Inside Leather History: A Fireside Chat

Hosted by Doug O'Keeffe

Doug O'Keeffe is the 2004 Cell Block Shel-Don Chicago Leatherman, and the 2007 International Mr. Saliva. Doug is an educator, lecturer, and a published author. Doug is the Director and Host of the Leather Archives & Museum's new program "Inside Leather History, A Fireside Chat" which showcases Leather Community leaders. The Chat chronicles each participant's Leather history, and enables a live audience an opportunity to ask questions.

Our next Chat will take place June 20, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the Etienne Auditorium

With Sandy “Mama” Reinhardt

The first to call her "Mama" was a popular drag persona "Ernestine". Robert Sastini and Mama were in the Phoenix, (San Francisco's Castro District), over 18 years ago and Ernestine commented something to the affect of "you must be my "Mama". There in that bar, a family tradition would be born that neither knew would flourish into the "Mama's Family" that now exists.

As time went on, there appeared, without a real plan, gold shiny pins on the first 10 members, who were active in the community either by titles they held or their volunteerism. Ernestine had two: Mama’s Slave, Mama's Smooth Operator. Robert Anaya was 2nd with Mama's Baby followed by Timur Muhrlin with three, followed by his partner Lawrence Mortensen, Wayne Franks and then the unholy trio of Don Ho, Robert Larabee and Omar Mosley, with Michael Morrero and Ray Tilton rounding out the 'first ten".

Whenever we would all be together attending an event, we would see someone working hard for their charity, or do something that "stood out” and say "they should be Mama's ???? It was always fun to see what names we would come up with for Mama's "next victim". Depending on how many cocktails we all had that night and who the person was; you never knew for sure which one would make Mama's final cut. Mama's parting words on those kinds of "pin naming" sessions would be "email me in the morning". Sure enough, next time we were all together and Mama saw that person, another pinning would take place. The pinning ceremony became quite an honor and usually the person didn't know they were about to be pinned. So the true looks of surprise honor and tears were a guarantee every time.

Some traditions that took place in the early years were such things as traveling pins. Mama's Drama Queen and Mama's Bitter One were given to unsuspecting members of the family for obvious reasons. It was always fun to see who got these pins. They were required to wear for one month. Even Mama herself once had the drama pin. The other tradition that only pertained to people with "multiple" Mama's pins could upon agreement with Mama pass one on to a deserving person as a way of being pinned into the family. Most went on to earn Mama’s pin of their own.

Click here to listen to Mama's Fireside chat.

Mama's Reunion - 2009

by Ray Tilton

I may be 5 months late Wanda but here ya go.

After a 4 year absence from the "wife's" family reunion at the river, I finally returned home and attended.  I had just gotten out of the hospital, so held court in room #1.  It was great to see all the family, old and new.  And the old really looked old. LOL  Except for Wanda who at 19 never seems to age.

Friday evening got started right away and early with the arrival of Wanda and Steve Dixon.  Beers and drinks insued with a plethora of reminiscing.  By the time Mama showed up around 4 PM Wanda and Missy Dixon were already feelin' NO PAIN.

Once the wife arrived the cocktails REALLY started to flow.  Since I was on antibiotics and not drinking MUCH, I was able to record alot of the shenanigans that evening.  If you would like to see my pics go to my FACEBOOK, do a friend request(Ray Tilton) and I'll accept and you can see a pretty extensive photo album called "Mama's Family Reunion '09.  We sang songs for Mama and poured her into bed around 1:30  AM, surely to NOT be pretty by the pool.  We laughed our asses off as Mama proclaimed that her bed smelled like ass!!!!!!!!!  No she didn't.  This after she was holding her golden dildo award in provocative ways at the bar.

So, Friday night we did the river circuit, Rainbow, Yamigata ( I call it origami??) whatever.  The old Eagle, aint the same that's for sure, but seemed to be crowded with a lot of hmmmmm alternative folks.

Saturday, DID NOT see family by the pool very early.  But eventually they all crawled out, even Wanda and Missy Dixon made an appearance.  Wanda seemed somewhat subdued.  I think it was too much beer the night before.  We all hung out in front of my room for the afternoon with plenty of vodka flowing mysteriously from my room to Mama's cocktail glass and others.  Irene showed up on crutches and a walker, did a number by the pool and sat with us for a bit before retiring to rest for the evening's show.      

The family dinner at 7 PM consisted of at least 18 of us.  Great food, lousy service and fucked up procedure for the bill.  Oh well.  They would only take a credit card for the whole bill or cash only for the whole bill.  No accepting of both in any combination. 

Mysteriously, we did not see Wanda or Missy Dixon the rest of the night.  

Irene had just had her knee replaced and STILL made it.  You go Irene.

Once everyone was "pretty by the pool" as usual most retired for naps before the evenings festivities, which, "surprise" consisted of cocktails, Irene's show and karaoke.  We dragged Mama and other drunk family to the Rainbow and then there seemed to be an impromptu after party in my room that consisted of "really drunk" Ho, Robert Anaya, Dana, myself and who knows..........

Sunday AM, I mean early, I was up by 8 with someone in my bed, who shall remain nameless, snuck out to eat in the WAY to bright sun with Dana, and some of the family up early, Irene, Robert Anaya, Rick Latulippe and some others, but I was too blury eyed to even take any pics.  So there you have it Wanda, five months late but never the less.  It was great to see you and hope to see you again in the near future.  Hugs and Love

November 6, 2009
Submitted by Ray Tilton  Mama's Husband