Mr. International Rubber results
Mr. International Rubber Pusckatt Pumera Onyx won the competition in Chicago, IL at the Fantasy Nightclub and the Riviera Theater. The Mr. International Rubber contest was co-emceed by Lucy Stoole and Miguel Torres. First Runner-up was Mr. Rubber France 2022 Neo Fetish and second runner-up was Melbourne Rubber Man 2021 Matt Latex Armageddon. Eight men competed for the coveted title.
Pusckatt is the President of ONYX Deep South, a regional chapter of The Men of ONYX. He holds the title of Mr. Florida Rubber 2022, is a Board Member of Ujima Men’s Collective, and an active member of Stonewall Knights. Outside of the Kink/Fetish community, you can find Pusckatt riding his Harley Davidson exploring new roads, cruising familiar highways, and developing friendships along the way.
The judges were MIR23 Adalberto Rubbadam, MIR25 Joe Chicago Rubber, Alex Coco, Enza Silano, Sir John Doan, Maso Mutt, and Pepper Pop. The tally masters were George "Chief" White and Saber Onyx.
MIR had a Kink Market with 15 vendors.
The 27th Annual Mr. International Rubber (MIR) will be held October 19-22 at the North Shore Conference Center in Skokie, IL.
Palm Springs Leather Pride by PSLOD
Palm Springs Leather Pride - Eruption featured the Mr. Palm Springs Leather contest the weekend of October 27-30 at venues in Palm Springs and Cathedral City which was produced by the Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert. Emcees Karen Ultra and Brian Dawson were stellar.
There were several events leading up to the opening Leather Pride Dinner at the host Zoso Hotel. From the Zoso, it was off to the Tool Shed for the Parking Lot Party which had a estimated total of 5,000 visitors with vendors, a busy boot black stand and an outside bar area to handle the vast Tool Shed over flow.
Palm Springs Leather Pride also included Plunge Pool Parties at CCBC Resort in Cathedral City, the Mr. Palm Springs Leather contest followed by a Victory Dance at the Barracks, Saturday Cigar Social at the Barracks as well as Sunday's beer bust. Hotel Zoso was the official hostelry which hosted Sunday's closing Pool Party.
Four men ran for Mr. Palm Springs Leather with Ryan Sebastian, sponsored by Training and Discipline, winning the title and Mr. Barracks Leather Marc Calkins the runner-up. The emcees were Brian Dawson and Karen Ultra.
The Victory Party followed at the Barracks and you guessed it, the place was packed to the hilt with a long line waiting to get in most of the night. The Cigar Social there on Saturday had a huge crowd and Sunday was more lines of horny and thirsty men.
An invitation to Jim Neuman's Leather Pride party on Sunday is most coveted and with reason. Unofficial pool parties at the Canyon Club were busy. Daddy Ray's Saturday Brunch at Lulu's attracted about 40 guests. Click the link to see the detailed story.
https://theleatherjournal.com/news/pslod-presented-palm-springs-leather-pride
Tom of Finland Foundation successfully expands their Annual Art & Culture Festival
By Champ Daniels
The Tom of Finland Art & Cultural Festival reached new heights this year with significantly increased attendance over years past, while also broadening scope with an additional location in London. Under the moniker of Tom Unites, the Festival was the Tom of Finland Foundation’s (ToFF) marketplace for artists and patrons to buy and sell artwork in a socially-friendly setting over the weekend of October 8-9. ToFF CXO SR Sharp said of this year’s event, "This beautiful space allowed us to bring creators and collectors together in a dynamic environment that melds into community." Over 80 artists, vendors and galleries participated across both locations.
Returning to Second Home in Hollywood, the Festival also saw the presentation of ToFF’s annual awards. Lifetime Achievement Award-winner and Leather icon Peter Fiske was on hand for the honors. Said Fiske during his acceptance speech, “I am very grateful for the Lifetime Achievement Award given to me and for the opportunity to read from my new book. The Award and the reading, and being with all of you and all the supporters of Tom’s legacy, are why I am so glad to attend and to donate copies of My Leather Life: Later Years to the TOM House library.” Previous Lifetime Achievement Award-winners include Hugh Hefner, Larry Flynt, and Benedikt Taschen.
