International Geared Up Pup
Pup Montreal 2017 Tosa Alphainu from Montreal, Canada was announced the winner of the International Geared Up Pup 2019 contest on February 10 in a video presented by contest producer Hunter Draufganger. The video is linked below. The runner-up is Pup Rinzler, from Cincinnati, Ohio and the fan favorite is Tosa Alphainu. There were seven entrants: Blaze, Tinker, Kit, Pup Rinzler, Pupp Spice, Tosa Alphainu, and Pup Renegade. The categories: written application and three essays, still photographs showcasing pup image, a video showcasing pup playfulness, and character, charity, and service. The contest was judged by International Geared Up Pup 2018 Kabous Pup, Kevin Levesque, Vladimir Long, Klebisson Montiero, Deskro Niker, Pawlish, Derrick Otter Starr, and Sir Jay and the tally master was Atlanta drag persona Baby Doll Schultz.
https://www.facebook.com/geareduppup/videos/2233317970022166/?t=21
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Avatar Club Los Angeles 36th Anniversary
Avatar Club Los Angeles held its 36th Anniversary celebration at the One Foundation National Gay & Lesbian Archives at USC on Sunday, February 10 with about 30 Leathermen in attendance. Snacks and drinks were followed by a presentation on the history and mission of Avatar. Avatar archival material was on display including several large banner-size illustrations from the 1990s by Mark Acuna. A community meet and greet after the presentation included a walking tour of the Archives led by Jeffrey Erdman.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AvatarclubLA/about/
Mr. and Ms Philadelphia Leather
The Mr. and Ms Philadelphia Leather contest will be held Saturday, February 16 at 8 PM at The Bike Stop. The Philadelphians MC will present Gear Up, their dress-code-encouraged Leather, rubber, fetish, and gear party following the contest. The Bike Stop, 204 South Quince Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107.
Mr. Eagle 562 Leather
Eli Avila now fills the shoes left by Pup Yoshi when he was declared the winner of the Mr. Eagle 562 Leather 2019 contest at the Eagle 562 in Long Beach, CA on Saturday night February 9. The runner-up was Joey Byrne. The bar honored the Barking Billiards group with an award. About 150 attended the contest even with intermittent rain through the day. This was the last preliminary contest leading up to Mr. Los Angles Leather at the end of March.
https://www.facebook.com/events/863815037160184/
ABDL - Little Big Night
ABDL will host Little Big Night at the Eagle 562 in Long Beach, CA on Friday, February 22 at 8 PM. It's a safe space for the diaper curious to explore. A place to meet other AB/DLs, Leather Daddies and Boys, Diaper Pups, Baby Furs and more. Enjoy classic toons on the big screen and diapers sponsored by Tykables. No cover, free parking and free clothes check. Know someone interested? Share this event with them. Eagle 562, 2020 East Artesia Blvd., Long Beach, California 90805.
https://www.facebook.com/events/438100496724558/
Mr. LA Leather Bear
Raaarrrrrr V: The BEN-Addiction - Mr. LA Leather Bear 2019 contest presented by Bears LA, took place on Saturday, January 19 at Eagle 562 in Long Beach, CA with Eric De Leon being declared the winner and Robert Sanchez the runner-up. Three men competed. Judges Ben Johnson, Francisco Perales, Vonn Tramel, Carlos Deviez and Frank Cavallo made the decisions. There were musical performances by the very sexy Michael Poursh who blew everyone away with his rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody and the beautiful Vander Von Odd who did a moving and mesmerizing hi-art performance. Bears LA will present Love Behind Bars at Eagle LA on Friday February 15 at 9PM.
https://www.facebook.com/events/807031272825210/
Club X
Save February 16 on your calendar for Club X's next big play party. The theme is Valentine's Day Massacre and costumes are completely optional. Join Club X for another wild party at their favorite large play venue in San Diego. Featuring over a dozen play stations in the main room, plus separate areas for cool down, socializing, and a smoking patio, this place has it all. Starts at 6 PM.
SF Leather Alliance Weekend 2019
The 2019 San Francisco Leather Alliance Weekend will be held March 1-3 at SOMArts, 934 Brannan Street, and other locations around San Francisco. It will include the 37th edition of the Mr. San Francisco Leather Contest and the Second Annual SF Bootblack Contest, along with the 53rd Annual SF Leather Community Awards, a beer/soda bust, a vendor fair, auctions, entertainment, education and, of course, parties. Start the weekend off right: come out to the Meet and Greet at Mr-S-Leather, on Thursday February 28.
