IML SPEECH FOR GENE ROMAINE
Below is the text of Gene Romaine's IML speech that was written for IML (but not presented), reproduced here with his permission.
Gene Romaine was Washington State Mr. Leather, from Seattle, Washington
The photos to the left are by Andy Mangels, Jazz Thomas, and Don Hood.

Greetings esteemed judges and leatherfolk.

In the early 90’s, I moved to Seattle from Reno. Upon arrival, I ran into some friends from Reno whom I had known for a dozen years or more. These guys were closer to me than family. We decided to move into a large farm house and, for a few years, it was a wonderful experience.

Then, in 1997, I was diagnosed with HIV and my future seemed very bleak. I came home and told my housemates – thinking that these guys would be my support system. And, for the first few days, they were very supportive. But, within a couple of weeks, they stopped talking to me. Within 6 weeks, they had all moved out. I never felt so alone.

But, there was this person – who, at the time, wasn’t even a close friend…more like a friendly acquaintance. Her name was Panther, and she brought me homemade chicken soup, movies, books, and she spent time with me. When I needed to move into a smaller living space, she moved in with me – and she nurtured me back to health. When I got better, she introduced me to some new, kinky leather friends.

So, while there are those that think that being leather is about the sexy black outfits we wear, or it’s about the rough and aggressive sex, or that it’s all about protocol and decorum….well, that’s not all that it means to me. To me, Leather is about family. It’s about supporting each other and taking care of each other. It’s about bringing someone chicken soup when they think they are all alone in the world. It’s about not letting people die without a fight.

I love you Panther – wherever you are, and I thank you all for your time.

GENE ROMAINE
Washington State Mr. Leather
www.northwestleathersir.com
g_romaine@msn.com