The Scholarship and the Psychophants: Why raise money for the Tony Deblase Scholarship Fund

During the next year, I have consented to whore myself to raise funds for the Tony Deblase Scholarship, a Pride Foundation scholarship that supports students entering the field of sex education, sex therapy research, or studies that further the understanding of sexuality, especially alternative sexuality. With tongue firmly in cheek, I am willing to work the streets for this cause, propositioning you both for financial support and for your participation at fund-raising events.

Recently I was asked why raise funds for a scholarship fund whose seed money already exists. This is an excellent question. Their are many in the community who helped raise the initial funds for this scholarship. Perhaps some may feel that the job was completed at that time. Others question the value of sex research, given the political and financial upheaval today. Finally, many flatter me with false kudos followed by such phrases as "you would be so much more effective as a titleholder by spending your time raising money for [name of esoteric non-profit organization]."

Ten years ago I returned to school and spent the next few years as both a student and a working professional. I understand the costs of higher education. My experience has shown me that for a scholarship to be truly viable, it must be able to alleviate this financial burden. Funding must be robust. I realize that this is especially true when I read of recent budget cuts in higher education, cuts that have caused tuition to rise at an alarming rate.

I also understand that obtaining money for sexual studies is not easy, especially funds to research the Leather/kink/alternative community. This research is extremely important not only because it helps us understand ourselves, but also because it helps diffuse the prejudice in our country against those who exist outside of society's approved definitions.

I have observed over the last two decades that Leathermen and Leatherwomen have long been the harbingers of sexuality. I am constantly amazed at the introduction of terms and fashions that we once guarded as our own. As a humorous example, a few months ago I happened to hear a conversation in the office. "Damn," said a married, heterosexual co-worker after a difficult telephone encounter with a client. "That wasn't even safe, sane, and consensual. I didn't even have a safe word!" Everyone laughed.

I was stunned. Terms introduced by Leatherfolk more than two decades ago now part of the mainstream discourse.

As I see it, Leatherfolk have long played an integral part in creating the discourse of mainstream culture. Our historic role for the last few decades.

Therefore, expect me to use the pedestal of my title to ask for your support. Join me in supporting the education of the next generation of Leatherfolk as they build on the foundation laid by those who came before. And if you can't donate, the least you can do is to tie someone up and hurt them in Tony's memory (plagarised without shame from the Tony Deblase Scholarship brochure).

Find more information about the Tony Deblase Scholarship at www.pridefoundation.org/scholarships/scholarship-funds/.