The Centaur MC named its new officers. They are: President Patti Brown, Vice President Tom Buckley, Treasurer Patrick Grady, Recording Secretary Donald Berrier, Corresponding Secretary Jeffrey LeGrand-Duglass, Tribune Chris Brush, Road Captain Enrique Méndez and Centurion Bob Dye.

 

 

The Desert Fetish Authority's monthly Kink Talk session was back on Friday, January 8, virtually via Zoom. Time to start over in a new year and catch up after a couple months. The purpose and topic is to talk openly about kink in fetish and how it enhances and affects our lives.

The Los Angeles Leather Coalition announced that LA Leather Pride Week has been postponed to spring 2022.

SouthEast LeatherFest announced that the celebration of its 25th Anniversary the weekend of June 16-19, 2022 in Atlanta, GA.

The Leather Archives & Museum started new program series titled The Leather Lap/Top Variety Show on Thursday, January 21 which would run every third Thursday.

 

 

Special guest Sir Ernest Greene appeared on In The Spotlight on Monday, January 25. Greene is the author of Master of O, reinventing the BDSM classic Story of O set in modern Los Angeles and told from the master’s point of view. Greene is a longtime member of the Los Angeles BDSM community, joining Threshold when it was still an affiliate of The Society of Janus. He served six terms as Threshold coordinator between 1989 and 1995.

 

 

Gayle Rubin was honored along with several others at the 33rd annual Creating Change Conference which was held virtually from January 28-31 and produced by the National LGBTQ Task Force.

There has been much to celebrate over the Leather Archives & Museum's 30 year history, but getting its own building is surely at the top of the list. In August 1999, LA&M closed on the purchase of its new home and moved from a storefront of 2,400 square feet into a 10,000 square foot former synagogue in Chicago, IL.

February 2021

 

Master George Scileppi, who served on the board of the LA Leather Coalition, past Southern California Master and Leather Heat coproducer Master George passed away on February 1 due to lung complications due to the pneumonitis.

The Long Beach Imperial Court presented Leather, Jocks & Goodies Oh My! online with Facebook Live on Saturday, February 6. This was a free event and a benefit for LA Cares. This is a virtual jock auction included jocks and other itmes donated by Mr. Long Beach Leather titleholders Eric Crow, Louie Ramrod, Joel Royal, Emperor 38 of Long Beach Dino Garcia, Mr. Eagle LA Leather Colten Stenke, Mr. Regiment Matthew Jensen, Mr. Sanctuary Leather Fransisco Perales, Mr. Eagle 562 pup Yoshi, Mr. CSW Leather Joe Clopton, porn star Charlie Harding, Queen Mother Krystal Archer is donating a jock from noted video producer Terry LeGrande and more.

Virtual CLAW VIII was held February 12-14 via Zoom and featured a host of stars and top-class educators for its many workshops and classes. Some of the classes and presenters were Naked Yoga for Healthy Perverts by Mike Skroch, CARAS Research on Leather and Kink by Robert Bienvenu and Richard Sprott, Sex Workers and Stigma by Sarah Hemphill and Cassandra Damm, Tenured Professor of Leather by Dr. Gayle Rubin with Rostom Mesli, Styles of Dominance by Patrick Mulcahey, Shocking Hot Wax by MarKus, and What Rope Tops Think by Tyger Yoshi.

Jack Dowling was an early member of the Empire City Motorcycle Club, joining shortly after the club was founded. He died February 24, 2021 at age 89 from complications due to COVID-19. After Jack was in a motorcycle accident in the early 70's, he established the Empire City MC Accident Fund which was designed to loan members in need. The fund still exists today. Jack owned Colt Studios, an A1l pornography magazine where he utilized his artistic talents.

 

 

ONYX Northwest released the names of their club officers for 2021. They are: President Trey, Vice President Graylin, Secretary Mac, Treasurer Jordan, Sergeant at Arms Corso, Road Captain Lobato, Pledge Master Okodee, Historian, Lindo and Development Lux.

 

 

Richie F. Chameroy-Ogorek passed during a collapsed lung operation on January 12. He was born on October 7, 1963 and was a member of the Desert Overture Wind Symphony, and lived in Cathedral City, CA. He held the International Mr. Bootblack 2003 title.

Language of Love was the latest project for Mr. Long Beach Leather 2019 Eric Crow. New Horizons For Fifty is a bimonthly digital publication. Each issue would have an overarching theme. The theme for the inaugural issue was Place/Home.

The 24th Annual Meeting of the NCSF Coalition Partners was held on March 6-7. The meeting was all virtual. The Coalition Partners elected new Board members and discussed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the alt-sex communities. The members of the new NCSF Board are: Chairperson Tess Zachary is Chairperson, Vice-Chair Saira is Vice-Chair, Treasurer is Archer Shelton, Secretary is Kelly Larkin, At-Large are Jackie “Bebe” Harris, Justin Golden, Netta, Ruby Bouie Johnson, LCSW, Russell J. Stambaugh, PhD, DST, CSSP, Sheffie Robinson, Stephen Ratcliff and Susan Wright.

 

 

FLAME Conference is a three-day, entirely online educational event. The event will be held February 19-21, 2021 in your home. The FLAME Conference keynote speaker will be Jessica Bootblack (Jessie). A few of the 25-plus classes are On the Edge of Consent by Sir Luke and His victor, Ownership as a Spiritual Faith by The Rooks, Say Yes to Saying No by Underground Sea, and Ageplay Elementary by Coco.

