Welcome to Dave Rhodes' Hump Day - Wednesday, November 1, 2017. This column will appear here every Wednesday on TheLeatherJournal.com

SCCLA's Leather Interview with Rich Stadtmiller
A fireside chat with Rich Stadtmiller, photographer extraordinaire of countless queer and kinky events in the Bay Area and beyond, including prides, contests, coronations, fundraisers, conventions, protests, bar nights, barbecues, and so much more of our community's visual history was hosted by the Santa Clara County Leather Association. SCCLA's Thib Guicherd-Callin sat down with Rich as RichTrove.com is celebrating its 300,000 photo milestone. This was one of the highlights of Santa Clara County Leather Week XX which concludes on November 5. https://www.facebook.com/SCCLeather/

Furball NYC
The next Furball NYC dance party will be on Friday, November 17 at 10 PM at Cielo in New York, NY. Spinning sounds will be Shane Steel from Los Angeles. Furball is produced by Joe Fiore. Cielo is located at 18 Little West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014. for more information go to https://www.furball.nyc

Palm Springs Leather Pride
The main event of Palm Springs Leather Pride is the Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2018 contest which was won by Jax Kelly who was tops among four men on Saturday night, October 29 at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Runner-up was Tony Dewain. International Mr. Leather 1992 Lenny Broberg and Mr. Oil Can Harry's Leather 2013 Jeremy Ronceros shared emcee duties. The ASL and English Interpreter was Michael Klynn. It was a weekend chock-full of events and all were first class. Check out http://www.palmspringsleatherpride.org for more details including bios of each contestant and judge. Complete story and photos at https://www.theleatherjournal.com/news/regional-news/item/1967-palm-springs-leather-pridenews/item/1967-palm-springs-leather-pride

Mr. New England Leather Weekend
The Fifth Annual Mr. New England Leather Weekend will be held November 17-19 in Provincetown, MA. Mr. New England Leather Weekend will include a fetish film festival, BLUF Cigar Social and the Mr. New England Leather 2018 contest. The winner will compete at International Mister Leather in Chicago in May. A full schedule of events, contestant applications and discount travel options are available at http://www.MrNewEnglandLeather.org

Alameda County Leather Corps 26th Anniversary
The Alameda County Leather Corps celebrated their 26th Anniversary Party on Saturday, October 28 at The World Famous Turf Club in Hayward, CA. Alameda County Leather Corps long time member Randy Wright was honored at the dinner. https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=alameda%20county%20leather%20corps%20anniversary

Touché 40th Anniversary Celebration
By David Boyer
Touché 40th Anniversary Celebration begins November 1 and runs through November 5 at 6412 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60626. Touché wasn’t always located on Clark Street in Rogers Park. We first opened in 1977 down at Lincoln & Diversey and for our first 10 years or so was a hot bed of Leather, cruisy activity. A fire destroyed our original bar but within a few short months, Chuck was able to secure a new location for Touché and once we set up shop, guys have been flocking to Clark and Devon ever since. https://www.facebook.com/events/114981109195236/?active_tab=about

Photo by Everett Allen Photography

2018 Iowa Leather titleholders
By Rob Anderson
Meet your 2018 Iowa Leather titleholders: Ms Iowa Leather Joy Carty of West Des Moines, IA; Mr. Iowa Leather Bull Baugh of The Amanas, IA; Mr. Iowa Bear Jim Perkey of Des Moines, IA; and Iowa Puppy Pup Paddles of Boone, IA. Held October 13-15, Iowa Leather Weekend (ILW) continues to break attendance records, over 600 people attended Saturday’s contest, with a total weekend event attendance of 1,700. Multiple state, regional, national, and international titleholders attended Iowa Leather Weekend. International Ms. Bootblack 2017 Elisa Vegas, International Ms Leather Girl Complex;International Mr. Bootblack 2017 Ryan Garner-Carpenter, and International Mr. Leather 2017 Ralph Bruneau traveled across the country to check out Iowa Leather Weekend. The whole story is at https://www.theleatherjournal.com/news/regional-news/item/1966-iowa-leather-weekend-draws-1-700

