Rod's Drummer Page 2

Rod Wood

c l i c k f o r m o r e p i c t u r e s

- Northern California Mr. Drummer 2000 -
- Russian River Mr. Drummer 2000 -

C A U T I O N ! Some of these sites may have sexually graphic materials!
If this offends you, please go back!

Introduction The more detailed list about me...

Howdy again!

Welcome to my Information page. If you don't really want to read the details about my beliefs, then you might as well click that "back" button now.
As you might have noted in my Stats, I'm 46 years old. That makes me something of an elder, or survivor in the Community. Of my four long-term companions, two have died of AIDS. Of those, one died as I held his hand. It's not an experience that I would want anyone to have, but it is one that changed me. I don't want to see any more friends contract HIV. That's why I have such a strong conviction to help stop the spread of this disease.
I've also known men and women in our Community who have been attacked as they walked between their car and their local gay or lesbian establishment. Despite living in areas which are generally acknowledged to be "gay", we are threatened by those who come in from outside our relatively peaceful communities. We need to be aware of these potential dangers. And that is why I wear a whistle when I go out.

Things I believe in... As I've mentioned before, I'm a bit hard-headed about some issues...
Safety is the first of these. Like love, there are all sorts of safety. First there's the kind of safety related to our vulnerability. As we see all too often, there are groups of people in the world who would like nothing better than to see all gay people dead. Many people ask why I wear a whistle - it's to help me in case of an encounter with those sorts of people. No, a whistle does not offer the same sort of protection that a helmet or bullet-proof vest might. It can draw attention to the situation, and very few attackers want that attention.
Another kind of safety has to do with sexual activity. Time was when "Safe, Sane and Consensual" was the motto of the Leather Community. So many seemed to have forgotten the first two words. I cannot stress enough the importance of using condoms or other protection when involved in a sexual activity. I remember a time when we didn't have to worry about such things. And I hope to be around when I can say that I remember a time when we did have to worry. But WE DO NOT HAVE A CURE FOR AIDS YET. We might not have one in our normally-expected lifetimes.
"Okay," you say, "but if we're both positive, then what's the harm?" If we hadn't seen a phenomenon called "mutation" (it's a form of evolution), then I'd say you'd be right. But when two infected people have unprotected sex, the chance of mutation increases, as does the chance of being infected by a strain that has already become resistant to a particular drug regimen. It's not only suicidal to the two people involved, but to those who may become infected in the future. We've seen this in venereal disease, tuberculosis, and other illnesses.
Other kinds of safety have to do with preparedness. I encourage everyone to take a CPR course and a First Aid course. While you may not ever need it, there's no harm in knowing this information. I'd also recommend taking a Neighborhood Emergency Response Team [NERT] course. This is usually given by the local Fire Department, and may include the other two trainings.
When it comes to Safety, I not only "talk the talk", I "walk the walk". For the last eight San Francisco Pride Parade and Festivals, I have worked as a Safety Monitor. For several of those years, I've been a Safety Team Leader as well. It's been a rewarding activity, knowing that your work helps others to have a good time, with not much to worry about during the Parade and Festival.
What about my own "unsafe" practices? I've been known to ride a motorcycle. And I live in an earthquake zone. My sexual preferences put me in a higher risk group for all sorts of health-related things. I also walk down the street. Should I move someplace else and become a hermit? Of course not! The best we can do is assess our risks, and minimize them. I ride with a helmet, I've had my home reinforced, I use a condom, I learned CPR, and I wear a whistle.
Courtesy is the second of these. Courtesy easily boils down to treating everyone else like you'd like to be treated. Some old-fashioned courtesy tended to be somewhat sexist. Modern courtesy treats everyone the same way. I agree with Miss Manners (Judith Martin) that courtesy is a great equalizer, since it doesn't require any financial cost, yet the returns are so great. By the way, this lady has some excellent words of wisdom regarding gay issues.
Equality is the third of these. It goes hand-in-hand with courtesy. None of us is "equal" to anyone else. But we should have equal (or at least equivalent) opportunities. These include not only jobs, but education, healthcare, and happiness. Not everyone is born to be President, but everyone should have the opportunity to run for the office.
Do I wish there were a International Ms. Drummer? Yes. My explanation would be too lengthy for this forum, but I believe that "A man of quality is not threatened by a woman of equality."
How do I feel about the Boy Scouts? Disappointed. Very disappointed. I had a great time as a Boy Scout. I advanced from Tenderfoot through Eagle, collecting 31 merit badges and an assortment of friends along the way. I also became a Camp Counselor, Camp Comissioner, and eventually became an Assistant Scoutmaster. I learned about personal responsibility, leadership, and camaraderie. I learned how to cook, tie knots, build a fire, and pitch a tent, all of which came in handy later in life. I'm sure that the number of boys who later turned out to be gay was probably close to the national average. Yes, I can understand BSA's concerns regarding pedarists in their organization, but is it really any different than for Little League, Boys and Girls Club, or other youth organizations? For the Boy Scouts to act like the U.S. armed forces is shameful. Not to mention the way the armed forces act!
Will we see true equality in our lifetimes? Probably not. Those in power like to keep that power, whether its government, church, or business. An evolution of thinking will have to occur for any change to happen, and frankly, those same forces are opposed to that as well. In the meantime, women, homosexuals, and minorities struggle to retain their precarious positions in their societies. By the way, look around, this is true all over the world.

