June 27-28 St. Pete Pride Parade and NLA-CFL fund raiser
July 25th Orlando MUNCH -Rhythmic Beating/Drum circle
August 29th The Wood Shed Orlando for Women's weekend hosted by WOLF
September 26-27th Fetish Fair Fleamarket
October 31st attending ILS/B ICBB San Fransisco
April 15-18th 2010 Compete at IMSL
April 24-25th Beyond Leather Ft. Lauderdale
June 11-13th SouthEast LeatherFest step down

Hello, I am your Ms. SouthEast LeatherFest 2009.  I am from South Florida and I have been active in the community for 8 years.  I am the Co-founder of Women Of Leather Florida.  WOLF is a social and educational group for all women.  It is the goal of the group to give a safe place for all women to grow and learn in the leather community.  We also do fundraising events and social outings. 

What can I say about my run for a title?  From the time I decided to run, I received an overwhelming amount of support from many people in our lifestyle.   It is my hope that my title will allow me to meet new people and learn from them.  I am excited about bringing back new "tricks" and knowledge to my local community.  Considering the difficulties our community has seen in the past, I am proud of the work that has been done here to strengthen our core.

My calendar is already getting filled up. The weekend of June 27th, my pet and I will be participating in the St. Pete Pride Parade in conjunction with the NLA-Central Florida chapter.  We will also be attending their charity auction on Sunday before heading back home to Ft. Lauderdale.   But, first up is our own showing of pride here when we attend the Stonewall Street Festival in Wilton Manors this weekend, June 20-21.

I have been invited to attend the Orlando Munch the last weekend of July and then teach a Rhythmic Beating with Drum Circle class.  This shows how to use the rhythm of the drums to reach a cathartic space.  With the people playing the drums leading the speed and intensity of the scene in the circle, the bottom generally goes into a trance-like state.

In August, I will be taking WOLF to the Woodshed in Orlando for a Women's Weekend.  My pet and I will be doing a class on Erotic Boot Blacking.  If you ever wondered why she does what she does, this class will explain it all.  Then in October, I will be going to San Fransisco to support my pet in her run for the International Community Boot Black title.

    I want to thank Catherine Gross, Kyle, kim and the too-numerous-to-mention SELF volunteers who all worked so hard to create a wonderful weekend.  The judges were all very welcoming and made me feel very comfortable throughout the contest and I really appreciated their time.  The best part was meeting my fellow contestants and creating new bonds and friendships.  Especially Ms. Jan who is a real class act!  I also wish to thank my friends who made the trip to support me especially Debra and lovelee who helped to make my fantasy scene such a huge success (can you hear me now?).  And last, but certainly not least, I would love to thank my wonderful and amazing pet, chris.  Without her support and loving service, I could not have done it.

    Keep in touch with me here and on FetLife (I'm there as MissRae) for updated adventures.  If you would like me to visit your group or event please send me a request MsSELF2009@yahoo.com .   I look forward to a wonderful year!!!

    Miss Rae
    Ms. SouthEast LeatherFest 2009

   Wow!  That is the best word to describe my last few months as Ms. SELF 2009.  I met many wonderful people and watched my local community pull together to support me in my title year.  I have been to the Tampa munch to support my sash brother Nefarious.  We also visited the Ybor Eagle and the Fetish Circuit.  I cannot tell you how warm and welcome both places made me feel.  My pet and I also went to support the NLA-Central Florida chapter and marched with them in the St. Pete Pride Parade.  We got to crack whips and show our pride along with Sir Raul (International Leather Sir 2008), boy bill (International Leather boy 2008), Sir Jason (SouthEast Leather Sir 2009) and boy kirk (South East Leather boy 2009) along with my pet chris (SouthEast Community BootBlack 2009).  All of the members of NLA-CFL were great and the canes and toys we donated to the auction helped to raise money for the local chapter.
     
    In August we started a new tradition for Women Of Leather Florida.  We accepted the challenge put forth by Justin (Bensonboy on FetLife) from the group "The Guard" about being lazy in leather.  WOLF is now dedicated to learning leather history and will pick a topic every month to research and share.  The first month we learned what the tern "Old Guard" means.  We were lucky to also have a presenter for the demo that was very knowledgeable in this subject.
     
