Boy Andy: SELF Boy 2012
February 27, 2018
Almost 5 years ago I wrote my last column for my last title year. I spoke of family drama, of times being tough but looking towards the future. I also spoke of title holding and what it meant to me. The years I held my titles were some of the best of my life. I learned more than I ever thought possible and grew in ways I couldn't imagine when I first started on this road.
The first time I stood on a stage was almost a decade ago. I was scared out of my mind. I can still remember standing behind the curtain waiting for the emcee to call my name for the first time. I had only been in the community for about a year. I was taking my first steps down a long and winding road. I had no idea where I would end up. Hell, I barely knew who I was. But, I knew at that moment, when I stepped out on that stage and looked over that crowd of people all watching me, that I wanted to be a person they could be proud of.
10 years later, I believe that I have become that person. I was reading over my speech from 2008 the other day. I spoke of being young leather and what it meant to me. I had a drive and a desire to stay focused and learn from my elders. I desired nothing more than to sit at the knee of every person I could. I have done that, and I will continue to do it for as long as people will tell me their stories. Only now, from time to time, I come across someone who asks to sit at my knee and hear my stories. Talk about mind blowing. My first reaction is always to want to send them to someone more experienced, to tell them that I have nothing to share. But, this isn't true. Yes, I have my stories to share. But, I also have the wisdom and insight that I have learned from my elders to pass on to other generations as well.
As a bootblack, I am one of the physical historians of a leather persons journey. I have hundreds upon hundreds of stories of boots, pants, chaps, and various pieces of leather that I have cared for. I tell those stories often in classes, one on one lessons, and in my chair. I tell the stories of the amazing leather people I have been fortunate enough to have in my chair over the last decade.
I share the stories I have been told about the Sanctuary and the many other bars and clubs that are no longer around. I share stories from and about leather folk we have lost over the years, some I was blessed to hear first hand and some that have been passed down to me through others. I also share my stories about the things I have done and the things I have seen. Being a title holder gives one a unique perspective on the community. We see the best this country and others have to offer. We also sometimes see the worst. We travel to many events and meet many people. We have an opportunity to impact so many lives and journeys. Often more than we realize. Our days of title holding seldom end when we give that step down speech and patch or sash the next person in. There have been many SELF bootblacks and boys both before and after me, but I am the only SELF Bootblack 2008 and SELF Boy 2012. I will always be a part of the amazing family of SELF titleholders.
So, where am I today, 10 years after the first title and 5 years after the second? I am living in Charlotte, North Carolina with my husband and our girl. I'm in service to an amazing leather woman in Atlanta. I still teach when and where I can. I bootblack at events and bar nights in NC and the surrounding areas. I mentor as much as I can. I enjoy traveling whenever possible. I'm still learning every day. I'm still listening more than I speak. I hope I will always be that way.
The thing I will never stop doing is encouraging people to run for titles. It changed my life. It may not be for everyone, but if you think it might be for you, you should reach out to me or anyone of our titleholders. Come on out and join us. You won't regret it!
Thank you so much for reading. Love one another and stay strong.
In leather,
Boy Andy
SELF Bootblack 2008
SELF Boy 2012
Calendar of Events
- Southeast Black and Blue Weekend Atlanta GA- August 10-12, 2012
- SC Leather Contest Columbia SC-Sept 29, 2012
- DomCon Atlanta GA- October 11-14, 2012
- HOD Leather Cayce SC-Nov 10, 2012
- NCLW-UU Greensboro NC-Feb 22-24, 2013
- HOD Bootblack Intensive Weekend Cayce SC-Mar 8-10, 2013
- Frolicon Atlanta Ga-Mar 28-31, 2013
- Augusta Pride Pagent Augusta GA-April 19, 2013
- A Leather Moment Columbia SC-April 27, 2013
- Trademark 27 Charlotte NC-May 3-5 2013
- NC Leather Contest Charlotte NC-May 4, 2013
- SELF 18 Atlanta GA-June 20-23, 2013
August 2012 Column
Wow, what a crazy ride this has been. I have run for titles before, have even held several. But, nothing prepared me for running for SELF Boy. Nothing prepared me for the outpouring of support I would get from my friends and community as I pursued this title. So the first thing I must do is thank a few people and groups that were so amazing to me. Brit, my sweet little sister, you were indispensable to me. From the mundane tasks of keeping up with my lists, to calming me down whenever I started to get crazy, you handled everything with a maturity and wisdom that belies your years. Nefarious, you were as always a fantastic valet. Lady Beth, your help in putting together my fantasy and then participating in it was something I never expected but am so very grateful for. My two sponsors, DaddyBEARs Claw Clan and House of Decorum, thank you so much for believing in me. I hope I can make you all proud throughout my title year. I would also like to thank my judges, Sir David Labriola, Nitro, Sir Ben, Jesse, and Elegant. You were the best panel I could have asked for. You made me look at myself and answer the hard questions. And finally, to the SELF Board, thank you for presenting me with a wonderful opportunity through your hard work and dedication to putting on an amazing event.
