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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 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
Personal Inventory
As one chapter closes and others quietly take shape, I pause to take inventory. This reflection explores finishing long-term work, the unease that follows completion, and the choice to stay present without rushing toward whatever comes next.
Jan 7
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
Not The Whole Story
Trying to pass my life off as “same old, same old” doesn’t hold up anymore. Somewhere between school pickup and stirring mac and cheese, I realized I’ve built a life that’s fuller, louder, and more mine than I’ve let myself admit.
Nov 15, 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
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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