the impact South Africa has had on the IML weekend. South Africa deserves to be represented at IML as much so as any other city, country or continent. OUT: Are you excited about being a being a judge at this year’s Mr SA Leatherman? Jen V: I don’t think excited quite describes it! I have had the honour of knowing Jaco Lourens for several years. I had read a news article titled “Help Send a South African Leatherbear to IML” in which it introduced Jaco and talked about the new title and his becoming a constant on the international stage. I reached out to him to help with his travel fund and we became instant friends. When he asked if I would come to Cape Town to be a judge at this year’s event I was overcome with emotions. As a cancer survivor, I make it part of my mission to experience life on a spiritual level. For me to be chosen as not just the first international judge but also as the first female judge is an honour that will remain with me forever. I will be staying in South Africa for 2 weeks after the contest in which I will experience the country that my friends love so much. OUT: What would you say to those who think that a gay woman should not be judging a contest such as this? Jen V: Having a female judge gives exposure that many other contests do not get. The International Mr Leather Contest in Chicago IL, USA, always has a female judge on its panel. My presense as a judge for the 2013 Mr SA Leather contest will help the winning contestant on their journey to IML. OUT: What can the leather community teach the gay community as a whole and society at large? Jen V: I believe we can always learn from each other. One lesson all can learn is to remain committed to our communities and be there for one another and support any way we can. We just always have to remember to follow our passions and have fun while doing so. Mag 21