PRESS RELEASE

MR. LEATHER OTTAWA-HULL 2002 NOMINATED FOR PANTHEON OF LEATHER COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD (CANADIAN AWARD)

Ottawa, December 12, 2002 -- Alex Wisniowski, Mr. Leather Ottawa-Hull 2002, is one of six Canadian nominees for this year’s prestigious Pantheon of Leather Community Service Award (Canadian Award), to be presented on Saturday, February 15, at the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago.

Also nominated for this year’s Canadian Award are:
- Leith Chu of Charlottetown, PEI (Mr. Atlantic Canada Leather 2001, associate member of the Ottawa Knights, new musical director of the Ottawa Gay Men’s Chorus);
- Russ Cosgrove of Calgary, AB, first Canadian to win International Ms. Leather;
- Trevor Jacques of Toronto, ON, author of On the Safe Edge: A Manual for SM Play, now in its 6th edition;
- Steve Laviolette of Moncton, NB, Mr. Atlantic Canada Leather 2002;
- Gloria McIsaac, Toronto, Board Member, Ms. World Leather 2002; volunteer coordinator for Mr. Leatherman Toronto.

Last year, the Canadian Award was presented posthumously to John Purdie, the late executive director of Mr. Leather Ottawa-Hull.

For Alex Wisniowski, the nomination caps off a banner year. It started when he won the title of Mr. Leather Ottawa-Hull 2002 in November 2001. He went on to the International Mr. Leather competition in Chicago in May 2002. In September 2002, he received the Caring Canadian Award from the Governor General of Canada.

Alex Wisniowski is the first and only “out” leatherman to be honored by Canada’s head of state. Alex’s lifetime of volunteer service to the GLBT community, and the community at large, was recognized by Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, who presented him with the Caring Canadian Award (www.gg.ca/appointments/20020325_e.html). In November 2001, he won the title of Mr. Leather Ottawa-Hull 2002. He has organized two annual “Wear Your Leather Out” events to raise money for the local Pride festival and to send Mr. Leather Ottawa-Hull to the International Mr. Leather competition in Chicago. Once again this year, he was chosen as an honorary member of the Ottawa Knights. He helped to form the Ottawa Amazons, a leather group for women (also known as Fair Leather Friends). He hopes to start up a Ms. Ontario Leather competition in the near future.

Alex has worked closely with the drag community to raise money for Bruce House, a local AIDS hospice. He also organized the Leather Pride Party, which raised funds for the local Pride festival and Bruce House. He has won numerous awards: 2001 Ontario Volunteer Service Awards for five years of service; award from local Member of Provincial Parliament; Community Hero of the Month from Labatt’s, a GLBT-friendly national brewery (2001); finalist in Heroes of 2001 Awards, presented by Capital Xtra!, Ottawa’s monthly GLBT newspaper (category: Volunteer of the Year).

Information: Alex Wisniowski
749-2366
leatherheart 'at' sympatico.ca
http://mloh2002.lynnsplace.ca