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Michelle Jackson

Taken at International LeatherSir/boy 2003 St. Petersberg, Florida

Ms World Leather 2005

Second generation San Diegan with roots in the Ozarks. Mother of two and grandmother of three wonderful children. Began studying Spanish in 1968, French in 1970, Italian in 1982 and ASL {American Sign Language} in 1983. Began tutoring Deaf and hearing students in English, Spanish and ASL classes in 1984. Graduated with an AA degree in Foreign Language in 1986. Began working as an ASL interpreter in 1986. Interpreted with Deaf students in foreign language classes such as Spanish, French, Italian and Russian. Interpreted in a variety of performing arts settings including churches, schools, Gay Pride parades and rallies, leather events/contests. Introduced to the leather community and kink lifestyle in 1996 when invited to interpret ASL at LeatherFest in San Diego. Impressed with the cooperation and courtesy witnessed at the event and intrigued by the sights, sounds and sensations experienced while working with everyone, it has been my profound pleasure, honor and joy to be with you and to be involved ever since.

Ms WORLD LEATHER 2005 PLATFORM
COMMUNICATION & INCLUSION
1...ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO LEARN AND USE SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL here in the USA) AT LEAST THE MANUAL ALPHABET, KNOWN AS FINGERSPELLING
2...ESTABLISH LEARNING GROUPS WHERE PEOPLE CAN LEARN TO COMMUNICATE WITH EYES, HANDS, FACE and BODY in ASL, AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
3...CREATE A LIST OF CERTIFIED ASL INTERPRETERS WHO ARE LEATHER FAMILY or LEATHER FRIENDLY

Bio Current as of 12-16-06

2005, 2006, 2007 Presentation

Fingers Flying
Welcome to Fingers Flying workshop where together we will ........ Experience communicating with each other without sound. Learn some very basic signs and fingerspelling with the manual alphabet, numbers and nonverbal communication. Enjoy small groups practicing introductions and learning a new friend's name. Look at a brief overview of the history of ASL {American Sign Language}, Deaf culture and the ADA {Americans with Disabilities Act}. Focus on vocabulary related to the leather lifestyle and communicating with our Deaf sisters and brothers. Share local referrals to ASL classes and Deaf community resources making it possible to continue learning to speak with your hands and listen with your eyes.