These were the Pantheon of Leather Award recipients who were in Dallas to accept their honors. Photo by Dave Rhodes
Welcome to Dave Rhodes' Hump Day - Wednesday, September 6, 2017. This column will appear here every Wednesday on TheLeatherJournal.com
Pantheon of Leather Awards
The Pantheon of Leather Awards were held on Thursday night, August 31 at the DoubleTree Near the Galleria in Dallas, TX during ILSLb ICBB. Christopher Edwards was the emcee and IML 2009 Jeffrey Payne played Vannah. 10 of the 30 recipients were there to receive their honors, with some stuck because of Hurricane Harry. 175 attended. Man of the Year was Thib Guicherd-Callin and Woman if the Year was Patty Patty. Full story on Friday, September 8.
Donnell B. Doyle July 26,1948-September 3, 2017
Avatar Club Los Angeles President Don Doyle passed away at 7AM on September 3. Don was a member of Avatar almost since it began in 1982 and an Associate Member of he Chicago Hellfire Club. See photo below.
Second Annual Just Add Water
The Second Annual Just Add Water on August 26 hosted by Divergent Pigs in Massachusetts managed to raise in excess of $30,000 in meds and funds for our charity and others like it. Mama from California was on hand. We received a thank you note from them regarding their Pantheon of Leather President's Award, "Thank you once again for selecting us for the President's Award in 2017." Jeph and Kevin Barry. See photo below.
ILSLb ICBB 2017 results
The results are in. International Leather Sir 2017 is Major Ty from the Florida Region, International Leatherboy 2017 is boy Kaz from the Great Lakes Region and International Community Bootblack 2017 is boy John Urso from the Atlantic States Region. The contests were emceed by none other than Pantheon of Leather Man of the Year Thib Guicherd-Callin the weekend of August 31 - September 3 at the DoubleTree Near the Galleria in Dallas, TX. Full story up by Saturday, September 10. See photo below.
Shelley Denton has passed
Just got word that past American Leatherwoman Shelley Denton has passed. Waiting on details.
LeatherWalk XXVI in San Francisco
The 26th annual LeatherWalk takes place on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th, 2017. On-site registration and check in begins at 10 AM at 440 Castro. Please check in at the bar, drop off last-minute donations, and get a collectible LeatherWalk pin. Entertainment starts at 11:30 AM at Jane Warner Plaza, 17th and Castro Street, San Francisco, CA 94114. The Walk itself plans to start moving at 12 PM from the front of Castro Theatre. The walk features Master of Ceremonies Sister Roma with performances by some of San Francisco's most amazing vocal and drag talent. Stops include Oasis (Stop #1), Powerhouse (Stop #2), Mr. S Leather [Stop #3], Lone Star (NEW) [Stop #4), The Stud) (Stop #6) and the SF Eagle (final stop, closing beer bust). Folsom Street Events presents LeatherWalk as the official kick-off for San Francisco's Leather Week which culminates one week later with the Folsom Street Fair. https://www.classy.org/san-francisco/events/leatherwalk-2017/e131804 See photo below.
Northwest Leather Celebration
Northwest Leather Celebration informed us that the Northwest Master/slave Contest and Northwest Bootblack Contest will be held May 3-6 in Sacramento, CA. Note that this is two weeks earlier and those who want to attend Northwest Leather Celebration and DomCon: Los Angeles can do so. The NWLC Education Program will include over 50 classes. http://www.NorthwestLeatherCelebration.com
Mister International Rubber XXI
MIR (Mister International Rubber) will be held the weekend of November 3-7 at the Center on Halsted, 3656 North Halsted Street, Chicago, IL. https://mirubber.com/
CineKink Call for Entries
CineKink, "the kinky film festival," is seeking works that celebrate and explore a wide diversity of sexuality for its 2018 season. Scheduled for its 15th annual appearance in March 2018, the specially-curated CineKink NYC will feature a short film competition, audience choice awards, a "Bring It!" adult entertainment showcase/contest, a gala kick-off event and a sexy closing-night party. A national tour will follow, showcasing favorites from the NYC festival selections. http://cinekink.dphoto.com/#/album/e1b98i
SeanWolfG Free Concert at Oil Can Harry's
This is a full-length concert of Gay Country Western Music with guest Don Mike on vocals, David Eccles on bass, electric guitar, pedal steel guitar and Dennis Willis on mandolin, banjo, electric guitar, and violin. Colin Deane. Wednesday, September 27, 8-11 PM at Oil Can Harry's Los Angeles, 11502 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604. See photo below.
