SouthEast LeatherFest (SELF) is an annual adult
fetish event for the
BDSM,
leather, and
kink communities based in the
United States'
Southeast and centered in
Georgia with regional and smaller related events held throughout the year.
History
SELF was started in 1995 by
Jack Stice, International
Master 1995. It was concepted as a BDSM, Master/slave event to welcome all sections of the SM communities, highlighting on the
Leather. Modeled after
International Mister Leather and
Drummer (now International Leather Sir and boy) SELF added classes to this model. Since 1995 has been one of the largest sex education and BDSM education events in the south east region of the United States openly supporting underground kink, fetish, Master/slave, and Dominant/submission communities. Southeast Leatherfest (SELF) holds classes given by nationally known educators from across the country, holds a spokesperson contest, and has various other activities for that promote community and pride. SELF was held during the second weekend in June every year until its eighteenth year. The event now occurs on the third weekend in June. SELF spokesperson titles are referred to as Mr. Southeast Leatherfest, Ms. Southeast Leatherfest, Southeast Leatherfest boy, Southeast Bootblack, and SouthEast Master/slave, and in the past it was the home of the International Master and slave contest until 2001.
This event for the first time in Atlanta history brought together the
straight and
LGBT communities. They worked together which had not previously happened at BDSM and
Master/slave events in the area. While there had been events in the region for gay men, this was the first event to have all communities present. SELF is a charitable event that has donated approximately $80,000 to charities over the years. Some of these charities are the
National Coalition for Sexual Freedom,
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and many more. Jack Stice was the founder of this event and the "Jack Stice Memorial Community Service Award" was given in his honor annually.
SELF started mini-grant program in 2007 which is a new program to invest regional money into local groups by funding speakers and educators to be brought to local communities that might not be able to afford it otherwise. This program was closed in 2011.
SELF has been nominated for "Pantheon of Leather Large Event of the Year" in (2005 - 2007) which means that this event has stood out from the other 100 events though independent peer review to be noted as one of five events that has been providing outstanding community service.
In 2014, SELF was the first leather contest in the country where a portion of each title contest was digital voting by the weekend participants.
SELF has been reviewed and has supported the
Leather Archives and Museum, a library/museum/archives pertaining to
Leather sub culture,
fetishism,
Sadomasochism, and alternative sexual practices. The geographic collection scope is worldwide and includes all sexual orientations and genders. SouthEast LeatherFest is owned and produced by Catherine Gross. It is administered by a board of volunteers annually.
Current Titleholders : 2023
Mr SouthEast Leather Fest -- MaxInLeather
Ms SouthEast Leather Fest -- Scarlett Rose
SouthEast BootBlack -- Apollo
SouthEast Person of Leather -- Mara
SouthEast Master/slave -- Master Varii and slave neill
Past Titleholders
2022
Mr SouthEast Leather Fest -- MaxInLeather
Ms SouthEast Leather Fest -- Ms. Mia Rose
SouthEast BootBlack -- Apollo
SouthEast Master/slave -- Master Varii and slave neill
2019-2021
Ms SouthEast Leather Fest -- Choc Trei [stepped down on December 31, 2020]
Southeast BootBlack -- Mycalyne
SouthEast Person of Color -- Idris Dior
SouthEast Leather Fest boy -- Quazi
SouthEast Master/slave -- Sir Luke and His victor
2018
Mr SouthEast Leather Fest -- Sir Bradford
Ms SouthEast Leather Fest -- Choc Trei
SouthEast BootBlack -- Tidbit
SouthEast Person of Leather -- Iamar Kinhawk
SouthEast Leather boy -- Quazi
SouthEast Master/slave -- Master Blue and slave Sheri
2017
Ms SouthEast Leather Fest -- Tig
SouthEast BootBlack -- Coco
SouthEast Person of Leather -- ABizzy
SouthEast Master/slave -- Master IceDog and slave Ravyn
2016
Ms SouthEast Leather Fest -- Tig
Mr SouthEast Leather Fest -- Timothy Lee
Southeast BootBlack -- Ms Tori
SouthEast Person of Leather -- ABizzy
SouthEast Master/slave -- Master Bella and slave Rooks