http://leatherallianceweekend.org
Join this Facebook Group today and Have my weekly news blog sent to you every week.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1107211362781405/
Inside Leather History - A Fireside Chat
Inside Leather History; A Fireside Chat proudly will present an ambitious series of four Chats in Los Angeles during LA Leather Pride weekend. Chat host Douglas O'Keeffe will be interviewing Mike Gerle live on stage at Oil Can Harry’s on Thursday March 28 at 5 OM. Cyan St. James will be interviewed live on stage at Sanctuary Studios LAX on Friday, March 29 at 3 PM. Audiences are welcome at both live Chats. Alexei Romanoff of the 1967 Black Cat protest will be privately interviewed at his home on March 30 and Steve Ganzell of LA Leather Coalition will be privately interviewed later the same day. Looking forward to seeing you in Los Angeles.
https://www.facebook.com/fireside.chats.5/posts/2395761513790427?notif_id=1549515124518801%C2%ACif_t
Snowbound Leather Weekend XII
Mates Leather Weekend will present Snowbound Leather Weekend XII - Get Outta The Cold And Into The Heat, February 22-24 at the Crown & Anchor, 247 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657. Like to show it off? Wanna be the face of Snowbound 2018? Send a winter-themed picture of yourself in your Leather/fetish gear (rated G – XXX) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Pictures received will be printed as a 11" x 17" poster (high resolution please) and displayed at the Beer Blast at Watership Inn and Snowbound Brunch at Bayside Betsy’s. Snowbound participants will vote for their favorite with a $5 donation to AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod.
http://www.matesleatherweekend.com/snowbound
CSW - Rainbow Skate Night
Join the LGBTQ+ community for a night of roller skating fun on Wednesday, February 20 at the Moonlight Rollerway. CSW, the non-profit organization that produces LA Pride, is hosting the event as a fundraiser. “We’re looking forward to seeing the community coming out to have some fun and celebrate their Pride”, said Board of Directors member Mistress Cyan. “We believe we should show our Pride year round and that’s why CSW is working really hard promoting other events for the community other than just the festival." The Rainbow Skate Night will be held at Moonlight Rollerway, 5110 San Fernando Road, Glendale, California 91204. Advance tickets are recommended and can be purchased online at
Washington State Leather Pride Week
Washington State Leather Pride Week will be held March 15-24 at several venues in Seattle, WA. The Washington State Mr., Ms Leather and Bootblack Contest will be Friday through Sunday, March 23 and the Leather Emerald Awards with Victory Brunch on Sunday afternoon, March 22-24. Earlier, on Saturday, March 16, the Seattle Men in Leather will host their 30th Anniversary Dinner at the Cuff Complex dance bar.
The Visibility Project
By Scarlett Sin
Phase one of The Visibility Project launched in 2017 on the principle that Diversity, Representation, Visibility and Inclusion must be perpetual efforts in our communities to ensure an equitable space for all. Beginning with a mission to provide visibility through display of identity flags of all in our communities launched the project. The Visibility Project has supplied flags to over 30 events in the past year with many more scheduled. Phase two (launching in 2019) seeks to provide scholarships to minority-identified Leatherfolk to be visible, representative and included in events otherwise beyond their reach so that they may share their knowledge and experiences and bring back those to their own home communities. 501c3 status is pending and a website will be launching soon.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Slave Scripture: A Protocol Manual for the Owner and the Owned
By Norman McClelland
This is different from most slave protocol manuals in that it is written by a slave (of 30 years), not a Master. Even some of the best manuals written by Masters, as might be expected, have only a limited understanding of what goes on in the mind of a slave, which is very different from what any Master may imagine. Available at Authorhouse, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.
ONYX Northwest - Pledge Master's Rules
Join ONYX Northwest as they kick their our pledge drive with kinky fun and sexy men Bay Area Men of Color. Witness the full circle journey of ONYX Northwest's latest new members as the take the stage and give you a taste of what ONYX is all about. This special edition of the ONYX Northwest's fourth-Saturday-of-the-month bar night has everything you've come to expect. 6 PM on Saturday, December 22 at the Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.
https://www.facebook.com/events/330100797715178/
ShipMates Club of Baltimore - 45th Anniversary
The ShipMates Club of Baltimore will celebrate their 45th Anniversary at Max's Taphouse on Saturday, May 4 at 6 PM. Max's Taphouse, 737 South Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21231.
https://www.facebook.com/events/312815875998660/
World Pride 2019 - Stonewall 50
The long-awaited 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion is scheduled for June 26 - July 1 all over New York including a hug dance in Times Square. Celebrate how far we've come in only a half-century. Find all the information about New York World Pride 2019 in one web site. Listing the official Pride events and the other events being put on by local promoters. These events in the past have been attended by 1,000s each New York Pride. This week will be epic for New York City. First World Pride ever to be in the USA.
Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District - New web site
The San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance has set up a web site to assist the new Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District in the SOMA area of San Francisco, to honor, support, and protect the unique and special culture that has flourished in this area. The Governance Committee presented a first draft of a number of Bylaws Articles that we have worked through and are recommending for Members’ input. This document reflects proposed language for key Bylaws areas for the Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District’s intended 501(c)3 non-profit incorporation.