My year has started off with some personal crisis. When I came home from SELF my health began to decline. In mid-July I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Boy, that will change your life really quick and in a hurry. I was forced to take some time to learn how to take care of myself. I was scared and felt alone even though I know dozens of people living perfectly normal lives with diabetes every day. But, I have come to terms with it and am working to mitigate its effect in my life.
In August I was able to attend Southeast Black and Blue weekend. Man, that was a fun weekend. Hot men and women in leather, sweating under the hot Atlanta sun, and making new friends. I was able to see Sir Ben and joeboys ICBB fantasy. I can't think of any word that is impressive enough to describe just how hot that was. The contest was a lot of fun and the company was even better. Those guys know how to give a good time.
I am looking forward to what the next three months will hold. Talk to you soon.
In leather,
Boy Andy
SELF Boy 2012
November 2012 Column
Hello friends. The holidays are fast approaching and now is a good time to look back on what the fall brought me. The prevailing sentiment for me right now is love. I have been well loved this season. I have been blessed to attend great events, meet amazing people, and build deeper relationships with the people in my life.
In September I attended and judged the South Carolina Leather Contest. This event is near and dear to my heart. I was very proud to hold the SC Boy title in 2011 and am also proud to carry the title on for them for 2012. The two contestants for this event were amazing. It was in no way an easy call for any of us judges. I gained a lot of sympathy for the judging panels I have stood before in my time. But, when the dust settled Sir Devious was named Mr. SC Leather. Good luck Sir and have a great year. And Flossie, I can't wait to see what you continue to accomplish.
In October I attended DomCon Atlanta. This was my third DomCon and each has been better than the previous. This year I was privileged to be asked to be Judges boy for the SE Olympus contest on Saturday of that weekend. I was a little nervous as I had never been judges boy before. I was told I did a great job. And I had a lot of fun doing it. The judges were great and Insatiable Amazon was great to me. I would definitely do it again if asked.
In November, I got all dressed up and attended the House of Decorum Humanitarian Organization Leather Ball. We ate, we danced, we watched hot burlesque. It was a very good night dedicated to raising money for NCSF. Again, spending time with friends and family made for fun.
Enjoy your winter holidays everyone and be safe. Talk to you soon.
In leather,
Boy Andy
SELF boy 2012
Feb 2013 Column
Drama. We are none of us immune to it. It has been my life since Thanksgiving. Its all bio family and thankfully its finally evened out. I am back in circulation and ready to finish out the rest of my title year on nothing but highs.
In February I attended NCLW-UU as a presenter. I had a good time and met some amazing people. It was a weekend I won't soon forget.
I have some really great things on the horizon and can't wait for Frolicon to get here. Its my favorite event of the year. I'm already trying to think of how I am going to step down from this title come June. Its bitter sweet knowing this will be the last regional title I ever hold. But, I will write more about that in my next column.
If you are reading this and have ever considered running for a title, DO IT! It is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in my life. If you are looking for a way to get involved in your community and help out, consider running for a title. Title holding is a way to give back and help promote events and organizations that really need your support. Feel free to contact me at selfboy2012@gmail.com.
Have a great spring everyone. Talk to you soon.
In leather,
Boy Andy
SELF Boy 2012
OB: Mr. SELF 2012
OB is Mr. SouthEastLeatherFest (SELF) 2012 and as the face of Owhips he was recently honored with the Pantheon Of Leather’s Business Person of the Year Award for 2012. He is a genderqueer Dominant leatherdyke Daddy, which to some people sounds like a contradiction in terms. OB has spent over a dozen years working within the community and learning everything he could. He continually sponsors events and gives to charities within the community as well. His loves are whips, talking about gender and leather, adoring grrls and girls and being served and educating others on those subjects.
2018 Update: What’s happening with me? Well SELF gave me the confidence to run for American Leatherwoman and I WON! I had a lot of help from Catherine Gross and many others, and I will always be grateful for that, always.
I sold my whip vending business in 2014 and my wife Angel Hamm (Propps) and I retired to Florida the same year. We’re not as active as we used to be but we’ve done some cool things over the years. I got to teach at CAPEX, judge at a few small cons, attend the Tarheels run and a few bar nights even though we moved to Florida. In 2017 we were speakers at Leather History Preservation Weekend. We go to WILL every chance we get and SELF—always. Oh yeah, I won the Pantheon Award for Business Person of the Year too. That was amazing.
We’re what Angel calls semi-retired. We go where we feel the most at home these days, having left behind the crazy schedule that vending while being a titleholder gave us. I don’t sell whips anymore but if you want a piece of the white sand paradise, I’m here for you!