The Vancouver Puppies' officers are: President - Pup Figaro, Vice-President - Pup Roxy, Secretary - Daddy Rodney, Treasurer - Pup CoxSux’R, Membership - Pup Teekay, Events - Pup Helm, and Bylaws and Communications - Pup Frio.

ONYX Pearls NY-NE hosted a sultry evening meant to turn up the HEAT of your February evening at Confessions of Lust and Love - Spoken Word and Cigar Social. Featuring kinky erotica readings mixed with the exploration of lust and love every attendee were left fanning their flames. People brought cigar, drink, and sexy thoughts. This two-hour Zoom event was on Saturday, February 27. Authors on the list to read were Poetic ONYX, DominaKat, Da Kollector, and Gaia Amor.

 

 

Bite The Bullet! fundraiser was a massive success in North Hollywood, CA. Together, they raised over $6,000 for the LALC and Bullet Bar Pantry and the LALC CAReS program. Michael Lara, owner of the Bullet Bar, was the impetus behind the effort

March 2021

 

Richard Majewski, of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY, and Cherry Grove, Fire Island, passed away after a long illness on March 25, according to long-time life partner Ted Thompson. Born on May 23, 1945, Richard lived his entire life in Sunset Park and, an early member and officer of Excelsior MC, had spent summers in a house on the corner of Ivy and Bayview Walks, associated with the club, in Cherry Grove.

 

 

Late March is usually a great time to go riding in the Angeles National Forest due east of Los Angeles. Members of the Oedipus Motorcycle Club and friends went on such a ride to the Mount Wilson Observatory on a crystal clear day on Sunday, March 28. There was a little snow left at the top of the mountain and it was brisk at the Observatory.

After a year of closure, due to the pandemic, Eagle LA bar needs it’s fans and your support, more than ever. That is why Payasos-LA is bringing back its decadent, one-of-a-kind, sexy AF and shameless Carwash on Saturday, April 3 in Rough Trade Leather ans Gear parking lot.

 

 

Dick Manning passed away on the morning of Saturday, March, 6. He was a founding member of the Golden Gate Guards, and member of the Alexander Hamilton Post 448 of The American Legion Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans gendered Veterans.

In The Spotlight had special guest Race Bannon via Zoom on Monday, March 8. Mistress Cyan talked with Race, who has been at various times an organizer, writer, educator, commentator, leader, speaker and activist in the LGBT Leather and kink, polyamory and HIV/STI prevention realms since 1973.

 

 

The KC Pioneers explained, demoed, and had fun with various goodies at KC Pioneers' monthly educational demo - Cock And Ball Toys on Wednesday, March 10. The KC Pioneers are a Levi-Leather club in Kansas City, Missouri.

Tom of Finland: Pen and Ink 1965 – 1989, a revealing exhibition of one of the Twentieth Century’s great visual innovators was on view at the David Kordansky Gallery early April through May 1. The exhibition of drawings included a range of media, including pencil, pen, ink, marker, and gouache.

Nasty, Dirty Sex - The What and Why of Raunch Play was the SF Leathermen's Discussion Group topic on Wednesday, March 24 presented by Dr. Richard Sprott This included sweat, spit, piss, shit, mess, mud, dirt, filth.

Dave Rhodes had the opportunity to interview CLAW co-founder Bob Miller about the same time CLAW would have been held in Cleveland, OH had it not been for the pandemic. Bob now lives in Desert Hot Springs, CA.

News Bulletin!

Smokeout Las Vegas will be held the weekend of April 6-11 at the Tuscany Suites and Casino.

 

April 2021

 

In The Spotlight, a weekly show hosted by Mistress Cyan, hosted special guest Guy Baldwin on Monday, April 5 on Zoom.

 

 

Virtual CLAW IX was held online the weekend of April 9-11. Features were Speed Dating where one gets to meet 10 men in one hour. Advance registration as top, bottom or versatile was required; raffle for a $2,000 motorcycle jacket from Ryder Gear; classes on Saturday and Sunday including Kinky Naked Yoga by Bear Mike and Bear Marvin, Dungeon Self Hypnosis by Bear Trancer, Bound and Beautiful Muscle Gallery, and Rope 101 by Tyger Yoshi.

 

 

The Men of ONYX SoCal-Southwest presented a COVID PTSD panel discussion hosted by Migs ONYX on Saturday, April 17. The panelists included Jamila M. Dawson - sex therapist, speaker, author, and Ralph Bruneau - Ph.D., MFT. ONYX SoCal-Southwest will be discussing how COVID has affected the BDSM community mentally, emotionally, socially, and has limited its intimate interactions and play sessions.

The Windy City boys Troop voted in club officers on April 12. The president is Boi Debney who said, "I’d like to thank the members for their utmost support. It’s an honor and a privilege to be a part of such a great group of boys. Here’s to 2021." The remaining officers are Sargent at Arms - Damon, Secretary - Boy Jason, Archivist - Sarah Beth, and Treasurer - Gary Lee.

Members and friends of the Oedipus Motorcylce Club went on a ride from Starbucks in Calabasas, CA to Neptune's Net in Malibu. The group rode through Malibu Creek Park, to the coast, then into the hills after passing Solstice Canyon and into Malibu Springs before hitting Pacific Coast Highway at Leo Carillo State Park and Neptune's Net.

The San Francisco Leathermen's Discussion Group invited Leather Archives & Museum Executive Director Gary Wasdin to take a long, hard look at the art and artists who helped create many of the ideals of Leather and kink on on Wednesday April 28.

