With expressed permission from Vonn Tramel of The Leather Journal who originally conducted this interview, here’s a look at Nerine Mechanique, Ms. San Francisco Leather 2012!
VT-TLJ: Is your contestant run sponsored by an Event, bar, club, organization?
N: In October 2012, I received the Ms San Francisco Leather title, which is an amazing year long public leather community title which is wholeheartedly supporting me in running for IMsL this year. Their website is www.mssfleather.org
VT-TLJ: Tell me about your favorite charity.
N: A bootblack and recently appointed Mr Daddy’s Barbershop Leather, Nile, has introduced me to a wonderful charity that is picking up energy and financial backing in San Francisco which will provide mobile showers and lavatory access for our city’s homeless population, called LavaMae (www.lavamae.org). He is currently bootblacking in the Castro neighborhood to raise funds for this nonprofit project, which can be followed at http://misterdaddysbarbershopleather.com/. His time, energy, and drive as a bootblack and leatherman are an example of how we can take care of eachother in interconnected ways-that it is important to help people in -and- out of our communities wheneverwww.lavamae.org). He is currently bootblacking in the Castro neighborhood to raise funds for this nonprofit project, which can be followed at http://misterdaddysbarbershopleather.com/. His time, energy, and drive as a bootblack and leatherman are an example of how we can take care of eachother in interconnected ways-that it is important to help people in -and- out of our communities whenever possible, while connecting with our identities as leatherfolk. I find compassion to be a wonderful driving force to sharing our lives positively, and his inspiring work exhibits that.
VT-TLJ: Tell me in your own words how you feel about service.
N: Service is the corset of our community. It creates a look of potential vulnerability, but also binds us in terrific support and armor, strengthening our resources and showing the best assets of our subculture. Service will consume a person, if they have a drive to give more of their time and energy to people and things without considering their own needs, emotional, financial, sexual, or otherwise. Unhealthy investment into service causes anxiety, ‘scene burn-out’, and reticence to complete what we initially may be passionate about creating or offering others. Rest assured, service can also consume us in a positive way, with waves of emotion, adrenaline, and love, connecting us with our daily practices, partners, or an organization that we choose to invest our lives in. Service laces us together beautifully, and is humbling and extravagant to be in its reception.
VT-TLJ: What makes you a Leather Woman and/or Bootblack?
N: I identify as a woman (when I’m not identifying as a robot…or a mermaid) who has a penchant for good manners, kinky play/sexual partners who enjoys with enthusiastic consent BDSM and social protocol driven activities, and am someone who stands by my word, and acts to support my fellow humans in their proclivities and goals.
VT-TLJ: Who is your favorite IMsL or IMsBB and in 100 words or less…Why?
N: Sarha has a vivaciousness to her, and comes from a cultural background that I can relate to. I grew up in rural Texas, on the Gulf Coast, and most of the people I grew up around lived off the land, fished to feed their families, and lived in what often comes across as wilderness, because of the sprawling ranch land juxtaposed with cotton fields and coastline. Her stories and way of living in the far north of Alaska are familiar reminders to me of how origins can affect who you are, but do not define you.
VT-TLJ: What do you feel is the most dangerous mis-information passed through traditional & social media affecting our community today, and how would you combat it should the opportunity arise?
N: The most dangerous mis-information that infiltrates media to the world at large is that which shames our intentions, categorizing us with assault and many varieties of abusive behavior amongst our partners and comrades. I have personally viewed our community as a kinky variety of Quakers- we’ve created an honor code and tend to support dialogue and awareness of our skills, interests, behaviors, and are conscientious of what we do for and to one another as a behavior and identity and not a psychological disease or ‘off-in-the-head’ behavior. If an opportunity arose to promote dialogue and resources for people who may question what being kinky or into leather means, My first recommendation would be to read the book, “When Someone you Love is Kinky,” by Dossie Easton. I would also offer them alternative online resources on consent, sex positive culture, and explain the penchant for academic and intellectual understanding of many of our fetishes, play styles, and relationship structures through conventions, seminars, and classes that show a responsible edge to our lifestyle.
VT-TLJ: What makes you feel you can represent the entire woman’s community, even the women you don’t identify with?
N: My desire to share our story with the world gives me the confidence to ask others how I can help them live their kink and leather identity. This I would do for any person, regardless of gender. I identify with leatherwomen on the basis of mutual interest in acting kindly to one another, in living our lives in a way that is happy, safe, and indulgent, acknowledging risks and sharing in our lives while providing for our families, in whatever shape those take on (chosen, biological, adoptive, or otherwise). A woman who has an opposing or alternative view on life, sexual identities, or kinks than I have is a person who I still want to help empower, and be a voice for, without taking away her own voice and identity.
VT-TLJ: Now the basics:
Name: Nerine
Current Title: Ms SF Leather 2012
City, State: Oakland, CAVT-TLJ: What regular community events do you produce or participate in?
N: In San Francisco, I am often seen at Bondage a Go Go, a Wednesday night play event and goth/rocker sadistic disco, which has been my ‘home bar’ for nearly 6 years. Also, I am a caterer for a monthly Community Brunch hosted at Kink.com’s The Upper Floor, which showcases many local kinksters enjoying their D/s and play on a live stream- It brings a realness to BDSM through the adult industry. I am also a member of the SF Citadel, which has been a big part of my evolution as a leatherwoman here in the Bay Area.
VT-TLJ: Favorite Leather item in your arsenal of bar/fetish wear
N: I am a boot slut by nature, but my favorite footwear currently are my oil tan leather platform heels, made by United Nude.
VT-TLJ: 100 words about what you will do as IMsL or IMsBB.
N: As our next IMsL, I want to be sure that I provide a balance of awareness and revelry for myself and others, and offer my assistance with community events wherever possible. I will be working on an ongoing project called The Kinks In Our Tablecloth, which showcases recipes and stories relating food to our leather life. I’m also going to rock IMsL’s new motto, Bringing Sexy Back- though I would argue it’s never left- There’s so much sexiness in women realizing their goals and expressing themselves!
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