Calendar of Events
June 8-10 awarded mr self 2012
June 23 capex Charlote
June 29 -July 1 Tes fest NJ
July 13 -15 thunder in the mountains Colorado ISBB contest
July 20-22 madtown kink fest Wisconsin
August 4 tMG fashion show Raleigh
August 18 Burke educationa group presenting brating class
August 24-26 GLLA Indiana leather contest
August 31- Sept 2 MSC Conference, Master/slave contest, DC
September 7-9 Fountain City Kansas City
September 13- 15 Georga Leather and International transgender
Leather Contest
september 22 CAPEX presenting brat class
September 29 SCLC Coumbia SC
OCtober 5-7 Black Rose DC
October 12-14 Domcon Atlanta/southeast Olympus contest awarded Pantheon of Leather 2012 small business person of the year
October 26-29 Leather History Conference Greensboro NC
October 3-4 wharehouse Greenville SC presenting bratting & takedown
November 10 Wicked Wonderland Atlanta1763
November 16-18 Spanksgiving St Louis
November 21 Diamondz fund raiser hurricane Sandy
November 23-26 Brimstone NJ
December 1 Triangle munch holiday fair Raleigh NC
December 15 twisted toy land Atlanta
December 29 La Fortress presented intro to whips
January 25-27 2013 Southwest Leather Conference
February 15-17 FFF Providence RI
February 22-24 NCWUU Greensboro, NC Judge, presenter/speaker
March 1-3 Sin in the city presenter gender queer
March 8-10 SPLF international Master Slave Contest
March 16 Burke education group, Morgantown NC
March 23 Capex floor party
March 29-31 Kink Fest Portland OR
April 5-7 Beyond Leather Ft Lauderdale, FL
April 13 Atlanta Leather Pride
April 19-21 IMSL San Francisco /International Ms boot lack
April 27 Capex Charlotte NC
May 3-5 NCLC/Tradesmen Leather run, Charlotte-
May 17-19 Colonial kink
June 21-23 Step down Southeast Leather Fest
Stepdown video speech ABW
Coming soon!
August 2012 Column
I decided to run for Mr. SELF 2012 and found myself staring at a contest from a whole different side. I was with my grrl Angel (Propps) during her run for Ms. SELF 2011 and for the International Ms. Leather and Women's International Leather Legacy contest. It is very different on the other side.
The first thing that running for a title makes you do is really think about why you want to. There has to be a good reason to do it, because that reason is what gets you through it. I knew I wanted to run for it because I want to bring awareness of what it means to be genderqueer to those who don't understand that so much. That is really my biggest goal this year, to raise awareness that gender has evolved beyond the bits we are or aren't born with and that it has a lot to do with the energy we carry within us. And that for everyone gender is a personal thing and that defining it according to how we define it is perfectly okay. I would like to see more understanding for each other in the community and hope to educate myself and teach others all along the way.
The contest was a lot of fun, especially the fantasy and pop question parts, but some of it was intense and nerve wracking. Like the interview and the formal speech. That made me aware of just how little I am used to talking in front of a big crowd of people.
The judges: Ben Carter, pup nitro, Elegant, Jesse and Sir David Labriola were great examples of what titleholders should strive to be.
I had a lot of support from the community and want to say thank you to everyone who donated to my baskets and helped me to look good onstage, Joel-Den daddy- was really great at that. I would like to thank entire SELF board for everything they do.
The other contestants were so helpful and terrific.
I am really looking forward to this year and am truly proud to be representing this title.
OB
January 2013 Column
Mr SELF 2012 reporting inn.
I have been a bit busy traveling. I have been to Thunder in the mountains in Colorado July 13-15. I attended the rocky mount Leather contest for LSLBBB.
Next off to Madtown Wisconsin for Madtown Kinkfest. There is a friendly crowd of kinsters and a remarkable local scene.
A chance to go to my home club CAPEX July 28. We had a travel fund to aide with Angel's Title. A whip By Axel was donated. We raised 120.00
Aug 5th TMG local Traingle Munch group in Raleigh for there fashion show. We have been attending munches when our schedule allows.
North Carolina's Burke County Education group July 16 with Sir Randy doing erotic touch.
Off to GLLA Great Lakes Leather Alliance weekend with great presenters and a leather contest. GLLA community is very tight and welcoming.
Labor Day To Master slave contest with Master Tainao.
Sept 8th off to Kansas city MO. Of all places to meet My producer Catherine Gross, I turned around and there she was. I had unpacked and was short of time so I wore what I came in Friday night including my flip flops. With Lady Catherine's approval I wore my title vest without my boots.
Next weekend September Atlanta Bash it Was. The Mr and Ms Georgia leather and a new contest international trans man and trans women contest. Jeri of course rocked with her toffee. Good shit
Capex sept 22 in charlotte NC to watch Lady D do a demo on caning which was awesome
The last weekend in September was The SCLC In Columbia SC. The SC Leather contest was hosted by Master Reggi, and Ms Jan of the house of decorum. First time I meet up with Boy Andy my sash sibling.
In the months ahead, I have a hefty schedule coming up. I am starting to teach classes at Domcon with Angel. Oh yes I forgot I received the 2012 Pantheon Of Leather award for the small business person of the year. Rock on.
On the schedule ahead, black rose, domcon Atlanta, Tarheel leather club, leather history conference, wicked wonderland in Atlanta, Spanksgiving in St louis, NYC for Thanksgiving, then off to TMG for there holiday fare and lastly Twisted toyland in Atlanta.
The rest of the year I am resting up.