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20012001The Leather JournalInformation To Be added ClubsAfter a storied history of 27 years, the SFGDI Club voted to disband in January. A huge crowd turned up at the Eagle on January 20th to wish them well. Leather TitlesThe Phoenix Bar in New Orleans produced the Mr. and Ms. Louisiana Olympus Leather 2001 contest Saturday, January 6 with Butch Arnold and Julyahana Walker, both from New Orleans being named winners of the first Leather contest of the year. Joshua Montgomery was chosen Mr. GLO 2001 at the annual meeting of Gay Leatherman Only in San Diego on January 8. Joshua would not advance to any other competition with the title. The “Taste of the River†event devised by Mr. North Coast Leather T. Jay McCain raised $4,000 in Guerneville, CA. Entertainment was provided by over 80 men from the renowned San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, pianist Momi Starr and vocalist Ursula Cain, as well as the sidesplitting humor of comedienne Shann Carr. The Suttle Leather Cares Foundation, dedicated to fostering education, assistance, acceptance and solidarity within the alternative adult sexual interest community, announced that Ms Atlanta Eagle 2000 Lorna Pierce joined its executive board. The Centaur Motorcycle Club of Washington, DC hosted Mid Atlantic Leather Weekend 2001 the weekend of January 11-14 with Michael Marino from New York, NY being chosen Mr. Mid Atlantic Leather. Mark Teasdale was the winner of the Brotherhood Award. On Saturday, January 13, James Quiroga, a 42 year-old plumbing contractor from Lancaster, CA became Gauntlet II Mr. Leather 2001. Bearded biker-type John Bernal was chosen Mr. Eagle Tavern of San Francisco on Sunday, January 14 in San Francisco, CA. Bernal hosted a Meet The Contestants benefit for those running for San Francisco Mr. Leather in March. The benefit netted $1,000 for the Black AIDS Coalition. The winner of the Mr. Suncoast Eagle contest in St. Petersburg, FL on Saturday night, January 20 was Bruce Ross of Jacksonville. First runner-up was David Bernstel of Miami and second runner-up was Scooter†of Largo, FL. Houston Davenport, a signer for the hearing impaired, was named Mr. Powerhouse Leather 2001 on Friday night, January 26 in San Francisco. Paul Long from Terre Haute, IN won the Mr.. 501 Eagle in January in Indianapolis. Frank Mabry was sashed Mr. Alaska Leather 2001 by Mr. Alaska Leather 2000 Jack Darnell at Mad Myrna's in Anchorage, AK on January 27 as The Last Frontier Men’s Club (TLFMC) staged its eighth annual Black and Blue Ball. A Slave and Art Auction brought in $1,100 for the Ball's beneficiaries, Alaska AIDS Assistance Associates (4A’s) and P-FLAG South Central. Dudley Saunders was chosen Mr. Faultline Leather on Saturday night, January 27 in Los Angeles, CA. Dan Azevedo bested five other men as he became Mr. Texas Leather 2001 on Saturday night January 27 in Dallas, TX. Black and Tans member Kevin Casey left the Bullet in North Hollywood on Saturday night, February 3 bearing the title of Mr. Bullet Leather. Chris Ross became Mr. Daddy's Leather 2001 on February 7. Stephen J. Bloom took home the honors of Mr. Padlock Leather 2001 at the Padlock in Phoenix, AZ on February 10. Generic Leather Pride held their annual Seattle Mr. Leather Contest February 10 at Neighbors Nightclub in Seattle, WA where Trane was named Seattle Mr. Leather 2001. The state of Georgia was smiling big after the Mr. and Ms Olympus Leather 2001 Contest concluded with Michael Allshouse and Sherree Dixon from Atlanta winning at Pantheon of Leather in Chicago, IL.. The Cell Block in Chicago, in conjunction with Male Hide Leather, holds a huge Leatherfest every Presidents' Weekend. On the night of Saturday, February 17, the sizzling hot Marc Rosenberg was named Mr. Cell Block Male Hide Leatherman, Don Peterson was first runner-up and Eric Kugelman was second runner-up. On Saturday, February 17, Mr. Lure 2000 Fred Little hosted an auction for the AIDS Monument Committee at the Lure in New York, NY, attracting over 350 people and raising over $4,100 towards the construction of a permanent monument to be built in Manhattan. San Diego League Of Gentlemen member Lou Sedlacek became Mr. San Diego Leather in February. Robert Blackmon won the first Mister Sister Contest sponsored by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence: Los Angeles at Fubar in West Hollywood on Saturday night, February 17. On Saturday, February 24 in Nashville, TN, Darryl Burke was named the first ever Mr. Tennessee Leatherman and Brian Baldwin his first runner-up. The same weekend Dennis McMahon was the winner of the Mr. Cleveland Leather 2001 title at the Toolshed. The Mr. Ozarks Leather 2001 contest was held on February 24 at Bar 1 in Springfield, MO where Thom Brandt emerged as the winner. Cass Miller was named Ms Alaska Leather. Lynette Hadlock of Bixby, OK was chosen the first Ms South Plains Leather 2001 and the popular Stephen Scott of Oklahoma City, OK was named the first Mr. South Plains Leather. Rodney Burger was selected as Maryland Mr. Drummer 2001 and Mark Greene was named Maryland Drummerboy 2001 at the Hippo in Baltimore, MD. Greene became International Drummerboy in October. The new Rumors 415 Mr. Leather was Micheal Chappel in Spokane, WA in a preliminary for the Washington State Mr. Leather Contest. Bears LA sponsored a contest at the Faultline and the new Mr. LA Leather Bear 2001 was Jim Feldman and Mr. LA Leather Cub 2001 was Steve Harman of Warriors MC. Houston Davenport, also Mr. Powerhouse Leather 2001, was named Mr. San Francisco Leather 2001 Friday night, March 9 at Club Townsend in San Francisco, CA.
