FeedSend A South African Leather Bear To IML
Written by NetBear on December 15, 2009 – 5:36 am -Every summer leather folk converge on Chicago for the International Mr. Leather contest. Men from around the world compete for the ultimate leather title. But there has never been a contestant from South Africa. That is, until Jaco Lourens became Mr. South Africa Leathermen 2009.
In 2010, this furry daddy is going to make history. Jaco will be the first ever South African to compete at IML. But traveling half-way around the world isn’t an easy or inexpensive prospect. And as any IML contestant can tell you, there are many expenses involved in preparing for such an event.
After meeting Jaco, we are convinced that he very capably represents not only the global leather community, but also the bear community. Bearotic is pleased to be a sponsor of Mr. Lourens in his trip to Chicago.
After you meet Jaco we think you’ll want to help support his trip to IML too.
Jaco Lourens has the rugged good looks that beg for more than just a casual glance. Furry, masculine, bearded and with a totally no-nonsense attitude, this is a sexy man’s man who’s good looks are only eclipsed by the size of his big heart.
Inspired by the people he met at Joy for Life, Jaco and friends started Dibanani AIDS Project in Cape Town, South Africa. Together they have received two awards. Jaco has continued with the Home Base Care program where they provide support, counseling and home visits to patients living with HIV.
“With Dibanani AIDS Project - Dibanani (a Xhosa word for Unity) we work with people who mostly live below the bread line, we pick up clients from being tested for HIV, through the screening process, counseling, taking their ARV’s, side effects through after care, we visit our clients on a daily, weekly, monthly basis to ensure their living conditions are conducive & where possible alcohol and drug free.”
“Through all this time we also hold personal HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and we are able to reach people in 7 different languages, which is very important as we have a huge number of illiterate population.”
“My husbear, Herman Groenewald who I married on 10 September 2008, has now also joined Dibanani AIDS project, helping me reach our community who battle the fight with HIV/AIDS everyday.”
Run a flag up a pole and see who salutes. This is always a good way to gauge where a man’s loyalties and interests lie. Jaco is proud of the flags he salutes:
South African Flag -– “I am a proud South African, we are moving into a different era in South African history, I believe that South Africans as a nation are growing and becoming more accepted in the world. I am proud to enter into the international community with my head held very high and making history!”
Leather Flag –- “I have been an active member of the Leather Community for 11 years now, I continue to learn more about the BDSM lifestyle, always humble, always exploring and creating a leather family who love and support me. I also strive to break down borders or misconceptions around the BDSM culture.”
Gay Flag –- “As an openly gay man, since the young age of 16, I am proud of who I am, who I am with, what I am and where I am heading too…! I believe that people should get rid of a very small world called GUILT – there is guilt being placed from society, churches, place of employment, family and neighbors about your sexuality. I have always lived my life in a way that I am proud of myself.”
Bear Flag –- “Growing up, I would notice big hairy very sexy men, bearded, mustached and fur all over, and I always said to myself “when I grow up, I wanna be a bear!” I quickly realized that associating myself with bears, I will be ostracized from even the very gay community I find myself to be part of. That didn’t stop me one bit to let my beard grow, not to shave my body hair, to have the normal gay perfect body. This relates to what I have said before, I am proud of who I am, and my friends and bear community I am being seen out with time and time again.
I was a little surprised one day when someone referred to me as a bear, and I took a step back and realize in a great deal of excitement that I have matured in the last few years and I am living and becoming my dream, I am becoming a bear!!!!”
SAleathermen is a national, community-based organisation dedicated to promoting the image of the South African leather community through visibility, advocacy, community outreach, and social and educational events.
One of the principle aims of SAleathermen is to encourage exploration and discussion in an open, friendly, and non-judgmental atmosphere, the goals of which embrace the very nature of self-acceptance and diversity within the community-at-large. No longer does one “earn one’s leather.” Leather remains, at heart, an expression of one’s self; a facet of one’s sexual being.
By removing stigma and preconception, SAleathermen hopes to expand its following, not only amongst long-standing leathermen throughout South Africa, but to those who simply want to socialize or explore in a safe, consensual environment. Primary to this goal is providing the education and tools to make informed choices about BDSM, edge play, safer sex, and HIV/AIDS with neither derision nor judgment.