NLA - International accepting nominations for Writing Awards
NLA - International, a leading organization for activists in the pansexual Leather community, is now accepting nominations for its annual Writing Awards for excellence in SM/Leather/Fetish writing for books, articles, novels and short fiction, which were first published between January 1 and December 31, 2017. The deadline for nominations is January 31. The finalists will be announced in March 2018. The winners will be announced at the National Leather Association's Annual General Meeting. The five award categories are: Non-Fiction Book (Geoff Mains Award), Non-Fiction Article (Cynthia Slater Award), Novel (Pauline Reage Award), Short Fiction (John Preston Award) and Anthology (Samois Award). http://www.NLA-International.com

The next Ms San Francisco Leather
Who will be the next Ms San Francisco Leather? Seven judges will decide at the Ms San Francisco Leather Contest, Saturday, January 13, 7 PM at SOMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan Street, San Francisco, CA 9410. Under new leadership, producer Daddy Sal has announced there will be open interviews at 2 PM on Saturday and promises an evening of exciting fantasies and hot Leatherwomen. Tickets on sale soon. Check out http://www.MsSFLeather.org

Desert Leather Fetish Authority
The Desert Leather Fetish Authority monthly discussion group. Meets in the new LGBT Center, 1301 North Palm Canyon Drive, Second Floor (Next to Denny's).  Friday, November 10 at 7:30 PM. Details at http://desertfetishauthority.com/open-discussion

Western Boy Run - An event by boys and for boys
The Western Boy Run was held October 19-22, beginning with a meet and greet at the Dallas Eagle on Thursday. Friday included a popular visit to the Dallas Zoo, a pool party, and a bar crawl. Saturday included kinky classes classes and a night at the Dallas Eagle. Sunday's events included a play party at the Sanctuary and ended with a party at the Dallas Eagle. The La Quinta Inn played host. More details at https://www.facebook.com/Westernboyrun/

Mr. Daddy's Barbershop Leather 2018
Hosted by Daddy's Barbershop on Saturday, November 11 at 5 PM at 440 Castro, 440 Castro Street, San Francisco, CA 94114. The winner will compete at Mr. San Francisco Leather. https://www.facebook.com/events/127530127869330/?active_tab=about

Avatar November Swap Meet
Avatar Club Los Angeles will hold its annual Swap Meet at MCC in the Valley in North Hollywood, CA, CA on Wednesday, November 15 starting at 7:30 PM. Get an early start on Holiday shopping, or be selfish and get that toy, Dungeon piece, puppy hood or Leather/latex wear for your enjoyment. $5 cover. MCC in the Valley, North Hollywood, CA. https://www.facebook.com/Avatarclubla Avatar will induct several new members during their holiday party in December.

Found on HuffPost.com - This Honey Commercial Boldly Reimagines ‘The Three Bears’ As Gay
“The Three Bears,” which was produced by the London-based BMB Agency, allows Rowse Honey to follow in the footsteps of Campbell’s Soup, Chobani Yogurt and Hershey’s Kisses, all of which have produced inclusive campaigns that highlight queer people in recent years. Unlike those efforts, however, the series focuses on an oft-overlooked subset of the LGBTQ community. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/three-bears-rowse-honey-commercial_us_59f1ff66e4b03cd20b7fe96b?ncid=engmodushpmg00000003commercial_us_59f1ff66e4b03cd20b7fe96b?ncid=engmodushpmg00000003

Mr. DC Eagle 2017 Grey Owl. Photo by Flash Onyx

Mr. DC Eagle in November
Will you be the next DC Eagle standing in front of your brothers from previous years? The Mr. DC Eagle Contest is being held November 17 and 18 with a meet and greet and contestant number draw on the 17th and the public portion of the contest starting at 9 PM on November 18. The DC Eagle will celebrate its 46th Anniversary and is located at 3701 Benning Road NE, Washington, District of Columbia. Mr. DC Eagle 2017 Grey Owl will pass the torch to the next man to represent the DC Eagle at IML in May. https://www.facebook.com/events/505894943093445/?active_tab=about

