Honors & Awards Bestowed at SWLC 2012

The Southwest Leather Conference Spiritual Development Scholarshipwas created in 2006 as a gift from Master Steve of Butchmanns, to his beloved friend and leather brother, Master Skip, for his 50th birthday. It was created to honor Master Skip's ministry in the leather community of celebrating and modeling the integration of radical sexuality with one's spirituality.The scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance to leather folk who are pursuing formal religious or spiritual training or education for the purpose of accreditation and / or personal spiritual growth and development. The scholarship is managed by Butchmanns, Inc. Read more about this Scholarship here

First awarded at SWLC 2004, the Southwest Leather Conference Leatherman's Heart Award is given to a male-identified individual within the leather/fetish/bdsm community who, in the opinion of the SWLC producers, is an exemplary model of authenticity and integrity.

 

Past recipients:

2004/2005 - Master Z

2006 - SlaveMaster Mike MsDade

2007 - Brian Dawson

2008 - slave Rick Levine

2009 - Master Roy Hendrick

2010 - Rick Storer

2011 - Mark Frazier

First awarded at SWLC 2004, the Southwest Leather Conference Leatherwoman's Heart Award is given annually to a female-identified individual within the leather/fetish/bdsm community who, in the opinion of the SWLC producers, is an exemplary model of authenticity and integrity.

 

Past Recipients:

2004/2005 - sheryl dee

2006 - Pat Baillie

2007 - slave nadine Cutler

2008 - Bootpig

2009 - Glenda Rider

2010 - Judy Tallwing-McCarthy

2011 - Daddy Sal Hopkins

First awarded at SWLC 2004, the Southwest Leather Conference Spirit of Service Award is given annually to an individual who, in the opinion of the SWLC producers, consistently performs selfless acts of service for the betterment of the leather/fetish/bdsm community.

 

Past Recipients:

2004/2005 - slave pug

2006 - Stephen Bloom

2007 - Joseph

2008 - The Drgaon Clan

2009 - Dave Rhodes

2010 - Master Jefferson James

2011 - Justin Tanis

First awarded at SWLC 2006, the Southwest Leather Conference Volunteer of the Year Award is given annually to the individual who, in the opinion of the SWLC producers, has made the largest or most significant contribution of volunteer service to SWLC during the past year.

 

Past Recipients:

2006 - slavegirl debbie

2007 - girl debra

2008 - slave kia

2009 - Elegant

2010 - slave tiffany

2011 - Master Dutch

“Does a boy get a chance to whitewash a fence every day?” Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Many years ago when Butchmanns was still taking place at Master Steve Sampson's compound in Tucson, he and Master Skip Chasey were having a discussion about Master Steve’s most current leather community project.  Master Skip doesn’t recall what the project was, but he does recall Master Steve explaining that he had solicited the assistance of a few community members (Butchmanns regulars) to "assist" him in bringing the project to fruition; i.e., he had a vision and he had (once again) enticed others to, in his words, "make it so."

Master Skip laughed and told Master Steve that he was the Tom Sawyer of leather, continually talking others into painting his leather fences (i.e., getting others to bring his ideas to fruition), convincing them how much fun (or exciting or fulfilling...you get the idea) it would be. Master Skip went on to say, "Then, as soon as we start to paint your fence, you're nowhere to be found."  Master Steve laughed and replied, "Yes, but that's only because I'm off building another fence!"

Master Skip was struck by both the truth of these words and the depth of Master Steve’s self-awareness, and he respectfully nodded his head in understanding and agreement.

 

To this day, we’re still painting the fence at Southwest Leather Conference, carrying on the vision and purpose started ten years ago. It’s not work to us, it’s fun and fills our spirits with purpose. We honor this story every year with the Golden Paintbrush award, given to someone who has significantly contributed to the evolution of the leather/fetish/bdsm community by instilling a beneficial vision within the community.

 

Past Recipients:

2007 - Master Steve Sampson

2008 - Susan Wright

2009 - Master Harold Thomas

2010 - Ms. Kendra

2011 - Master Taino