Community Award Winners 2009
2009 Recipients
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.
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 BikerDad:
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 BikerDad from Western North Carolina.