Winners of the Emerging Artist Contest 2022 were also announced, with the Tom of Finland Grand Prize going to Lukasz Leja of New York City. Said Leja of his win, “I am incredibly honored to receive the Grand Prize Award in the Tom of Finland Emerging Artist Competition. It is an extraordinary accomplishment, and I am thrilled that so many will see my work. It is great to meet all the amazing artists participating in the Festival and to celebrate art, love, and our community. Thank you so much to Tom of Finland Foundation and all the judges for this honor and opportunity. I could not be happier to join the ToFF family and be one of TOM's boys."
Programming offered throughout the weekend including a final presentation by outgoing ToFF Artist-in-Residence Xiaobing Fan, a panel entitled Queer and Erotic Publishing in Today’s Climate featuring FROCK Magazine’s Eli Schmidt and Mark Ariel from The Fight Magazine and moderated by ToFF’s Champ Daniels, and a Rococo-inspired performance from Queerspace by Peter Kalisch reinterpreting late-stage capitalism as the fall of Versailles.
Scroll all the way down to see our Gallery.
CLAW - LA Leather Getaway only a week away
By Bob Miller
Southern California will host CLAW’s LA Leather Getaway II at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel over Thanksgiving Week, November 23-27 in Los Angeles. CLAW After Dark, Friday and Saturday nights, hosted by CLAW and Payasos, with music, performance, cruising, socializing and an 8,000 square foot well-equipped darkroom which features a career-spanning exhibition of art by REX. Shopping with 30 quality vendors, three huge silent auctions, a resale store and Kinky Art Show. Kinky Sex Skills and Education with over 75 sessions on assplay, bondage, SM, power dynamics, fetish, health, gear and community. Banquets every evening, Thursday – Sunday, including the Chosen Family Leather Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, and the International Leather Family Dinner, featuring the final keynote speech in the career of community legend Guy Baldwin.
Leather Hall of Fame: Sunday afternoon the 13th Annual Leather Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies honoring the artist Rex and two legendary BDSM clubs – New York City’s GMSMA and San Francisco’s The 15 Association.
Boogie Woogie benefit for The Leather Journal
Mr. Regiment 2023 Colin MacDougall invites you all to Swing on by for the first Boogie Woogie Beer Bust at the Bullet Bar in East NoHo on Sunday, November 20 at 4 PM. There is a $5 donation collected at the door. This event's proceeds will benefit The Leather Journal - a 100 percent free distribution publication that connects the Leather community to each other every single month.
DJ Rachid Najjar will be spinning a mix inspired by the 1940s. The sexiest uniform GoGo boys this side of the Mississippi will get you pumped up. Lauren Banal and Vi Agra will show you exactly how to Boogie Woogie. Feel free to join them in vintage dress or uniform to support The Regiment of Black and Tans. First prize in the Fireside Wet Boxer contest will win one lucky person a $100 Bullet gift card - and there will be even more door prizes.
https://www.facebook.com/events/509051387614996
LA&M acquires Jim Wigler Photography Archives
The Leather Archives & Museum informed us that Jim Wigler's pioneering work as a Leather and fetish photographer from San Francisco will have a permanent home here in the Leather Archives.
Wigler was hired by Drummer Magazine in 1981, and his photographs found a welcoming audience in the growing Leather scene. His work appeared in Drummer, Honcho, The Advocate, and nearly every gay magazine of the 80's and 90's.
Legends Archive honors Graylin Thornton
San Francisco's Legends Archive honored Graylin K. Thornton, as well as other community honorees at the Legends Awards, hosted by Sister Roma. Swedish American Hall in San Francisco, CA. The Legends Archive was created to recognize those people who are profoundly shaping the LGBTQ+ community that we live in. Each year, The Academy selects one individual who has truly become a Legend.
As part of the celebration, Legends Archive also presented several prestigious Community Awards including Solidarity Award Diane Jones, Architect Award Race Bannon. Honorees J. Manuel Carmona, Simón Malvaez, Serge Gay Jr., Elliott C. Nathan and Xtopher J. McCutcheon. Exemplar Award Kochina Rude.
https://www.academy-sf.com/event-details/the-2022-legends-awards
Arctic Pilot in Norway
By Ariq Wilson
Arctic Pilot, the northernmost Leather event in the world was held November 10-13 in Tromsø, Norway. Leather folk came together from all over Europe and the US to celebrate Leather, kink along side of the Arctic Pride celebration occurring at the same time.
Per Helge Nylund confirmed that 16 countries were represented in the Leather contingent which marched in the beautiful parade. The parade marched through the Main Street of Tromsø, ending at the town square where a stage with music, performances and pride speeches were made.
