SouthEast LeatherFest Community Award™

SELF, in its fifteenth year, began a new award to honor individuals, clubs, groups and businesses in the southeast. SELF is a gathering of people of all orientations, genders and traditions. We're here to celebrate diversity, exchange ideas, listen, learn, share and play. We have a vision of commonality and wish to celebrate those who go above and beyond the call to create opportunity and give back to their communities, large and small.

SouthEast LeatherFest, the first major kink/fetish/leather event of its kind in Atlanta, became living proof that the leather communities of Atlanta had taken great strides in bridging the gap between different factions of gay, lesbian, pansexual, bisexual, heterosexual, Transgender, SM, BDSM, Kink, D/s and M/s communities. We are an annual event dedicated to this purpose once a year and we want to recognize those who are dedicated all year round and continue to do the work day in and day out.

Community is defined on a large scale. This award may be given to an event, organizers, businesses, clubs, groups or individuals nationally.

This banner will hang every year with tags denoting our award recipients due to the generosity of Marvelous Mayhem in 2009.  

Nominate someone with a click!

Deadline for nomination is: May 1st!

Not awarded in 2026.

Good evening, everyone.

The SELF Community Award is given to those who go beyond hosting events or organizing socials—it honors those who are actively building community. These recipients don’t just bring people together; they create spaces of safety, trust, education, and belonging. Tonight’s awardee is the embodiment of these values.

This group has established itself as a vital force in their local community, offering more than just classes and events. They provide mentorship, mental health resources, and personalized support that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Their focus on consent, inclusion, and emotional well-being shows a depth of care that is rare and deeply needed in today’s world.
One nominator wrote, “They make everyone feel welcome and safe… this is the first group I have felt comfortable joining as a single woman, and I have always felt safe and welcome.”

Another added, “They look out for one another and always make sure us ladies are escorted safely to our vehicles if needed.”
A third shared how they offer more than social opportunities, saying, “Their educational series and focus on mental health awareness support the community in ways that are often overlooked by other organizations.”

And perhaps most powerfully, one person reflected, “I have never felt safer expressing my sexuality, discussing desires and kinks, or meeting others in the Lifestyle than when I am at one of their events.”

These are not just leaders—they are listeners, advocates, educators, and protectors of the community they serve. They have created a home where people can grow, heal, and connect authentically.

It is with great pride that SELF presents the 2025 Community Award to Friends of Nights with Deth, of Charleston, South Carolina.

And lastly, I am presenting our SouthEast LeatherFest Community Award. This award is reserved for those whose dedication to serving our communities, both large and small, shines brightly through their unwavering commitment, tireless efforts, and inclusion.

Today, we recognize an individual whose legacy of change and growth is deeply etched into more than one of our communities. This person has chosen to provide labor, seen and unseen, for many organizations and events. They started new ones when none existed of that ilk or joined ailing events when help was needed and assisted to create a sustainable path.

It is difficult to overstate his commitment to our community. His decades of devoted and joyful service have accumulated into a legacy of change and growth. This person has organized numerous international, regional, and local conferences for people of all genders, orientations, and traditions. There is a very long list of resume items which detail involvement few have the stamina nor vision to sustain.

This person has produced multiple contests, held more than one title, supported clubs, supported other producers, run local fundraisers, and continued to educate.

If you ever have access to this person's resume, I ask you to read it with eyes which access the choices one makes when you give on that scale. Their choices are built firmly on doing service, commanding service for the greater good, and living the choices dictated by values which lead them to give time and talent steadily. They continue to give ongoing labor, commitment, and are inclusive in their endeavors.

It's imperative to fully acknowledge their commitment to education. They have run the race harder than most and offer solid education to their attendees.

As an educator, he teaches nearly four dozen workshops across the country each year. His deep dives into authority exchange relationships, mindful self-growth, community building, and BDSM offer valuable insights to both novices and lifelong devotees. Each class is founded on principles of growth mindset and healthy engagement. While many see him as a producer, at heart, he is a dedicated educator. This award fully recognizes his contributions as an educator, producer, and all-around exceptional person.