 

 

Several projects celebrating the Leather and kink history of San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood were inching along, from the completion of a public parklet named after an iconic bar to the installation of sidewalk markers recognizing current and former LGBTQ businesses in the area. A new crosswalk sporting the blue, white, and black colors of the leather flag now marks the start of the Eagle Plaza public parklet on 12th Street at Bernice.

Inside Leather History - A Fireside Chat was presented on Zoom with Douglas O’Keeffe visiting with Cherri Jubal-Lee of Chicago, Hardy Haberman of Dallas, Sheldon Harrison of Male Hide Leathers Chicago, Greta von Breitenbach of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in Switzerland, Melbourne Australia Rubberman 2016 Liam Clark, Mangus Hakonarson from the Iceland kink community, and UK bootblack Alistair Leatherhiraeth.

The Houston Misfits held elections for 2021-2022 at its April business meeting. Officers include President - “Cam O” Scott Neumann, Vice President - Bob Daumer, Secretary - Noah Huizar, Treasurer - Chris Brooks, and Historian - Keith Evans. By Cam Scott.

Saturday, April, 24, The Golden Gate Guards presented the 49th Golden Dildeaux Awards online live on Zoom. These humorous awards are intended to poke fun at various sexual activities while at the same time provide fundraising for the Positive Resources Center, formerly known as AIDS Emergency Fund. Mr. San Francisco Leather 2016 Cody Elkin and Ms San Francisco Leather 2016 Star D. Love did a fantastic job as emcees.

The Leatherfolk Book Club was meeting once a month on Zoom. The Leatherfolk Book Club reads a mix of fiction, biography, histories or historically important writings, and contemporary theoretical writings on Leather, kink, public sex, queer communities, and gay life.

 

 

The Leather world was saddened when it learned of the passing of Mr. New England Leather 2017 and First Mate 2016 Russell Sweeney. He lived in Boston, Massachusetts where he was a member of the Bay State Marauders. Russell is survived by his partner, Scott Boucher.

 

May 2021

 

The first SOMA Second Saturdays event on May 8 was a great success, so organizers began to repeat and expand it. The next edition was on June 12, filling the full block of Folsom Street, between 9th and 10th Streets, including Dore Street, south of Folsom. SOMA Second Saturdays provide a safe, fun afternoon, with queer art, kinky crafts, local artisans, interesting vendors, and a variety of clubs and organizations.

An MIR Rubber Club Summit was held on Saturday, May 8 via Zoom. This quarter's host was Jason Pearce of Melbourne Rubber. The discussion agenda was two fold: Shared Virtual Meeting/Streaming Video Platforms, and Bridging Generational Divides - By Keeping Kink Positive.

 

 

Tutus and Heels was a walk for the LGBTQ Youth of Camp Brave Trails produced by Payasos LA and the current Eagle LA Mr. Leather Colton Stenke. This was a fun short mile walk in High Heels and Tutus in Silver Lake. The route included Akbar, Eagle LA and a big Payasos-style bash at Rough Trade Gear store.

 

 

On Saturday night, May 15, Mistress Cyan and the Sanctuary Studios LAX family celebrated their reopening for public parties with Restart, their first public party since the pandemic lockdown began.

The Eagle Wilton Manors hosted a Mama's Reunion on Saturday, May 15. Mama was there for an afternoon of barbecued burgers and hot dogs on the outside patio and Bear Den. In Leather we are Family. Mama has often said, "No one can do everything. Still, everyone can do something. Together, we can do anything."

On May 15 at the South Plains Leatherfest Zoom Reunion, Master Jim, slave marsha and Sir Cougar announced that they have chosen Tomo Tomo to be the new owner and producer of SPLF and the IMs Contest.

The Leather Archives presented its May 20th edition of The Leather Lap/Top Variety Show. Co-Tops Choc Trei and Heather Raquel welcomed special guest Joey McDonald for an evening of sexy fun and reflection on Leather, kink and whatever else comes up.

 

 

The Second Annual Worldfetish Show Contest was held May 15 and was produced by the Spanish Leather and Fetish Community. The estimated six-hour show was free. The You Tube video is 1:45 hours long and every minute is entertaining. The winners were not announced. Voting was electronic.

 

 

Empire City MC's 10th Annual Motorcycle Weekend was held at The Ranch in Hemlock, NY the weekend of May 28-31. Aside from a wet and cold ride up on Friday and an “indoor day” on Saturday, Empire City had filled The Ranch up to 100-percent. Once again, K.K. prepared a menu that rivaled some of the top restaurants and served six gourmet meals to some very hungry bikers. Their Saturday, May 7 Ride, Rusty Rider, traveled the Palisades Interstate Parkway, Bear Mountain Bridge, the Goat Trail, then home to Manhattan.

 

 

Mr. Leather Norway 2021 is Ambjörn Söderberg. This was during SLM Oslo's 45th Anniversary.

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June 2021

 

On June 5, ONYX Pearls Great Lakes welcomed its second line of Siblings into the fold at the Carter Johnson home gardens in Newburgh, IN. The line was aptly named The Pearls of the Apocalypse due to the trials of pledging during the COVID pandemic. Three new Siblings joined OPGL and were embraced by the loving arms of Original Pearls Jill Carter, Vi Johnson, and Goddess Lakshimi.

Leather businesses began GoFundMecampaigns in spring including the Bike Stop, Eagle LA, Sanctuary Studios LAX, The Leather Journal and others. Some met goals immediately while others are almost 10-percent of the way to what they needed. Click to help The Leather Journal at https://gofund.me/dcf2d57b

Kink, Denver's Annual Fetish Ball was held at the Exdo Event Center in Denver, CO on Friday, June 11 with plenty of high energy with performances, fetish demos, debauchery and dancing.

