CLAW shines in California debut
CLAW 2021, held November 24-28 at the Westin Bonaventure in Down Town Los Angeles, has come and gone and plans for next year are already under way with a new name, The Leather Getaway. The huge space with events going on at the same time in the lower convention rooms and suites and halls on the top section of the world-class piece of architecture made it difficult for attendees to get an idea of just how many Leatherfolk were there.
CLAW producers said there were over 400 volunteers. There were activities on a floor with an outdoor pool and on the hotel rooftop. The Avatar play party was full most of the hours it was open. We talked with several vendors who reported their sales were good. There's more, including 50 photos, at
https://theleatherjournal.com/news/claw-2021-in-los-angeles
Tom of Finland Foundation's 26th Art & Cultural Festival
By Richard Villani
On the weekend of December 3–5, the Tom of Finland Foundation (ToFF) presented the 26th Tom of Finland Art & Culture Festival — Tom of Finland 101: Raw Anatomy. An estimated 1,400 people attended. This was the first year the Tom of Finland Art and Culture Festival was held at at Second Home and the first in-person Festival they have hosted in two years. Continued at
https://theleatherjournal.com/news/tom-of-finland-foundation-s-26th-art-cultural-festival
Fred Anderson passes on
Fred Anderson of Plano, Texas passed away December 15, 2021 of an apparent heart attack. He was 38 years old. He was born in Walnut Creek, California on November 1, 1983 and was the youngest child of Jere Arthur and Judith Ann (McMullen) Anderson.
Fred was a graduate of Plano Senior High school. He worked in IT support and was working towards a business degree. He was very gifted with his technical skills and was admired for his talents.
Fred had such a kind and generous heart. He always had a listening ear, a warm hug and a great sense of humor. He was known to have a cigar and an old fashioned cocktail in his hands.
Fred was very involved in his Leather and furry communities and always passionately advocated for the many charities they supported. Fred held the International Olympus Leather 2016 title and was a member of Dallas Bears.
He is survived by his parents Jere and Judy Anderson; sisters Karen, Katryna and Shannon and his brother Jere Jr. He cared for his parents and did so with admirable patience and love in his heart. He is also survived by an incredible constellation of friends.
Exploring the Complicated World of Porn Pioneer Fred Halsted
By Sam Cohen for EDGE Media Network
"Where are all the fist-fucking faggots around town?" So said raconteur, rabble rouser and gay porn pioneer Fred Halsted to a group of New York gay lib writers, poets and — as Halsted called some of them — "jack offs," after a preview screening of "LA Plays Itself" that earned boos and hisses aplenty. Halsted, who died in 1989 at the age of 46, is the subject of an incredible new Blu-ray set from U.S. film distributor Altered Innocence and sister company of distributor Vinegar Syndrome, OCN Distribution....To read the rest, go to
https://www.edgemedianetwork.com/story.phpch=entertainment&sc=movies&id=311139&exploring_the_complicated_world_of_porn_pioneer_fred_halsted
Bucks MC - Santa Saturday
The Bucks Motorcycle Club held its 48th Annual Santa Saturday at Paradise in Asbury Park, NJ on November 27.
On October 31, 1972, the Bucks Motorcycle Club was born in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Bucks MC is an organization whose fraternal atmosphere provides members of the LGBTQIA community to come together over shared interests in Leather, Levi, and motorcycles. As an organization, the Bucks have hosted and participated in social activities both privately as a club as well as in the form of their public charity event Santa Saturday. Bucks MC has held Santa Saturday since 1973 – which draws over 1,000 individuals raising funds to benefit HIV/AIDS and other local charities.
https://bucksmc.org/santa-saturday/
15th Annual Leather Leadership Award goes to Billy Lane
Billy Lane of Pennsylvania will be presented the Creating Change Conference's 15th Annual Leather Leadership Award the weekend of January 12-16 in New Orleans, LA.
Billy Lane identifies as a gay Leatherman, sometimes adding ‘with a trans history." Always a boyish/masculine person, he began his “formal" journey to manhood in 1992 and never looked back. While he lives what he calls a life of “low disclosure," he honors and appreciates those who choose a different path. He continues to work within the gay Leathermen’s community for inclusion of trans men in sex spaces, clubs, and events, having competed at International Mr. Leather in 1998 as the first out trans man. He is a proud past Chairman and current member of Delta International and the current President of the Board of Directors of the Leather Archives and Museum.