Lambda Literary Awards nominations open
Lambda Literary is proud to announce the opening of the submissions period for the annual Lambda Literary Awards (Lammys). Entering their 30th year, the Lammys honor books in more than 20 genres ranging from literary fiction and poetry to speculative fiction, graphic novels and memoir. Finalists will be announced in March 2018 and winners at the 30th Annual Lambda Literary Awards gala on Monday, June 4 at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. https://www.lambdaliterary.org/
Avatar Boot Camp: The Art of Flogging
This class will discuss the different types of floggers, how to choose a flogger that fits one's style and needs, different ways to throw floggers, how to create a flogging scene, safety tips, and how to care for one's floggers. Avatar Club Los Angeles' Boot Camp: The Art of Flogging 12-3 PM. Hot Wax follows at 6 PM on Saturday, September 30 in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA. Registration must be paid in advance. Class size is limited. https://www.facebook.com/Avatarclubla/
Let's Kick ASS Palm Springs
The New Mr. CCBC Leather 2018 Jax Kelly held a fundraiser at the Tool Shed on September 5 in Palm Springs, CA. Through the generosity of their Massage Night masseurs and the vendors who donated raffle prizes we raised a lot of money for Let's Kick ASS Palm Springs. See photo below.
San Francisco Bare Chest Men's Calendar 2018
The San Francisco Bare Chest Men's Calendar 2018 will be available during the Folsom Street Fair on Sunday, September 24. It's been out there already, but Folsom is a great time to meet the men and get your Calendar wish will benefit the Positive Resources Center. http://www.barechest.org/ See photo below.
How you can help make Dave Rhodes' Hump Day better - no, the best. 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. Example: If your event is happening on August 27, make sure I have it by Monday afternoon, August 21. Make sure to add your events to the Leather Community Calendar by clicking on Calendar above - follow the directions.
If you had a contest or club run over the weekend - send us the names of the winners and a photo and a brief bit about it. We have it by mid-Monday and it will appear on Wednesday. Your events hotel room block opens - that is news. Send the link and a brief. Someone passes, let us know - photo please if available, but do not let lack of an immediate photo stop you from sending. This is news shorts.
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.
Please share us on social media.
Avatar Club Los Angeles President Don Doyle who passed away on September 3 at home with his partner Gary at his side, presents a bar patch to the ONE Archives during Avatar's 33rd Anniversary in 2016. Photo by Dave Rhodes
Sandy "Mama" Reinhardt was on hand as Jeph and Kevin Barry raised $33,000 in August. Photo supplied by Jeph and Kevin.
International Leatherboy 2017 boy Kaz, International Leather Sir 2017 Major Ty and International Community Bootblack 2017 boy John Urso after their wins in Dallas on Saturday night, September 2. Photo by Dave Rhodes
From Dore Alley in July, Peter Fiske and friend. San Francisco LeatherWalk will kick off San Francisco's Leather Pride this month. Photo by Dave Rhodes
Leather kinksters SeanWolfG will give a free Country music concert at Oil Can Harry's in Studio City, CA.
Mr. CCBC Leather 2018 Jax Kelly held Massage Night where he and friends raised a lot of money for Let's Kick ASS Palm Springs. Photo supplied by Jax Kelly
The San Francisco Bare Chest Men's Calendar 2018 will be available during the Folsom Street Fair on Sunday, September 24. Photo by Dave Rhodes
Mr. LA Leather 2015 Jeffrey Erdman is a buddy rider at the Satrys MC's Badger Flat Run over Labor Day Weekend. Photo supplied by Jeffrey Erdman
Two women all Leathered up for Dore Alley in July. Photo by Dave Rhodes
And oh, yes, there were puppies at Dore Alley/Up Your Alley in San Francisco, CA in July. Photo by Dave Rhodes
Leather at Pride in New York. Photo by Jane Testa
Welcome to Dave Rhodes' Hump Day - Wednesday, August 30, 2017. This column will appear here every Wednesday on TheLeatherJournal.com
I will be at Pantheon of Leather and ILSLb ICBB this weekend and will have plenty to report afterward, such as September 6.