Other highlights of the Arctic Pilot weekend included the Arctic Pilot Fetish Party, a formal BLUF dinner, Arctic Pride dance party and meet ups at various pubs. There were also some interesting surprises including a northern lights walk, a visit to the local dog sledding park a dip in the pool at the local indoor water park. This weekend was quite unique indeed.
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Mr. Regiment 2023 and Chili Cookoff
The Regiment of the Black and Tans held their Mr. Regiment 2023 contest at Eagle LA on Saturday night, October 15 where Colin MacDougall and the runner-up was Hugo. The emcee was Sucia.
The weekend included a meet and greet on Friday night at Eagle LA and Sunday's main thing was a well-attended Victory Celebration with barbecue at the Bullet Bar.
Then, on Sunday afternoon, November 6 the Black and Tans hosted their 16th Annual Firehouse Chili Cookoff at the Eagle LA where seven chefs shared their version of chili.
https://www.facebook.com/events/3418070251801936
Mr. Louisiana Leather Paribe Meyer
The Lords of Leather presented the Mr. Louisiana Leather contest on Saturday, September 4 at the Siberia Lounge in New Orleans, LA where Paribe Meyer was declared the winner in front of 100 Leatherfolk. The runner-up was Jack Hasson and there were four contestants. Both winners are members of the Lords of Leather.
The emcee was Darwin Singleton from Mobile, AL. The judges were Alan Bowers, Darrell Klassy, Sir Eric Michael, Kurt Goodman and Black Leather Markus. The contest was held during Southern Decadence over Labor Day. Meyer will represent Louisiana at International Mr. Leather in May.
http://www.lordsofleather.org/
SOMA Second Saturday Holiday Market
The SOMA Second Saturday Holiday Market is a multi-location indoor holiday market which will be held on Saturday, December 10 starting at 12 PM at SOMArts, 934 Brannan Street in San Francisco, CA.
Free admission, optional donations accepted, gift wrapping station with free wrapping for gifts bought at all Holiday Market locations, special Shibari Bondage wrapping and other options available. Naughty Santa and fun surprises.
San Francisco Fetish Flea at Wicked Grounds Annex, 289 8th Street starting at 11 AM and $5 admission. Leather Etc. will have 10 percent off when you mention Holiday Market. Wicked Ground Coffee, kink, and community.
We are moving indoors during the winter weather and are pleased to partner with Panther Prowls Enterprises' San Francisco Fetish Flea to bring the best of local artists, craftspeople, and businesses for holiday shopping and celebration. We’ll even have a free, hop on/hop off shuttle on a continual loop to get you to all these South of Market destinations which runs from 12-5 PM.
Mr. Sister Leather Victor Ongpin
Victor Ongpin was selected to be Mr. Sister Leather 2023 by a panel of five judges at the Bullet Bar in North Hollywood, CA on Saturday night, October 22. Four men vied for the chance to compete at Mr. LA Leather next March afforded by event producer Los Angeles House of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
A meet and greet was held at Falcon North in Long Beach on Friday night and a victory party at Fiesta Cantina in West Hollywood on Sunday afternoon. This was the 20th Anniversary of the contest. Mr. Sister Leather 2010 Don Mike served as the emcee. Many of the past Mr. Sister Leather titleholders were on hand, including Mr. Sister Leather 2019 Angel Rincon who went on the become Mr. LA Leather last year.
ONYX Northwest Fifth Anniversary
By Ghee Phua
ONYX Northwest recently celebrated their Fifth Anniversary at the SF Eagle where Mama Bear's Kitchen provided great food.
In October 2017, ONYX Northwest became an official ONYX chapter. This chapter covers California (the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento and Monterey Areas), Washington, Oregon and Alaska and Northern Nevada (i.e. Reno).
Empire City MC 59th Annual Holiday Party
The Empire City Motorcycle Club's 59th 59th Annual Holiday Party and Gift Drive to benefit Rising Ground Children's Services will be held at the Stonewall Inn in New York, NY on Saturday, December 3 from 6-9 PM with Ari Kiki as the host. Entrance is $10 with a gift at the door, or $20 with no gift at the door.
Door prizes, plenty of light fare all night. Stay for a show at 9 PM. To prevent transmission of disease, gift cards are preferred over tangible items. Suggested are the ikes of department store gift cards, Amazon, clothing stores Modell's Sporting Goods, Apple iTunes or other appropriate stores in the New York area.