Doug Van Kirk won out over five other men at The Dunes Resort in Saugatuck, MI on March 10, becoming Mr. Western Michigan Leather. Bill Snook was chosen Mr. Dixie Belle 2001 at the DB Warehouse Complex in Kansas City, MO. Stefan Müeller from Nuremburg was chosen Bavarian Mr. Leather on March 15 in a contest sponsored by the Munich Leather Club in Munich, Germany. He went on to win at IML in May. The first known Leather contest, Mr. Bears Ventura Leather Bear, to hit the shores of Ventura County took place at Paddy's on Saturday night, March 17 with Danny Saldana being named the historic winner. David Black of Norfolk, VA was chosen Virginia Mr. Drummer and Brian Harrison was named Virginia Drummerboy at the Inn Between in Norfolk. Mark Collins, a member of the NE Pennsylvania Leathermen from Allentown, PA, was chosen Mr. Philadelphia Leather and Patricia “Black Oak" from Roxborough, PA became Ms Philadelphia Leather at the 2-4 Club in Philadelphia March 23-25. The first Ms Nevada Leather was Tina Peterson and the first Ms Nevada Bootblack was ivy in a contest held in Las Vegas, NV. Pete Fitz, who won the Mr. Spike Leather Contest on March 3, was named Mr. LA Leather in front of a sold out house at the El Rey Theater on Saturday night, March 24. Nine men vied for the title. The Brotherhood Award, selected by the contestants themselves, was presented to Kevin Casey. Mr. Western New York Leather contest was held as part of Strengthen Our Ties weekend in Syracuse, NY on March 24 with Roger Cruttenden from Mattydale, NY winning. On Saturday March 24, Czech born Miro Civin won the Mr. Leather Holland title in front of a crowd of over 1,800 Leathermen. Daniel Vandenbark was the winner of the Mr. Pistons Leather 2001 title and was also chosen by his fellow competitors as the best example of Leather Brotherhood on the last Saturday of March. Daniel Applegrein, born in Johannesburg, South Africa was named Washington State Mr. Leather 2001 at The Cuff Complex in front of about 300 cheering onlookers on Saturday night, March 31. The National Emerald Award went to Andy Mangels of Portland, OR. The San Francisco Dyke Daddy title went to Laura Carlos and Dyke Diva was Zoe on Saturday afternoon, March 31 at the Bottom of the Hill Bar. They had a sold-out crowd and raised more than $2,500 for the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund. Mr. Mid Atlantic Leather 2001 Michael Marino hosted Porn Again at the Lure in New York on Saturday, March 31and raised $6,500 for God’s Love We Deliver and Brother Help Thyself. Matt Lamantia was named Mr. Boston Leather at the Ramrod in Boston on April 5 and James West was named Mr. Boston Leather 2002. They changed the date of the next Mr. Boston Leather Contest to Labor Day Weekend in 2002 to allow the winner more time to prepare for International Mr. Leather. The Mr. Russian River Eagle 2001 winner was Rodger Jensen at the Russian River Eagle in April. Bryan "Pup" Mullikin was named American Leatherboy 2001, American Leatherwoman 2001 was Phyllis Darcy and American Leatherman 2001 was Jeffrey Cooper. The contests were held at the Washington Plaza Hotel in Washington, DC April 27-29 in front of 250 people. James Holloway captured the Mr. San Francisco Drummer title and Jack Garcia won the San Francisco Drummerboy title on May 2 in front of a full house at Daddy's on Castro. Dallas, TX was the place where Billy Bob Spears was chosen Gulf Coast Mr. Drummer 2001 and boy patrick was named Gulf Coast Drummerboy on Saturday, May 5. Michael Edwin was named Arizona Mr. Drummer and Jason Chase became Arizona Drummerboy at the Quality Inn Resort in Phoenix on May 6. Jamie McKim won the Indiana Mr. Drummer title and Brent Suit took Indiana Drummerboy at the 501 Eagle in Indianapolis. The Mr. Ebony Leather 2001 Contest was held at the Cell Block in Chicago on the Thursday night of IML Weekend with Hillary from Albany, NY winning. Stefan Mueller, a member of MLC Munchen from Munich, Germany, captured the International Mr. Leather 2001 crown at the Congress Theater in Chicago on Sunday night, May 28 in front of 2,500 cheering onlookers. Mr. DC Eagle Darrell Moyers was first runner-up and Mr. San Francisco Leather Houston Davenport was second runner-up. A tie for third was broken leaving Liam Hogan from Ireland in fourth place. The winner of the International Mr. Bootblack Contest was Paksen from Colorado. SouthEast LeatherFest in Atlanta, GA the weekend of June 8-10 saw five sashes awarded. The new International Masters and slaves Contest winners were Jim and marsha from Dallas, TX. Southeast Mr. Drummer 2001 was Daryl Fox and Southeast Drummerboy 2001 was Paul Ferreira. Chance Claar won the Ms Southeast Leather Pride title. On Saturday night, June 9 the resort town of Guerneville, CA saw Robert Espindola become Russian River Mr. Drummer and Andrew McCarty be named Russian River Drummerboy 2001. Mark Adams became Mr. Lure 200 on Friday, June 15. The sun shined bright in Seattle for the 11th Annual International Deaf Leather Contest (IDL) and Festival, which was held in Seattle July 4-7 as part of the 20th Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf Conference. Alan SPO Schwartz was named International Mr. Deaf Leather and Black X was chosen International Ms Deaf Leather. Michael Casy won the Pennsylvania Mr. Drummer at the Diva Theater in Scranton, PA and boy patrick took the Pennsylvania Drummerboy title. Gary Vandeventer won the Mid Atlantic Mr. Drummer Contest at the Stage Coach bar in Baltimore, MD on Saturday, July 14. Michael Greene was named Mid Atlantic Drummerboy. Florida Mr. Drummer 2001 was Jose Bermudez and Florida Drummerboy 2001 was Shawn Casey. The contest was held at the Suncoast Resort Hotel on Saturday night, July 14. A record crowd saw J.J. Ferra become Mr. Alameda County Leather 2001, Kat Matthews become Ms Alameda County Leather 2001 and Mike Marrero