Help Master Ghee go to IML

I am Master Ghee.  After winning the title of Mr. SF Eagle Leather 2022 in December 2021, I will be entering the International Mr. Leather (IML) contest.  I would be honored if you can help me to raise $2500 to pay for my travel, lodging and food expenses.  

IML is scheduled to take place in May, 2022 in Chicago, after being cancelled for the last two years due to COVID.  While I hope to win the contest, more importantly just by entering the contest,  my presence  will provide a focus on inclusion, representation and visibility.  IML does not collect demographic information on the racial/ethnic backgrounds of its contestants and winner.  From what I have been able to discern, since the inception of the contest in 1979, only a handful of People of Color have won and none  appear to be of Asian or Pacific Islander (API) background.  

The leather community means a lot to me and I do what I can to give back.  In San Francisco,  I regularly help organize the local Breeches, Leather and Uniform Fanclub (BLUF) events.  As an associate member of the 15 Association, I am a frequent volunteer at their events.  Mentoring and sharing  my experience is important to me. I participate in the Leathermen's Discussion Group (LDG) mentorship program and was recently invited to assist an aspiring  member of Onyx Northwest. I am particularly proud to be a volunteer advisor providing a leather and kink perspective to counselors and peer supporters at The GreenHouse, Singapore.  Located in my birth country, this is a substance and alcohol recovery center for Men who have Sex with Men (MSM.)

I have marched in the SF Leather Walk as well as with the leather contingent in SF Pride.  I enjoy connecting with leather/kink communities throughout the US and around the world. In past years, I marched with the leather contingents in Copenhagen and Stockholm and participated in numerous events in Berlin.  

Sadly, stereotypes about Asian, Pacific Islanders(APIs) are still prevalent in the queer community.  The winner of the Mr. International Rubber contest in 2016 suffered racist emails and threats when he won that contest.  Just by being a contestant at IML, I have the  opportunity to stand against racism and  show that API leathermen are integral members of the leather family.  In this year of continued attacks against members of my community, I hope to be a source of inspiration and encouragement for members of the API community and People of Color to feel included and emboldened to step up to leadership roles.

I live on a fixed income, and while I will be using a fair percentage of my income towards expenses for going to compete at IML.  Your generous help to raise $2500 which will cover some of the cost of  my travel, food and lodging for the event.  SF Eagle is paying for my registration fees.  Any additional money that is raised will be paid forward to the SF Eagle to support next year’s titleholder.  

It is time to break the leather ceiling.  Your support will mean that 2022 might possibly be the year that the first Asian leatherman is selected as International Mr. Leather. Join me in making history. Thank you.