Things I don't believe in... Mostly things that I think are wrong...
Barebacking. As you may have guessed from my statements above on Safe, Sane and Consensual Sex, I believe that the practice called "barebacking" is far too prevalent. Barebacking is having anal sex without a condom. If either partner is HIV+, then barebacking should be completely out of the question. Only in long-term, committed, monogamous relationships can there be enough trust to think about anything else.
There are those who would disagree with me, claiming that we've fought hard for our sexual freedom. I agree, the struggle has been difficult. But with that freedom comes responsibility. We have the burden of being accountable for our actions, lest we be deemed unworthy of our freedom.
Pedophilia & Bestiality. As shocked as I am this year about statistics on barebacking, I was even more shocked about the flack I caught seven years ago for asking a contestant a question about NAMBLA. I just don't believe that having sex with children or animals is EVER justifiable.
I put sex-with-children in with sex-with-animals as a very destructive activity. Both of these put one person of considerable authority and of a presumed responsibility in a position of power over another living being who looks up to that person. Both the child and the animal (for example, pet dogs, cats, sheep, whatever) look to that person for their well-being, such as food, shelter, and guidance. Their participation is out of fear, not of sexual drive.
Unfortunately, the trauma is so great for these children that they often block out the incident, or else end up in counseling for many years afterward. Those that block it may have it blown open by what most of us would consider a little thing - the sight of an old car, the sound of an unusual bird, the smell of creosote logs.
Interestingly enough, pedophiles (literally "child lovers") are quite often victims of molestation as children themselves. And, despite the fears of political conservatives, the most likely perpetrators are not homosexuals, but straight male adults, and their victims are girls. Not only that, but most victims know their molesters, usually being related to them.
The more I think about it, the angrier I get that we would even have to think about okaying organizations which condone molestation to participate in our festivities. The gay and lesbian community loves to celebrate our diversity, our love, yes and sometimes our outrageous behavior, but I think we don't need NAMBLA anymore than we need Rev. Fred Phelps.
In addition, sex with treating physicians, psychiatrists, or other counselors* (including lawyers, supervisors, and priests) also fall in this category. It's still an abuse of power. For some of these professions, it's considered illegal, and for some it's just unethical. Fortunately, these individuals usually answer to even higher authorities, so they are more easily reported if they act in an unprofessional manner. Unfortunately, many of the higher authorities may condone such behaviour, either passively by ignoring it, or actively by focusing blame on the victim.
*Please note that sex with anyone in these professions who are not in a client/provider relationship are perfectly acceptable.