    At the end of August we visited the Woodshed in Orlando.  Master Cecil and his staff asked my pet to teach “Erotic Leather Care”.  We also got to have a Saturday afternoon for women only.  The members of WOLF, WPEN and WINK all got together for a day of leather care, rhy thmic beating and just plain ol’ girl bonding.  It was a most excellent weekend and one of the best parts was  getting to share  knowledge with so many others..
     
    The end of September brings another lesson in leather for WOLF and a trip to Fetish Fair Flea Market in Charlotte, North Carolina.  I will be presenting 3 classes for the event: “Dungeon Ettiquette”, “Rhythmic Beating” and “Caning” as well as a class by my pet on “Erotic Leather Care”.  I look forward to helping Nefarious with the auction on Friday night.  We will be donating a co-topping scene together.  I cannot wait. 
     
    In October, I will be making my first trip to California to support my pet in her international title run in San Francisco for the International Leather Sir/boy and Community bootblack contests.   I have heard so much about this event and look forward to meeting many people on the other coast.  I will also get to be there to support my dear friends Sir Raul and boy bill for=2 0their step down from International Leather Sir/boy.  
     
    I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful community to represent.  I am doing my best to uphold my promise to learn new skills and educate my region.  I look forward to seeing the friends I have made and meeting the new ones on my journey.
     
    In Rhythm and Leather,
    Miss Rae
    Ms.SouthEast LeatherFest 2009
    MsSELF2009@yahoo.com
    www.WomenOfLeatherFlorida.org

Happy New Year!!

    Well another year has come and gone.  I am now on my push for International Ms. Leather 2010 (IMsL) and working hard.  My life seems to be falling into a schedule.  January weekends are full and February is starting to look the same.

     Let me fill you in on how my year finished up. At the end of October my pet and I went to ILSb/ICBB in San Francisco and had a blast.  I got to meet 3 other wonderful women that will be competing with me at IMsL in April. I also got to meet the current ImsL, Lamilani.  She is beautiful inside and out.  She will also be coming to present for WOLF the first weekend in April.  We have changed the date of the group to work with the local shibari group and look forward to her wonderful rope work.

     In November we attended the Leather Masked Ball hosted by Lambda Men's Brotherhood, Inc.  This is a national fund raising event for the past 3 years and is still growing strong.  This year they raised money for the The Leather Archives and Museum and Equality Florida.  It was an amazing night of dancing and socializing. The leather men of south Florida have been such a wonderful support for my pet and me.  I cannot thank them enough.  We have plans for continued collaborations on future fund raising events.

      Other than my WOLF group, December was spent with my leather community and local family.  WOLF finished up the year with an amazing drum circle at the Lifestyle Alternative Center and a luncheon for the members at a local sushi restaurant. My pet and I supported a local group Y.K.N.O.T. (Young Kinksters ‘n Older Teachers) at LAC in their holiday “Sensation Stations” party. I was able to educate and teach local kinksters about canes. 

      January will start with a trip to the year’s first F.L.U.I.D (Florida Leaders United in Diversity) meeting.  It is a pleasure to be involved with a group that endeavors to unity and support all leather/fetish groups in our state.  The 3rd weekend is WOLF and we will have a wonderful regional presenter, Barbary, coming in to teach us “The Rope Dance”.  The last Saturday will be jam-packed when we start by heading to Orlando’s Woodshed for a women’s day.  This day will have a speaker educating us on leather history and will include all the women’s groups in Florida.  The evening will start with a WOLF sponsored “Casino Night” fundraiser.  We will be dealing blackjack, poker, roulette and more to raise money for The Woodshed’s new location opening this month.  The Woodshed and its members have been a huge support to me in this title year and it is a pleasure to be able to repay them for all their kindness.

     February brings yet another regional presenter in the current Ms. SouthEast Olympus Leather 2010 Master Pam and her partner Mr. North Carolina Leather 2009 Phantom Blue.  I had the pleasure of meeting this couple when I presented at Fetish Fair Fleamarket in Charlotte this past September.  I will also be working another “Casino Night” to raise funds for The Wellness Center.  This is a local not for profit organization that gives support to people living with HIV.

      I want to thank all of those that have helped and supported me on this new journey.  I could not have asked for a better community to start my journey with and look forward to continue to bring regional and national presenters in to help us all grow together.  Thank you to the members of Women Of Leather Florida (WOLF) without you there would be no pack.  The South Florida Munch and Ally the local munch lady.  You are a wonderful friend and leader.  Master Cecil and the volunteers at The Woodshed Orlando.  Ms. Martha and her beautiful corsets and my producer and her staff, Lady Catherine, thank you for believing in my journey and me.  I will continue to work hard and represent you all with integrity and leather heart.

