Source: Darklady.com
By: Darklady
(PORTLAND, OR) — Blackout Leather Productions Chooses Mr. & Ms. Oregon State Leather 2004 – Andy Mangels and Theresa “Darklady” Reed. The Mr. & Ms. Oregon State Leather Contest, held at the Embers Avenue nightclub, brought a successful Oregon Leather Pride Week to a thundering close on Saturday evening.
The full evening of entertainment was capped by the crowning of Oregon’s newest leather title holders, Andy Mangels as Mr. Oregon State Leather 2004 and Theresa “Darklady” Reed as Ms. Oregon State Leather 2004.
Mangels and Reed are both longtime activists within the GLBT and pansexual communities, as well as professional writers. The duo has nearly two decades of successful fundraising, as well as public speaking, educational, and media experience between them.
Judges for the 8th annual contest were Judy Tallwing McCarthey (International Ms. Leather 1987), Earl A. Coffman (Mr. Oregon State Leather 2003), Alycyn Britton (Ms. Oregon State Leather 2003), Bootblack Deb Przepasniak (NLA International Boot Black 1997), Rick Vandercar (Mr. Oregon Bear 2001 and current President of the Oregon Bears), Steve Couch (MCC-Portland), Scoty DeVore Foxx (ISRC Emperor 30), and Evan (California Leatherwoman 2004). Tallymistresses for the evening were JC Superstar, and Rhonda Marie. Entertainment was provided by Chastity Frustration, Maria Webster (Ms. Oregon State Leather 2002), Krystal Belle-Rose, and Lynnda Hale.
The contestants also produced fantasies that thrilled the audiences with comedic, sexual, and political overtones. The contestant speeches touched on politics, history, gratitude for community volunteers, and Old Guard Leather traditions. Gregg Sylvester (Northwest Mr Drummer 1989) was first runner-up for the Mr. Title. Contest attendees also got to view the debut showing of the ten-panel Oregon Leather History Project, an exhibit researched and curated by Andy Mangels; rare photos, memorabilia, and sashes were on display.
Since he blew up his closet in 1987, Andy Mangels has been an active voice in many aspects of the community, including leather, uniforms, SM, and bears. In the 1980s, he co-founded Orgasm (Oregon Guild Activists of SM), one of the largest pansexual clubs in the world at the time. He has held the post of Vice-Spokesperson for the American Uniform Association for many years, and briefly served on the NLA national board. He has sponsored Portland Uniform Weekend for 12 years. In 1994, Mangels founded in Uniform the Magazine, which continues today as an online presence (InUniform.net). He has written for Drummer, the Leather Journal, the Advocate, Frontiers, Just Out, and Bear Magazine, and edited the award-winning Gay Comics for eight years. Additionally, he has appeared in multiple photo layouts and three videos. Extremely active in charity fundraising, Mangels has produced events that have raised thousands of dollars for political, Aids, and other gay charities in Oregon and nationwide, including an event with Miss America. He recently achieved his goal of raising $10,000 for the Leather Archives & Museum (LeatherAchives.org). Mangels has been awarded the National Leather Association: International – Order of Merit, the West Coast Man of the Year Award: Pantheon of Leather (1995), the National Leather Emerald Award (2001), and the Person of the Year Award (2002 – Blackout Leather Productions of Oregon). When not actively involved in community work, Mangels writes best-selling Star Trek novels and other entertainment books, collects Wonder Woman memorabilia, and enjoys country dancing, erotic art, and DVDs. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his long-term partner Don Hood, and Son, Paul Smalley.
Theresa “Darklady” Reed is a bi, poly, switch who resides in Portland, Oregon and has been self-employed for nearly four years as a sex writer, editor, consultant, and public speaker specializing in alternative sexuality topics. A founding member of the Portland Leather Alliance (PDXLeatherAlliance.org), she serves as the Woodhull Freedom Foundation’s (WoodhullFoundation.org) liaison to the adult entertainment industry, is a board member for Paba (Paba.com), director of communication and outreach for the Portland Pink Pistols (PinkPistols.com), and is vice-chair for the Libertarian Party of Multnomah County. She organizes wildly innovative, pansexual fundraising events approximately every two months and believes that grass roots coalition building is vital to the survival of individuals and organizations alike. Her Third Annual Masturbate-a-Thon (masturbate-a-thon.org) raised $3000 for sex positive charities this year. In 2002 she ran for Oregon House of Representatives and earned 10% of the vote. She is currently running for a seat on the Oregon Senate.
The Mr. And Ms. Oregon State Leather titles are sponsored by Blackout Leather Productions of Oregon, Inc. (BLP), a non-profit corporation comprised of volunteers from Portland’s Leather community. Formed in 1997 by a prominent group of Leathermen and Leatherwomen, BLP is honored to own the Mr. And Ms. Oregon State Leather titles and co-produce Oregon Leather Pride Week. The winning titleholders will serve and support Oregon’s expanding sexual minority communities through fundraising and other events. BLP is registered with the State of Oregon, Justice Department, and holds a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax exempt status.
Contacts:
Andy Mangels, UniformMag@AOL.com or AndyMangels.com/leather Theresa “Darklady” Reed, Darklady@Darklady.com or Darklady.com/ Blackout Leather Productions of Oregon, Inc., BlackoutLeather.org/ Photo Credit: Paul Smalley (photo to appear in Yahoo Group soon)
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