Titleholder Bootcamp in Los Angeles
By Cypher
Ever been curious about holding a Leather title? Want to come and meet over a dozen current and past titleholders? Then join us on Sunday, November 12, from 2-5 PM at Sanctuary Studios LAX, for a Titleholder Bootcamp hosted by the Southland Title Sisters and the LA Boys of Leather. Open to all genders and identities and its free! For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/events/283176435528041 Sanctuary LAX Studios, 10914 South La Cienega Blvd., Lennox, CA 90304.

Northwest Leather Celebration contest judges
The Northwest Leather Celebration contest, Northwest Master/slave and Northwest Bootblack judges were announced recently. Northwest Leather Celebration will be held May 3-6 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Sacramento in Sacramento, CA. To see the list of judges and their bios go to http://www.northwestleathercelebration.com/Judges.html

Kinkycast.com interviews Mistress Cyan
Kinkycast.com, a no-holds barred journey into the real “50 Shades of Grey”, recently interviewed Mistress Cyan for their podcast. The lifestyle Dominatrix was on to discuss her 25 years as a member of the Leather and BDSM community. Right off the bat, Cyan’s dungeon, Sanctuary LAX came up. Cyan discusses not only how she crossed over from the corporate world into BDSM, but the real “Old Guard” process of starting as a submissive and transforming into a dominant top. To listen to the podcast go to http://kinkycast.com/archive/2017-archive/194---mistress-cyan-in-los.html---mistress-cyan-in-los.html

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Snowbound Leather Weekend
Need a winter getaway with a twist? Check out Snowbound Leather Weekend, February 23-25, smaller version of Mates Leather Weekend (about 175 guys last year) but with discounted meals and accommodations, no cover charges, no event passes. Just come and heat things up. Beer blast, thermal party, c*ck party, Leather Dance, Chaps & Straps and educational workshops presented by the men of Full Kit Gear, and a Sunday brunch. Check out the Snowbound Leather Weekend page on the Mates Leather Weekend site for details and accommodations. http://www.matesleatherweekend.com/

Black and Tans LA Firehouse Chili Cook-off
LA Firehouse Chili Cook-off will be hosted by the Regiment of the Black and Tans and Eagle LA on Sunday, November 5 at 3 PM. Contestants make their own and a door cover of $6 gets one vote for a favorite. Prizes will be awarded in several categories in the early evening. Not to be missed. Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029. For more go to http://blackandtans.org or see their page on Facebook.

Mr. Precinct Leather
The Mr. Precinct Leather contest will select its representative for Mr. Los Angeles Leather at the Precinct DTLA on Saturday night, November 19. This will be the title's second year, the first titleholder being Fifi Lafille. The emcee will be Sister Bearonce Knows. Precinct DTLA, 357 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013. For full details go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1963768970567585/?active_tab=about

FLAG Glove'N'Boot
Fits Like A Glove (FLAG) will host Glove'N'Boot night at the Providence Eagle in Providence, RI on Saturday, November 4 at 9 PM. FLAG is 26 years old running strong. This will be their last event of 2017. Providence Eagle resident bootblack Jay Falcon will be on hand. http://fitslikeaglove.org/01_Site/welcome_1.shtml

Empire City MC’s 54th Annual Holiday Party and Toy Drive
Empire City MC’s 54th Annual Holiday Party and Toy Drive to benefit Leake & Watts Children’s Services Saturday, December 2, 6-9 PM at the historic Stonewall Inn, 53 Christopher Street in New York City. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. For more information about Empire City MC’s 54th Annual Holiday Party and Toy Drive, or to donate a door prize, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tickets are on sale online now at https://ecmc-54th-xmas.eventbrite.com/

