Sir J.R.

       Mr. New Jersey Leather 2001

 J.R. is originally from The Bronx, New York and moved to Puerto Rico after serving in the Navy.  In Puerto Rico, he met his husband Ernie, (both Vietnam Veterans) of over forty years and has resided in New Jersey for the past twenty-seven years.  New Jersey is where both he and his husband grew and came into their leather skin.  It was during that growth, that he won the title of the 1^st Mr. New Jersey Leather in 2001.  J.R. was just as proud to have received the Brotherhood Award from his fellow contestants.

J.R. has worked in the field of HIV/AIDS for the past twenty five years. First he worked for a non-profit and for the past twenty-two years now for a government agency.  He was a board member of the Monmouth County AIDS Coalition and he another board member started the 1^st WORLD AIDS DAY WALK in ASBURY PARK, NJ.  JR and Ernie are proud members of The Bucks M.C., (J.R. is the M.C. for Santa Saturday) Associate members of ONYX, and have been members of Gay Naturalist International and Garden State Equality.

Because of the longevity of JR and Ernie’s relationship, some in the gay community consider them their “gay parents” who have been mentors to them, not only about relationships, (some straights as well) as well as the Leather-Kink Community.  JR is a Master Flogger and is currently working on his wiping skills…realizing that there is always more to learn and to share.  They have also have boy martin; who is one of the founders of The Keystone Boys of Leather.