Queer Leather Association Sacramento hosted a Zoom meeting, What's With the Obsession: Mainstreaming Kink in Mainstream Media, presented by member Boii Jayy on Tuesday, June 8. QLAS discussed how mainstream media and culture has been representing the kink community. From history to fashion runways and magazines, movies and TV even advertisements have displayed the kink community.

People of Color Kink and Leather Experience and International Ms Leather and International Ms Bootblack teamed up for a Juneteenth Telethon on June 19. This was a day filled with history, Leather, cooking, kink, classes, art, and conversations while raising funds for POCKLE and IMsLBB. The telethon featured the Menopause Panel filmed for IMsLBB 2021, moderated by The Goddess Indigo and featuring Mama Vi, Judy Tallwing-McCarthey, Mistress Mir, Mistress Max Rulz, Mistress Jill Carter, and Shann Carr.

The LALC CAReS, Community Assistance Resource Service, is a division of the Los Angeles Leather Coalition and is dedicated to helping and assisting our community, through various means and resources. The LALC and Bullet Bar Pantry is for those in need of food supplies, clothes, toiletries, and medicines, etc. LALC CAReS is sponsored by the Bullet Bar. The LALC Helping Hand is for those who are struggling and have a financial need during times of crisis.

 

 

SFLDG and Avatar doubled as a team to discuss the Centaur MC, a storied motorcycle club who just celebrated their 51st Anniversary, and are perhaps best known as the hosts of Mid-Atlantic Leather. This bi-coastal three way was on June 23. Avatar and SFLDG have collaborated several times to reach their west coast members and friends.

 

 

In collaboration with D. (Choc Trei) Henderson, Science of BDSM conducted an ongoing study on perceptions of gender inclusivity within the BDSM/Kink/Leather communities. The survey was open to those who had attended at least one BDSM/Kink/Leather community event such as a conference, educational class, munch, play party, meeting, etc.

Cherry Grove, Fire Island, held its 23rd Annual Pride Parade, around downtown Cherry Grove, on June 26. As usual, there was a Leather contingent, made up of Mr. Fire Island Leather titleholders and loved ones and friends. Marching with the Leather Pride flag were Messrs Fire Island Leather 2001 (the first) Bruce-Michael Gelbert and 2005 spouse Joe Saporito, 2012 Mark Nayden, and 2019, and still reigning, Bruce Michael Weitzmon, known as Bruce Michael the Second, with Excelsior MC Vice President Mike Desantos; as well as Dawn Cookler and Wendy Pinkhouse.

 

 

On Saturday, June 26, California Assembly member Alex Lee honored Lance Moore with a California State Assembly Certificate of Recognition for his work and contributions for Trans Day of visibility and the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ Community Center in Hayward, CA.

There was no Leathertarian Award this year due to the pandemic, but on June 21 the 2021 Ces Williams Legacy Award was presented to a woman who knows the art of selflessly giving, Sandy "Mama" Reinhardt.

July 2021

 

 

The Leather Journal, which first published in May 1987, returned to print with Issue #317, July - August. The newspaper had been on hiatus since March 2020 and its return was questionable as it was/is for many businesses due to the pandemic. Issue #317 is a compilation of approximately 150 short snippets with 27 obituaries, business closings and event cancellations due to the corona virus pandemic.

Richard Sprott was elected as President-Elect of Division 44, APA: The Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity and will serve during the academic year 2021-2022.

Thunder in the Mountains XXIII, the Rocky Mountain Region's premier fetish event, moved to a new hotel, the Sheraton Denver, the weekend of July 16-18. Thunder featured a vendor space, intro classes to the world of BDSM, a rockin' meet and greet meeting, play parties, presentations, and demonstrations.

Trident Windy City put together a community cookbook of sorts with over 40 tempting recipes from Leatherfolk across the community. Proceeds for the recipe collection benefited the Broadway Youth Center.

 

 

Andre Law was chosen to be Mr. Tool Shed Leather 2021 at the Tool Shed in Palm Springs, CA on July 17. Three men vied for the sash, vest and medallion. Andre will compete at Mr. Palm Springs Leather at the end of October during Palm Springs Leather Pride hosted by the Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert.

The Men of ONYX Mid-Atlantic held a Virtual Town Hall to discuss the Black Lives Matter movement as it relates to the Leather Community on Saturday, July 18.

The Angel City Emergency Fund was started by The FoundNation after postponing the 2020 Los Angeles Ms/Mx/Bootblack contests. ACE continues to offer micro-grants to those affected by economic hardship due to the COVID-19 containment measures. Anyone in the Leather/Kink/Fetish community in LA and the surrounding counties can apply for expenses related to immediate need.

The San Francisco Leathermen's Discussion Group presented Ass Play with Scott Douglas of Square Peg Toys fame on Wednesday, July 22 on Zoom. Whether it's practiced occasionally or daily, ass play has the potential to affect our health and well-being in significant ways.

 

 

This lively new memoir celebrates Larry Townsend’s 90th birthday and the 50th Anniversary of his Leatherman’s Handbook — a 1972 founding text for Leatherfolk still read in the 21st Century. The Leather Journal fans may enjoy “Drummer” editor Jack Fritscher's salute to his dear friend of 40 years. This page-turner about the Hollywood rise and fall of Townsend is also an origin-story of Leather culture. Larry was the “Drummer” and “Honcho” writer who helped create what TLJ long ago dubbed the “Leather Boom” that began around the world’s likely first Leather bar, Cinema, where he came out in 1953 Los Angeles.

