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Paul Gosselin
Actor | Writer | Producer
No Reciprocation Necessary
Welcome to my essay corner, a collection of personal reflections and stories I can’t shake. These aren’t hot takes or diary entries, but curated thoughts about caregiving, queerness, family, grief and the odd beauty of being human. New posts land every other Tuesday (or close enough).
Read, relate, roll your eyes, but remember, no need to respond. -- No reciprocation necessary.
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Owning Where I Stand
Prepping for IMLBB: dropping the "right" answers and learning what it actually means to show up.
May 18
The Solo Addiction
The heavy lifting of a title year isn't the travel or the prep, it’s the effort required to not leave my real life behind.
Mar 17
The Power of Invisibility
A reflection on invisibility during a leather title year...missing photos, quiet moments of being overlooked, and the slow work of learning when to step forward, take up space, and be seen on your own terms.
Feb 2
Behind the Harness & Sash: Mid-Atlantic Weekend
Battling a lost voice on a red-eye flight to DC for my first Mid-Atlantic Leather weekend taught me that stepping into this community doesn't require perfection, just the willingness to show up honestly.
Jan 28
Zero Proof
I spent years learning how to stay quiet, how to follow rules, how to survive without making waves. Somewhere between New York nights, wine-stained smiles, and a year of choosing differently, I learned that the version of myself I liked most never actually disappeared. He just changed.
Dec 21, 2025
Reimagined Holidays
The holidays have always carried more emotion than celebration for me. Lately I’ve been figuring out how to rebuild them on my own terms, like finding new traditions, unexpected comforts and a little peace in a season that’s never been simple.
Dec 6, 2025
Behind the Harness & Sash: CLAW Leather Thanksgiving
Giving CLAW Leather Thanksgiving one final chance proved surprisingly reviving. I had a floor-13 reunion with friends and stood front and center in the official titleholder lineage photo.
Dec 6, 2025
Behind the Harness & Sash: Recent Events
Taking stock of a busy fall as Mr. CMEN Leather, this entry dives into local LA competitions, Palm Springs Pride, and the importance of pacing yourself while deepening community connections.
Nov 23, 2025
Behind the Harness & Sash: Folsom Reflections
Navigating my first Folsom Street Fair as a titleholder meant trading late-night partying for pacing, meeting incredible community leaders, and learning to give myself permission to stand proudly in the spotlight.
Oct 12, 2025
Over the Rainbow, Eventually
It took a few spins through the revolving door before I learned what it meant to step out for good. This is the story of how hiding became honesty, and how fear finally gave way to freedom.
Oct 9, 2025
Behind the Harness & Sash - Masks & Meaning
Stepping into my title year means overcoming old shyness and showing up authentically. From honoring my soap-opera roots and designing my official title pin, to embracing every side of myself in a new photo shoot.
Sep 29, 2025
Behind the Sash & Harness - Encuerado Weekend
Balancing a busy film set with my first public appearances as a new titleholder, I stepped out for Encuerado Weekend: finding art, making connections, and getting a warm welcome into the community.
Sep 16, 2025
The Naked Truth, part 2
After years of near-misses, friendships and second chances, I finally stepped on stage as my authentic self, and walked away as Mr. CMEN Leather 2025. From pink harness callbacks to a leather corset surprise, this journey is about friendship, resilience and claiming my moment.
Sep 2, 2025
The Naked Truth, part 1
In search of community, I found my way from NYC bars to L.A.’s Bullet Bar, and eventually onto the stage at Mr. CMEN Leather. What began with pride and arrogance ended in heartbreak, but it was the start of something bigger.
Aug 30, 2025
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