Satyrs Motorcycle Club's Badger Flat Run
All the best to the nearly 150 Leather/Bikerfolk who will make the trek up into the Central California mountains northeast of Fresno for the Satyrs Motorcycle Club's Badger Flat Run over Labor Day weekend. This is is their 56th year of doing this. Let us know how it turns out if you are going. http://satyrsmc.org/
West Coast Olympus Leather 2017
Mr. West Coast Olympus Leather 2017 is Bill Willis and Ms West Coast Olympus Leather 2017 is Kitty Sjofn who won their titles at Eagle 562 in Long Beach, CA on Saturday night, August 26. Esteban Nunez was presented the Leather Flame Award. Goddess Moon served as emcee. Willis and Kitty, both from San Diego, will compete at International Mr. Ms and Mx Olympus Leather in San Diego next May https://www.facebook.com/ttps://www.facebook.com/ See photo below.
Tarheel Leather Club
The Tarheel Leather Club is honored to be the Color Guard again this year for Pride Winston-Salem, NC on Saturday, October 14. Tarheel Leather Club would like to invite other clubs to march with them this year as they lead the parade. The parade will begin at 11 AM. Line up will be at 4th Street and Poplar at 10 AM. https://www.facebook.com/events/1300217166737419/
Leather Masters and House of Markus
Leather Masters and House of Markus will be taking collections this weekend to add to the relief of those along the Gulf Coast affected by Hurricane Harvey. Anything from school supplies, clothes, blankets, canned food, baby formula, etc... will be more then welcome. And don't forget the pets too, dog and cat food is need by animal rescue groups. Working with ILSb/ICBB they will have boxes at their booth in the vending area for you to drop off any items. Leather Masters will also have drop off points at Leather Masters, 3000 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75226 which will be able to collect any as well.
LA Band of Brothers Title Holder Boot Camp
The LA Band of Brothers will host their Title Holder Boot Camp on Sunday, September 10 at 12 PM at The Factory in Los Angeles, CA. Free interactive workshop featuring past and present LAL Contestants and Judges. Learn how a Leather contests works, participate in contest style Q&A, learn stage presence and much more. https://www.facebook.com/events/266092633888966/?active_tab=about
Mister International Rubber XXI
MIR (Mister International Rubber) will be held the weekend of November 3-7 at the Center on Halsted, 3656 North Halsted Street, Chicago, IL. https://mirubber.com/
LGBTQ Disaster Relief Fund
The catastrophic and historic impact of Hurricane Harvey will be felt by the LGBTQ community of Houston, TX for days, months, and potentially years to come. Help Us Help LGBTQ sisters and others community members displaced by the storm. The LGBTQ Disaster Relief Fund will be used to help individuals and families begin to rebuild their lives through counseling, case management, direct assistance with shelf stable food, furniture, housing and more. The Bullet Bar has chosen to work thru The Montrose Center in Houston. Hosted by Mr. Bullet Leather 2017 Andrew James Chier and Ms Bullet Leather 2016 Tuesday Niles. Friday, September 1 at 9 PM and Saturday, September 2 at 9 PM. Bullet Bar 10522 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601. https://www.facebook.com/thebulletbar/
Desert Fetish Authority
The Desert Fetish Authority's Discussion Group meets once a month on the second Friday. At the end of each discussion, DFA selects a topic for the following month to serve as a jumping off point. On September 8 they will discuss National and Regional Community Gatherings (IML, CLAW, MAL, Delta, Folsom). Which ones do you attend? Why do you participate? Which ones would you like to learn more about. DFA meets at 7:30 PM, LGBT Center's New Headquarters, 1301 North Palm Canyon Drive, third floor, next to Denny's in Palm Springs http://desertfetishauthority.com
Exiles All-Genders 20th Anniversary
Exiles All-Genders 20th Anniversary Celebration will be at the Center for Positive Sex and Culture, 1349 Mission Street in San Francisco on Friday, September 22 at 7:30 PM. Sponsored in part by the Society of Janus and the San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance, the Exiles' biggest event of the year is going to be even bigger than ever before, this all-genders party that kicks off Folsom Street Fair weekend and it just so happens to coincide with the Exiles’ 20th Anniversary. https://fetlife.com/events/533331