Mr. Eagle 562 Pup Yoshi hosted a well-attended Fundoshi party at Falcon North in Long Beach, CA on Sunday, July 22. Falcon North is what was Eagle 562 and Pistons before. The owners of Falcon on Broadway in Long Beach owned Eagle 562 and now the Falcon North at 2020 North Artesia Blvd. in Long Beach. Pup Yoshi is the Pledge Master for ONYX SoCal-Southwest.

 

 

Edward Negron, age 50, of Chicago, IL passed away on Friday, July 23, 2021. Ed was born November 29, 1970, and was a lifelong resident of Chicago and longtime resident and activist in North Halsted. Negron was a noted photographer, activist, mentor and staff member of Leather64TEN, being named Employee of the Year in 2020 and 2021. A celebration of Ed Negron's life and a candlelight walk were held Thursday, July 29 at Leather64TEN.

Avatar Club Los Angeles presented BDSM in the time of COVID-19 on Wednesday, July 29. This was a Zoom panel discussion with Jen Laws, Joe Gallagher, Tyger Yoshi and Daddy Rod ONYX.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the Los Angeles Pride parade and festival will be at a new location next year. While no site was named, it is apparent that it will not be in West Hollywood. West Hollywood has been the host city for LA Pride since and including 1979. Meanwhile, West Hollywood plans to have a pride celebration next June. West Hollywood invested greatly in the LA Pride Parade and Festival and the city's businesses benefited greatly. "While we are still in a phase of gathering feedback and listening to the community,” stated LA Pride Board of Directors member Mistress Cyan, "We felt it was important to notify the city of our intentions given our long standing relationship with them as a partner in Los Angeles Pride."

 

August 2021

 

 

ONYX SoCal-Southwest presented Perverted at Eagle LA on Sunday afternoon, August 8. ONYX said, "we're kinky, freaky, and marked by perversion! We do it, love it, and live by it." This was ONYX first in-person beer bust since March of 2020. There were demos, go-go dancers, Jell-O shots, raffles, and music by DJ Brian Novy.

Gary Chichester tossed the first pitch at a Chicago White Sox home baseball game. What a Great Experience! Who would have thought that this queer man of a certain age would have the opportunity to throw out a first pitch at the White Sox 2021 Pride night.

MSNBC’s out host Joshua Johnson did a segment on an apparent “controversy” over kink and Leather at Pride parades. He handled it sensitively with Al Rahm Luhan, chair of SF’s Leatherman’s Discussion Group as his guest, talking about the rich history of Leather activism in the community from the earliest days including leadership during the AIDS crisis. Johnson said he thought this interview was a first for cable news. But that distinction would go to Lou Maletta and the Gay Cable Network which had a dedicated Leather show: “In the Dungeon with Slave Dale.” Kudos to Johnson for bringing the issue mainstream.

Sir Dan won the Mr. FLAG title and Ivan L. Matias was the runner-up during FLAG's 30th Anniversary the weekend of August 13-15. Two men competed. (Fits Like A Glove). Sir Dan resides in Providence, RI.

To honor the centenary of the birth of artist Tom of Finland (born Touko Laaksonen, 1920-1991) he received a memorial plaque on the façade of the apartment building in Helsinki where he and his partner Veli Mäkinen (1932-1981) lived between 1969-1984. The building, housing cooperative Sampsa, is located at Tehtaankatu 7 in Helsinki. The memorial plaque wase unveiled on Saturday, August 22 at the Corner of Tehtaankatu 7 and Vuorimiehenpuistikko 6 in the Ullanlinna district of Helsinki, Finland.

DenLA presented Sanctuary! The Last Dance on Friday, August 13. This was a celebration of the end of an era. Sanctuary Studios LAX is moving to a new TBD location.

Months after the DC Eagle closed due to alleged mismanagement, former employees say they have still not been paid for past-due wages, even though the bar received tens of thousands of dollars from the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program.

 

 

Several hundred cigarmen and their friends descended upon the Tuscany Suites in Las Vegas, NV the weekend of August 25-30 for Smokeout. The date was changed from early April. The hospitality suite was top notch as Leather Uniform Club Las Vegas and Las Vegas Boys of Leather staffed. The men from Utah Rebellion had a cocktail party going near the hospitality suite. There were planned group dinners at the Hofbrauhaus, Buca di Beppo, Paradise Cantina, all-you-can-eat sushi and the Silverton Casino buffet. The bars were busy with Fun Hog Ranch getting the best reviews. The Bay Area Cigars group arranged a pipe social and the Chicago Hellfire Club hosted a Scotch and Cigar social. The late hours parties on Friday and Saturday nights were Smokeout With Your Hole Out presented by the Bullet Bar from Los Angeles, the Eagle SF, Foxhole and Green Mirror Entertainment - wild as always. Saturday night included the poker party which has become a Smokeout tradition. The bike ride to Nelson and the Techatticup Gold Mine was a huge draw.

 

 

Eric Adams from Palm Springs, California, won the title of Mr. CMEN Leather 2021 at CMEN’s West Coast Gathering near Big Bear, California on Thursday evening, August 26. Jeff C. from Los Angeles and Steve R. from Santa Maria were selected runner-ups. Eric will represent CMEN at the International Mr. Leather contest in Chicago in May. Mr. CMEN Leather 2015 Rick Boehle served as emcee. The judging panel included head judge Mr. CMEN Leather 2004 Mark Lager, Mr. CMEN Leather 2003 Rob Silver, Mr. CMEN Leather 2012 Sean McGowan and Ed Rudnicki.