Leather Uniform Club Las Vegas monthly events
This active club holds their monthly meetings on the third Wednesday at MCC Las Vegas at 7 PM. The next dates are December 19 and January 16. Their popular first Thursday Fetish and Friendship Dinners are at La Cabana at 7 PM with the next on January 3; and Leather Church at Charlie's Bar on second Sundays at 4 PM with the next one on January 13. LUC of Las Vegas is a pansexual group with many LGBT folks involved.
NAB Weekend 2019: Bearmanji
North American Bear Weekend - Bearmanji will be held February 14-17 at the Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott. Register now for a weekend of fun, fur, and frolic. Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa, 1800 Newtown Pike, Lexington, Kentucky 40511.
https://www.facebook.com/events/467968680326916/
Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District - Land Use Survey
By Dahn Van Laarz
The Land Use Committee of the Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District has created a brief survey, to help them begin to get a sense of where their organization's members, and the community as a whole, want them to focus some of their efforts. The survey is anonymous, and will take only a few minutes to complete. The survey results will be disclosed at the Community Meeting on February 20.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LCDlanduse2019
Avatar Club Los Angeles - Sampler
By Ralph Bruneau
Avatar Club Los Angeles, ONYX SoCal/Southwest and Payasos will present Leather and Race on Sunday, April 7 at 4 PM at MCC in the Valley, 5730 Cahuenga Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91601. In fulfilling our mission to "provide leadership in education, health and safety by facilitating strategic collaborations" we will be joining ONYX SoCal/Southwest and the Payasos in a dialogue addressing race relations within our scene and potential next steps for collective action.. Requested donation is $5. Nobody is turned away for lack of funds.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AvatarclubLA/
GULP Brotherhood - New Dungeon Play Space
The GULP Brotherhood is happy to announce our New GULP Frat House and Dungeon Play Space! Beginning in January 2019 GULP will have a permanent play space for initiations and private GULP Brotherhood events such as their private parties. GULP is an invite only Austin, Texas based guys organization for guys into Gear, Uniform, Leather, Pup play/social group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AUSTINGULP/
Rope Burn SF: November
Rope Burn SF is all set to go on Thursday, November 15 and December 20 at Catalyst SF at 7 PM. Rope burn is a group dedicated to creating a safe space for those interested in learning the art of rope restraint, every third Thursday of the month. It's not a workshop - We want to help people create connections and grow the queer rope community through sharing our knowledge and skills. We want this group to be a fun, sex-positive, relaxed, and informational space, open to all skill levels and sizes. Suggested donation of $20. Catalyst SF, 1060 Folsom Street, San Francisco, California 94103.
https://www.facebook.com/events/327466841135899/
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Settle in, hot chocolate on the table next to the fireplace as cold a night sets in and grab your copy of The Leather Journal....
Subscribe to the print version
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CLAW - 209 events
More than 209 events and exhibitors are included in the $209 CLAW Attendee Package. Hotel Parties, Bar Parties, Dungeon Parties, Naked Pool Parties, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Party, Skills and Education Sessions, Vendor Mart, Silent Auction, Bound and Beautiful, Speed Dating, Pup Events, Cigar Deck, Kinky Kabaret. No Leather contest - 100 percent fun. CLAW XIX is April 25-28 in downtown Cleveland. Stay over Sunday night and see the closing show which is a must.
Eagle LA - Meat Rack
Meat Rack with DJ Billy Fever is hosted by John Piampiano and Hunter Fox and Eagle LA on the fourth Saturday of each month and the next ones are on November 24 and December 22 at 9 PM. Party, house music, electronic dance music. Wear your Leather, jock, wrestling singlets, fetish, military, rubber, kink or do it up special. $6 cover. Eagle LA, Los Angeles, CA 90029.
https://www.facebook.com/events/130452464444475/
ONYX NY Northeast - at Eagle NYC
By Mr. Eagle NYC Cee Jay
Join the men of ONYX NY Northeast the second Saturday of every month at 7 PM with the next one on March 9. ONYX NY Northeast is a Leather Fraternity for men of color and their admirers. ONYX NY Northeast seeks to provide a comfortable space for men of color who are interested in Leather. Eagle NYC, 554 West 28th Street, New York, NY 10001.
