I was born and raised in Missouri but made my way to Long Beach in the summer of 2007 to start college—and, if I’m being honest, to find my people. I knew I was gay, and I knew there were plenty of gay guys in California. That was enough for me.

At CSULB, I played volleyball, and my now-partner, Brandon, would secretly come to my games, quietly cheering me on from the stands. We first met when he and his friends coaxed a nervous, closeted cub out to the old Hamburger Mary’s in Long Beach one night. That night changed everything, and this May, we’ll be celebrating 15 years together.

In recent years, I’ve embraced my love for leather—not just admiring big, hairy men in it but becoming one myself. What started as a fantasy has grown into something real, and I’ve been lucky to be welcomed into the LA leather community with open arms. The friendships I’ve built with my leather mentors have been invaluable. They’ve shared the history of leather in our community, told me their wildest and kinkiest stories, and even passed down pieces of their own leather, allowing me to craft my own identity within this world.

Living in LA means having access to a vibrant and thriving leather scene—events, contests, bar nights, and gatherings that bring people together. I’m excited to keep diving deeper into the community, getting more involved, and bringing others along for the ride. There’s plenty of room for all of us.