 

 

David J. McCammon was born on January 3, 1962 and died on August 25, 2021. He served in the United States Air Force and became involved in the Minnesota Leather scene, most notably as Minnesota Drummer boy 1998. David’s lifelong dream of becoming a piercer also came to fruition in 1998 as he served his apprenticeship under Jim Ward with Gauntlet piercing in San Francisco. Soon after he became the co-owner of Gauntlet which became Gotham Body Piercing with stores in SF and Guerneville, CA, until the move to Palm Springs in 2004. At that time the business became known as Palm Springs Piercing.

 

 

Seattle, Washington was stunned by the passing of cherished Leatherman, Jeff Henness on Thursday, August 26. From the Living In Leather and National Leather Association days which brought the Emerald City to international prominence to the day he passed, Jeff left an impact on his home town. Henness and his husband Dan Puppy Daniels founded and operated Doghouse Leathers. He was a cofounder of the Seattle Men in Leather and heavily-involved in the Washington State Mr. Leather Organization.

Christopher A. Wilkins passed away the morning of August 26. Chris was a active member of the Centaur Motorcycle Club, former President of DCBC, as well for years a representative for both clubs in the AMCC Council.

September 2021

 

The Masters and slaves Conference 2021, with the theme Celebrating Our Diversity, was held over Labor Day Weekend, September 2-6, at the Westin Tysons Corner and is produced by MTTA, Inc. The keynote speaker was International Master 2018 Mister Blue.

 

 

Dr. Harold E. Cox, 90, of Exeter, passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, while in the care of Residential Hospice of NEPA, Geisinger South, Wilkes-Barre, PA. Harold was a founder of and spirit behind Delta Brotherhood International's formation. He motivated all the hard work that made the Delta Brotherhood International evolve into a premier BDSM run with more than 400 members worldwide. The LURE bar (NYC) was the largest Leather bar in the world and Harold was its majority shareholder. In addition to that, he was editor and later the owner of Dungeonmaster Magazine and was an honorary member of The 15 Association.

 

 

Charlie Matula and Hunter, the staff of Eagle LA and volunteers hosted a bar night to benefit The Leather Journal during Eagle LA's Gear Night on Friday, September 17 which netted $3,500. The bulk of the funds were raised at the door while a 50/50 raffle and silent auction raised a huge sum. Among the auction items were a signed and numbered Tom of Finland print and a Gauntlet II black Levi jacket. The jacket went to Jim Neuman and was donated by Charlie Matula. Posters and prints came from The Leather Journal Art Archive.

 

 

A revitalized Leather Walk kicked off San Francisco's Leather Week on September 19. After the lack of an in-person event last year, South of MArket once again rang out with the sounds of house beats, whips, and howls. The week began with a revitalized Leather Walk from City Hall to Eagle Plaza.

 

 

The Blue Max CC of St. Louis, MO held their summer run at a private resort out in the woods in mid-September.

The Tom of Finland Foundation announced the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors recently: R. Ayité Okyne, Graylin Thornton, and Gary Keener. "The impact of Tom’s work has been global and profound. I am so pleased that with this addition, the ToFF Board of Directors better reflects who we are as a community, inspired by Tom of Finland’s work and ethos,” said ToFF President and cofounder Durk Dehner.

At the Avatar Club Los Angeles September 22 meeting, the members voted for a new board. The new board includes President James "JR" MacCurdy, Vice President Xzavier Espejo, Secretary Brian Haugen, Treasurer Perry Ash, and At-Large members Daniel Soto, Dennis Beisbier and Tom Trafelet. The new board took office on Saturday, October 16.

Woman of Drummer 2021 is Miss Sara. The Women of Drummer Contest Weekend included music, the arts, play spaces, fun and the contest September 24-26 at Camp Ramblewood in Darlington, Maryland. Woman of Drummer was inclusive and created for all folks to enjoy and celebrate bad ass Leatherwomen.

 

 

Leather culture legend Race Bannon was the recipient of Greater Palm Springs Pride's Lifetime Achievement Award. Race has elevated awareness of the Leather community's contributions toward LGBTQ liberation for nearly 50 years. As a writer and activist, he has ensured the broader progressive community discourse includes Leather, kink, and BDSM.

The Centaur MC held their twice-postponed 50th Anniversary dinner on September 25th at the Mount Vernon Inn located on the grounds of the historic George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate in Virginia. Many of the invited guests, which included members of other area Leather clubs and Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather titleholders, stayed at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

Bob Brown, Jonathan Ojinaga and Byrd Bannick have been elected to the Leather and LGBT Cultural District board in San Francisco for three-year terms beginning at the close of this month's board meeting. Retiring directors are York Ng and Erik Will. Bob Goldfarb, was re-elected to the president’s position for a one-year term.

Oil Can Harry’s is being considered for Los Angeles Historic Cultural Landmark designation. Oil Can Harry's had a direct connection to the Leather community as it hosted several Leather events. OCH hosted the Mr. Oil Can Harry's Leather contest, including in 2007 when Mike Gerle won the IML title, Southland Honors, and numerous Avatar events among others.