https://www.facebook.com/events/944509692369123/
Help Keep Leather Alive in SOMA
Contribute to SF Catalyst. Your support will help keep and improve SF Catalyst, the Leather community run space at 1060 Folsom Street in San Francisco, CA. Go to the SF Catalyst Facebook page and click on their IndieGoGo link https://www.facebook.com/CatalystSanFrancisco Space Rental - Catalyst features more than 3,000 square feet of dungeon, play and social space well-stocked with BDSM furniture. The space is currently available to rent for photo shoots, filming, art shows, gatherings, dates, life events, professional sessions, and play parties. Inquiries for renting the space may be sent to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Northwest Leather Celebration - Contests
Northwest Leather Celebration is the host for the Northwest regional Master slave, Northwest Bootblack, and Northwest Person of Leather Contests and March 1 is the deadline for those wanting to compete. Attend the Friday Formal Dinner and Contest Opening to watch it all get started. Saturday morning and afternoon, get your boots done, watch the contestant interviews, and the sample class presentations. Saturday evening is the Contest Finale including the announcement of the winners of the contests. Northwest Leather Celebration also will include a Friday Formal Dinner, Saturday Step-down Luncheon, and Sunday Keynote Brunch. Northwest Leather Celebration 2019
May 2-5 in Sacramento, CA.
http://www.NorthwestLeatherCelebration.com
Smokeout - 20th Anniversary
By Bulldog Bob
Smokeout is a fun-filled uncomplicated weekend in Las Vegas for cigar and pipe studs, Leatherman, bikers, bears and friends, from all over the world. Smokeout is a free-flowing weekend so everyone can enjoy Las Vegas the way you want to … in the company of fellow studs. No rigid program to follow with lots of time for being a tourist, enjoying a show, attending events or just relaxing and having a great time. Come with a fun, uncomplicated, positive attitude and let Las Vegas do its magic The Alexis Park Resort and Villas is the host of Smokeout in Las Vegas, NV for Smokeout XX which will be held April 4-7. Smokeout has reserved the entire hotel with the exception of three suites already booked by others. Phone the Alexis Park at (702) 796-3300 to book your room. The hotel is going through renovation. Room includes buffet breakfast for room guests. Smokeout registration goes up from $50 to $55 on December 1.
Kinky Poly Happy Hour at SF Eagle
Are you polyamorous? Poly curious? Are you kinky? Kink curious? Join Kinky Poly Happy Hour at a brand new happy hour for LGBTQ+ kinky poly people every second Thursday at the SF Eagle! We will meet on the upstairs patio from 5:30-8 PM. Happy Hour pricing. Hosted by Mr. San Francisco Leather 2018. Kinky Poly Happy Hour. Hosted by Mr. San Francisco Leather 2018 on Thursday, December 13 and January 10 at 5:30 PM. SF Eagle, 398 12th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.
https://www.facebook.com/events/398372250640635/
DomCon: LA - Awards Dinner
By Cyan St. James
DomCon: LA 2019 has added an Awards Dinner which will replace the Mistress Dinner and is open to all attendees who would like to attend on Thursday night, May 9 at 7 PM. DomCon: LA is happy to be returning to The Hilton LAX May 8-12 for their 13th year in a row. Don't wait to reserve your room, this is the 16 Year Anniversary of DomCon: LA and the room block will sell out, just as it has done for the past 15 years. Here is the link to reserve your room.
San Diego Cigars and Boots
San Diego Cigars and Boots will get together at Pecs Bar from 4-7 PM on Saturday, March 2. Come out and share smokes and perhaps find that Mr. Right. First Saturday of every month. Cigars, tobacco pipes, cigarettes, and dip welcome. You don't have to be a tobacco enthusiast to enjoy the socializing. Bootblacks available during the event. Pecs Bar, 2046 University Avenue, San Diego, California 92104.
https://www.facebook.com/events/411382669395746/
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Photo - Dave Rhodes Hump Day Mailing List
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A blast from the past
Gary Aldrich And Kevin Tyrell in March 1999 sing One Common Heartbeat, a song they were commissioned to write in hopes that it would be accepted as the Leather community anthem.
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Past Dave Rhodes' Hump Day blogs
https://www.theleatherjournal.com/op-ed/item/2059-dave-rhodes-hump-day-february-7-2019
https://www.theleatherjournal.com/op-ed/item/2058-dave-rhodes-hump-day-january-25-2019
https://www.theleatherjournal.com/op-ed/item/2057-dave-rhodes-hump-day-january-16-2019
https://www.theleatherjournal.com/op-ed/item/2056-dave-rhodes-hump-day-january-9-2019
https://www.theleatherjournal.com/op-ed/item/2054-dave-rhodes-christmas-hannukah-and-yule-list
https://www.theleatherjournal.com/op-ed/item/2055-dave-rhodes-hump-day-january-2-2019
https://www.theleatherjournal.com/op-ed/item/2053-dave-rhodes-hump-day-december-19-2018
https://www.theleatherjournal.com/op-ed/item/2051-dave-rhodes-hump-day-december-5-2018
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ONYX at Mr. 562 Leather in Long Beach, CA.
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
