Taking Up Space at IMSLBB 2024

What a weekend. This was my first sash appearance as International Person of Leather and I was nervous. Mainly due to some last minute changes I was not only traveling alone, but I really only "knew" one other person going. Plus it had become sort of a tradition for my girlfriend Nikki and I to go to IMSL together and this year it just wasn't in the cards.

So off I went with hoping for the best. New roommate situation, no travel partners, no friends. but something kept telling me it would all work out if I just went and allowed fate to work it's magic.

Tomo Tomo graciously allowed me to crash with him, and it gave us space to learn about and see each other outside of the mad, frenetic energy of SPLF. He even shared a feast from the deli he went to that had the BEST (and biggest) matzo ball soup I have ever tasted. I lived off of it most of the weekend TBH.

I have been conditioned to never take up space, never presume I am welcome even when invited, and certainly not to just feel free to rest in someone else's space. Tomo made sure that I understood it was "our" room. I know that sounds like such a small thing, but for me it was HUGE, and set the tone for the weekend where I didn't feel like I had to make myself small.

And then this impishly delightful person appeared in my life. Peggy Sue, with her colorful dresses, take no shit attitude, and a penchant for lollipops and "littering", swept into my life bringing with her such joy and playfulness, as well as much needed wisdom and safety.

I was so lucky to have my "wing dyke" who made introduction, after introduction after introduction while she held court in the lobby. "Hi so and so have you met Mara?". Literally. For Hours.

When I felt too out of my league to talk to the person flagging purple left, set me up for one of the best needle scenes I have ever done. I don't think I have ever felt more self confident then I did sitting in her presence. It was contagious and irrepressible.

We smuggled snacks, had cute butch boi/ys pick up litter, basked in what little warmth we could find on Sunday, but mainly we had fun. Silly, snarky, teasing, tasty fun. I don't think I have ever eaten that many lollipops ever.

Thank you to every person that stopped to say hi and took time to welcome me into that space. Thank you to Tomo for taking a chance and creating a space for peace this weekend, and most of all thank you to Peggy Sue for reminding me that sometimes I still have game. <3