Early in 2009, Jamie Myhre from SAleathermen offered Jaco the opportunity to represent the SAleathermen in a competition held at the Station bar in Johannesburg on 29th of May 2009. I excitedly accepted his offer and proudly won the title of Mr. SAleatherman 2009.
Jaco’s Speech after winning the SALeathermen Title
Good evening honored Judges, Leather friends & family,
We are bound with one important fact in mind, we all love leather. Whether it’s the look of it, or the feel of it, the smell of it or even the taste of it!
Being a leather man, does not mean you have to be of a certain race, or body type, or age, whether you are a master or a slave or even a voyeur or an exhibitionist.
I am proud to be part of SAleathermen, this powerful locomotive picking up momentum, collecting new members every day, exciting members all working together creating a leather family, working in the community.
I personally have focused on HIV/AIDS – working with an organization called Dibanani AIDS Project and have been involved for the last 2 years.
I am a proud leather man, a proud gay married man, to a wonderful partner, I don’t need a religious leader in a dress with bigger rings than Elton John, to tell me that I am not allowed to be gay or marry the man of my choice that goes for any other politician out there!
As GALA’s motto reads “Without queer history there is no queer pride”. Remember where we been and where we are now.
Being a leather man comes with responsibilities, to educate yourself and others, to protect yourself and others, to inform yourself and others, and… To have fun!
Be safe!
Thank you.
How can you help send Jaco to IML?
Buy a song from ITunes
UK Singer Greg Mitchell has recorded a dance music track entitled Let Your Daddy Ride as part of Jaco’s fund raising efforts.
Buy a copy of the the track on ITunes and 10% of the profits from each sale goes towards Jaco’s trip.
Please visit iTunes now and download a copy.
Preview Let Your Daddy Ride…
Donate using PayPal
It’s safe and easy to make a cash donation of any amount to Jaco’s travel fund using PayPal. Click on the Donate Button below and you will be sent to a secure web page where you can indicate how much you’d like to donate and how.
Donate by Credit Card, Debit Card or your PayPal account. Funds are sent to Neall Stevens, account holder for the Jaco Lourens IML Fund.
Blog About Jaco
Your help getting the word out about Jaco and his bid for IML is greatly appreciated. Write about how Jaco Lourens is the first man from South Africa to be a contestant in the International Mr. Leather competition.
And please feel free to copy Jaco’s images from this posting to help punctuate your own articles. A picture says a thousand words!
Put Up A Banner
Put a banner for Jaco’s fund raising campaign on your blog or website. Just copy and paste the link code for the size image you want to display. The code will do the rest. If one of your viewers clicks on it they will get sent to this page.
300×250
Embed code:
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160×600 (Image reduced for display here. Click to see actual size.)
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If you’ve put up a banner on your site or blog, let us know about it. We’ll mention your site on Bearotic!
By David Unlikely on Dec 15, 2009 7:37:24 AM | Reply
Loving “Let Your Daddy Ride”, but where can we get the version you’ve embedded? I bought the iTunes version, totally different feel. Thanx.
By NetBear on Dec 15, 2009 7:52:30 AM | Reply
I”m not sure which mix is better.
Both are fun. But you can contact the artist to see if he is offering the other one.
By Jaco Lourens on Dec 15, 2009 9:51:46 PM | Reply
I would like to take this opportunity to thank NetBear for writing such a wonderful article!!!!
I cant begin to tell you what this mean to me, and I know I will get to IML, make HISTORY and get to thank you in person!!!!
(”’) BIG BEAR HUGS (”’)
Jaco
By Kobus Coetsee - sportsloverza on Dec 15, 2009 10:08:29 PM | Reply
I come to know Jaco Lourens via the internet before the SA Leatherman competition. What a honor to have met him and Herman in person the night of the competition, Humble, down to earth and YES, a true leader for leatherman. Being retrenched and starting up my own Travel Agency with hardly any money, Jaco was and still is a BIG inspiration to me, always inspiring me, boosting me and motivating me on a daily basis to do better, stay focused all with a lot of positive energy. I know we all have it hard with the current economy but would love to see him travelling to IML. Jaco SIR, you will do us all proud, we all can learn from you and i wish you the best for IML 2010. You are a true ICON.