DomCon: New Orleans 2017
DomCon, now celebrating its 14th Year, is The World's Largest Professional and Lifestyle Domination Convention, and the weekend of October 4-7 they're returning to The French Quarter in New Orleans, LA. X. The convention is the result of Mistress Cyan's commitment over the years to bring a better understanding of BDSM in The Adult Alternative Lifestyle, and to bring together those in the BDSM, Leather, Fetish and Professional Communities to share our common interests, celebrate our diversity, and promote awareness through education with demonstrations, seminars, and panel discussions. Whether you’re new to BDSM or a seasoned player, DomCon has a place for everyone. DomCon: New Orleans 2017 will be held October 5-9 at the Crowne Plaza Astor-New Orleans French Quarter, Kenner, LA 70062. http://www.dom-con.com
Mr. Sister Leather 2018
The Mr. Sister Leather 2018 Contest will be held, Saturday, September 16 beginning at 8 PM at Eagle LA in Los Angeles, CA. Join the Los Angeles Sisters as they pay homage to the Stonewall riots, the famous 1969 uprising in what is widely considered to be the most important event leading to gay liberation. Proceeds to benefit the One Archives Foundation. https://www.facebook.com/LASisters/
Palm Springs Leather Pride 2017
Palm Springs Leather Pride 2017 will be held October 26-29 in Palm Springs, CA. The big news is the Friday night Parking Lot Party will return to lot behind the Tool Shed on Friday night. A pool party on Saturday afternoon is a newbie. https://www.palmspringsleatherpride.org/
LA Pup Contest and LA Puppy Pride
The LA Pup Contest and LA Puppy Pride will be held November 9 12 with the contest being on Saturday night at a venue to-be-announced and Friday night Dog Pound at the Bullet Bar. LA Puppy Pride 2016 received the Southland Honors Award for Best Event. https://www.facebook.com/events/1651085808469344/
Meet and Greet for Jeffrey Payne, candidate for Texas Governor
Meet the Man who will Rise4Texas, Jeffrey Payne, Democratic candidate for Texas Governor. Learn more about him and his vision for Texas. Meet and Greet at 5 PM on /September 14 at Martinez Restaurant, 901 Gross Road, Mesquite, TX 75149. http://www.Jeffrey4Texas.com Hosted by Sergio Garcia. A successful business man in Dallas since 2005, Jeffrey Payne's success in Texas business is exactly what he intends to bring to the political office. He wants to see the needs of all Texans being met and not just a select few.
How you can help make Dave Rhodes' Hump Day better - no, the best. 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 August 27, make sure I have it by Monday afternoon, September 3. Make sure to add your events to the Leather Community Calendar by clicking on Calendar above - follow the directions.
You had a contest over the weekend - send us the names of the winners and a photo and a brief bit about it. We have it by mid-Monday and it will appear on Wednesday. Your events hotel room block opens - that is news. Send the link and a brief. Someone passes, let us know - photo please if available, but do not let lack of an immediate photo stop you from sending. This is news shorts.
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.
Please share us on Facebook and other social media.
West Coast Olympus Leather. Photo by Dave Rhodes
Durk Dehner and Sharp of the Tom of Finland Foundation visiting Stockholm, Sweden.
Revised ad for Jeffrey Payne's Texas gubernatorial campaign
Nestled within the Leather subculture are smaller stripes like hypnotists, foot fetishists, floggers, superheroes and, of course, pups. Matt Baume for Rolling Stone
Welcome to Dave Rhodes' Hump Day - Wednesday, August 23, 2017. This column will appear here every Wednesday on TheLeatherJournal.com
Share this will all of your friends on Facebook. We want 10,000 Leatherfolk and kinksters reading timely news regularly.
Chuck Renslow Memorial
A memorial for Chuck Renslow was held on Sunday, August 27 at Metro in Chicago. Leatherfolk and friends from all over North America and beyond attended. The Renslow Family hosted its 36th and final White Party celebrating Renslow.