I'll apologize upfront for the inside joke I'm about to make. My friend, there was even a full year where you learned to smile all the time! Who would have thought?

It is with immense pleasure SouthEast LeatherFest's Community Award goes to Tomo who continues to demonstrate what it means to do the work for our communities.

This person has given what they had to give steadily to many facets of the community for almost two decades. He displays an abundance of kindness in everything he does, he is always positive and helpful to everyone who comes across his path.

One person shared, "When I first moved to North Carolina from the west coast, I did not know anyone in the leather community in the state or southeast region. I reached out to local groups getting little to no response, he stepped up and was the first person who reached out to me, made me feel welcome and helped me with resources and events (including SELF).

He has actively shared his experience and knowledge in a positive way. He is an advocate for mental health and engages in conversations with others to help them navigate their health challenges. He navigates transgender, kink and leather intersections openly showing his authentic SELF!

Another person wrote, "He has, year after year, stood up and taken a piece of ground for himself. Walking through all the trials that come his way through the regular "human condition" that we all must live, while having grace and an ever-present capacity to offer to those of us in the community what energy, capacity, and devotion he could muster - in good times and bad. Never turning his back, never failing to give a considered thought or listen to an offered opinion, or story. He has exhibited over and over the heart of a giant. He is, by who he is and how he interacts with the world a bright light that he and everyone else should be damn proud of!"

His willing to serve and give to the community has become a hallmark at SELF. Every position he took at SELF required him to learn it from the ground up. He has contributed heavily to the on-going health of SELF and through his efforts-- SELF has been improved. He has met with our scholarship awardees for years ensuring their voices were heard and that they had support. He's learned how to do websites, how to manage social media, and works on sponsorships which create programming! There is a saying at SELF that is heard all the time in different departments. It is, "Everyone likes Randi." That's because—everyone likes Randi.

It is with great joy, we are acknowledging how much Randi Kemmler has built community with the SELF Community Award.

Our next awardee has been described as a mentor, an accessible educator, and someone who stands by her word. She is an advocate for mental health, for veterans, for the LGBTQIAA+ community, and a driving force behind the education that both groups she helps lead provide to her local community.

Second only to her passion regarding education is her desire to give back to the community charitably. She often provides raffle baskets to many of the varied groups in our community to assist them in raising funds for a wide litany of causes. Funds that have been raised which are donated directly to members of the local community that found themselves on hard times (unexpected loss of family member, unexpected hospitalization, hurricane displacement and house fires). She has been a catalyst for creating and maintaining a food pantry that provided to those in need.

She has a "stick-to-it-ness" that you don't often find. Her strong determination in everything she does. From clothing drives for the homeless, for Daniel's Kids (kids placed into foster care), and for a local group that helps LGBTQIAA+ teenagers.

She has a huge heart for service and it looks as if it is second nature. She is a great candidate for this award as she could be the definition when it comes to service. She is an amazing person and very deserving. I would nominate her a thousand times over. Everything I have said so far are direct quotes from her nominations.

Another person wrote, "She always reaches out to new folks when they new to our community and is always willing to lend a hand to everyone new and old. I am going to tell you about my experience with her that I will never forget. My Dominant committed suicide and she was the first to reach out to me asking if there was anything at all she or her Sir could do to help. She was there every step of the way and always reached out to me. I can't think of anyone else who is more deserving of this award."

It is our honor to present the SELF Community Award to Dina.

When people did not have money to cover funerals, food, were ill, needed house payments, or car payments this caring, thoughtful person started an organization to answer the need. This organization offered relief to struggling kink vendors, aided people who were in treatment for cancer, assisted with burial expenses, and travel to family members in need.

