LIFE Detroit Founder - Dale "Butch" Ross

Presentations:

• Headspace: A Panel Discussion, Mar 19 2008
• LIFE Detroit 5th Anniversary - A Tribute to Goddess Lakshimi and Mark Ensinger, Nov 3 2007
• Leatherbound II at the State Bar, Flint, Jul 22 2006
• New to our Leather Community, or to a particular scene, you deserve a hearty "Welcome - and Enjoy!", LIFE 4th Anniversary
• Elements of Healthy Play and Creative Scenes, D.A.R.K. 2006
• Making The Most Of YOUR Leather Communities – Younger/ Older, Newbie or Seasoned, There’s Room For Us All!, LIFE 3rd Anniversary
• The State Of Our Leather Community – A Paradox In Progress First Annual D.A.R.K. Weekend - Keynote Address, D.A.R.K. 2005
• The Politics Of Kink vs Taboo, Sept 20 2004
• Discussion, Aug 16 2004
• Why Do I "Top", Why Do I "Bottom"?, June 21 2004
• Surviving And Thriving At An IML Weekend. International Mr. Leather Contest/Event Discussion, May 05 2003
• Fuck Toys, Apr 21 2003
• Bondage Basics, Jan 20 2003
• Successful Socializing & "Marketing" Our Selves: There's More To Leathermen Than Hot Bodies, Jan 06 2003
• Leather Lifestyle, Nov 11 2002
• What it means to be Leathermen: An introduction to the history and lifestyle of Leather - L.I.F.E. Detroit's First Meeting, Oct 22 2002

Dale Ross, a founder of LIFE-Detroit and a member of the Chicago Hellfire Club, has been active in Detroit’s Gay Leather Community for the last three decades.

Dale has been a private practice counselor and therapist in Southfield, MI for 20+ years, lectures and writes for the general public and professionals (including four AIDS speakers bureaus), as well as developed and taught two graduate courses on the issues of Gay individuals (during seven years at Wayne State University’s School of Social Work in Detroit) where he always included a section on our Leather Community.

Dale lives with his Friend, Ron (who also enjoys leather and owns a fine arts and antique shop). Being together for 27 years in an open relationship, they live in their suburban Detroit home. Ron’s gift to Dale for his 50th birthday was a portrait by New York artist, Michael Mitchell, showing him in his then new full body suspension harness. This portrait was used as one of two photos in his review in "One Thousand Great Americans" (published in Cambridge, England, 2003).

Here’s a list of some of Dale’s many accomplishments:

• Came out as Gay man – 1970.
• Came out as Leather Gay man – 1973-74.
• Spearhead Annual Event, Toronto, CA. Attended two weekend long runs in late ‘70’s.
• Presented lectures and workshops on Men’s Issues, Gay Lifestyles, and AIDS since 1983.
• Attended INFERNO, Chicago Hellfire Club’s Annual Event since 1998.
• Elected an Associate Member of the Chicago Hellfire Club, 2001
• Mr. Detroit Leather in 1983-84, and a semi-finalist in the International Mr. Leather Contest/Event that year (a highlight of his life!).
• International Mr. Leather Contest - attended most years, since he was a semi-finalist in 1983.
• Leather lifestyle course segment. Included, each semester, as part of two graduate courses on issues of Gay clients. He developed and taught these courses at Wayne State University, School of Social work, Detroit, MI. 1991-96. Classes are now part of regular on-going curriculum course offerings.
• Briefly served on the international advisory board of the National Leather Association, which revised the focus/format of the group (during the 1993 Gay March on Washington, D.C.).
• Member of the informal coalition to advocate for the revision of the DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association) to remove S/M from their ‘mental disorder book’. Coordinated by Race Bannon and Guy Baldwin, begun at the 1993 Gay March on Washington, D.C.
• National Leather Association. Attended four conferences, two in Portland, OR and two in Chicago, IL.
• Was one of three ‘leather mental health professionals’ in the first referral listing in a national leather magazine, in the early 1990’s.
• "Leather Relationships For Gays/Straights", lecture/discussion, Affirmations Gay Community Center, Ferndale, MI, mid-1990’s.
• Leather workshop on healthy expression of S/M, Men’s Wisdom Council, Royal Oak, MI 1998.
• “Black Men In Leather”, book by Cain Berlinger (1999). Wrote the review in the book’s introduction.
• Dungeon #6, Novi, MI. Has attended monthly events regularly, and weekend events, since 2001.
• Fetish Temple Weekend, Detroit, MI, 2001. Invited member of ‘politically incorrect leather panel discussion’. Also attended their workshops and events in 2000.
• International Mr. Leather Contest/Event, Chicago, Il. Member of ‘professional mental health’ group and e-group for three years. Panel presenter for first two years of general attendance population discussion group on healthy kinky sex, 2002-03.
• Judge for Mr. Leather Cowboy, 2005, 2006
• "Helping Hands Award", Leather Weekend of Caring 2006, M.S. World Leather '03, Goddess Lakshimi, Diamond Jim's Saloon, Detroit MI
• LIFE Detroit Service Recognintion Award, LIFE Detroit 4th Anniversary, 2006

In 2007 Dale gave the following well received presentation to the MiChatOhs:

APPRECIATING OUR MANY LEATHER COMMUNITIES’ - ‘YOUTH’, ‘ADULTS’, ‘ELDERS’ & ‘ANCESTORS’

This is the article that inspired the presentation:

Gay Adults! Gay Adults! Where Are You?

Editorial Note

Dale is a tireless worker for LIFE, and has taken part in more presentations than anyone else. He is always willing to come out and pitch in, and always has a kind word for everyone. His efforts are greatly appreciated by the other members of LIFE Detroit.

Dale Ross is a true leather gentleman.