become Mr. Alameda County Drummer 2001 on Saturday, July 14 in Hayward, CA. Joni Perrie of Springfield, VA won the 15th Annual International Ms Leather Contest in the ballroom of the Brookhollow Sheraton Hotel in Dallas, TX on Saturday night, July 21 in front of almost 300 Leatherfolk. First runner-up was Ms Rocky Mountain Leather 2001 Linda Cox from Denver, CO who was extremely impressive and second runner-up was Barbrafisch from Toronto, Canada. International Bootblack 2001 was the energetic Charlie Flake from Denver. The Northern California Drummer 2001 Contest took place at the King Street Garage on Saturday night, July 28. Russian River Mr. Drummer Robert Espindola became Northern California Mr. Drummer and Russian River Drummerboy andrew was named Northern California Drummerboy. Thunder in the Mountains held the last weekend of July saw the Mr. and Ms Rocky Mountain Leather 2001 Contest won by Brian Conway and Niccia. Michael Edwin was named Southwest Mr. Drummer 2001 and Michael Butts became Southwest Drummerboy 2001 in Phoenix, AZ on Saturday night, August 4 at the Quality Hotel. The New England Mr. Drummer 2001 contest winner was the charming Russ Kippen of Malden, MA and New England Drummerboy 2001 was William Shields of Brighton, MA. The competition took place on August 11, at the Boston Ramrod. Rob Hathaway and Tobin Britton were sashed as Mr. and Ms Oregon State Leather on August 11 as part of Oregon State Leather Pride Week. Gene Romaine was chosen Northwest Mr. Drummer and Mark Nunley became Northwest Drummerboy for 2001 at Neighbors Nightclub in Seattle, WA on Saturday night, August 18. The Great Lakes Drummer Contest was held at the Eagle Columbus, OH on Saturday night, August 25 with Terry Thomas besting three other men to win the Great Lakes Mr. Drummer title and David Shane beings selected Great Lakes Drummerboy. Danny Alford won the Mr. Louisiana Leather title in the Magnolia Ballroom of Harrah's Casino. Doug Lindsey of Allentown, PA won the Mr. Lehigh Valley Leather title at The Stonewall in Allentown. Annie Romano Blas walked off the Ms World Leather stage with the shawl and a $7,000 travel fund. The runner-up was Mindy Chateauvert from Washington, DC. On September 1, Rebecca Harbert became Ms Upper Ohio Valley Leather and Mark "Sir Garr" Garza was named Mr. Upper Valley Leather at Club 2000. This was the first year for the event. The 19th annual San Francisco Leather Daddy's Boy Contest saw Brian Stevens win on Sunday, September 2 at the Eagle Tavern. The Promethean Guard produced the Mr. New Jersey Leather Contest in Asbury Park, NJ on Saturday night, September 8 which was won by none other than Rob Carabelli. This was the last Leather contest before the terrorism of September 11. Kevin Casey from Los Angeles won the first Mr. California Leather Contest at Club Townsend in San Francisco on Saturday night, September 29. The Blue Maxx CC of St. Louis, MO held its Daddy and Daddy's Boy 2001 contest on September 29 at JJ’s Clubhouse and Bar which was won by Roc Quadé and boy Kevin Perdue, aka Sparkie. The Mid Atlantic Region took the top honors at the Suncoast Resort in St. Petersburg, FL with Gary Vandeventer being name International Mr. Drummer and Mark Greene chosen International Drummerboy during a high sexual energy weekend. Roger Cruttenden won the title of Mr. North Atlantic Leather 2002 tonyboy was named North Atlantic Leatherboy 2002 in Utica, NY the weekend of October 5-7. The Leather run and contest was sponsored by the Utica tri's MC. 500 Leatherfolk gathered in Halifax, Nova Scotia October 12-14 to attend the third annual Mr. Atlantic Canada Leather Contest which was won by Mr. Leather Moncton Steve Laviolette of Moncton, New Brunswick. Bill Bailes won the Mr. Central Valley Leather Contest at the North Circle in Fresno, CA on Saturday night, October 13. Five men competed in the contest sponsored by the Knights of Malta: Yosemite Chapter and was produced by Kirk Chomienia. Rob Lavigne, a lieutenant for the New Orleans Bear Trappers Association, became Mr. Louisiana Bear at the Phoenix. Chris Baudier was named Mr. Lone Star Drummer 2002 at the Ripcord on Sunday, October 14 in Houston. On Friday, October 19, Marlena’s Bar on Hayes Street held the first Mr. Hayes Valley Leather Contest which was won by Michael Shaeffer. Jim Shear of Stars MC became Mr. Northeast Pennsylvania Leather 2002 on the weekend of November 2-4 in Scranton, PA. On Saturday, November 3, three women vied for the title of Ms San Diego Leather 2002 and Naria Bullock Jordan stood out as the winner. Alex Wisniowski was named Mr. Leather Ottawa Hull at the Ottawa Knights 26th Anniversary weekend in Ottawa, Canada, November 9-11. Five men competed. This ninth Ottawa-Hull Leather Contest was in memory of the late John Purdie. A record seven men competed in the Mr. International Rubber 2000 Contest at the Cell Block in Chicago on Saturday night, November 10 with Yannick Kerjose from Paris, France emerging victorious. First runner-up was Seattle's Jeff Detweiler and second runner-up was James Miller of Vallejo, CA. Jason Campbell nabbed the Mr. Santa Clara County Leather 2001 title in San Jose, CA on November 10 while Nicole Kimmel was named Ms Santa Clara County Leather. Notably, the emcee was International Mr. Leather 1994 Jeff Tucker from San Jose. Over 400 Leathermen gathered at The Detroit Eagle on Saturday, November 10, to watch as Larry Kunkle was best among five hot men from the Motor City Leather community competing for the title of Mr. Detroit Eagle 2002. The Russian River Eagle hosted their annual Leather Pride Weekend highlighted by the Mr. North Coast Leather 2002 Contest on November 10 which was won by Rodger Jensen at the Odd Fellows Hall in Guerneville, CA. Robert Farrell won the title of Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2002 in Palm Springs California on November 10 in a contest sponsored by the Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert which sponsored Palm Springs Leather Pride Weekend. The weekend of events began with a Black and Blue Ball that was held at Sidewinders, a new Leather/Levi/Bear Bar that recently opened in Cathedral City. Todd Kitchens of Fort Lauderdale won the Mr. Florida Leather Contest, being the best of six contestants on Sunday, November 11 at the Fort Lauderdale Eagle. Frank Perko, III from Wilder, KY was named Mr. Tri State Leather 2001 at The Dock in Cincinnati, OH on Saturday night, November 17 in front of about 300 cheering Leatherfolk. Bill Dearsley went into the night of November 24 as Mr. Barn Leather and emerged as the new Mr. Leatherman Toronto. The Mr. Leather Fellowship title, voted on by the contestants went to Bill Dearsley, but, as custom has it, the title was passed to the first MLF runner-up David Forget. The Courtlan Forsey Memorial Award winner was Robert Rochon and the Francis Robichaud Memorial Award for 2001 went to Trevor Jacques. The Southeast Olympus Leather 2002 Contest on December 1 in Atlanta, GA saw Ms Georgia Olympus Leather Sasha von Haner, Mr. Georgia Olympus Leather Reggie Harris win titles at PEP House. Butch Arnold was named Mr. Louisiana Olympus Leather in New Orleans in mid-December at the Phoenix. He later went on to become Mr. Olympus Leather finals in Chicago in February. News and PoliticsThe new project of the AIDS Emergency Fund, the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund (BCEF), had its kickoff dinner at the Cliff House on Friday, January 26, and over $25,000 was raised. The dinner was produced by Ray Tilton, with incredible help from cochairs Peter Fiske and Sandy “Mama†Reinhardt and their fellow committee members Glennon Sutter and Alan Selby. Celia Tan's Fetish Fair Fleamarket was held January 27 and 28 at the Andover Ramada hotel just outside Boston. The unofficial total from the Scarlet's Bake Sale benefit by the Washington, DC clubs at the DC Eagle topped $12,000 in early February according to a report from the DC Boys of Leather. "It is with a deeply heavy heart, I have chosen to resign my position with Leather Literary Project..." Catherine M. Gross stated. Not long before that, the Leather Literary Project, the organization creating the Leather Encyclopedia, welcomed Stephen R. Decker of Washington, DC as their financial manager. The award winners at Pantheon of Leather XI were Community Choice Award (Woman) Paula Smith, Community Choice Award (Man) Tony DeBlase, President’s Award went to Daddy Nick Golden, Barbara Nitke and Kent Arnold, Man of the Year was a tie between Woody Barnes and Dave Rhodes, Woman of the Year Jill Carter, Lifetime Achievement Award Guy Baldwin. Pantheon was moved from New Orleans to Chicago, IL due to cancellation of hotel contracts due to the Super Bowl moving to Pantheon Weekend after football games were rescheduled because of the September 11 terrorist attacks. SPLF Productions held its’ inaugural annual event, South Plains Leather Fest, March 2-4 at the Radisson Hotel - Dallas in Dallas, TX which offer over 35 workshops and more than 20 vendors. Longtime friends came from all parts of the continent to Vancouver, BC the weekend of March 9-11 to celebrate and honor George Whiting, who has been a great supporter in the Leather community for decades. Whiting was one of the founding members of VASM (Vancouver Activists in SM) and has been a mentor in the Pacific Northwest for many years. Leather University of Fort Lauderdale presented SM High March 16-18 with faculty members Joseph Bean, Bob Bender, Bill Costomiris, Doug Harris and bob Harris, and wynn miller instructing on Bondage, Cock/ball Play, Corporal Punishment, Electricity, Fire, Fisting, Flogging, Mummification, Novice Bottom, Novice Top, Paddling, Pervertibles, Shaving, SM Basics and Wax. New Mexico Black Leather Weekend, held March 23-25 in Albuquerque, NM, featured a Black Leather Banquet and a Black Leather Fantasy Show along with workshops and seminars. The Fifth Annual Leather Leadership Conference hosted nearly 200 leaders and activists from 21 states across the country, as well as the District of Columbia and one Canadian province in Chicago April 6-8. 2001's conference theme, Motivating By Example, was evident with the organization of the event by a cohesive group of volunteers led by Lord Suttle and MJ of Suttle Cares Leather Foundation. 25 boys and 11 faculty gathered in Dallas, TX for Dean Walradt's boy Training Camp III. The Camp included a dungeon party and a banquet to go along with the workshops and classes. boy michael won the Pig of the Stations award and the Alpha boy honor went to youngblood. On The Good Ship AEF was a cruise around San Francisco Bay aboard the Hornblower to raise money for the AIDS Emergency Fund on May 10. Some compared the class of the event to that of the Phoenix Uniform Club's Leather/Uniform Ball. The Christopher Street West Gay and Lesbian Pride celebration saw the largest organized Leather contingent since 1991. Led by the Los Angeles Leather Coalition, the 2001 contingent included Satyrs MC, Warriors MC, LOBOC MC and Oedipus MC as one group, the Bullet bar from North Hollywood, the Faultline bar from Los Angeles, Avatar Club of Los Angeles, The Leather Journal and Bears LA. The Tom of Finland Foundation held their first Erotic Art Fair in New York, NY the weekend of June 23-24. San Francisco Leather Daddy VIII and his boy Henry had their Holy Union at the Eagle Tavern with Mayor Willie Brown among the 75 in attendance a reception followed at Don's home. The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom recently met with