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Pittsburgh’s first Ms. Leather also first Transwoman title holder

04/03/11- by Sue Kerr

For the first time in history, Pittsburgh has a Ms. Pittsburgh Leather Fetish thanks in part to the first leather competition open to women in the Pittsburgh area.

The inaugural winner is Ms. Jessi Strucaly who is now also the first transwoman to hold the title.  Jessi also competed in the International Ms. Leather competition in San Francisco this past April.

Sponsored by the Three Rivers Leather Club and the Steel City Bondage Club, the female competition arose to reach out to women interested in the leather lifestyle and the work of the Club, which makes a significant charitable and social outreach contribution to the region.

“I want to commend Jessi for being a courageous pioneer [the first woman titleholder from Pittsburgh AND the first female pledge of Three Rivers Leather Club] and inspiration for the GLBTQ community,” said David Dean, President of the Three Rivers Leather Club. “By being out and proud and a positive face for the BDSM and Leather community and the clarity she displays we could not have selected a better titleholder.”

The addition of the Ms. Pittsburgh Leather contest validates that women are an important part of the local leather community. It also sends a message to the larger community that the leather community embraces the transgender community, according to Jessi.

While the BDSM community in Pittsburgh has been accepting of transgender participants, Jessi says “Personally, I feel that within the hetero-normative bdsm groups, that trans is often viewed as a fetish or kink rather than a true identity. In many cases it is true, as some may act out a fantasy of being forced to wear the clothing of the opposite gender or to take on the perceived sexual nature of the opposite of their day to day gender identity.

Ms. Leather Pittsburgh is expected to attend certain functions (such as Pridefest), initiate her own service projects and always positively represent the leather community.  As part of her duties she has been attending various LGBT events, including the Steel City Stonewall endorsement meeting where she unabashedly introduced herself to candidates for office while wearing her “Ms Leather Pittsburgh” button.

She is confident in her ability to positively represent Pittsburgh’s leather community.

“[With the title comes] the opportunity to mix and mingle and being the social creature that I am I can with confidence say that when the night is done everyone will know that I am from [P]gh and that [the city] has a lot to offer everyone.”

Jessi’s platform also makes that leap to politics, combining increased awareness of trans health issues with stronger gender identity and gender expression protections.

When it comes to seeking healthcare, the potential of discrimination can be as significant as actual discrimination.  Delays in seeking healthcare can be very damaging for individual health, an issue Jessi plans to highlight both to educate healthcare providers and encourage transgender men and women to connect with the right providers.

She also plans to advocate for transgender inclusions in state and federal anti-discrimination legislation.

Jessi has been an oft spotted figure at many local political events in addition to her activities in the leather and BDSM community.  She hopes to reach out more closely to lesbian and queer women’s events, both to educate about the leather community and build bridges to work on shared issues.

“Why does this matter?” Jessi reflects. “Mr. or Ms. Leather bringing home a major leather title adds to the reputation of Pittsburgh as a gay destination.”

This is part of her appeal for sponsors – the potential to support the leather community and attract new visitors to the region. Sponsors help subsidize the travel expenses for the contestants. Jessi has received cash donations and gift certificates which she raffles off during her public appearances.

She also has a tongue-in-cheek bit during local events, “selling”spankings for $5.00.  The spankee gets a little taste of kink and an official “I was spanked by Ms. Pittsburgh Leather” button.

Full Disclosure:  In the spirit of marrying politics with increased visibility for the leather community, I received my button at the Stonewall Democrats endorsement meeting.  My partner rolled her eyes when I pointed out that it hurt.  Apparently, I will remain an avowed ally to the leather community.

Jessi’s post-International plans will be to interest more women in the Three Rivers Leather Club and the 2012 competition.  She blogs regularly at http://leatherquest.blogspot.com.

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