Viola

Greetings boys:
 
You have no idea just how long I’ve waited and wanted to be here. Scheduling conflicts have kept me away from Boy’s Camp till now. So I’m thanking you for allowing me to take just a little bit of your time tonight, and asking you to forgive an old leather woman for being sentimental.
 
Before I go any further I want to thank the Dean of boys camp (talk about double entendres) for allowing me to be here and stand before you all.  I owe Dean a debt of gratitude for making sure that the date for Training Camp 4 was on my schedule for this spring. My big brother and I share more than a few things in common. One of them is our great love of boys.
 
When Dean invited me to give the keynote address I tried to think of what I would talk to you about. Maybe I could share with you a little bit of our tribe’s history. But most of you have heard me in different workshops over the years speak about leather history and why we must preserve it.
 
Perhaps there was a little bit of myself, or my own personal philosophy, I could give you. Jill reminded me that since all of you have HAD to read “To Love To Obey, To Serve”, you already know more about me than you probably ever wanted to.
 
SO, I decided to cover something that wasn’t in the book. I thought I should tell you, why I love boys.  I thought it would be easy. I thought the words would just roll of my tongue. But my thoughts got so mixed up with my emotions I had trouble putting them into words. My pride in you got in the way of my thoughts. My dreams for you got in the way. My hopes, my fears, my love, my expectations for you all tried to come out on the paper at once. That’s when I realized that I was no different from any other grandparent or great grandparent who brags about their off spring.
 
Why do I love boys?  Because you are my descendants. And every ancestor should be proud of those who come after them. I use the word descendants because I believe that boys descended or evolved from slaves.
 
When I came out 30 years ago this community was very very different. Not better or worse, just different. You came out as a master or a slave. Those who switched were confused. Once you chose your role, the parameters were fairly rigid. A slave LOVED, OBEYED, and SERVED. Don’t get me wrong. We found pride and honor in our service but we were there to serve. There was room for experiences if you were lucky, (A few of mine you’ve all read about.) but often not a lot of room for questioning, learning or growth, personal or otherwise. I accepted that, as did the slaves of my generation.
 
When it came my turn to share with the next leather generation I gave them the knowledge that was given to me.  Only they put a slightly different spin on it. The love, obey serve thing was fine, but they wanted more playtime. And they got it.  Now why hadn’t we thought of that. About 7 years later another generation was coming out. Not only did they demand more playtime, they were questioning authority and expecting to be taught new and different things as well. These kinklings were definitely NOT slaves. But what were they? They served like my generation did. But they were developing a much more nurturing, almost parental relationship with their masters and tops. Well, the leather generation after them sealed it. They had all of the above, plus a playfulness that would have shocked my forbearer's .
 
But I don’t think they would have been horrified or appalled. Somehow I think my Daddies and senior slaves would have shaken their heads and smiled. They might even have mumbled something under their breath like ‘Kids, what are ya gonna do with them?” while trying to hide their amusement. Maybe, even their pride.
 
But I digress.
 
I told you that all my emotions were getting jumbled with my thoughts and words. Well, it took me a bit of time to straighten them out so that you could understand this ancestor’s pride. And why I am so fiercely protective of all of you. The Boy Movement is still in its infancy. Right now each of you who proudly chooses to call him or herself boy is a standard maker. There are no rules for boys, except the rules of gentlemanlyness and good manners. Yes, I do expect you all to have good, make that perfect manners. I’m your grandmother, I can expect that.
 
Each of you here tonight will help to chart the path that future boys will follow. As some of the first into this new world of boys, you and all that you will one day evolve into, must be protected so that you can grow in safety. Guided and nurtured by those who love you.
 
Protected from what and whom?
From those who would tell you that the gift of service is not the most precious thing a boy can give.
From those who would tell you that anyone wearing a Masters cover is deserving of your service.
From those who would tell you that a boy is not to be respected.
From anyone who does not give the collar of a boy the same respect as a wedding band.
From those who would tell you that a boy does not deserve love.
From those who would tell you that a boy should have no pride.
From those who would tell you that a boy should be seen and not heard.
From those who would tell you that a boy cannot be a leader.
 
TO those critics, and nay sayers I reply.
 Boys know, or will know, their value because, we who love them will teach them just how wonderful they are.
 
Boys will know the Master or Daddy they should serve because he or she will value them as pearls beyond price.
 
Boys do not have to demand respect. They have the right to expect it by virtue of being Leather Boys.
 
Boys will know that they are loved just by looking into the eyes of those they serve. But we will also remind those who love then that they can never say too often “Good boy, I’m proud of you”.
 
Boys will indeed be proud and strong. Without pride they cannot hold their heads high, love without condition or serve with joy.
 
Boys have a voice. It is strong, loud, proud and full of the ideas that will keep this tribe strong for many years to come.
 
Last but certainly not least. To those who believe boys cannot be leaders … I don’t know where you’ve been, but you need to come out of your dungeons and brace yourselves. Because you haven’t seen MY BOYS!