Pacific Northwest Leathermen's Campout
By Ron Rasmussen
Pacific Northwest Leathermen's Campout was a resounding success! The event was held 26-28 August 2022 on 15 secluded, tree-lined acres in Clackamas County, Oregon, with 55 men enjoying workshops, food, indoor and outdoor dungeon play spaces, vendors, and more.
Some men even performed an unscheduled Barbasol event, in which they rubbed each other with shave cream while standing in the triple-headed outdoor shower area, which finally culminated in a climax of water and laughter!
For even more laughter, camaraderie, and the Leather spirit of fun, organizers are planning next year's event for 3-6 August 2023 in the same location.
Race Bannon Advocacy Award to Janet Hardy
By NCSF
In recognition of her pioneering writing on alternative relationships, sexuality and gender, and her creation of Alt-sex publisher Greenery Press, NCSF confers the 2022 Race Bannon Advocacy Award on Janet Hardy for her lifetime achievements in advancing education and publishing about marginalized sexualities.
Race Bannon and Russell J. Stambaugh presented the award to Janet Hardy on the Rope Stage at Folsom Street Fair on September 25th. Janet co-authored The Ethical Slut with Dossie Easton. She has also been published as Catherine A. Liszt and Lady Green. She is the author or co-author of 11 books, and frequently collaborates with Dossie Easton. She is genderqueer, bisexual, and polyamorous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpoPyRmVXyM
Avatar always busy before the holidays
Avatar held their annual Butt Painting contest on the pool table at Eagle LA in Los Angeles, CA on Friday night, October 15 and a record nine men competed. The previous high was seven. The winners, the painter and painted, each won $50 cash. We did not get their names, but suffice it to say, the whole evening was a blast.
Avatar Club Los Angeles' December activities include a private Holiday Potluck Party on Sunday, December 11 and Deck The Balls Contest at Eagle LA on Saturday night, December 17. Avatar has no club business meeting in December. The monthly meetings will resume in January.
On Wednesday, October 26 Avatar held their annual Kinky Swap Meet at CC in the Valley. Those who shopped got some great holiday deals.
Avatar Board members as of October 2 are President James MacCurdy, Vice President Thomas Trafelet, Treasurer Perry Ash, Secretary Xavier Espejo, and At Large members Dan Soto, Dennis Beisbier and Jeff Schatz.
Lords of Leather Mardi Gras Ball
By Brock Anderson
Make Mardi Gras memories at the Lords of Leather 40th Annual Mardi Gras Ball in New Orleans. The date is Sunday February 19, 2023 at 8 PM at the John A. Alario Center in suburban Westwego, LA.
Celebrate Gay Mardi Gras and authentic New Orleans as never before by taking in this colorful extravaganza of music, lights and a tableau of creative Leather-themed costumes built and worn by Lords of Leather members. Formal (black tie) or Leather attire is requested (or a combination of both). Tickets available late-December or early January from https://www.ticketleap.com/events/ (search Lords of Leather). For more information please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.lordsofleather.org/
Mr. Chicago Leather January 26-29
Touché, Chicago's Leather/fetish bar since 1977, announced that the 2023 Mr. Chicago Leather Contest Weekend will be held January 26-29. The contest will be held at the Leather Archives & Museum at 8 PM that Saturday.
The weekend of events at Touché include cocktail parties, roast of Mr. Chicago Leather 2022 George “Chief” White, Kink U presented by Titans of the Midwest and a gear swap and more.
Returning from the UK to serve as emcee will be International Mr. Leather 2003 John Pendal.
Mr. Chicago Leather 2023 will compete at International Mr Leather Contest in May.
https://www.ToucheChicago.com/mr-chicago-leather-2023
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Bootblack Round Up a success
By Handler Sparkie
On October 14-16 in Linthicum Heights, MD (Baltimore. MD area) at the Maritime Conference Center, 68 in person and 32 virtual bootblacks and boot enthusiasts gathered and had a fantastic Bootblack Round Up Weekend.
There were 17 Classes in total and Leather 64Ten was a vendor, and a silent and live auction at the Clifton Pleasure Club. Friday started by having two classes, a Bootblack Cup Cake Smash Bash, a Littles PJ Party hosted by Girl Becky and Panda Pup and a Cocktail Party by Hooker and Boys Ministries.
Saturday was filled with more classes, a Live Auction, a Shine Off with 12 Contestants where judges John Urso, Jack Thompson, and Daddy Kim decided that Boi Jess of Canada was the winner.
Sunday included a half day of classes, a Recovery Meeting on Saturday and Sunday.
