Happy Birthday, my friend. xo

From today’s service:

Back in the oldendays of 1982 I met Albert Macklin/Mellinkoff while doing the workshop of a musical in New York. We both went to Broadway with that show and even shared a dressing room. It was thru Albert that I met Michael. We became closer when both Albert and Michael decided to go back to school to become therapists. When Michael was looking for a private practice internship he came and talked to me. We worked together in that capacity for a number of years. Michael was a smart, hard working and highly ethical apprentice. I never worried for a minute about him working under my license. He was always open to challenges. When we started California Therapists for Marriage Equality — -he was in, when I joined the AAMFT Board he delivered whatever help I needed. He made a name for himself as an expert in Intimate partner Violence at the Center, he made a name for himself in the sex-positive, kink positive clinical world.

But it wasn’t all work. Michael was an extraordinary friend — a light.

A number of years ago I started re-engaging in the kink world that I had put on the backburner for many years. This was something else personal and vital that we shared. I told him a number of years ago about how I almost ran for Mr GNI Leather but then decided against it. He urged me to think about it again. The next thing I knew he was running to represent this bar. I was amazed as I saw all the pictures of him from that nite in his full leather and a lot less. I didn’t really go to contests then — I go to a lot contests now. I was amazed at his balls. He talked so much about that experience and what it gave him and he urged me not to hide behind the mask of professionalism at the expense of self expression. I listened and I ran the following year and won. He and Lindsay were so supportive. We would meet out at various “functions” and we always had a great time. It meant the world to have a man I admired so closely mirroring my path, my desires and my decisions.

Michael and Lindsay came to every event I gave save one. Esteban and I hosted a naked banquet shortly after he started his initial treatment. He reserved seats early and saved them until the day of the event but was just to ill to make it. I know how much he wanted to be there. I know how much I wanted him to be able to be there. The same with IML. I know how much he wanted to come to Chicago on the off chance that I won. I knew I wouldn’t win. He was insistent that I would.

It was one of the great nites of my life and he was missed. You both were.
I know they say, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. It’s so obvious that I was a mentor to Michael. What is less obvious, but still very true, is the way he was a mentor to me. It is clear to me that had Michael not led the way and encouraged me to run for my titles, that I would not be International Mr. Leather. Your bravery, your commitment, and, yes, your exhibitionism — — all of it –paved the way for me. I’m grateful for you, I love you, I will miss you and this medallion here — this — would never have happened without your example. Love you, brother.