Dr V (She/They) holds the title of Texas Bootblack 2023 and was awarded the IMsBB 2024 Heart and Soul award. She is a queer, bootblack, rope bottom, mental health nurse, national/international educator, and researcher who has been in the leather/BDSM community for over 30 years. After adventures in New York, England, and Florida, Dr V found her place as a leader and active participant in the central Texas community. Dr V is Co-Manager of The WhatKnot, is a proud member of Bound by Desire, and The Bat City Bootblack Brigade at The Austin Eagle. She Co-Produced the HEaRT of TX conference, was Cofounder and Director of Team Friendly Austin, is on the Board of Directors for The Texas Leather Society and is an enthusiastic supporter of Throwing Light: No More HIV Shaming. Dr V is passionate about education and outreach for sexual health services and eradicating stigma associated with HIV, mental illness, physical abilities and any other differences that have led to the many “isms” we have today. Dr V was Co-Director of MAsT Austin and is part of The DM Project, an open access DM training program that groups and events can individualize to fit their population. Dr V created an ally training program for a large central Texas college and continues to be the ally trainer for staff and faculty; additionally, after long hours of lobbying, today there are all-gender bathrooms on all 11 campuses of the college. Dr V uses her platform to educate, and spread kindness throughout the bootblack, leather, kink, and LGBTQ+ community.