Our interview blog series continues, this one is with Spencer Bergstedt. According to his social media profiles, Spencer is a personal coach, gender diversity consultant, advocate, educator, and public speaker. Spencer discusses many topics that have an impact on these positions. As a trans man, he provides a perspective that many people, including myself, need to learn more about.
1. What titles have you held?
Washington State Ms Leather 1993
International Ms Leather 1994
2. What were you able to accomplish while holding your titles?
Raised awareness re anti-LGBT legislation & raised money for organizations fighting for queer rights.
3. What are the top three experiences you have had as a person of leather?
Being the first trans man to judge at IML
Being a visible trans man in the community
Meeting the amazing and talented people I’ve met over the years
4. What are the bottom three experiences you have had as a person of leather?
The community backlash directed at me when I transitioned.
The hostility I received from the board of directors of IMsL when I was the titleholder
The community being so divisive and ostracizing. People who work to make others feel unsafe and unwelcome.
5. Who are your top three people who have had an impact on your life?
Within the Leather community:
Tony de Blase
My Leather brother, Al D. (Deceased)
One of my boys, Shaun
6. What are three things you see have improved?
Inclusiveness - especially in the women’s community which often explicitly includes trans men, trans women, & nonbinary people
Increased visibility of kink such that many aspects of it show up in popular culture. Ex - the number of times you hear people talking about safe words
Access to quality information/education.
7. What are three things you see have gotten worse?
Less integration & cooperation between men’s and women’s communities
Lack of vetting
Too many people who don't get any mentoring or education with regard to play, negotiation, consent, etc.
8. What organizations are you a part of?
Currently - just the trans masc leather Zoom group I’ve been running for 4.5 years.
In the past, National Leather Association: Seattle, NLA: International, Seattle Men in Leather, Generic Leather Productions of Washington
9. What challenges do you see for the future?
The results of the 2024 US presidential election
Project 2025 &/or states & local governments legislating away personal rights
The SCOTUS
10. What projects or events are you currently working on?
I run a Zoom group for trans-masc people throughout the world. I started it in 06/2020 and host calls every other Sunday. We’ve never missed a call (with the exception of 1 month of an agreed holiday)
I do content on TikTok and Instagram specific to trans people. My brand is Trans Dad. You can find me at daddyspencer on either platform.
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