 

 

375 Leatherfolk were on hand for the 24th Mates Leather Weekend in Provincetown, MA the weekend of September 30 - October 4 and by all accounts had a great time. The event raised a record $6,440 for the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod. The 2021 First Mate Contest was held on Saturday, October 2 with First Mate 2001 David Oravez as emcee. There were 10 entrants. Jim Rios of Boston, MA was chosen First Mate 2021. First runner-up was Stephen Cyr of Boston, MA and Second Runner-up was Danny Sparkes of Provincetown, MA.

 

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October 2021

 

 

With the Stud closing in 2020 (though currently “alive” in a sort suspended animation) South of Market’s the SF Eagle becomes the oldest currently operating Leather bar in San Francisco. But the Eagle has taken a beating over the last ten years too; the bar announced it would close in 2011, but managed to reopen the next year with some help from then-supervisors Jane Kim and Scott Wiener. Then the landlord put the building up for sale last September, so even when the bar reopened for Pride Weekend, the Eagle’s future was still up in the air. Things are solid now and the bar is open.

Mr. Eagle NYC 2022 Pup Kenzo will represent New York City at the International Mr. Leather competition in Chicago in May. This is after he won the Mr. Eagle NYC title at the Eagle NYC October 1-3. Pup Kenzo is a member of the Northeast Pups and Handlers.

 

 

ACLC celebrated their 28th Anniversary at the World Famous Turf Club in Hayward, CA. The club was able to donate $1,000 to Project Open Hand and $1,000 to the Dorothy Day House. Oh, and there is a new club baby now. Get that rattle ready.

 

 

On Saturday, October 9, the membership of the Cornhaulers Leather and Levi Club voted to disband. The Cornhaulers were from Des Moines, IA and were in existence 45 years. Its members were key in founding Capital City Pride, Iowa Leather Weekend and the All-Iowa AIDS Benefit. The Cornhaulers were part of the MACC (Mid America Council of Clubs).

In October, the San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance voted to approve a proposal to transition SF Catalyst to new ownership and oversight. The goal was to complete the transition by the end of 2021.

Doug O'Keeffe has been at it again, releasing several Fireside Chats in August and September. The chats were with Mr. Bear Luxembourg 2020-21 Paul Feitler, kinky Taiwanese Rubberman Bryan, Mr. International Rubber first runner-up and the first-placing Rubber titleholder in the Southern Hemisphere Liam Clark, South Africa's only titleholding Bootblack Fiona Horsely, second European Bootblack, from Wales, Alistair Leather Hireath, first European Bootblack, from Germany, Karlheintz Edel, organizer of Icelandic BDSM community events Magnus Hakonarson, and President of Leathermen Scotland Fraser Leith.

 

 

Sir Rat presented Pup Play and Kink 101 with Mr. Kristofer and Pup Amp from Watts the Safe Word on Saturday, October 23 at Oilcan Harry's in Austin, TX. They went over the basics and their experience in Pup Play and being a queer kink couple.

Those of you who are old enough to remember the Leonard and Larry gay comic strip, which ran in Frontiers Newsmagazine/newspaper for years, are in for a real treat. Also, those who have no clue, will be equally pleased to see this iconic gay ‘sitcom’ when you hear that its author, Tim Barela, has compiled a complete collection of the entire run of the strip in a new book.

 

 

The Los Angeles Pup Pride Festival was held October 22-24 with Pup Kieran Hound winning the LA Pup Contest in front of about 100 enthusiastic spectators at MCC in the Valley in North Hollywood, CA. The contestants were Alpha Pup Templar, Pup Ruby Cooper, Pup Simba and Pup Kieran. The emcee was Pup Applesauce.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and the Bears of San Francisco cohosted the inaugural Bearrison Street Fair on October 30 in the SoMa district of San Francisco, CA. "Come as you are," in costume, or in nothing at all. Everyone is welcome to celebrate who you are or who you want to be as we celebrate body positivity – conveniently just before Halloween, the queerest holiday of them all.

 

 

Palm Springs Leather Pride, produced by the Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert the weekend of October 27-31 was a stellar weekend with plenty of camaraderie and sunshine. Mr. Tool Shed Andre Law was chosen to be Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2021 and Mr. Barracks Leather Loren Wilson was the runner-up with four men competing. Mr. Leather Colorado 2010 Brent Heinze made his debut as the emcee and he was well received by the crowd of about 350. Official big events were the contest, Vendor Alley in the parking lot behind the Tool Shed, numerous events at the Canyon Club and Barracks. The two biggest unofficial activities were Daddy Ray's Reunion Brunch and Jim Neuman's social at Casa Lola.

The Crescent City Leathermen Halloween beer bust at the Phoenix was a great success. Choosing a winner was hard but Adikus, Tony and David were the top three costumes. CCL was one of the hosting clubs for the New Orleans World AIDS Day Vigil on December 1.

November 2021

 

Avatar Club Los Angeles held two popular fall events, their Halloween Butt Painting Contest and early November Kinky Swap Meet. Three contestants had their buns painted while on the patio pool table served as an easel. After being painted, ach one was brought on stage and introduced by emcee Alan Stroik. Cash prizes were awarded to the best painted butt and for the best painter based on audience cheering.

 

Hector Garcia won the inaugural Mr. Rough Trade Contest at the Phoenix in New Orleans, LA. The Mr. Rough Trade contest is a new Lords of Leather fundraising show. Mr. Rough Trade is a camp title, all in fun. It is not a serious title or a feeder for any other contest.

Eros, San Francisco's gay sex club moved to a new address in The City. Eros was closed while the new location was being prepped. As of November 15, the Eros web site claims the club is open and there is nothing related to this story appearing there.