Sherman Oaks Munch
The Sherman Oaks Munch is held the second Tuesday of every month in the River Rock restaurant at the Sportsman's Lodge in Studio City. 6:30 - 11 PM. This munch has been going for over six years and draws in excess of 250 kinksters each month. No host bar and food. Sit and eat, move around and share. Sportsmen's Lodge Hotel, 12825 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91604. http://sportsmenslodge.com/river-rock/

LA Puppy Pride coming up
By Matthew Mullins
The Los Angeles Puppy 2017 judges are International Pup Trainer 2016 Sir Pounder, Alex "Pup Beastly" Cheves from Fort Troff, Erik Escareno Dave Rhodes from The Leather Journal, Michael "Pup Ryker" Kaplan, West Coast Trainer 2004 Gary Reisch and head judge West Coast Trainer 2004 Pup Figaro. The LA Pup Contest and LA Puppy Pride will be held November 9-12 with the contest being on Saturday night at MCC in the Valley and Friday night Dog Pound at the Bullet Bar. LA Puppy Pride 2016 received the Southland Honors Award for Best Event. https://www.lapuppride.com/

HOME to present Dr. Bob's class on E-stem
Ever been curious or want to know more about E-stem play? Know what E-stem play is? Looking to add a some spark to your play? Then here is the class for you. Erotic electrostimulation (abbreviated e-stim[1] and also known as electrosex) is a sexual practice involving the application of electrical stimulation to the nerves of the body, with particular emphasis on the genitals, using a power source (such as a TENS, EMS, Violet wand, or made-for-play units) for purposes of sexual stimulation. Dr.Bob will be teaching an E-stem class following shortly after his book signing at Leather Masters. This class will be $10 per person and is limited to 30 people. If you are interested you can contact or sign up at Leather Masters, 3000 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75226. (214) 528-3865. http://www.leathermasters.com/

Leather Leadership Conference Scholarships
By CC
We are pleased to announce the LLC Scholarship application process ia officially open. Additionally, the 2018 Conference year will bring with it the largest scholarship awards available to date with a total of $10,000 available to potential recipients. This ability to offer these college scholarships is in direct correlation to the amazing support from the Conference attendees, donations from groups and organizations and the Leadership in Action pin sales. Majority funding is generated from the Friday Night Auction with 100-percent of auction proceeds supporting LLC Scholarships. Check out http://leatherleadership.org for more information.

Smokeout in April
Smokeout 2018 will be held at the Alexis Park Resort Hotel the weekend of April 4-8. The host Desert Brotherhood Motorcycle Club will lead their traditional Saturday bike ride with guests, this time around Lake Mead to the Valley of Fire. Smokeout is a fun-filled uncomplicated weekend in Las Vegas for cigar and pipe studs, Leathermen, bikers, bears and friends, from all over the world. A free-flowing weekend so everyone can enjoy Las Vegas the way they 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, Smokeout With Your Cock Out, presented by The Bullet Bar with Leo Iriarte, is expanding to two days due to it one-day popularity in 2017. See http://lasvegassmokeout.com/ for registration and hotel information.

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How you can include your information on Dave Rhodes' Hump Day.

If you come up with a date and basic information on a new event, please send us the date and a short detail or two. This is designed for the web site and less so for print, so there is no 45 days-in-advance deadline. If your event is happening on November 15, make sure I have it by Monday afternoon, November 6.

Things to send:
1. Short article of about 75 words. So what if you are a few over. Just don't turn it into a Russian novel.

2. Photo or two. Landscape preferred. Must be a jpg. Taken with cellphone is fine. Please supply photo credit.

3. Link to a working site. Web site is preferential, Facebook still works.

4. Five "W's" - Who, what, when, why and where. All are important.

5. Please be concise. In news, verbosity is not a virtue; it is an editor's nightmare.

Style sheet stuff. When listing titleholders we use the title followed by the person's name - International Mr. Leather 1993 Henri ten Have, not Henri ten Have. One would say President Obama, not Obama, President and less punctuation.

We're getting more photos - join the club. Send yours to us. If a news item comes in which we feel should also be a larger article we will contact you about it. Send to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Photos need to be jpg format.

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