  Wow, I cannot believe this title year is flying by.  In October, I went to ILSb/ICBB where I got to watch my pet compete for her International title.  While at the event I also got the opportunity to meet some wonderful people.  My pet and I barely found the time to take a short tour of San Francisco that included a visit to my favorite shoe store, Fluevog.  I was in heaven.

    In November, I attended the Leather Masked Ball held by the group Bound South.  This is a wonderful charity event and I am happy to have been a part of their efforts to raise $20,000 for Equality Florida and LA&M.

    I spent December with my chosen family.  Women of Leather Florida had a great time at our end of the year sushi fest.  Then it all started up again in January with our first regional presenter Barbary and her presentation of the Rope Dance.  At the end of January, WOLF made a trip to The Woodshed in Orlando to have a casino night fundraiser.  The proceeds got split between my travel fund for International Ms Leather and to help The Woodshed with the move to their new building.

    In February, WOLF had the Wonderful Master Pam and PhantonmBlue in town to teach about breath play.  We also had another casino night and this time we raised money for The Wellness Center of South Florida.  At the end of March, I went with my pet and local titleholders to the Ybor Eagle to support the South East titleholder fund.

    Now I am focused on getting ready for IMsL.   I can’t wait to see my old friends and make some new ones.  I hope to honor my South East community and look forward to seeing you all at the anniversary blow out at SELF in June.

  Let me say this has been one hell of a ride!  I want to thank everyone for the support I was shown while I traveled the region.  If I did not make it to your area, please contact me and I’ll do my best. 
     
    The last time I wrote, I was on my way to International Ms. Leather to compete for the 2010 title.  I was excited from the moment I left my door for the airport.  My flights were early and since we were traveling on Southwest Airlines and they don’t charge for your first two checked bags, I got to pack extra shoes!!   Upon arriving at the hotel I met the other contestants in the lounge and was able to get in some quality time with old friends and new ones.  It was wonderful to have that time with the other women.  We were all ready for a great weekend. 
     
    I could not have asked for a better group to compete with for the title.  I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about how a group of people this size would get along together and I’m happy to say that we got along splendidly.  Not once did I hear anything negative or feel a bad vibe.  Every one of us showed love and support for the other.  It was going to be a tough choice for the judges as there wasn’t a bad choice in the bunch.  Between the tour of San Francisco, classes, women and the shows at the event, it was a blur of fun and friends. 
     
    In the end I was honored to take 2nd runner up and share the podium with the amazing and beautiful Donna, Lady of Light, who received 1st runner up and Mollena our new IMsL 2010.  The International Ms. Bootblack award went to Jayson DaBoi and Luna received 1st runner up.  They were both a lot of fun and had great energy all weekend.
     
    The flight home was long but we were glad to get back.  It was Monday night and all I wanted to do was see my puppy and get some rest.  My next few days went fast.  I returned to work on Tuesday morning and worked the week only to start over again Thursday night with volunteering for Beyond Leather.  Another wonderful weekend and a mini reunion with the IMsL family of Lamalani and Mollena.
     
    I spent May within my local community.  I enjoyed a weekend BBQ with the South Florida Boys of Leather, an SSC fundraiser with Jeffery Payne and a send off party and fundraiser for Mr. Ramrod, Joe Watkins, on his way to compete at IML.  We are all very proud of Joe for placing a very respectable 7th place out of the 50+ contestants for IML.   Also, my WOLF (Women Of Leather Florida) group has been steadily growing in membership.  I can't describe the happiness this group brings to me and so many others.  I have been very lucky in meeting some fantastic women who have agreed to travel here to give a demo/presentation for future WOLF meetings including Lamalani, PhoenixB, Barbary, Q and more.
     
    June starts the kick off of gay pride and I will be participating in some of the parades with the leather communities.  I will be stepping down from my title soon at SELF.  I am really looking forward to seeing so many of the friends I have made and sharing my step down speech with them.  I hope to see many of you on my continued travels.  Thank you again and follow your heart and leather journey.
     
    In Rhythm and Leather,
    Miss Rae

To contact Miss Rae: MsSelf2009@yahoo.com

FetLife: MissRae