LIFE Detroit began with three people having a vision—

a vision of creating an organization where people could come and learn and share their knowledge with other like-minded individuals in the Community. Diamond Jim Brown, Dale Ross and L'Varado founded LIFE Detroit in 2002.

In 2005, LIFE Detroit went through some internal changes. L'Varado now spends much of his time in California and was unable to continue as a LIFE Detroit organizer. Near the end of the year, another of the original members of LIFE, Diamond Jim Brown, left the day-to-day running of the organization. Jim was instrumental in putting LIFE together and spent countless hours to help get it to where it was at the start of 2005. Among Jim's other accomplishments include forming the Michigan Gay Rodeo Association (MIGRA), organizing the bear event Wall to Wall Fur, being a former Board of Director for Affirmations, Michigan's Gay and Lesbian Community Center, working over the last 15 years with International Mr. Leather contest in Chicago, and being a community activist and supporter for the last 15 years. He is also the owner of Diamond Jim's Saloon in Detroit. A big "thank you" goes out to Jim for all the work and effort he has given LIFE and our Community over the years. Dale Ross continues to actively support LIFE, but due to scheduling conflicts is not able to attend the organizational meetings.

Over the next year, LIFE Detroit hosted the DARK (Detroit Area Rough and Kinkfest) Weekend 2005, helped sponsor Mr. Leather Cowboy 2005 Daniel Reed at the International Mr. Leather Contest in Chicago, celebrated its Third Anniversary in July, introduced its Wednesday "LIFE Night at the Movies" series and presented numerous lectures and demonstrations for the Community. LIFE made donations to numerous charities and organizations in and out of Michigan. We also began to take the lectures and demonstrations to additional locations beyond Diamond Jim's Saloon and into the Community. 2005 was the year LIFE began to move and grow within our Community.

And our hard work paid off. In 2005, LIFE Detroit, several of its members, and the DARK Weekend were nominated for Pantheon of Leather Awards, which recognize and honor excellence within the BDSM/Leather/SM Community.

Pantheon of Leather Nominations

The Detroit area had the honor of having the following people nominated for the Pantheon of Leather 2005 awards held in February of 2006 in Chicago Il.

Man of the year

• Bryon Hayes
• Shane Roberts

Woman of the year

• Goddess Lakshimi

Small non profit organization

• LIFE (Leather Institute For Education)

Small event of the year

• DARK (Detroit Area Rough Kinkfest)

Midwest Regional Award

• Diamond Jim
• Freddie Marshall
• Bryon Hayes

Community Choice

• Diamond Jim
• Bryon Hayes
• Shane Roberts

Stepping in to run the operations of LIFE Detroit were a group of seven (7) "incorporators." The seven people are Bryon Hayes, Paul Hendrickson, boy Geno, Dan Reed, Shane Roberts, and Jerry Seiling. These people have been responsible for organizing most of the events during the last few years. They are moving LIFE Detroit to its next level of progression.

In 2006 Randall Davis and JD Dennis became LIFE Detroit "incorporators". Highlights of the year included the DARK weekend and LIFE's 4th Anniversary weekend. The Wednesday "LIFE Night at the Movies" series was terminated. In its place, LIFE began to host bar nights and demonstrations in other communities such as Flint, Grand Rapids, Cleveland and Toledo. It also hosted the Victory party at GLLA.

2007 has gotten off to a good start with a very successful DARK³ Weekend. Alan M. has become a LIFE "incorporator".

These "incorporators" will be helping LIFE Detroit formalize its operations. What this means is we will be seeking to gain Non-Profit status within the State of Michigan. This will provide us with a financial structure that LIFE Detroit needs, as well as a general organizational structure, which all organizations must have. Some have said this means LIFE Detroit is becoming a club (like ICON, Trident, etc.) It does not mean this at all. LIFE Detroit will continue to do exactly what we have done in the past: educate the Community. It is hoped that the new Non-Profit status will be in place soon.

And while the "incorporators" have been completing the majority of work that is being seen by the Community, they cannot do it alone. We need everyone's help in making LIFE Detroit the organization it can be: a strong educational organization for our Community. We urge everyone to get involved in any way they can. LIFE is about all of us, not just those who run the events. Everyone needs a voice; everyone needs an opinion; everyone needs LIFE, and it needs you. We thank everyone who has supported LIFE Detroit over the past years and look forward to your continued support as LIFE grows. We are proud of where we have been and are excited about where we are going.

We look forward to the future with great anticipation and know that 2007 will be the best year yet for LIFE Detroit. We will also continue to update you on what LIFE is doing for its members and the Community. Keep checking the website (www.lifedetroit.com) for schedules of meetings and Schedule.

Here's to all of us. Here's to LIFE.

Sincerely,

Randall Davis, JD Dennis, Bryon Hayes, Paul Hendrickson, boy Geno, Alan M., Dan Reed, Shane Roberts, Jerry Seiling