10/03/2019
Midwest Leather Weekend Kink Seminars update -
NOTE: Due to events beyond our control, The Titans of the Midwest have cancelled “S̶o̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶a̶ ̶H̶a̶n̶d̶l̶e̶r̶ ?” Why You Want To Be A Handler! class at 2 pm and have not provided a substitute class. The Cupping class scheduled for 3pm will be moving an hour earlier to it's 2pm place. We apologize that there will be no Handler/puppy specific class but we would rather have a quality class, instead of something that was rushed to be put in it's place. We promise that next year there will be more educational programming!
The Kink Seminars are an annual tradition with the Midwest Leather Weekend, held on Saturday during the day while the Judges are interviewing the contestants. This year we are including seminars that are not Kink, so calling them our 2019 Seminars. Whatever you call them, they include topics everyone can enjoy and learn from.
A huge Midwest Leather Thank You to the Titans of the Midwest who put the seminars together this year, and the experts donating their time and expertise.
All seminars will take place at JJ's Clubhouse & Bar, 3858 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63110 (at the intersection of Vandeventer and Market.) All seminars are free admission. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Get Up….STAY Up - 11am
Instructor: Dr. Chad Neal
A class in depression, anxiety around “event drop”
Chad Neal Ph.D. is Director of Training. Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center. A Mental health professional he specializes in Depression/Mood, Medical/Health Psychology with particular emphasis on Men’s issues
The View from Here - Beyond the Gender Box - 12 noon
Speaker: Dieta Pepsi
Prevention Specialist, St Louis Effort for AIDS
A class on marginalization, toxicity and injustice as experienced by Gender non-conforming, People of Color, and transgendered persons.
6ft 3 inches, intersex and known all over St. Louis for raising many thousands of dollars for local causes, Dieta — aka Leon Braxton - is known for her unmistakable deep laugh and glamorous attire.
(please note if you use Dieta's picture you must credit photographer Craig Currie)
Intro to Cupping - 2 pm
Instructors – Daddy John & Pup Gazer/Handler Selene
Cupping has been used for centuries as both a healing method and erotic play. This 3,000 year old technique can be done in three methods, Dry cupping, Fire cupping and Wet cupping. Our class will explore the techniques of fire cupping and advanced fire cupping as a way of relaxation, sensual play and endorphin release much the same way impact play does. We will look at preparation, application, safety and aftercare
Daddy John is an active member of the Chicago, regional and national puppy and handler community/leather community and AB/DL community. As an advocate for unity amongst fe**shes and active in the fe**sh community since 1989, his largest current focus is advocating for su***de prevention and awareness within the kink community. He has facilitated many pup, trainer/handler, little and AB/DL seminars, hands-on kink classes as well as seminars on mental health safety and head space. A member of the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention and co-founder of the Inter-Fetish Coalition of Su***de Prevention and Awareness (IFCSPA) he has organized fundraisers and raised thousands of dollars towards this cause. Daddy John was the first Great Lakes Trainer title holder and held the title for 2 years (2016 & 2017). He currently is co-owner of Midwest Puppy/Midwest Puppy and Handler. He is the current Dungeon Master at The Chicago Rose. He is a member of the Chicago Puppy Patrol, International Puppy Club, Chicago Area Gear Enthusiast, Chicago Age Players, Chicago AB/DL’s, Titans of the Midwest, Clooless’s Sanctuary for Wayward Boys and Great Lakes Bears. In the Puppy community he is recognized as an Owner, Handler and Trainer.
Daddy John enjoys spending time with his chosen family (Pup Gazer, and Trouble), is an avid gamer and loves to cook.
Gazer is a 24-year-old, trans pup who seeks to help create a community for everyone. She considers Puppy and Leather to be a home for all, regardless of self-definition, and is always willing to lend a paw to make that a reality. Gazer is Illinois Puppy 2018, an educator for Titans of the Midwest, and is actively finding new ways to benefit kink and fe**sh communities. As an eager advocate for TCK, Howard Brown Health, and kink inclusiveness, she is a cofounder of Beyond Labels; a Leather-plus organization whose mission is to create a community fe**sh environment with the needs of our marginalized siblings first, and seeks equity for our family members above all else. Gazer is also a coordinator at the Chicago Rose (a pangender/pansexual lifestyle club) which helps to promote a cross-kink and fe**sh environment for anyone of any walk of life to feel comfortable with themselves, to educate and be educated, and to have fun in a safe, accepting space.”