By Kobus Coetsee - sportsloverza on Dec 15, 2009 10:30:25 PM | Reply
As you can see from my previous comment - MRSAleathermen - Jaco Lourens is a person true to himslef and the community. Never asking but always giving, from serving the community with his AIDS/HIV project to motivating people like me, make them feel important regardless from what walk of life you are. Rich or poor, he strives to make you feel wanted, Important and appreciated. I cannot assist with any sponsorship but would like to ask you all to assist where possible. He can do so much more, not just for the gay community, Bears or Leathermen worldwide, but as a Proud South African can do a lot for Humanity. Thank you for giving him this opportunity. Lets make it happen…
By Hugh Goodhartt on Dec 16, 2009 2:00:39 AM | Reply
What a very nice article….I look forward to meeting Jaco in person and Herman in 2010. I met Jaco on the internet and congratulate him on his trip to Chicago and wish him the best of luck. Hugh
By Roger Holmes on Dec 16, 2009 3:16:17 AM | Reply
Hi I have had the pleasure of Knowing Jacob for 7 years now he has been a great friend and loyal I whish him great success in IML . As he is South Africa’s FIRST MR LEATHER I MY SELF WAS THE FIRST MR LEATHER UK 1988 and came 6th in IML so we both share leather history im allways promoting the Leather Family again thank for your friendship
leather hugs
Roger
By Chas Taylor on Dec 16, 2009 4:30:37 AM | Reply
For over ten years, Jaco and I have developed a strong friendship. Through our frequent correspondence, I have experienced his journey to manhood. He is a confident, mature, focused, articulate, creative, generous man. He is a compassionate healer. He is loyal to his partner, to his friends, and to his mission. He is a credit to our community.
C.J. Taylor, Broad Creek, MD, USA
By Peter Fitzgerald on Dec 16, 2009 2:25:07 PM | Reply
Jaco well done. While I have not met you in person we have had many conversations over time on Recon and have got to know you a little . I am the current Mr Laird Leatherman in Australian and came second in the Australia New Zealand Competition. But the biggest regret of missing out on the Trip to IML is to miss out on the opportunity to party with Jaco and Herman at IML - I sure there will be opportunity somewhere in the world sometime.
Congratulations on all the great work you are doing in sa with hiv. The whole leather community should be very proud of your efforts. Whilst I am a a proud Australian, I will be sending lots of good thoughts and hugs to Chicago at IML and know that you will do very well. - Best of Luck and kick arse buddy
By grady harrison on Dec 17, 2009 12:03:22 AM | Reply
As more than a few of us are taken with Jaco’s physical beauty, it is but an understatement to all that lives within. The Man is chockfull of integrity, heart, kindness, spunk,, humor and the innate power to move mountains. He represents what is best about His country, His beliefs and all of HUMANkind, be they Leathermen, Bears or His incredible passion to help those that cannot help themselves.
It has been my deepest sincere pleasure to have met Jaco and Herman some time back, albeit online…..but soon to change as i sit vociferously in the cheering section in Chicago at IML and sharing in his dream to just attend, let alone represent his country, continent, fellow leathermen and all that it goes with that…..Know that your efforts to help cannot go to a more deserving and thankful man. With your help, he can move this mountain also……GO JACO
By Dave Murphy on Jan 8, 2010 10:05:49 PM | Reply
Throughout dark times an unstinting support of the person. Understanding, compassionate and any other suitable complimentray ajectives go in here all underlined by that Jaco impish naughty humour that can only be him. Priceless.
I mustn’t forget those wicked dimples that turn my knees to jelly every time. they are just one aspect of a truly beautiful man. Beauty that goes to the bone.You know my feeling towards you my boy from day one ’till the last breath.
Go to IML, it’s yours for the taking, show the world that Leather has an unstinting ambassador, take my love with you .
Dave Murphy
By Michelle Jackson on Jan 12, 2010 11:00:57 PM | Reply
This is really great information. San Diego Leatherboys will include your link for donations and information to support SA Leathermen and send Jaco to IML.
Thank you with hugs….Michelle
http://www.SDLboys.org
By Cargokilts on Mar 3, 2010 7:51:23 AM | Reply
JACO, We will gladly sponsor you a Cargokilt should you wish to use it on your most epic journey.