Leather Jackets for Sunny Florida? Absolutely!

The real reason for Jerry’s trip is to compete in June’s Mr. Deaf Leather, 2003, sponsored by International Deaf Leather, Inc. in conjunction with the 25th Anniversary meeting of the Rainbow Alliance for the Deaf.

A relative newcomer to the leather community, Jerry, along with his partner Russ Phipps, decided a while back that they were intrigued by the leather culture.

"Deaf people are drawn to the visual," says Russ, who learned to sign soon after he met Jerry.

"This is a natural," Jerry signs to Russ who voices his words. "It’s like a huge pageant for men, very playful, sexy and exciting."

The couple, who live in the Washington, DC area and have a home in the Glade near Rehoboth, "decided we liked the leather culture," Russ says. "We are weekend leather types, we don’t dress and live the lifestyle all the time."

In their travels, the men took note that the leather events they attended had interpreters for the deaf and hearing impaired. "And we always saw other deaf people at the bars and competitions," says Jerry. "The men were always very sensitive and made deaf people feel welcome."

The couple began going to gay leather clubs, like the Baltimore Eagle and Rehoboth’s Double L, which sponsor contests and they even attended last year’s International Mr. Leather in Chicago.

One of the things they liked most about the culture was the emphasis on fundraising and community. At almost every event, money was raised for travel funds for the titleholders and for charity. And they noticed that the farewell speeches by titleholders talked of friendships and support.

"These guys have big hearts and a real sense of community and family, says Russ, with Jerry signing "Leather men have to be humble and community service oriented."

Their interest led them to the Baltimore Eagle and the Baltimore Leather Association of the Deaf (BLADeaf). A small organization, which has been around for about twenty years, the club has about 30-40 regulars.

Jerry describes starting slowly, buying vests and then a harness, working his way up to military and police looks. "In the bars, I don’t want people to think I’m dressed like a preppie," Jerry says, even though he dresses that way for his government career.

According to Jerry, he started with just a few leather things, and then began to think about entering some of the contests. This past winter, he was encouraged to join the Mr. Baltimore Deaf Leather contest and he walked away with the title.

Thrilled, he explains his goal. "My responsibility is to do outreach to other leather groups, to get them to include us in their activities and events," Jerry says. The club is now sponsoring his entry into the Florida competition.

According to Russ, among the advantages of being a title holder is the discount you get at the leather shops. "It can be very expensive to really express your fantasies."

For Jerry’s upcoming competition, those fantasy outfits include a police officer, casual bar wear like leather shorts, a harness, and armbands, and even formal wear featuring a long sleeved shirt, black tie and a riding crop. And yes, there is a leather jock strap requirement.

"But you get the least amount of points for your body," Jerry says quickly, "You are judged on your answers to questions, your personality and most of all, your community service. "

But he admits that the audience response for the jock strap competition is fun.

"It’s a very fun and flirtatious culture." Russ says.

But not one that’s threatening to their commitment to each other. Russ and Jerry have been together for 7 years. "Tell how we met," Jerry signs.

"We met at a bar in D.C.," says Russ. It was very dark in there, and we had been standing next to each other and I finally said hello and asked him "What’s up?"

I was surprised when he grabbed a pen and started writing me a note. It was so dark in there I couldn’t read it and we finally had to ask someone for some matches. So we stood there, striking matches and writing notes to each other.

Within weeks the pair was using pen and paper less, and signing more. "Now we communicate just fine," says Russ, grinning and signing what he just said to his partner.

"Just fine," Jerry signs back.

"One more thing," Russ interprets. Jerry says "I’m working hard to compete to show who I am, but also since 9-11, I think life is too short and I would like to have many experiences as a gay man. I’d like to be a role model for other gay men," he says.