From the San Francisco Bay Times!

Mollena Williams is the happy winner of the first Ms. San Francisco Leather in nine years. Photo by Rich Stadmiller.

Coming Back After 10 Years, the Contest Was a Huge Success

After a 10 year absence, the Ms. San Francisco Leather contest returned with a 21st Century energy on Saturday night, Oct. 17, at the Blue Macaw Bistro and Night Club.  As the contest advertising said, “The Bitch is Back!”  Five contestants vied for the honor of representing San Francisco’s Leather community.  Angel, a member of Dykes on Bikes and self-described as a “Switch Leather Dyke”; Miss Max, a BDSM educator, who describes herself as a “gender queer girl;” Tracy Wolf, a polyamorous switch who is active in The Exiles and Threshold (an LA based group); Mizz Sammy, a “Domme momme” who is studying Healthcare Information Services; and Mollena Williams, a writer, actress, BDSM educator, and “Executive Pervert” put on a show that left the crowd saying “great show! We want more!”  Jody, the contest producer explained that this is a different sort of contest and that while a titleholder would be chosen at the end of the evening, all of the contestants were now a part of the Ms. San Francisco Leather family.

Each contestant presented a fantasy skit, answered a pop question and gave a short speech in front of an audience of close to 200.  Before the show, a five judge panel  – consisting of esteemed members of the leather community  -  interviewed each contestant.  The Head Judge was “Mama” Sandy Reinhardt, the matriarch of Mama’s Family, an organization that raises approximately $2 million each year for non-profit organizations such as the AIDS emergency fund and the Breast Cancer emergency fund.  She was joined by Lamalani, International Ms. Leather 2009; Brandon Clark, Mr. San Francisco Leather 2009; Daddy Sal, the co-producer of Leather Traditions; and Pam Meyer, Ms. San Francisco 1999 and International Ms. Leather 1999.

The contest featured MC extraodinaire Queen Cougar, Ms. San Francisco Leather 1993, who began the show singing the National Anthem as the Golden Gate Guards presented the colors.  Cougar kept the evening lively with her wit and humor.  The contest was dedicated to Mr. Marcus Hernandez, who was always a great friend of leatherwomen.  To commemorate the return of the Ms. San Francisco Leather contest, Senator Mark Leno and Assemblyman Tom Ammiano each stopped by and presented proclamations, ribbing the reigning Ms. San Francisco Leather, Pam Meyer (1999) for her 10 year stint as Ms. SF Leather.

In the culmination of the evening, Pam Meyer stepped down after 10 years, getting a laugh out of the audience as she said, “when they said ‘the Bitch is Back,’ they meant me.”   Mollena Williams “Mo” was named Ms. San Francisco Leather 2009 with Tracy Wolf as the First Runner Up.  Miss Max was voted as the Leather Heart recipient by her fellow contestants.  The Leather Heart award is given to the contestant who most exemplifies the heart in the leather flag.

Originally from New York, Mo has been active in the BDSM community since 1996.  She is a founding member of the Crowded Fire Theater Company and speaks at leather events across the U.S. on many kinkcentric topics.  Over the next year, Mo will be at every major leather event in the Bay Area and will produce several fundraising events to benefit Bay Area non-profits organizations.   Mo plans to travel extensively and, in March 2010, will be competing for the title of International Ms. Leather here in San Francisco.

While the final numbers are not yet in, the contest raised over $1,000 each for its  beneficiaries, LYRIC (Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center) and TLC (the Transgender Law Center).