Linda Fairstein, head of the Sex Crimes Unit in Manhattan, to express concern with the District Attorney's apparent position in the Jovanovic case that consent is not a defense to a charge of assault, even where no significant physical injury resulted. Representatives from NCSF who attended the meeting were executive director Judy Guerin, policy director Susan Wright and legal director John Wirenius. The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom contended that consensual sadomasochistic practices could be prosecuted if the traditional defense of consent, which protects conduct ranging from sex play to sports, is removed from conduct resulting only in nonlife threatening injuries, or in injuries of similar significance. The Crucible held its first Fetish Flea and Play Party in New Carrollton, MD on July 7 to benefit the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom. The Edge bar's 10th Anniversary was on Thursday July 12 in San Francisco where Danny Williams hosted. Thunder in the Mountains, produced by Rich Dockter and CJ Vaillencourt July 27-29 in Denver, saw over 600 Leatherfolk attend the Fourth Annual pansexual event which featured about 30 workshops and seminars, two nights of dungeon parties and the Mr. and Ms Rocky Mountain Leather 2001 Contest won by Brian Conway and Niccia. Doug Harris of The Sanctuary of a Dark Angel in Atlanta and Dean Walradt of The Leather Network, Inc. and founder of the Master's Retreats and boy's Training Camps hosted Master's Retreat I in Atlanta, July 27-29 at the Ramada Inn. In Washington, DC on August 7, gearing up to expand its lobbying and education programs, The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) opened a Dupont Circle office in Washington, DC in August. AJ Altheimer, an NCSF staff member from Chicago, relocated to serve as NCSF’s office manager. A new Pride Foundation community based scholarship was established for students in the Pacific Northwest entering the fields of sex education, sex therapy, research or something that furthers the understanding of human sexuality, especially alternative sexuality. The scholarship will be named the Tony DeBlase Scholarship Foundation and was created by Aubrey Hart Sparks. On Friday, August 10 The Hearts Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Chicago, IL that holds several fundraising events annually, donated $7,000 to Chicago’s Leather Archives and Museum, the largest single donation ever made to the Museum. The huge donation was from proceeds raised at a first-ever IML (International Mr. Leather) -sanctioned tea dance produced by the Foundation. Some 100,000 people gathered in the Silver Lake District of Los Angeles for the annual Sunset Junction Street Fair on August 18-19. The LA Leather Coalition (LALC) had an information booth on the midway with volunteers from several clubs helping, including Avatar, Oedipus MC, Black and Tans, The Leather Journal, Satyrs MC, Trident: LA and LALC staffed a beverage tent with proceeds going to the Fair's official charity. Nearby, Gauntlet II opened its new outdoor patio on Saturday night. The first Leather/Levi Weekend, held at Saratoga Springs about 125 miles north of San Francisco, with the purpose of exposing new blood to the club and Leather runs, was a resounding success. The weekend was organized in San Francisco by Mario Torrigno, who would win a Man of the Year at the Inter Club Fund Awards in February 2002. The Leather Archives and Museum celebrated its 10th Anniversary with three days of parties with more than a sprinkling of Leather history-related events the weekend of August 24-26 in Chicago, IL. The NCSF reported that it received a total of 962 requests for help were received from attorneys, prosecutors, individuals needing help and friends of individuals needing help a one year period ending August 31. Virginia Drummerboy 1999 and Knight Hawks of Virginia member Kyle Taylor served as one of 77 certified massage therapists that were deployed from across the United States to voluntarily serve at Pentagon site of one of the terrorist attacks immediately following September 11. He was a member of The American Massage Therapy Association - MERT TEAM (Massage Emergency Response Teams). Taylor and fellow therapist were at ground zero and provided volunteer chair massages to the rescue personnel and military on a 24 hour basis. Kyle was there for a seven day period and said it was one of the most humbling experiences of his life and at the same time the most horrific. Only three days after the terrorists' attacks, San Francisco's Leather community rallied at Club Townsend to raise over $10,000 to contribute to the Red Cross and benefit those in New York and Washington, DC who were in need. The Folsom Street Fair on Sunday, September 30 was only part of San Francisco Leather Pride Week which began the Sunday before with the annual Leather Walk from Daddy's bar on Castro to the Eagle Tavern at 12th Street and Harrison. Sandy "Mama" Reinhardt, Bob Brunson and several Leather Daddies including current Leather Daddy Robert Davolt and Steve Gaynes, raised $1,900 to create a garrison size Leather pride flag which hung at the flag pole at Castro and Market for all of San Francisco's Leather Pride Week. Stompers Boots of San Francisco began celebrating their Fifth Anniversary during Folsom Street Fair weekend. LA Police Chief Bernard Parks was the Grand Marshal of the LA Valley Pride Parade on Saturday, October 6 on Victory Boulevard in Van Nuys, CA and the second annual LA Valley Pride Festival took place at Woodley Avenue Park in Encino. Building on the success of last year's festival, a parade was added. On October 10 the lead Paddleboro defendant Ben Davis was found not guilty for the charge of keeping a house of ill fame in