Some of you who wrote in said, "They assist all members of our community, by helping to raise money for such things as burial expenses medical bills for cancer treatment as well as providing emotional support for community members."

"They are a prime example of community service. From starting a group that raised over 80,000. She also creates bags for the homeless every quarter. She gathers hundreds of items, blankets, toothbrushes, chap sticks, hats, gloves, needles, bottle of water and hands them all out herself on the streets. I don't know anyone more deserving of a community service award. "

"Because of them and their generosity, i was able to keep food on my table. They didn't do it with their group money, they did it with their own. And there are several of us. They helped people keep their lights on, people she didn't even know personally. They are a powerhouse. They were the light at the end of the tunnel during Covid for me. Thanks."

This award is given in recognition of building a strong sense of community through inclusion. This aware is recognition of those providing great benefit to others and a commitment to our communities which benefits many communities. SELF's 2022 Community Award goes to Jessica Em, the founder and powerhouse behind We are Better Together.

Our first recipient is a world class friend, hard working, and cares about people deeply. We received dozens of emails in support of this awardee. Here's some of what people have shared:

"This awardee gives of herself to her community no matter where she is. She takes people under her wing, offers help and support, and all without very much attention to herself. I think that needs to change. I would love to see her honored because she's exactly the sort of person who deserves the award!"

"This awardee has spent fourteen years offering opportunities to the entire Southeast in the areas of education, community, and philanthropy. "

"Our awardee saw an opportunity to not only fill the gap, but also to improve on what was already there, ensuring safe spaces for all members of the kink and geek communities to celebrate what they are. She has carved out spaces for women, the members of the LGBTQI2S communities, kinksters, Leatherfolk, furries, fetishists, swingers, and more, all the while wrapping her loving arms around all of those people as well as others that live alternative lifestyles. "

Our awardee" has worked tirelessly to provide a safe space for many kinksters for over a decade. I know for myself going to her convention allowed me to gain the confidence to go to other events like hers and she is the reason I ended up going to SELF. She has made connections between other kink communities to bring us together without asking anything for herself in return."

"No one thinks about the Tally mistresses at SELF a lot- Chrissie and I find ourselves in the back of the room, waving at introductions, and most of the people wonder why the heck we are there. We look semi-normal in our dressed up selves- never decked out in full gear, never head to toe, and yet, we've earned a spot among you.

We can all wax poetic about the pageantry of leather- the symbolism of the act, giving, receiving, wearing. But, as we all remember from our days of youth- leather didn't just appear to most of us out of a dream. It was not something that we happened upon; it was something that we discovered as a facet of something else.

Frolicon would not be a staple of the Atlanta community without the involvement of our awardee. Yes, she is a producer of a 2,500 person event every year, celebrating the intersection of kink and geek subculture. Her passion for education on every level of the convention, from the smallest comic class to the largest kink presentations.

I also know the awardee as a leader, a producer, an educator, and I cannot say that I have any doubt that she deserves to be acknowledged for her contribution to the community of Atlanta. She's spent years of her life cultivating and building not only an event, but a target audience of people who feel safe in their exploration, who feel capable of learning, and have opportunities that they had never dreamed of.

It is with great pleasure I announce that Chrissie of Frolicon has won 2019 Community Service Award.

The SELF Community Award is given to honor those who contribute through ongoing service to our communities.

Making a difference a person at a time and serving hundreds, if not thousands, is what this year’s recipients have been doing for the last twenty plus years.

In every letter that we received, we were told how these two people show up when they are needed and how they are simply there for everyone and anyone. They don’t merely believe in helping-out—they put their back into it and they do the work.

Sometimes the work is at an event and sometimes the work is reaching out to one person at a time.

Some of the comments we received were:

“They have been so dedicated to the Leather community. Anytime anyone needed anything there are always there. Not only are they knowledgeable, active members of the BDSM community, they have worked tirelessly at conventions over the years. They are simply selfless people that will go out of their way to assist others. I can't think of any two people who better represent the ethics and principles of our community.”