On The Contest... ; For those who've never been through it...
The Russian River Drummer 2000 Contests were held at the Russian River Eagle in Guerneville. Four Mr. Drummer and two Drummerboy contestants competed on June 10, 2000. For me, it was literally a last-minute decision, signing up moments before the 3:00 deadline. From that moment until I left for home at 2:30 the next morning, the whole adventure was something of a blur. About the only thing I remember was that Brett and I clicked the moment we met, which meant that the fantasy came off easily for the two of us working together. I'm proud to have won the Russian River Drummer title along with him.
The Northern California Regional Drummer 2000 Contests this year were held at The Sound Factory in San Francisco on Saturday, July 29, 2000. While only two of us competed in each of the two categories, all four of us were nervous. Let me say right off the top that I have respect for all three of the other contestants. Niq (SFMD) is well known in the San Francisco Leather Community, and he was able to leverage that to his advantage. Terry (SFDb) has been trained very well - he will make a fine new Northern California Drummerboy. Brett (RRDb) is relatively new to all of this, and willing to learn - I expect him to do even better the next time he competes.
So there I was, competing as Russian River Mr. Drummer 2000, against Niq Shelbi, San Francisco Mr. Drummer 2000. Bauke Ylstra, the previous year's Northern California Mr. Drummer, commented that there could not have been any two contestants who were more dissimilar. I'd have to agree. Nearly every item that one could list, Niq and I would be polar opposites. From sexual freedom, to age, to body type, and on and on. It made for an interesting contest. At least from our perspective.
Was I nervous? Yes. Did I have a good time? Definitely. Would I do it again? I don't think I can, so the answer is "not applicable", but otherwise "you betcha!". What was the first thought that I had on the announcement? "Ohmygod, I've WON!" The second reaction is multilevel. First, I was honored, but had a quiet pause - I realized that I would be competing against some of the most formidable leathermen in the world. Second, I thought of all the work I'd be doing the next year-or-so, especially when I go on to the International title. Third, I was convinced that my message of safety was an important one.
Would I recommend anyone try for this title? No, not just anyone. It takes four things. First, a conviction that you have something to offer the community - an idea, a goal, etc. Second, a willingness to accept defeat as graciously as victory, because in many of our goals, a LOT of defeats accompany a few victories. Third, a commitment to your idea, and an an ability to convince others of its value. Fourth, a good personality and attitude. Don't go in thinking this is either a meal ticket or a way to get laid. It's neither.
I look forward to competing in the International Mr. Drummer 2000 Contest in September. Being the only Mr. Drummer contestant from California, I hope to represent my state well. And even if I do not win, I'm still convinced that my message of safety is an important one.

On My Drummer Fantasy... A lot of controversy has surrounded my "Fantasy"...
While some of you may have seen my Drummer fantasy, most of you haven't. The theme for this year was "Discipline". Being a citizen of a county in California which has had some recent scandals regarding some of its Catholic priests, I took a current headline, and ran with it.
The fantasy involves a confessional, a priest, and a leatherboy. I'm sure it doesn't take a whole lot of imagination to figure out what happens from that point. Apparently, there are those who view this "fantasy" as "heresy" or "rape". Perhaps I should explain why I don't look at it that way.
Unlike the victims of many real-life situations with a similar cast of characters, the leatherboy used in the fantasy is not a "boy" in the sense of being a child. Since he is an adult, he there of his own free will. Pederasty is NOT involved.
Because we have only a small slice of time for the fantasy, there is no prequel to what may have happened in the past, nor what may happen in the future with the participants of the fantasy. While there could be moral issues to be dealt with if this "fantasy" were "reality", nothing illustrated in the fantasy is illegal. At least in this state.
Any sexual intercourse by force or threat is rape. Unfortunately, far too many boys and girls fall victim to real-life situations where they are forced into sexual situations with persons of authority. They have fears, both imagined and real, which may haunt them for the rest of their lives. The tragedy is that the perpetrators are seldom accused until long after the act. If ever.
For those who doubt this, check with your friends to see how many had their first sex with a priest or other authoritarian figure - the percentage is staggering. And gay men are more likely to be willing to talk about it than straight men, so do the math.
My Drummer Fantasy involves two adults having sex. Plain and simple. It's a fantasy - get over it.

Links Interesting places to go on the web...

I'm on ICQ

72251067

Thanks to Russian River Eagle for Drummer pictures above! ; And thanks for stopping by - Rod