Bootblack Round Up raises money for charities. This year's beneficiary of $6,650 was the Mid-Atlantic Deaf and Interpreter Fund. Bootblack Round Up 2023 will be October 12-15.
LALC Charity Partner donations
The Los Angeles Leather Coalition announced that they disbursed funds raised by the LALC Community Partners to Being Alive and LALC Cares. Each Organization received $7,500.
LA Leather Pride will take place March 19 - 26 at several venues across the greater LA area. The Mr Los Angeles Leather Contest is the main event. For more information go to
https://www.losangelesleatherpride.com
Atons LL Holiday Fundraiser
The Atons of Minneapolis will host their annual Holiday Fundraiser at Saloon MN, 830 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN on Sunday, December 11 at 4 PM. Minnesota Leather Pride and the Atons of Minneapolis invite you to celebrate the winter holidays with us for an afternoon of Leather, kink, and cheer with proceeds to benefit The Aliveness Project. This year we will be doing a prize drawing and silent auctions
Are you gearing up for the Winter Holidays, in the midst of the Holidaze, or dreading/celebrating the Midwest winter, and you need a caffeinated break? The Atons have the event for you. Take a break from your Saturday schedule and meet up with the Atons for a mid-day coffee break on Saturday, December 10 at 3 PM. Five Watt Coffee offers fantastic specialty coffee drinks reminiscent of cocktails, or you can order up your usual favorites. Five Watt Coffee, 861 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN.
https://www.atons.net/event/holiday-fundraiser-2/
BLUF Montreal Christmas Party
Join the Montreal Leather Guys in celebrating the Christmas season at Le Stud Bar, St.Catherine Street in Montreal, Canada's Gay Village on Friday, December 9, from 8-10 PM. Everything will run before Christmas dinner, details will follow. Mandatory BLUF dress code. Le Stud bar no cover.
BLUF (Breeches and Leather Uniform Fan Club) is an international club for men with many chapters who enjoy wearing breeches and Leather uniforms. Founded in 1997, there are now over 4,000 members worldwide, and many of them meet in person at BLUF events.
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=bluf%20montreal
Leather presents at Palm Springs LGBTQ Pride
By Rod Wood
Of course, no Pride Parade would be complete without a Leather contingent. Here's the PS Leather Order of the Desert, with the new Mr. Palm Springs Leather Ryan Sebastian leading the way on Saturday, November 6. Ryan won his title a week before at Palm Springs Leather Pride.
Lee Norwood October 31, 1949 to October 16, 2022
By Buz Norwood
My wife, Lee, left this earth in the early morning hours on Sunday, October 16th 2022, surrounded by friends and family. We were together for 32 years. She passed peacefully and without pain.
Lee was a "powerful force" in this world. She fought long and hard for rights and fundraised for LGBTQ causes and same-sex marriage, partied her ass off in her younger years, supported everyone she loved in anything they did, and loved harder than anyone I've ever known.
Lee was the founder of FIST (Females In Search of Trouble) and involved in many Leather community causes and events.
Whether you called her Lindalee, Lee, Aunt Linda (or just "Aunt"), Aunt Lee, Butch Lee, Sir, or Santa, if she knew you, she would claim you as hers, forever.
After a 29 year career with Baltimore County as a 911 operator, Lee retired and we soon found our forever home on the water at Sue Creek.
After a long, horrible seven months of complex medical issues, this year, which included six, one-two week stays in the hospital, weekly blood transfusions, and monthly endoscopies, Lee decided she had enough and chose to go into home hospice and live the remainder of her life in comfort, in the place she loved so she could watch her birds, squirrels, water, and enjoy visits with friends and family.
Lee's wishes were to be cremated and for us to have a "big party" where we could all share our favorite memories, pictures, and stories of our lives with her. We will be having a Celebration of Life party for Lee next Spring, at our house in Essex.
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A Blast From The Past
Golden Gate Guards 1976 - 2022
The Golden Gate Guards provided so much community service to the Leather Community for more than 40 years. Their mark left was in the form of the Golden Dildeaux Awards, Springtime In Yosemite run, Cruise of San Francisco Bay, numerous beer bust benefits as well as staffing beverage booths at the Dore and Folsom Street Fairs. God only knows what else they did. Thank to all of you GGG members who have played a big part in many of our lives.
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Gallery
Tom of Finland
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Links to all Dave Rhodes' Hump Days going back to August 9, 2017
http://www.theleatherjournal.com/op-ed/item/2132-links-to-all-dave-rhodes-hump-day-posts
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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