Another person wrote:

“When most people think of leather, they think of dark bars, the smell of cigar smoke and sex, and the shine of well-worn cowhide. When I think of leather, I think of family. I think of my first title run, and my sheer terror at realizing I now represented a community I barely understood yet. When I think of leather, I think of their constant encouragement, guidance, and support. I think of hours-long conversations about etiquette, logistics, and finances; about contest judging and unethical producers. They will forever be one of my primary exemplars of Leatherfolk.”

“They bring happiness and laughter to those around them. They not only volunteer but they promote volunteerism within the community. If not for them, I would have never come to my first SELF. They are some of the most humble and hardworking people that I know. Working with SELF from the when SELF started, and countless other events, they spend nearly the entire weekend working so that others may enjoy themselves.

They have opened their home to countless individuals over the years and provided meals, advice, love, comfort and even swift kicks in the ass when needed! “

Many more comments could have been added tonight. I’ve seen them lug equipment, help feed hundreds, and I have been at times confused by a smart-ass comment or two over the years until I caught on. I have also seen also what many others know to be true. They mean what they say. They encourage people to forge their own path and they support those people to move forward in the manner they need to move. They don’t judge others they simply let it be what it is and they consistently do the work to ensure the work is done.

It is also notable, that they do the work with humility and grace. They do it because they believe it is just what you do and it is just who you can be when you’re at your best. They are consistently at their best and we’re blessed to have experienced their best.

It is my great happiness to award the SELF Community Service Award to Country and Tammy.

Our Southeast Leatherfest Community Award winner is a staple in the local community and her attendance, promotion and support of local and regional kink organizations is unparalleled.

She is an active member of the MAST Atlanta Metro chapter, TARPS (a local group focused on D/s and M/s dynamics) and multiple area munches. She co-leads groups such as Tops on Tap and the Georgia Femdoms. She is a founding member/creator of several groups such as the Black FemDoms (BFD), Black Atlanta Munch (BAM) and the Women in Leather Atlanta group (WiLA). She also supports her submissive in his quest to provide services to the community through the creation of the Male Submissives Munch. She supports and attends many groups in the southeast region.

She is a staunch believer in community, togetherness, acceptance and education.

It is with great pleasure that I announce our SouthEast LeatherFest Community Award goes to MsDDom.

Our award winner this year has been serving our communities since 1976. That is 39 years. We’re proud of SELF turning 20 but can you imagine 4 decades? Now can you imagine doing that in a sometimes hostile environment?

As an adult business—they have battled through zoning laws and obscenity laws periodically. For those of you not in the know, many businesses have been closed due to small technicalities. Zoning laws have successfully closed adult businesses across the country and it is an effective way to close adult businesses. Many businesses have not been able to meet the demands of a lengthy legal process.

They have challenged the laws attempting to strike down county obscenity ordinances that prohibit sex toys being used or sold for recreational purposes.

Our award winner has challenged a legal system that is prohibitive of sexual freedom. Our award winner survived their own serial thief. Their stores were robbed 12 times by the same individual.

Thank you for providing the latest cutting edge toys, fetish items and welcoming all people. Thank you for your efforts for sexual freedom. Thank you for supporting the fetish and leather communities. Thank you for the opportunity to expand our sexuality by providing consistent access to sexual and fetish toys for 39 years.

Thank you for providing an example of a business who demonstrates community awareness and tangible, ongoing support.
The 2015 SELF Community Award Winner is Starship Enterprises.

Mr Flick has twenty plus years of accomplishment. The listing you saw on the PowerPoint was a pittance of what he has done. He has made a steady contribution to the southeast region and the country. Many of us love our kink, volunteer our time and effort but we haven't crafted events which serve 300,000 people a year like Folsom Street does. The sash event he started in the southeast was the first in the country to gather titleholders for a weekend of networking and relaxation. He's helped so many groups under the table that it's not even written down in history anywhere.