The theme for the Conference which is produced by the NLGBTQ Task Force is Reunite and Reignite, a message which captures the energy of so many LGBTQ people looking forward to being part of a vibrant and inclusive space once again.
Payasos LA - Sixth Annual Nutcracker Awards
On Saturday night,December 10, Payasos LA presented their Sixth Annual Nutcracker Awards at the Eagle LA in Los Angeles, CA. There were 11 categories.
Leather Woman of the year was Jessica Mendoza and Leather Man of the Year was Bob Miller. Boy of the Year - David Sanford, Puppy of the Year - Matthew Mullins, Player of the Year - Bruin Collinsworth, Smoker of the Year - Matt Mishkoff, Glutes Award - Eric DeLeon, Brother/Sister of the Year - Michael Lara, Daddy of the Year - Charlie Matula, Gear/Uniform Award - Jim Neuman, Event of the Year - Tutus and Heels by Colton Stenke.
The history of payasiando/clowning is a history of creativity, evolution, and change. Payasos LA honors and maintains this tradition for the benefit of it members, friends and the community.
Through self-respect and self expression, Payasos LA is a brotherhood of gay/bi Latino men who are committed to keeping and enhancing the
quality of life for the future generations and our communities through fundraising, public appearances and volunteering that support youth programs, promoting Latino presence in the Arts, and generating awareness on issues that affect the Latino community in Los Angeles. Payasos-LA is dedicated to a better tomorrow.
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Roster of Monthly Contributors to The Leather Journal
Time for you to become part of it
https://theleatherjournal.com/news/patrons-of-the-leather-journal
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Smokeout Las Vegas returns to Spring
After a hot summer run in August, the 2022 version of Smokeout Las Vegas will be held the weekend of April 6-11 at the Tuscany Suites and Casino.
Among the many events and fun things at Smokeout 2022 will be a hospitality suite, Vendors Row, pool, underwear, cocktail, private play and other parties, scotch and cigar social, dinners at Hofbrauhaus, a local Italian restaurant, all-you-can-eat sushi, uniform dinner, dippers' gathering, Desert Brotherhood MC Saturday ride, pipe social, poker game, boot blacks, cigar crawl, bar parties at Fun Hog Ranch and Charlie's and more - plus all that Las Vegas has to offer. For registration and hotel information go to
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1485223168228920
Ghee Phua is Mr. SF Eagle Leather
Ghee Phua was named Mr. SF Eagle 2022 on Saturday, December 4. Ghee will compete at IML in May. He already has a strong presence in the San Francisco Bay Area Leather community.
The following was his speech, "Good afternoon everyone, My name is Ghee Phua. I am here today because of an article on a fetish website about a young Asian man who after winning the Mr. International Rubber title in 2016 received many racist comments and messages from other fetish and kinky people. More recently, even a local title holder has experienced racism and transphobia from within our community. I think it is unacceptable that this is happening. As members of the Leather and kinky family, we should know better. We know what it feels like to be marginalized and ostracized. I hope you agree with me that we need to welcome all people into our community."
https://www.facebook.com/ghee.phua
LALC CAReS
By Gabriel Green
The LALC Community Assistance Resource Service (LALC CAReS) is a division of the Los Angeles Leather Coalition and is dedicated to helping and assisting our community, through various means and resources, during times of crisis.
LALC CAReS has three branches: The LALC Lifeline is for those people who feel alone and need to talk to someone. The LALC Helping Hand is for those who are struggling and have a financial need during times of crisis. The LALC and Helping Hand is for those in need of food supplies, clothes, toiletries, medicines, etc. and is proudly sponsored by the Bullet Bar.
For more information about receiving assistance, volunteering and donating, please visit
https://www.facebook.com/LALCCAReS
https://www.instagram.com/lalc.cares/
California B&B Corps holiday party
Story and photo by Robert Green
The California B&B Corps celebrated the holiday season on Saturday night, December 11 at the Tom Of Finland Foundation house. The oldest active uniform club known anywhere in its 53rd year had a very limited guest list respecting best safety practices due to the Covid 19 crisis requiring proof of vaccination.
