LIFE Detroit Presenter - Douglas Connors

Presentations:

• Keynote Roundtable - Participants will discuss life in the leather community , D.A.R.K.³ 2007
• Bondage & Clothespins, D.A.R.K.³ 2007
• CIVIL WARS: Do Manners Matter Anymore?, D.A.R.K.³ 2007

Born in Montreal and raised in Ottawa, Douglas Connors' journey into Leather started when he was 16 years old. For the longest time, simply wearing Leather and hanging out where Leatherfolk gathered was enough. In 1999 he attended his first ever Leather contest: Mr. Leather Ottawa-Hull. In November 2000, he attended Mr Leatherman Toronto weekend and made a fortuitous meeting, which led him to his first IML in 2001.

Douglas was sashed Mr. Leather Ottawa-Outaouais 2003 and went on to place 8th at the 25th anniversary of IML. He is the Editor of Northern Sash (www.northernsash.com – Returning to the WWW in early 2007), founder of Positive Body Image Productions, the Ms Leather Ottawa contest and Leather Luau, and an interviewer for the CLAW/Leather Archives & Museum's The Leather Studio Oral History Initiative. He happens to also be the proud recipient of the Pantheon of Leather XIV Canadian Award for Community Service.

He is widely known for his unique commentary and writing style, his works having appeared on Leatherpage.com, and in ToBe and Ętre magazines. His newest creation, From the Mind of LeatherTigger made its debut nearly a year following the end of Living Leather. Both can be viewed on the Mama’s Family website (www.mamasfamily.org).

He has judged: Hillside Leather SIR/boy 2003, Mr Atlantic Canada Leather 2004, Mr Leather Ottawa 2005 (Chief Judge), Mr & Ms Atlantic Canada Leather 2006, Mr and Ms Olympus Ontario 2006, and Mr Leather Ottawa 2007. Douglas is excited to have recently been invited to be a Presenter and Judge at Mr Leatherman Toronto 2008. Moreover, he has used his artistic experience, having studied contemporary dance for 15 years, to present well-received works at various Leather and other community events. Of particular note was his winning choreography for the Ms Canada World 2004 Pageant. More judging and presentation opportunities are not only in the works, they are welcome… so make him an offer!

Douglas holds certificates and a degree in Communications from Saint-Paul U. and the U. of Ottawa. He is heavily involved in HIV/AIDS awareness, having served on the boards of several organizations, both local and international, including Bruce House, a hospice in Ottawa. He has also presented workshops at the Canadian AIDS Society's Skills Building Symposium and the Durban International AIDS Conference.

On the personal side, Douglas is about to celebrate a first anniversary with his incredible Boyfriend, Peter. He is also a Collared Boy, proudly serving his (Best) Daddy (in the World), John for the better part of the last two years.

Douglas is very honoured to accept the invitation to be with you in Detroit and thanks all those, from volunteers to participants, who have taken action to support this event.