I'm CandiAnne, a Leather person and BDSM Lifestyle Educator.

History:
I'm originally from Northern California, right next to San Francisco. For those of you that enjoyed the TV show M*A*S*H, you've heard the name of my hometown many a time from B.J. Hunnicutt as it was his hometown as well :) Being from this area kink and more were easy to come by. I found an amazing man to take me under wing and teach me from the ground up. I learned what each implement I use feels like and how to use it properly. The fact that it's not just about the wielding of the toys but the trust between the two playing in that particular scene and most important, how to deserve another's submission and treat them with the respect they deserve for giving up all that they are to belong to a Dominant. Due to my youth and being raised very strict I had to keep this piece of me hidden and do it behind closed door away from anyone I might know for a fair number of years. It wasn't until 1999 when I left NorCal and moved to Colorado that I was truly able to bounce out of the Leather closet and have a jolly ole time. In 2011 upon winning the title of Ms. Beyond Leather it was time to let my family know and I've never looked back. I had only one Facebook page so friends and family often got more than they bargained for. LOL!! I've been in this life since 1986 and I will be doing this all the days of my life.

Beliefs and Who I Am:
My core values ~ integrity, honesty, honor, respect, service, community with a lil rebel thrown in.

The thing about these values is I expect them from others, if someone doesn't show intergrity and isn't honest, respectful and honorable I'll cut them off in a heartbeat and never look back. I don't have time for games and drama and if, by the time, someone is an adult they don't have these qualities at the forefront of who they are then they never will.

Integrity means everything to me. I am who I am and I do my best to improve daily. No one is perfect but that doesn't mean we can't attempt to be better people. My word is my bond, if I say I will do something I do.

Above all I am honest to the core. So much so that I am excessively blunt and have no filters. Should I hurt someone's feelings with my honesty, while it's a sad situation, I do not apologize because I told them the truth and that's what matters to me.

I appreciate the time that has been spent teaching me over the years and I share every bit of the knowledge that has been passed down. Those who have taken the time to share with me have my utmost respect and gratitude. I honor the following two men with every fiber of my being.

My original trainer/Master, Edward, passed on in the late 80s due to the AIDS Crisis but the way he taught me is the same way I teach today. Until it's been done to you, you haven't the right to do it to another. How can you possibly flog someone when you have no idea how it feels and/or what it does to the psyche? How can you send someone to subspace if you aren't willing to take that journey yourself? Granted there are those that for reasons out of their control can't be flogged, paddled, whatnot and that is understandable but they can still take the time to speak with Dominants who've done it as well as submissives in order to better understand.

Master Trent was my mentor for many years. I constantly and consistently looked to him for his thoughts, points of view and knowledge. He was always an amazing resource. After taking a step out of the public scene for a while due to my partner's career and lack of understanding my life, it was the passion in Master Trent's eyes during a workshop I attended that reminded me how much this life means to me and that gave me the drive to return full force and kick myself in the ass for ever having stepped back.

I also pay close attention to the lessons taught by those who came before me such as Guy Baldwin, Jay Wiseman, Jack Rinella, Gayle Rubin, Pat Califia, Hardy Haberman and one who is dear to my heart, Caro Ryer, amongst others. Their teachings are important pieces of our history that should never go to the wayside. Thank goodness with the chronicling of the Leather Archives & Museum teachings of the past can live on for generations of Leatherfolk to come.

Service and Community come from the heart or they're just actions that one hopes gets noticed by others. I will help someone in need, whether or not I like the person means little to me, if they are truly in need of assistance I will do my best to come through for them. My service is often in the background by attending fundraisers for larger charities, giving to places like the USO, volunteering with various organizations. Being noticed isn't what matters it's knowing within me that I did a little here and there to help. It's how it makes me feel that matters. One of my favorite charities though is Leather Archives & Museum.

Strengthening my community and trying to get it into a friendlier light is important to me. This is done through education and discussion with the outside world. I'm out to family and friends and one by one they'll talk to others. I know some already have. Strength also comes from within by educating the community itself and that's done by educators and the classes we teach.

Present Memberships:
National Leather Association - International (NLA-I)(President 2015-2018)(Wisdom Keeper 2018-2020) (Awards Chair 2015-2020) 
Voodoo Leatherworks (lifetime member and past web designer)

Past:
Denver Sanctuary
Celebration of Power
NCSF (National Coalition for Sexual Freedom)
Leather Archives & Museum
Women In Leather - International (Treasurer)
Ms. Beyond Leather 2011
Member of Uncommon Ground
Member of Rocky Mountain Power Exchange
Member of Labyrinth
Member of Colorado Spankos
National Leather Association - Northern Nevada Chapter (NLA-NNV)(Education Chair and Chapter Rep to Int'l)
National Leather Association - Colorado Chapter (NLA-CO) (Newsletter Editor)
WICK'D (Women In Control of Kink and Domination - Colorado)

How To Contact Me:

Dominant's Creed

Above all else a Dominant cherishes their submissive, in the knowledge that the gift the submissive gives the Dominant is the greatest of all.
The Dominant is demanding and takes full advantage of the power given but knows how to share the pleasure that comes from that precious gift.
The Dominant is in control of themself first and foremost, so that they may control others. As a stern and demanding Dominant, they can cause their sub to cry real tears.
As the consummate lover, the Dominant will then kiss the tears away, without ever stepping out of character.
In times of trouble, a Dominant will leave the roles behind, to be a supportive friend and partner, never forgetting that this is still a loving relationship between two caring individuals.
The Dominant is quick to understand the differences between fantasy and responsibility.

The Dominant would never ask a submissive to put them before their career, or family, just to satisfy the Dominant’s own pleasure.
To win their submissive's mind, body and soul, A Dominant knows they must first win their trust.
A Dominant will show their submissive humor, kindness, and warmth.
A Dominant must also show the submissive that their guidance and tutoring is knowledgeable and deserving of their attention, that this is a Dominant they can learn from, and trust their direction.
A Dominant is romantic enough to be protective and chivalrous.
When called upon, they will fight for their submissive’s honor.
A Dominant proves to them that they are someone the submissive can lean on, and depend on.
A Dominant is old-fashioned enough to be a bit of a chauvinist, yet modern enough to respect their little one.
Quick to point out the differences between them, A Dominant also knows there is no inferiority in those differences.

When it comes time to teach their submissive the lessons of obedience, they are a strong and unyielding professor.
A Dominant will accept no flaw, nothing less than perfection from their student.
Never do they use discipline without good reason.
When they do, it is always with acknowledgeable and careful hand.

A Dominant is a careful guide, with safety always his main concern.
A Dominant knows how to use pain to extend the bounds of pleasure.
A Dominant is a mentor who can bring their submissive to the edge of the envelope, and gently show them the inner courage to reach new heights.
A Dominant is always open to communication and discussion, always ready to hear the submissive’s wants and needs.
A Dominant is patient, taking the time to learn the submissive’s limits, and knowing that as their trust grows, so will they.
A Dominant never has to demand ritual behavior by her. The submissive responds to the Dominant out the want of pleasing.
Compliance comes from the wanting to please, not the fear of punishment.
The Dominant understands the fragile nature of mind and body, and never violates the trust given.

The Dominant is secure enough to laugh at themself and the absurdities of life.
Courageous enough to accept assistance.
Open minded enough to learn new things.
Strong enough to grow.
The Dominant’s tools are mind, body, spirit and soul with a little help from rope, crop, paddle and blindfold.
The Dominant understands that each partner gains the most from pleasuring the other.