Some quotes about Darryl from others:

"Darryl, who I didn't know well, took the time to put an arm around me and hear me. I thought my weekend was going to go up in flames but he put a new spin on what I thought was the end of the world. He's a great guy."

"Darryl was the first person I met at SELF and I didn't know what to expect as a bootblack since I'm a girl. He took me over and introduced me to all the bootblacks. SELF has been a must attend event ever since." I personally know of another young lady he helped in this manner.
"I've never seen a man who takes so little credit for what he does. He quietly helps. He's an example to us all. Our organization almost split down the middle. His expertise was what saved us."

"Darryl is one of those people we are blessed to have in our lives. Generous with his time and energies, he is a whirlwind of mischievous, sadistic, playful, affectionate, passionate activities. I am proud to call him friend, colleague, family... He is simultaneously big brother, crazy Auntie, and benevolent dictator!"

"Darryl is one of the most creative people I have ever had the honor to work with in our community. He is a true gentleman who isn't afraid to make the hard decisions."

Darryl, be thrilled, I'm sparing you a few stories about your time in Atlanta.

These contributions are extraordinary but it's not what stands out most. It's his heart and steadfast generosity. Mr. Flick has been a steady anonymous sponsor of SELF for years. He has assisted SELF in ways large and small from business administration, ideas for programming and helped us greatly in keeping costs down. That directly impacts the programming each and every last one of us enjoys.

In 2000, Mr. Flick emceed SELF when it was at the kinky Ramada. He had us laughing then and hasn't stopped creating some of the funniest moments on stage in our history. During a cocktail party before the show, Mr. Flick didn't recognize me and called out from the stage, "Who is that woman with the sounds in her hair? I want to marry her." "I heckled back, "Good try. Get out of my closet. You can't have my shoes."
It's been a long time since that moment and things change-- Darryl, you will you marry me? Or you can happily take home the sounds that were in my hair that evening.

Thank you for your generosity, your willingness to do the work, your willingness to dream and create what others hadn't imagined. Thank you for making contributions that impact our lives and our enjoyment. Thank you for being the type of man so many are privileged to call their friend and coworker.

It is with singular pleasure I have the distinct honor of presenting Mr. Darryl Flick with SELF's 2013 Community Service Award.

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We received numerous nominations for our recipient.  These nominations told a story of quiet, unpretentious generosity. These stories were personal.  Some of them were so personal they asked not to be quoted if this person was given the award. Each one of those stories was heart-felt and full of gratitude.

This person has assisted his community far and wide in large and small ways.  From what we were told he has made sure that at least three people had homes when they may not have had any other shelter without his assistance.  He has generously given funds, time, energy, scholarships and support to people who have experienced devastating loss.  When we think of such large help given to others, we usually think of organizations.  Instead, these life lines were extended by one person.  These life lines were offered as if those receiving the assistance were somehow actually doing him the favor.

We received numerous letters for our first recipient.  Building bridges is one of the most difficult tasks any of us have encountered in our communities.  Letter after letter described a person who has managed to reach out to others, build those bridges, and provide much needed representation. 

She has been amazingly successful in the outreach to many communities and given an entire state a point of pride.  Her dedication has created possibilities that many felt did not exist previously.  In her outreach efforts she has touched people personally with her willingness to hear them, give advice and be there for them.  She’s created relationships where none existed previously and given a new face to the future of the title holder system.

I want share with you several quotes from these nominations.

“She stepped in and took over what many believed to be a lost cause. She steps out to represent and promote, even when other duties demand her attention, such as school, family and personal issues.”

And another:

“There are three things I have learned about her, she has always made herself accessible, has gone out of her way to check up on me, keep tabs on me, and help me at every turn where I have had questions or possible issues. Her dedication to her state is unwavering; she works very hard to keep the tradition alive and on her dedication alone deserves accolades and awards.”