Attleboro, MA. The charge of Assault and Battery on a police officer was continued without a finding. After most of the original charges (14, including such charges as possession of items of self-abuse) had been dropped, two charges remained, keeping a house of ill fame for prostitution and assault and battery on a police officer. On the first charge, Assistant DA Roger Ferris rested his case after only twenty minutes of testimony from Detective Otrando, who spent most of his time on the bench not able to recall the truth. The judge immediately ruled that I, Benjamin Davis was not guilty of the charge of keeping a house of ill fame. Leather University produced Dungeon 601 the weekend of October 12-14 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. There were over 140 attendees, 14 instructors and over 50 courses, labs, private tutoring and demos. Faculty included Master Jim and slave marsha, Sharrin Spector, Len Griffith, Cristo Webb, Drake Ferguson and Yossie Silverman. The Tom of Finland Foundation held its annual Erotic Art Fair at The Loft in Hollywood the weekend of October 12-14. The Faultline bar was presented Being Alive Spirit of Hope 2001 Award at a ceremony on October 14 in Los Angeles. Being Alive is an AIDS service organization founded in the early 1980s. The bar's weekly Proof Positive event on Wednesday nights has provided an opportunity to confront the reality of HIV/AIDS and provides a specific event to welcome those affected with a safe and friendly place to meet. Northbound Leather of Toronto, Canada sponsored North America's largest fetish party, Ultra, on October 20. Thousands participated with a huge fashion show, play parties and more. Due to the terrorist attacks on September 11 and the National Football League's decision to move the Super Bowl to the same weekend as Pantheon of Leather XII was scheduled to be in New Orleans, the Pantheon of Leather board of directors voted to move the event to Chicago during Presidents Weekend in February. After three very successful training camps geared toward the education of the Leather submissive boy, Dean Walradt and The Leather Network held boy’s Training Camp 2001 the weekend of November 9-11 in Atlanta with Master Doug Harris and The Sanctuary of a Dark Angel as co-producer. The Camp was an intense weekend of workshops and seminars presented by a variety of experienced Doms and submissives including extensive coverage of protocol, dress, headspace, edge living, boot black and Leather care, formal table service, finding a Dom, negotiations, contracts, scene safety, and relationship safety. The new owners of the Eagle’s Nest in New York City had their grand reopening on Saturday, November 10 at 554 West 28th Street in Manhattan. The Eagle features two large floors, both with bars and pool tables. The previous location was closed on March 5, 2000 after being operated as a Levi/Leather bar since 1970. With a combination of reverence, revenue and revelry, the crowd at Daddy’s Bar in the Castro celebrated Veterans Day on Sunday, November 11 with a fundraiser for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) presented by the San Francisco Phoenix Uniform Club and San Francisco Leather Daddy XIX Robert Davolt which raised $543 towards the cause. $293,000 was presented to the beneficiaries of funds raised at the Dore Alley Fair in July and September's Folsom Street by SMMILE officials on November 14 in San Francisco, CA. The DC Eagle celebrated its 30th Anniversary the weekend of November 23-25. Herb Kaylor was chosen Mr. DC Eagle while Jason Hendrix was the runner-up. On November 24 Shane Jepson became Seattle Leather Daddy and Kirk Mason was named Settle Daddy's Boy at The Cuff Complex. Santa’s Wicked Weekend II, a benefit the Leather Friendship Fund, was held December 7 and 8 in Boston at the Ramrod. The Santa Shack was busy with Leathermen having the pictures taken with Santa (IML 2000 Mike Taylor) who surprised those who were naughty by taking out his paddle! $1,000 was given to the NYC Firefighters Fund to assist victims of the September 11 terrorism. The Positive Resource Center garnered $5,080 in net proceeds from the Fifth Annual Holiday Leather Brunch on Sunday, December 9 at Harvey’s SOMA in San Francisco, CA. Mark Paladini and Bay Area Cub 2001 biff wilson were presented the Community Service Awards. On December 11, the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) and Barbara Nitke, an acclaimed New York City artist who operates her own web site, www.BarbaraNitke.com, filed a court challenge that aimed to overturn the last remaining Internet censorship provision of the flawed Communications Decency Act. In papers filed in Federal District Court in New York City, the NCSF and Nitke claimed that the CDAs remaining obscenity provision is so broad and vague that it violates free speech and inhibits the discussion of sexual issues on the Internet among adults. The new Snow King Kirsten S. and several contestants raised about $1,000 at The Mint for people with AIDS served by the William J. Fanning Foundation in New Orleans, LA. Dave Rhodes held his Annual 39th Birthday Party at the Bullet in North Hollywood as a benefit for PAWS LA and Pantheon of Leather on December 16 with each organization gaining about $145 apiece. The Leather Archives and Museum announced that Rick Storer would take over as executive director in March 2002. He was already working at the Leather Archives in a transition period with Joseph Bean who would leave at the end of January. Books, Publications and VideosOut of The Darkness - The Reality of SM, a video containing interviews with leading psychotherapists, PHDs, MDs, CSWs and activists who share information and studies in an effort to distinguish SM from abuse debuted in Dallas, TX on