The new slate of B&B officers was announced with Chief Loren Berthelsen handing the reins over to the incoming Chief Tom Priestley. The annual donation to the Tom House was presented.
Durk Dehner, Sharp, and Marc of the TOM House shared some announcements from the foundation including a presentation to the newest lifetime member of the Tom Of Finland Foundation, B&B club member Robert Green. The B&B is proud to have five lifetime members of the foundation.
Daddy Christmas Dazzles
By Rodney Burger
The ShipMates Club of Baltimore presented their Daddy Christmas fundraiser on Saturday, December 4 at the Baltimore Eagle. Founded in 1974, the ShipMates have been holding their annual holiday benefit on the first Saturday of December for decades. When last year’s event could not be held at the bar because of COVID-19 capacity restrictions, the club rescheduled for February 14, 2021 with hopes to tie the event into Valentine’s Day. When restrictions were still in place in February, Daddy Christmas 2020 was held virtually.
This year’s ShipMates’ Daddy Christmas found Leatherfolk in Santa hats and harnesses lined up at the door to get into a packed Baltimore Eagle. There was a silent auction, which included many Leather items from the estate of the late Mr. Club XS Leather 2009/2010 David Shover who passed in 2020. There was also music by Brandon Michaels, Jell-O shots, a raffle for a wagon of cheer, and performances by Bombalicious and others.
Porn stars Beaux Banks and Arad Winnin helped spread holiday cheer and the very nice Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2020-2021 David Spivey as Santa found many boys who wanted to be added to the naughty list. The upstairs dance floor and the recently-opened dance floor behind the code bar were both jumping all evening. Each year the Shipmates select a different charity as the Daddy Christmas recipient. Daddy Christmas 2021 raised over $2,000 to benefit Baltimore Safe Haven, a non profit organization providing opportunities for a higher quality of life for transgender people in Baltimore. In what has been another gloomy year, The ShipMates’ Daddy Christmas 2021 dazzled and helped many in the community get into the holiday spirit.
Conductors LLC holiday party
The Conductors Leather/Levi Club held their holiday party in Nashville, TN on Friday, December 10.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/453256188037068/
Excelsior MC Trim-a-Tree Returns, Live, to the Eagle NYC
By Bruce-Michael Gelbert
On December 3, Excelsior MC’s popular Trim-a-Tree fundraiser returned, live and in-person, to the Eagle NYC Leather bar, after a season’s hiatus, during which it was a Zoom event. The beneficiary was Trinity Place Shelter for homeless LGBTQ+ youth. Members and friends of a number of northeastern Leather clubs were in attendance and the centerpiece was a show, hosted by past Mr. Eagle NYC and past Mr. Fire Island Leather CB Kirby and entertainer Candy Samples. The Eagle’s Oscar was the DJ.
Musical numbers were Shelley Winters Black(Excelsior Historian Gabriel Rivas)’ “Everybody’s Fucking but Me;” Candy Samples singing her original songs “A Very Candy Christmas” and “Christmas Gift;” and, on screen, a duet by Shelley and past Excelsior President and past Mr. Fire Island Leather Edd Clark. There was a drawing for three raffle prizes, two run passes for Excelsior’s run in Cherry Grove, Fire Island, in May, and a $200 gift certificate donated by the Leatherman, the shop on Christopher Street.
BLUF SF Leathermen - Holiday Dinner
BLUF SF Leathermen held their Holiday Dinner at Basil Canina on Friday night, December 10 in San Francisco, CA.
BLUF SF is a group for men interested in Leather, rubber and other fetish attire. Whether you are new and curious or have been in the community for a long time, BLUF SF promotes the values of camaraderie and inclusiveness in the celebration of both traditional and new ways of embodying our fetishes.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/170995339630761/
Satyrs MC 67th Anniversary
By Stanley
Members and friends of the Satyrs Motorcycle Club celebrated the club's 67th Anniversary at MCC in the Valley on Saturday night, November 27.