And from three more individuals:

“She has been active in her local and regional community gaining widespread support from all areas of her state. She has worked tirelessly to represent our state and put us on the map in the southeast.”

“She embodies what I believe community to be. “

“She is a woman of many talents with a heart bigger than the state she represents.”

She has served her local, regional and national communities as a volunteer for thirteen years.  Her nurturing of others and next generation leaders has impacted the southeast communities in a wide reaching manner. It is through her efforts that many individuals have had the support needed to attain their personal dreams.

She has given countless hours and effort to make connections in the southeast community and is an example to all of us of the difference one person’s efforts can create. As the quote earlier said, she took what many had considered a lost cause and made it a unifying event.  North Carolina Leather Contest is on the map and their titleholders are supported fully by her. It’s due to the efforts of this woman who had a vision of what her contest might become and how her state might be represented in the southeast.  It is with the greatest pleasure to announce the SELF Community Award goes to the producer of the North Carolina Leather Contest, slave elcca.

Our second recipient has been described as tireless, selfless, giving and as someone who shows up when you need her.

It isn’t often we hear the word loyal—and yet it appeared in three of the nominations.  These letters remarked on how she isn’t merely a loyal friend, merely someone willing to help one person but is of a giving nature and extends herself to give to the many as well as one person who might be in need.  

This is someone who steps up for her friends, her communities and for strangers.  She isn’t only willing to do the work that is recognized but the grunt work that few wish to take on.

I want to read some quotes from the numerous emails we received:

“She steps up when an opportunity to lead in organizing an event whether for a charity, the community or for a friend. And she always does it with that inner sparkle and smile.”

Another person wrote:

“Her selfless giving of her time to multiple charities as well as the service she has given shows the incredibly giving nature of her spirit.”

“She has time and again, stepped forward when help was needed and offered her willingness to serve the people she cares about. She volunteers for a number of groups, leads numerous charity events and is always willing to lend a hand. More than that, she is a good person who always has a smile on her face. She is willing to do the work that is needed in our community, without fan fare or recognition and often has. It is for those reasons and many more, that I believe she deserves the SELF community award.“

• She has volunteered at SELF for years
• Is active in Whippersnappers, ARM, Decadence, and numerous national communities and events.
• She started a group called "Bottoms Up", a social group and munch for bottoms regardless of how they identify.
•  She has fed the hungry and thirsty, collected donations for Susan B Koman, given time, effort and energy to "Bikers for Babes" fundraising campaign for the March of Dimes.
•  And most recently, she has started an auction of her own fabulous shoe collection on Fetlife to raise money for babies in need.

This is the recognition of your peers for your ongoing efforts, compassion, and tireless resolve to make a difference in your communities. You are an example of the person who will show up and do the work for the greater good.  It is for these reasons and our recognition of a heart larger than the southeast Lizzy has been awarded the SELF Community Award.

The winner of SELF’s Community Award has contributed to the development and betterment of kinky people internationally.  It’s been said that she’s produced the official guide to kinky sex.  Nothing is sexier than an agile mind and she’s been creating a wealth of information that has served our communities beautifully for years.
 
Whether she’s testifying in a court case as an expert witness in the field of alternative sexualities or featured  in Cosmopolition,  she has provided good sex mojo for the masses.  She writes, teaches, gives keynote addresses, and sassy commentary.  We think she’s the steamy Dr. of Sex and Exodus Trust named her the “Hero of the Sexual Revolution” .   She’s best  known for two sex books: Different Loving: the World of Sexual Dominance and Submission and the more recent Come Hither: A Commonsense Guide To Kinky Sex.
 
It is our privilege to award Dr. Gloria G. Brame the SELF community award for providing insight, service and mojo to so many.

Visit our podcasts and listen to the interview done with Dr. Brame also.

The first recipient of the SouthEast LeatherFest Community Award is going to an individual is who all about creating opportunity.

