A Leather club president has been removed from his role following comments he made regarding the new International Mr Leather, Jack Thompson, being a trans man.
Craig MrCode was previously the head of the Southeast Conference of Clubs (SECC). When Jack Thompson won the title, MrCode posted, “I am happy for the winner, BUT it is International Mr Leather. He identifies as a man. But not born a man. I feel that the decision is politically motivated.”
There was an immediate and huge backlash against the post. While MrCode deleted the original, he followed it up with another post stating, “I still believe that some contests can still be successful and stay as they were started in the beginning. I am all for people to be who they are. Why does every contest have to be all inclusive. If a male has breast and identifies as a female but still has male genitalia, would he be able to compete for a women’s title?”
Thanks to @DsTrumbull for this great shot! pic.twitter.com/123B4bZIPB
— Intl. Mr. Leather (@IMLchicago) May 29, 2019
This follow up proved to be just as controversial. Many from within the Leather community called for him to resign or to be removed believing a Leather club president should not be so small minded. Past contestants and title holders pooled together to release the statement, “We will not tolerate any transphobic behaviour from any of our followers and ask that you call out any such behaviour. There is no room for it in our world today and we ask that you take a stand with us in this fight.”
Members of SECC went on to make official complaints. Spokesperson for SECC, Sir Wayne, stated, “SECC wishes to express our deepest disappointment in the recent posts from Craig MrCode regarding Jack Thompson… His comments conflict with the inclusive nature of our by-laws and the spirit of our family in Brotherhood/Sisterhood. The post stands in direct opposition to the conferences purpose of encouraging diversity and inclusion.”
— Intl. Mr. Leather (@IMLchicago) May 28, 2019
The statement continued that MrCode had been removed as the SECC president.
This makes the speech given by Thompson during the competition all the more prescient. He had told those gathered, “There’s people in this room right now that don’t believe I’m man enough to be on this stage…If you’re enough for you, then you are enough. Period.
“I’m Jack Thompson,” he continued, “and I’m a proud biracial, openly transgender, HIV Positive man and I am enough.”
© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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