Inside the Changing Leather Scene
Inside the Changing Leather Scene, by Rolling Stone Magazine, As the stigma against BDSM and kink subsides, how does a long-underground culture move into a new era? "At the time that the community formed, being discovered as queer was enough to ruin a person's life...." This is a must-see. Full article at http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/bdsm-inside-changing-leather-kink-scene-w496283 See photo above.
Women's International Leather Legacy 2017
Renee Beckman was best in a field of five contestants in winning the Women's International Leather Legacy 2017 title in Dallas, TX in early August. This was the largest WILL class to date. WILL titleholders compile women's Leather history by video interviewing them The first WILL Tracy Wolf set the tone with interviews nearly every week she held the title. http://www.internationalleatherlegacy.com/index.html See photo below.
ONYX: Superiority Complex in San Francisco
ONYX: Superiority Complex is a party for kinky men of color and will be at the Powerhouse in San Francisco on Saturday night, August 26 from 6-9. Special guest of honor and super-supporter of the kinky men's community, International Ms Leather 2017 Girl Complex will be in the house.
Mr. and Ms Alameda County Leather
Mr. and Ms Alameda County Leather are Steve Geist and Jeni Finch who won their titles on Saturday, August 19 the Hayward Veteran's Memorial Hall in Hayward, CA.
Steve, also known as “Ox”, has been a member of the Leather community since 1989, starting with the Fire Keepers of Indiana. He moved west and made his first several hundred cockrings at Image Leather in San Francisco. In 1993, he moved to Sacramento to work Leatherworks and also run his own company.
Minxy Jeni is a newbie queer in chronology but an old soul in Leather. As an acupuncture student, she dipped her toe into the scene six months ago with a class on pressure points and somehow found herself free diving in the depths almost immediately.
The titles are produced by the Alameda County Leather Corps. http://www.acleather.org See photo below.
Lady Katerina and her boy Sebastian wed
Lady Katerina and her boy Sebastian were wed Saturday, August 19 at the Women's Building in San Francisco CA. They were joined by their family, friends and communities. See photo below.
Mr. Bear LA
Bears LA hosted the Mr. Bear LA contest on Saturday night, August 19 at the Eagle LA where Art Berkowitz won the title he will compete at Mr. SoCal Bear. Berkowitz was the lone contestant.
The emcees were the team of Don Mike and Jeremy Ronceros and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence gave one of their zany blessing. See photo below.
Dynamics of a BDSM Scene
Dynamics of a BDSM Scene with Mistress Cyan hosted by Cyan St. James on Wednesday, August 30 at 7:30 PM at Sanctuary LAX Studios, 10914 South La Cienega Blvd, Inglewood, California 90304. https://www.facebook.com/mysanctuaryla
DNA Northeast
The Drummer North America Northeast region welcomed new additions to their title family, Drummer Bootblack Jimmy Basset and Drummerboy Kenneth Sautter on August 19 at the Providence Eagle in Providence, RI. See photo below.
Leather Archives through Amazon
Shop Amazon.com and support the Leather Archives & Museum through Amazon's charitable giving program, Amazon Smile. For every qualifying purchase, Amazon will donate a percentage to the Leather Archives & Museum. It's that simple! https://smile.amazon.com/ch/36-3841874
Mr. California Leather
The first Mr. California Leather contest will be held at the Bullet Bar in North Hollywood on Saturday, September 9 at 9 PM. Winner may got to IML, ABW, ILSLb or IPOL to compete. http://mrcaleather.com/
San Diego AIDS Walk XXV
The San Diego Leather community is participating in this year's AIDS Walk and Run San Diego on Saturday, September 27 because HIV and AIDS have touched our lives and affected the people we love. This is an opportunity to be visible in the support for those living with HIV and AIDS while raising much needed funds for critical support services in the community. http://events.thecentersd.org/goto/BeWhoYouNeeded
Mr. Bolt Leather 2018 Contest Weekend
Mr. Bolt Leather 2018 Contest Weekend will be September 8-10 at the Bolt in Sacramento, CA. The contest is on Saturday night, meet and greet on Friday and victory barbecue and beer bust on Sunday. http://sacbolt.com
CineKink at the Leather Archives in November
CineKink returns to the Leather Archives & Museum November 10-11 in Chicago, IL.
