People and Places
If you live in the South, you know that three things happen every late
spring/early summer without fail: allergies, hurricane season and the
SouthEastern LeatherFest, better known as SELF, will hold their leather
weekend this month. This is all overseen by the ever fabulous Lady
Catherine Gross, who will also be at A Touch of Flavor in Baltimore on
Fourth of July weekend. This month, Verboten had a chance to ask a few
questions of the very busy Lady Catherine.
VERBOTEN: After 19 years, what have been the significant changes at SELF?
LADY CATHERINE: We have been part of many contest systems over
the years. We were part of the Drummer community that is now
the International LeatherSIR LeatherBoy contests. We were host to
International Master/slave contest for years. SELF went from being a
leather run to an event. The change was more in perception than any
difference at the event. Just as now because the word leather is part
of our name, people believe we are only a “leather” event. When the
word leather was part of our name it was more of an umbrella term
for all communities not a perceived niche community. We saw large
scale change in our middle years. SELF now as to who attends is
most like SELF was in the first five years. We have even numbers of
populations mixing younger with older people. We are fairly even in
numbers of gay, queer, metrosexual and pansexual communities. The value of being diverse
has allowed a tremendous amount of sharing and a feeling that you can be who you are
without being judged but being welcomed instead.
VERBOTEN: Can you give a few secrets on how you and your staff have retained SELF’s
longevity and continued growth?
LADY CATHERINE: There have been a lot of dynamic people who have served on our board
and staff over the years. Their energy has allowed SELF to prosper. We’ve had years where
we didn’t experience growth. We’re in a huge growth period now and I believe that has to do
with the significant changes we’ve made. Opening up our contest so weekend attendees can
vote on contest categories has been received with tremendous excitement. I don’t think it’s a
secret — it is being blessed with people who are willing to donate hundreds of hours of work a
year to make the weekend happen. They are committed people. Without people willing to be
a board member, a staff member and volunteer at the event, we wouldn’t be able to create
SELF annually. It is also that we are supported by sponsors and groups. They allow us the
means to keep our ticket prices one of the most inexpensive in the country for what we offer.
VERBOTEN: How do you do it after all these years, refreshed and reinvigorated every year?
LADY CATHERINE: We change the programming every year. There is always some piece of
SELF that is new. Some years we make significant changes. This is one of those years and
we’ve been so excited to create a weekend that is radically different. It is a willingness to risk
and be different which keeps creative energy flowing and motivation plentiful.