Speech for Robert Valin

IML SPEECH FOR ROBERT VALIN
Below is the text of Robert Valin's IML speech that was given at IML, reproduced here with his permission.
Robert Valin was Mr. Eagle NYC, from New York, New York.
The photo to the left is by Jazz Thomas.

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If you want to know who will be at IML in May 2005, this page is a yearbook of "The Class of 2005!"

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IML JUDGES

I stand here today representing every skinny, sensitive, neurotic, faggot, wuss, jew boy from Queens.

Remember High School? Did you have to wear your cousin Caren's hand-me-downs? I did, and I still haven't forgiven my mother. Nor have I forgotten how painful that time of my life was, being teased & called faggot.

But that was then, and I've come into my own. And as I stand here now in a skin that fits, looking out at all you beautiful and strong men and women of leather, I wonder…

Who were you back then?

We sometimes forget our pasts, but it's really still no different today for a lot of these kids, being tormented just for being different… Just for being queer.

At the Eagle NYC, we hosted a fundraiser for `Teens Prepared For Life', an organization that teaches practical safety skills to teens while promoting queer youth empowerment— Helping tomorrows leaders believe in themselves today.

How lucky are we to be in a position to help? I encourage you to seek out and support these types of organizations in your area, and if your city doesn't have one, well…just think what a wonderful gift starting one would be.

Oh! And by the way, my cousin Caren's now a correction officer in New Jersey.
She doesn't wear dresses anymore either.

ROBERT VALIN
Mr. Eagle NYC
www.eaglenyc.com
MrEagleNYC2005@aol.com


		IML SPEECH FOR ROBERT VALIN Below is the text of Robert Valin's IML speech that was given at IML, reproduced here with his permission. Robert Valin was Mr. Eagle NYC, from New York, New York. The photo to the left is by Jazz Thomas.
OLHP HOME OREGON LEATHER COMMUNITY CALENDAR LINKS TO OREGON & NATIONAL COMMUNITY GROUPS & RESOURCES WEBSITE OF MR. OREGON STATE LEATHER 2004, ANDY MANGELS WEBSITE OF MS. OREGON STATE LEATHER 2004, THERESA "DARKLADY" REED NORTHWEST TITLEHOLDERS Photos and listings of Leather and Bear Titleholders from Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alberta, and Alaska! PANTHEON OF LEATHER AWARDS Information on nominations for these community awards, plus a listing of all Oregon recipients and nominees of the past! OREGON'S ROLE IN THE LEATHER ARCHIVES & MUSEUM Information on the Uniform Room adoption and other donors and pictures! THE IML CLASS OF 2005 If you want to know who will be at IML in May 2005, this page is a yearbook of "The Class of 2005!" NON-COMPETING CLASSMATES CLASS YEARBOOK IML JUDGES			I stand here today representing every skinny, sensitive, neurotic, faggot, wuss, jew boy from Queens. Remember High School? Did you have to wear your cousin Caren's hand-me-downs? I did, and I still haven't forgiven my mother. Nor have I forgotten how painful that time of my life was, being teased & called faggot. But that was then, and I've come into my own. And as I stand here now in a skin that fits, looking out at all you beautiful and strong men and women of leather, I wonder… Who were you back then? We sometimes forget our pasts, but it's really still no different today for a lot of these kids, being tormented just for being different… Just for being queer. At the Eagle NYC, we hosted a fundraiser for `Teens Prepared For Life', an organization that teaches practical safety skills to teens while promoting queer youth empowerment— Helping tomorrows leaders believe in themselves today. How lucky are we to be in a position to help? I encourage you to seek out and support these types of organizations in your area, and if your city doesn't have one, well…just think what a wonderful gift starting one would be. Oh! And by the way, my cousin Caren's now a correction officer in New Jersey. She doesn't wear dresses anymore either.
				ROBERT VALIN Mr. Eagle NYC www.eaglenyc.com MrEagleNYC2005@aol.com
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