February 13. The video was created and produced by Mark Frazier in conjunction with the National Leather Association: International. Throughout the month of June, In The Life, a gay/lesbian news magazine broadcast its first report on SM/Leather/Fetish on PBS television stations across the country. Brush Creek Media’s publishing offices in San Francisco and The Bear Store, their retail operation were closed in late June by the Internal Revenue Service on Wednesday, June 20 for nonpayment of certain taxes owed. Several days later Brush Creek was back open and operating. InternetJeff Tucker launched his Better Together web site. "Better Together was an idea that came to me when I was Mr. San Jose Leather, before my year as International Mr. Leather 1994. At that time we, as a community, hadn't quite figured out that we could embrace our differences, rejoice in our uniqueness, and still be together" Tucker stated. The address is http://members.aol.com/bttr2gthr/ New on the SceneAtlanta Boys of Leather (ABOL), Atlanta, GA; Baltimore Educational and Social Society (BESS), Baltimore, MD; Charlotte Eagle, Charlotte, NC; Eagle’s Nest (reopened after a few years hiatus), New York, NY; Hamburger Mary's, Washington, DC; Heart Of Leather Foundation, Chicago, IL; IT Lubricant, St. Petersburg, FL; Leather Friendship Fund, Boston, MA; KinkyGAM (Kinky Gay Asian Men), San Francisco, CA; LA Boys of Leather, Los Angeles, CA; LA Male Subs, Los Angeles, CA; Leather/Levi Weekend, San Francisco/Saratoga Springs, CA; LeatherMasters II, Allentown, PA; MAsT: New Jersey (Masters And slaves Together), Bloomfield, NJ; Ms S Leather, San Francisco, CA; Ms World Leather Contest, Dallas, TX; NC-Together, North Carolina; Ringold Alley, San Diego, CA; San Diego Boys of Leather, San Diego, CA; San Francisco Pacific Bears, Guerneville, CA; Sidewinders Bar, Cathedral City, CA; Tony DeBlase Leather Scholarship Fund, Aubrey Sparks, Seattle, WA; Turf Club (reopened after a few years hiatus), Hayward, CA. WOLF (Women Of Leather Focus), New Orleans, LA Milestones40 Years: 40th Anniversary Run to Badger Flat by Satyrs Motorcycle Club, Los Angeles, CA 35 Years: Inter Club Fund Awards, San Francisco, CA 30 Years: DC Eagle, Washington, DC; The Eulenspiegel Society (TES), New York, NY; Tribe, Detroit, MI; Unicorn Motorcycle Club, Cleveland, OH; 25th Anniversaries Tri-Cen XXV by Philadelphians Motorcycle Club, Philadelphia, PA 20 Years: Cuffs bar, Los Angeles, CA; Defenders NY, New York, NY; Lesbian Sex Mafia (LSM), New York, NY; North West Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf, Seattle, WA 15 Years: Golden Gate Guards, San Francisco, CA; International Ms Leather Contest, Omaha, NE; Utica Tri's Motorcycle Club, Utica, NY 10 Years: American Brotherhood Weekend, ABLE Productions, Washington, DC; Defenders: Denver LLC, Denver, CO; Edge Bar, San Francisco, CA; Key West Wreckers, Key West, FL; Leather Archives and Museum, Chicago, IL; Leather Walk by AIDS Emergency Fund, San Francisco, CA; Mr. and Ms Alameda County Leather Contest by Alameda County Leather Corps, Hayward, CA; Rubbout X by Northwind, Vancouver, Canada' Texas Leather Pride X by NLA: Austin, Austin, TX; Uniform Leather Ball by Phoenix Uniform Club, San Francisco, CA Five Years: Folsom Street East V, GMS/MA, New York, NY; Leather Leadership Conference V (LLC); Mates V by Mates, Provincetown, MA; Stompers Boots, San Francisco, CA Gone, But Not ForgottenThe Saber Motorcycle Club regretted to announce the passing of a beloved club brother Doug Levy on January 18. Doug was an outstanding member of the club and the Leather community. His accomplishments included being the club's SECC delegate, chairman of the Sabers' annual Saber Thrust run, member of Rainmakers, National Leather Association and other groups around the country. George Carreras passed away in the hospital on Sunday night, January 14, due to HIV/AIDS related illness. George was involved as a tally master for many years with the Mr. San Francisco Leather Contest. The life of Edwin Philip "Ed "Ryder, August 17,1952 - January 15,2001, was celebrated at the Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church in New York on February 3. Ed was Mr. Mid Atlantic Drummer 1995 and rocked the decibels of the Congress during International Mr. Leather when he walked the runway in a full length Gray fox Versace coat! He came in second to Tony Mills that year, 1998, but he was clearly the subject most talked about. Al D. Sowers died of cancer early in the morning on February 21, 2001. He was a founding member of Seattle Men in Leather as well as past recipient of the SML Community Service Award, was a recipient of The Leather Emerald Award for community service to the Washington State Mr. Leather Organization, received two Pantheon of Leather community service awards, was recipient of The Knights of Malta service award, and has served both boards for Generic Leather Productions and the Washington State Mr. Leather Organization. Al was featured in many magazines from PFIQ to Drummer, Dungeon Master to The Leather Journal, but throughout his leather life one of his greatest and most pleasurable experiences was representing the Pacific Northwest as Northwest Mr. Drummer in 1994. Richard A. “Dick†McHugh, a fixture in Washington’s gay community and owner of the DC Eagle tavern on New York Avenue from 1987 to 2000, died of lymphoma February 25 at his home in Washington. Mr. McHugh used the bar for benefits that raised funds for a variety of charities, including Brother, Help Thyself and Food for Friends. McHugh helped many gay organizations get off the ground, including the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association. He also supported the Centaur Motorcycle Club, the DC Bear Club and the DC Boys of Leather. On