Tradition and Change

By Jack Rinella

Let me introduce you to my friend Harry Shattuck, a thoroughly Leather man, boot black, bartender, Chicago title holder, and one of the founders of IML's boot blacking contest. Though he now lives in Florida, Harry was well-known in the Chicago Leather scene. I met him in the early 90's and remember him well as the man who bid highest in an auction to paddle my ass. He also preceded me as the Leather columnist for Gay Chicago Magazine.

Harry recently sent me the following essay, which I hope you will enjoy:

"The first International Mr. Leather contest was like a chapter in one of Tom of Finland or Etienne's books of hot men. It was a collage of men from different walks of life, diverse in appearance, common in their values. There even was a cowboy wearing brown suede. "IML's co-founder Chuck Renslow created a venue that represented the traditions of Black Leather and Mastery. In all his contests he continues to promote those traditions. The heart of the contest is based on traditional roles and commonly accepted behavior. Even with its recognition of tradition, the producers of IML have continued to accept change as long as it held to traditional values. That's why I was allowed to enter as a contestant wearing brown leather.

"In 1986 I represented Chuck's famous bar, The Gold Coast, and I still wore brown leather. I walked onto the stage with a large brown skin of leather, telling the audience to embrace other colors of leather and to retain black leather's superiority.

"Years later, I remember that Chuck pleaded with the "black leather" community to accept a younger generation of leather people with their own style of back leather kilts and restraints. They were definitely different but still held and respected the leather community's traditions and code of conduct.

"In pursuit of harmony and traditional human interaction, a new chapter was written in the IML legacy in 1993 with the appearance of the International Boot Black contest. This was no accident. From the very beginning of IML there was the presence of boot blacks. I was the boot black at the Gold Coast on 501 N Clark St in 1979.

"I wanted to propagate boot blacking. I talked about a boot black contest to everyone who sat in my chair as I blacked their boots in the various IML hotels. In 1993, Chuck gave me my chance. My first applicant was from Canada, a 53 year old man.

"The initial idea was of an eager-to-please boot doctor with the slogan "Bring your worst old boots and I'll make them new or young again." When I boot black my demeanor is one of hunger and I concern myself with pleasing my subject. Since sex is not involved, making the person sitting there "melt" is important, making the boot black experience a complete experience.

Afterwards most people strut off in their boots full of sheer pride, and when they do, the boot black has done his or her job well.

"A good boot black should be competent, with a heart of service, pleasant, and the giver of an unforgettable polishing. He or she must always be willing to please, humble, unpretentious. Being so will give him staying power as a boot black."

In his essay Harry discusses two valuable concepts -- even if you thought it was a history lesson on boot blacking. He notes the value of tradition and understands the inevitability of change. To balance the two is a constant struggle amongst us, though it is a certain fact that change will prevail.

In the world of leather, boot blacking is a time-honored tradition. We grow as a community through our ability to hold on to such traditions while we have the guts to promote change. Change is good as long as traditions hold steadfast. Though that sounds contradictory, it is not. What changes are the exteriors. What remains are the values that are the true traditions that make us a community. We need to take the initiative to grow while we  insure that what is grown are more of the values that we cherish.

It is never a question "To change or not to change." Change is the only constant in our lives. It is inevitable that we and the world in which we live will change. What is not inevitable is how that change will occur and what it will bring. Change can be, after all, for the better or not.

The importance of tradition, even in the face of change, is that it provides familiarity and therefore comfort, stability, and understanding. Tradition has ultimate value in that it passes on knowledge and wisdom. It reminds us of our connection to the past and gives us assurance that in the future we will continue, just as we did when the present was yet-to-come.

IML has grown over the years into an institution of amazing size and influence. Without a doubt we can call the annual event a tradition. As such we come together in Chicago to do what we have always done at IML, to celebrate our lifestyle, reunite with our friends, and party heartily. In a real sense it is the annual Bacchanalia of the Gay Leather Tribe.

Traditional activities abound at IML and they are found not only in the official events and ceremonies, such as the judging, the memorial service, or opening night, but also unofficially in the bars, hotel rooms, and city streets of Chicago. Traditional clothing, the vests, chaps, and hats abound; traditional poses and time-honored methods of cruising are everywhere.

There are other traditions at IML that are just as important, as Harry mentions. They are the traditions of change, of inclusion, of tolerance and acceptance. IML has survived because it has held on to our traditions while it has embraced change. But the change was not haphazardly thrust upon it. It was not uncontrolled. Instead the change was directed by Leather's traditional values of trust, honor, and respect. It was change authored by the influence of tolerance, mutual respect, and acceptance. Such traditions have caused IML to thrive. Let us all strive to be so traditional.

by Jack Rinella, all rights reserved.

Posted with Permission from Jack Rinella.