Club officers for 2022 were announced and new members were introduced. New officers are President - Ron Neiport, Vice President - Brent Sweer, Road Captain - Riley Black, Treasurer - Derrick Martin, and Correspondence and
Recording Secretary - Perry Ash. New Baby Satyrs are Frank Jenkins and Jeremy Swaney. New Hellenic Members are Kevin Cowger and Stanley Wickham.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/169741820510
Dave Rhodes' Christmas, Solstice, New Year and Hanukkah List
After a year hiatus, here is Dave Rhodes' Christmas and Hanukkah List which will be posted on or about December 23. I was not going to post it this year because I'm not sure what to say after all that has gone with the pandemic in the last two years. Then again, we need to love and laugh again - without anyone getting hurt.
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Satyrs MC Turkey Poker Run
The Satyrs Motorcycle Club of Los Angeles held their annual Turkey Poker Run on Sunday, November 21, meeting at the Astro Restaurant in Silver Lake in the morning before going on a fun day ride. The run wound up at Eagle LA bar.
https://www.facebook.com/events/488955535640150
Black and Tans Toast to The Season
The Regiment of the Black and Tans held their annual Toast to The Season and Toy Drive at the Eagle LA the week of December 4 in Los Angeles, CA. The bar event was preceded by a club dinner at Casita del Campo earlier in the evening. The Eagle LA stage was covered several feet high and side-to-side with unwrapped children's toys which were donated to the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.
The Regiment of the Black and Tans is a Los Angeles-based social and fraternal organization for men with an interest in uniforms.
Santa Second Saturday in SOMA
Santa Second Saturday was a multi-location indoor holiday market on Saturday, December 11 in the SOMA district of San Francisco, CA. The market brought the best of local artists, craftspeople, and businesses for holiday shopping and celebration. Santa Second Saturday featured an Art and Artisan Fair at the Folsom Street Community Center.
Events included local queer and kinky artists and artisans Gift Wrapping Station; Naughty Santa, San Francisco Fetish Flea Market at Wicked Grounds Annex, Azúcar Lounge, Powerhouse, the SF Eagle, and all of the South of Market bars and clubs.
https://sfleatherdistrict.org/santa/
Empire City MC Holiday Party
Empire City MC's 58th Annual Holiday Party and Gift Drive was held at the Stonewall Inn on December 4 benefiting Rising Grounds. Near the end of the event, ECMC club brother Jack and special guest host, Hibiscus, randomly drew winning tickets.
FIST Leatherwomen - Storytelling Q&A
FIST Leatherwomen will present Storytelling Q&A with Mama Vi Johnson of the Carter-Johnson Leather Library on Zoom on Saturday, January 22 at 11 AM PST.
Viola Johnson is a Leatherwoman, vampire and author who has been active in the Leather BDSM scene since the ‘70’s. A mentor and confidante to many she has a special fondness for the ‘boys’ of our community, and those who choose to serve. Viola is the wife of International Ms Leather 1996 Jill Carter.
https://www.facebook.com/events/429268085528165/
https://us02web.zoom.us/.../tZIvcOGrqTsvE9N451wrnpW6h1gt0
Palm Springs Leather Pride 2021
Photo of producers Kyle Taylor and Dan Smith.
https://theleatherjournal.com/news/palm-springs-leather-pride-2021
Leather Archives far exceeds fundraising goal
The Leather Arcives & Museum is pleased to share some much-needed good news. In November, they set a very ambitious goal to raise $30,000 in honor of LA&M's 30th anniversary, collecting $35,758. This means the LA&M met its challenge match, and will receive another $30,000 from the John Palatinus Trust bringing in a grand total of $65,758 to close out the year.
https://www.shopleatherarchives.com/
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Dave Rhodes Hump Day Mailing List
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A Blast From The Past - Texas Leather Pride 2002
NLA Austin hosted Texas Leather Pride in Austin, TX in May 2002. A few hundred attended play parties at The Ranch which was the stereotypical Texas warehouse bar in the country. While this was great, the boat ride out to Hippie Hollow on Travis Lake was a blast. It's sad that this event ended because it had the contest, keynote speaker and basic conference fare and a lot of Lone Star to spice it up.
Photo by Dave Rhodes
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Links to all Dave Rhodes' Hump Days going back to August 9, 2017
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The Leather Journal was founded in May, 1987. The Leather community was hungry for news magazine that covered clubs, organizations and events. TLJ has successfully met that need for 34 years. We have adapted to change more than once and when the Internet came about we were there by adding www.TheLeatherJournal.com
