|
| Category: | News |
| Page Views: | 1997 views |
| Last Update: |
2 year(s) ago | | Added on: | Sunday, January 10, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Promotion:
|
Thank you, Simon O'Corra for writing and publishing this article about my work and experiences on DaddyLover.Com on the internet. Simon interviewed me all the way from France!
Much Love,
Joe Mannetti
Mr. International Daddy Bear 2009
"Best Bear Fundraiser 2009" - Best of Bears Poll on The Complete Bear
http://daddylover.com/forums/content.php?15-Joe-Mannetti-Mr-International-Daddy-Bear-2009
Joe Mannetti - ‘Mr International Daddy Bear’ 2009
http://daddylover.com/forums/content.php?15-Joe-Mannetti-Mr-International-Daddy-Bear-2009
Published on 12-23-2009
By: Simon O.
Joe is a Hot Cub recently turned Daddy Bear. But don’t for one minute think his age is the only reason for his new Daddy Bear status. Being short, outgoing and having a pretty happy demeanor, he had usually been pegged as a "Cub" by others! But, at age 47, he is now RELIEVED to FINALLY be acknowledged as a DADDY!
“I am almost 50! It was about time!” says Joe.
For Joe, it’s not age alone that defines a Daddy Bear, but a capacity for and possession of a ‘paternal’ or ‘caring’ nature that marks a true Daddy Bear. His own role as a Social Worker and Counselor means he can be seen as a Daddy figure already, and he is proactive in helping to take care of people in his professional and personal life. He also feels that a "Daddy" should be a mentor and a caregiver in any community. In his new role, Joe is very devoted to fund raising and outreach work that promotes awareness and support for LGBTQ people. His main areas of concern are a focus on HIV/AIDS support services, transgender rights and services, and supporting the needs of LGBTQ youth - including dealing with crystal meth addiction and the racism that still exists today. Given his experience and amount of time that he has been active and "out" in the community, clearly he has earned his "Daddy" status.
Joe does not, however, think of himself as a star with a title. That’s not important to him. What is crucial for him is to make the title stand for something, to make a mark in the community, and to be a kind of ambassador. He sees the role as a "filter", putting the spotlight on really important issues and truly great people and organizations that support LGBT rights and freedom. Joe clearly takes his role seriously in the absence of any formal channels to affect change and continues to educate himself by getting out there at a real grass-roots level, making connections with others in the community and learning from and supporting them with effective outreach.
Joe came out rather late - in his late 20s, close to his 30s - so he feels he had a lot of catching up to do. It seems he was not sure if he was bisexual or gay at first, but when he had sex for the first time with a man, he knew that the reality of having sex with a man was far more intense and exciting and couldn’t compare to any he had had with women. HE WAS GAY, no doubt about it! Joe states that he "matured" young, shaving when he was around 12 years old, and that, coupled with an interest in lifting weights and eating, turned him into a Bear. Strangely, for some time he did not understand the whole Bear thing until he realized that most of the men who were attracted to him were Bear lovers themselves.
When he won the Mr. International Daddy Bear 2009 title, Joe was one of 16 other amazing men - a bonus! He feels they were all winners and acknowledges that they all collectively raised thousands of dollars for support services that help transgender people, LGBTQ people, and people living with HIV/AIDS. The personal "prize" for him is having an opportunity to do outreach and be an "ambassador" for the community. So Joe has not only won a ‘title’, but he has a platform to truly effect change for all members of the LGBTQ community, young and old.
Joe acknowledges that he is one in a line of Cubs cum Daddies who have learned from other Daddies, Leather Daddies and even some ‘Boys/Sons’. He is an advocate for diversity and for the theory that we all can learn every day from each other, no matter who we are.
|
|
|
Vote For This Listing
joebeef's Listings;){kind=spacer}
Send Message;){kind=spacer}
Report This Content