 

 

Martin Basch was named Mr. Cleveland Leather 2022 at the Leather Stallion Saloon in Cleveland, OH on Saturday night, November 6. This was a celebration of 20 years of Mr. Cleveland Leather.

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.

Bob Brown, Jonathan Ojinaga and Byrd Bannick have been elected to the Leather and LGBT Cultural District board in San Francisco for three-year terms beginning at the close of this month's board meeting. Retiring directors are York Ng and Erik Will. Bob Goldfarb, was re-elected to the president’s position for a one-year term.

Tuesday, November 23, was Polyamory Day – a day celebrated every year around the world by people who consider themselves to be polyamorous, who are in a polyamorous relationship, or who support polyamory as a valid relationship orientation or choice. The NCSF celebrated the date.

 

 

CLAW 2021, held November 24-28 at the Westin Bonaventure in downtown Los Angeles, has come and gone and left an indelible and good mark on the City of THe Angels. 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. The biggest draw seemed to be the night time play parties.

 

The Bucks Motorcycle Club held its 48th Annual Santa Saturday at Paradise in Asbury Park, NJ on November 27.

 

 

Members and friends of the Satyrs Motorcycle Club celebrated the club's 67th Anniversary at MCC in the Valley on November 27 in North Hollywood, CA. 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.

The Leather Archives & Museum shared 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 2021.

 

December 2021

 

 

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.

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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 runner-up was Jeffrey Wayne.

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.

This year’s ShipMates’ Daddy Christmas on December 4 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, Jello shots, a raffle for a wagon of cheer, and performances by Bombalicious and others.

 

 

In early December, it was announced that 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. He works within the gay Leathermen’s community for inclusion of trans men in sex spaces, clubs, and events, having finished in the Top 20 Finalists at International Mr. Leather in 1998 as the first out trans man to compte. He is a past Chairman and current member of Delta International and the current President of the Board of Directors of the Leather Archives & Museum.

BLUF SF Leathermen held their Holiday Dinner at Basil Canina on Friday night, December 10 in San Francisco, CA.

 

 

On Saturday night,December 10, Payasos LA presented their Sixth Annual Nutcracker Awards at the Eagle LA in Los Angeles, CA. 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.

After much deliberation, Hooker and Boys has made the difficult decision to cancel the planned 2021, Live, Yet Virtual - 12 Days of Christmas event in Baltimore, MD.

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, crafts people, and businesses for holiday shopping and celebration. Santa Second Saturday featured an Art and Artisan Fair at the Folsom Street Community Center.

 

 

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 was in its 53rd year. 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.

 

 

 

The San Francisco Leathermen’s Discussion Group held its 25th Anniversary Celebration and Volunteer Appreciation Party at Oasis Nightclub on December 12 in SoMa. Highlights of the day were a blessing by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, California State Senator Scott Weiner reading an official proclamation from the California State Senate and a speech, Supervisors Matt Haney and Honey Mahogany both spoke. Catered bites were provided by Mama Bear. Every one of those 25 years is a testament to the dedication of the volunteers that set out and re-racked chairs, those who passed around plastic canisters with Leather pride stickers, volunteers who worked coat check, professionals, college kids, and lawyers, everyone who took time to gave what they could. To them, SF LDG said. "thank you."

 

 

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. 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 the Dallas Bears.

Citing the fast spread of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, several bars were beginning to curtail some events at the end of December. As the year 2021 neared its end, it was becoming clear that we are not going to be out of the woods any day soon. Centaur MC announced that Mid Atlantic Leather would go forward. Here's to hopes we wlll beat this monster soon.

 

Thank you to the following Writers

Marc Owens, Todd White, Robert Green, Helga Nylund, Bruce-Michael Gelbert, Mistress Cyan, Rick Boehle, Eric Crow, Rick Conley, Matthew S. Bajko, Brent Sweer, Bear Mike, Cam Scott, Rodney Burger, Brad Sagarin, Jim Glass, Gabriel Green, Jay Moyes, Mike Skroch, Randy Riddle, Pup Yoshi, Andy Humm, John Riley, Malixe, Tomo Tomo, James "JR" McCurdy, John Ferrannini, Mark Malan, Jack Fritscher, Daddy Ray Tilton, Joe Kukura, Doug O'Keeffe, Jim De Long, Henricus Van Tilburg, and Richard Villani.

 

Bars and shops we lost

DC Eagle closed in 2020. Reasons for he demise of the DC Eagle goes beyond the pandemic. The building was demolished.

JJ's Clubhouse in St. Louis had a huge celebration when they closed permanently on June 17. The bar was sold after being on the market about three years.

Faultline in Los Angeles, CA is closed and their license is closed.

Dallas Eagle is closed and there is no information on their website.

Oil Can Harry's in Studio City, CA was not a Leather bar per se, but it was very Leather Friendly, serving as a venue for Leather events including Mr. Oil Can Harry's Leather. It closed earlier in the pandemic

The Stirrup Nashville was the home bar of Conductors LL. They are closed now.

Eagle 562 in Long beach has the same owner but its name has changed to Falcon North. They will produce a Leather contest.

Boston Ramrod in Boston, MA had a phone number which was no longer in service and a website that Go Daddy has up for bid.

Leather Masters in Dallas, TX moved to a new and larger location then closed.

Parliament House Resort in Orlando, FL is gone. The property was demolished for redevelopment.

Blow Buddies in San Francisco, CA closed in March.

 

Here's to a much better New Year

 

 

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