Here's some quotes we received regarding this person's nomination:

This person "has provided a warm environment to learn and gain knowledge"

Another said "provides real time and online Groups, personal mentoring, information, friendship, and much more, to anyone who seeks these things..."

And another said, he runs "An amazing event geared toward education and welcoming new folks to the lifestyle. It has been running for several years and I have heard from so many people they were impressed with the welcoming atmosphere and drive toward education."

This person has offered time, work, education and comfort. It takes a special person to give these things, it takes even more to have a lasting stamp of time. In other words, this person hasn't done this for just a year, or perhaps three, but for many years. This person has demonstrated staying power, stamina and a continued concern for the community. He has provided a gateway for many people in Atlanta and surrounding areas by founding multiple organizations since 2003. I have no doubt that there are many of you here tonight whose first event was one of his.

His charitable contributions haven't just been personal or educational—he has chosen to support dozens of causes, events, and individuals through his business. SELF has benefited greatly over the years by his contributions of time, effort, and much more.

It is with the greatest pleasure I present this award to TenderDom of BDSMWaxPlay.

This gentlemen has been involved in the community since the early 90s when he was trained in a boy class by Doug Harris at the Sanctuary of the Dark Angel. He has tireless energy and makes the impossible happen. He's someone who always pitches in and brings ideas to the table that are the solutions that no one else could quite think of. He has served on several boards, made the impossible happen when people have counted on him. He's one of the hardest workers and foundational to our community.

Some of the quotes about in the nominations are:

"He is one of the "behind the scenes" people who is happy to do what he does without seeking recognition. He does it because of his love of service as well as his love for the community."

"He made things doable that we were sure just couldn't happen."

"He's a great example of doing what you love and balancing it with having a great life."

"I couldn't ask for a better friend and he's done so much that it's really time he was fully recognized for his contribution."

We couldn't agree more. You see, this gentlemen has been involved as a staff member, volunteer, or board member for every major leather event in Atlanta as well as Atlanta Pride since the early 90's. SELF couldn't imagine what we'd be without him. He's worked every SELF from the very first event. He's honest, funny, and definitely a go-to man.

It is with the greatest pleasure I finally get this man on stage and present this award to Harley Gould.

Andy aka Biker Dad (deceased 2020)
We received many letters about this individual. The stories we were told exemplify what it means to have backbone, courage, and take a stand for your community. He is a group founder and a steady force in his community. Several of these letters talked about how he saved his community. That where it not for his choices and actions, no group would exist and there wouldn't be a venue for education.

Some of the quotes are:
"He has really laid it all on the line so that we have a D/s presence.."

" He has put everything he has into the group, through thick and thin."

"He wants others to always have the chance to meet in a safe and secure environment to learn, socialize with and educate others with an interest in BDSM, just as he did, and since has been successfully raising a family and running the group."

"He has gone above and beyond to make a real time group available. He has been active in the local groups for many years now. He has worked very hard to bring educational, service and entertaining opportunities to the people here. He has made the community, standing up and doing the right thing a priority in his own life and in doing so has been a role model and rallying point. He has networked with other groups to learn and bring ideas back here. The group here is lucky to have someone like him."

All of these people are commending a man who stood up in the face of great personal risk when his group was targeted by someone who reported them to the police and stated that children were involved. His home searched by police from a report of children attending a sex party. Once the police arrived and saw the D/s activity, and no children, they offered their apologies for the inconvenience. Instead of folding and closing the group, he with the helps of others, came to the conclusion that he would stand up against this and other allegations and suffer the recourse, just to protect our D/s community.

A last quote from one of the nominations is, "He put everything on the line, is working hard to keep the group open, changing everything about the group he can to make it better and continues to work day and night restructuring the group and I think this deserves recognition from a group just like this one.

It is my pleasure to present The SELF Community Award to Andy aka Biker Dad from Western North Carolina.