February 27 the Tradesmen of Charlotte, NC and many others lost their brother Steve "Weazer" Haney after a long battle with HIV. He was a member and past president of the Tradesmen. Philip Morris Turner, made his transition on Wednesday, April 4 after a long battle with bacterial pneumonia. He was 49 years old. Philip was survived by his partner and number one boy, Greg Pennington. Philip was San Francisco Leather Daddy XI. He created the event “Leather Extravaganza†and produced it for the first five years. Philip served several years on the Mr. San Francisco Leather Committee and also produced the Northern California Drummer contest for three years. He has received numerous awards including several Pantheon of Leather awards, Board of Supervisor Commendations, The Peter Austin Award, and ICF Man of the Year. In March 1995 he and his business partner Joe Granese purchased the Bear and changed the name to Daddy’s. In it’s first five operational years Daddy’s bar raised over $3 million for local charities. Bob Miller passed away on March 29, 2001. He worked with the Mr. SF Leather contest. Mr. San Francisco Leather Houston Davenport was Bob’s lover. Glenn Hughes, the Leatherman singer for the Village People passed away due to AIDs in May. Dean Dunlap, longtime activist in Seattle was found dead in his apartment in Pasco Washington on Wednesday, June 13. Dean was active with the Vancouver Activist in SM, Seattle Dungeon Guild and the Portland, OR Leather group ORGASM and worked in conjunction to establish several dungeon parties which were held in the Boxing Club on Pike Street in Seattle known as the Black Heart Ball as well as NLA: Seattle's May Day weekends. He helped with the Quake 85 and Quake 86 weekends produced by the Knights of Templar in San Francisco. Dean was known during that era as Dr. Shock, specializing in erotic electrical play. Mason Timmons, 40 of Syracuse, NY died on Tuesday, July 3 at Community General Hospital in Syracuse. Mason was a member of the Journeymen since 1994 and held offices of road captain and treasurer. He was an associate member of the Utica Tri's MC and an associate member of the Rochester Rams. Mason was Mr. Upstate New York Leather 1996. He was survived by his companion, Damon Anthony. Wes Decker who held the titles of Southeast Mr. Drummer and Mr. Southeast Leather in the early 1990s passed away recently. Paul J, Tooker passed away in late August of heart complications. Many knew him as Paul from Access Denied. He was survived by his wife and children. Boy Jarret Christiansen was the founder of the Great Lakes Brotherhood of Boys and the fonder of the Boy Gatherings. Jarret was born June 8, 1970, and was an associate member of the DC Boys of Leather. The Ottawa Knights regretted to announce the passing away of John Purdie, longtime club member, former president, and executive producer of the Mr. Leather Ottawa-Hull competition until 2000. John died peacefully in hospital on September 19, 2001, surrounded by his family and his closest friends. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Lesbian Gay Bi Youth Line, a toll-free telephone referral and counselling service for young people in Ontario. He joined the Ottawa Knights in 1991 taking on the role of treasurer and also served four terms as president. After a seven month battle with lung cancer, Bill Hobson, managing partner at the Faultline, died peacefully at the home he shared with his loving partner of 10 years, Ralph David Morrison III. Bill was born on February 20, 1948 and died on October 21, 2001. His work at Faultline garnered commendations from City of Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan and most recently, Being Alive’s Spirit of Hope Award. The world of Japanese Rope Artists was saddened with the news of the passing on September 12 of Osada Eikichi. Osada sensei was one of the most famous “nawa sensei’s†in Japan. He was born on March 15, 1925 in Tochigi Prefecture. He was the founder of the Osada Seminar, a private membership SM organization in Japan. He was well known as an architect of the Japanese SM scene, and is regarded as the founder of the SM/Rope Art show in Japan. Indeed he was recognized as the Grand Master of Rope Art in Japan. Reverend John T. Milne, 59, a longtime Leather/SM community member, died unexpectedly on Thursday, October 11, 2001, after being stricken at his home. He was born in Bronx, NY. An active member of the gay, Leather and SM community of New York, John was among the early members of GMS/MA. John came to Utica where he was active in the community, assisting in founding the Greater Utica Lambda Fellowship. In 1986, he was a founding member of the Utica Tri's MC. John’s survivors include his life partner, Daniel Attas. Old guard Leatherman Jim Babin died November 25, 2001 at the age of 83. He was a charter member of Delta International, as well as a member of Chicago Hellfire Club, The 15 Association, Houston’s Brotherhood of Pain and several other BDSM groups. Jim was survived by his slaveboy caspian. Renowned sculptor Marcello Lupetti died on December 28, 20001 of a heart attack. He was 49, born on July 29, 1952 near Tucuman, Argentina. Marcello endured and survived torture by Argentina's secret police before moving to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he directed his talents toward computer science, art and political activism. He exhibited for several years at the Tom of Finland Foundation's Erotic Art Weekend. He was survived by Terry Turner and Paul Papal. Cal Eagles MC past president Bill Walden. GMS/MA member John "Jabez" Gulick. GMS/MA member Mark Traxler. Delta International member Tom Hicks. Knights D'Orleans founding member Otto Stierl. John "Jabez" Gulick.
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