Kink and the Community - There are many tastes and predilections that make up the world of kink. Here, a sampling of just a few; and the Museum that strives to keep track of them all on Friday November 10 at 7 PM, followed by The Best of CineKink - A collection of award-winning shorts deemed the year’s best from CineKink, “the kinky film festival." at 9 PM.
As we ready ourselves for new political realities, these shorts stake a claim for female agency and the power of speaking one’s desires on Saturday November 11, 8 PM. http://cinekink.com/
CODE Eighth Anniversary
CODE Presents CODE Eighth Anniversary Party on Saturday, September 2 at The Glorious Health Club in Baltimore, MD. Sports gear, jocks, skins, uniforms, Leather, rubber and pups are welcome.
Mr. Leather64TEN will be March 8-11
The third Annual Mr. Leather64TEN Contest will be held in Chicago on March 10, 2018. The Mr. Leather64TEN contest and events were created to help the Chicagoland Leather community explore, celebrate, and showcase their Leather pride. http://www.leather64ten.com/mrleather64ten/
Tom of Finland
Tom of Finland was introduced in Stockholm, Sweden through a diverse program August 24-26. In the center of Stockholm almost 300 artists performed during a street party; in addition to music, stand-up comedy, children's theater, circus arts and meetings with writers were seen on stage. The City of Turku was invited to Stockholm because of their long shared history and close collaborations. http://www.tomoffinlandfoundation.org See photo below.
International Mr./Mx/Ms Olympus Leather room block open
International Mr./Mx/Ms Olympus Leather will be held at the Crowne Plaza - San Diego Mission Valley the weekend of May 3-6. International Mx Olympus Leather will make its debut there.
Go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoUJnyIE9rBrbZUSklqYD-pCMoqaBS7zF9j-58KIG6RUnruA/viewform?usp=send_form to make a reservation.
Great Lakes Leather Alliance XVI
Great Lakes Leather Alliance XVI (GLLA) is all set to go the weekend of September 28 - October 1 at an unnamed hotel in Indianapolis, IN. The keynote speaker will be International Mr. Leather 2016 Patrick Smith and the Carter Johnson Leather Library will be there. Plenty of workshops and classes, play parties and socials, and a few Leather contests too. http://greatlakesleather.org/
Palm Springs Leather Pride 2017
Palm Springs Leather Pride 2017 will be held October 26-29 in Palm Springs, CA. The big news is the Friday night Parking Lot Party will return to lot behind the Tool Shed. Tom of Finland will have an exhibit and there will be a Saturday afternoon pool party. And oh, the Mr. Palm Springs Leather contest will be held in the newest hangar at the Palm Springs Air Museum. https://www.palmspringsleatherpride.org/
You can help make Dave Rhodes' Hump Day better by sending dates and basic information on new events, club information such as new officers and runs, obituaries and wedding announcements. 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 August 27, make sure I have it by Monday afternoon, August 21. Make sure to add your events to the Leather Community Calendar by clicking on Calendar above - follow the directions.
You had a contest over the weekend - send us the names of the winners and a photo and a brief bit about it. We have it by mid-Monday and it will appear on Wednesday. Your events hotel room block opens - that is news. Send the link and a brief. Someone passes, let us know - photo please if available, but do not let lack of an immediate photo stop you from sending. This is news shorts.
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.
Please share us on Facebook and on other social media.
Women's International Leather Legacy 2017 Renee Beckman
Tom of Finland was introduced in Stockholm, Sweden through a diverse program. Art provided by the Tom of Finland Foundation
Mr. and Ms Alameda County Leather are Steve Geist and Jeni Finch. Photo by Rich Stadtmiller
Lady Katerina and her boy Sebastian wed in San Francisco, CA.
The Drummer North America Northeast regional at the Providence Eagle in Providence, RI.
Dynamics of a BDSM Scene with Mistress Cyan at Sanctuary LAX Studios
Mr. Bear LA Art Berkowitz won his title at Eagle LA. Photo by Dave Rhodes
Mama's Family at Up Your Alley street fair in San Francisco in late July. Photo by Richtrove Photography
Welcome to Dave Rhodes' Hump Day - Wednesday, August 16, 2017. This column will appear here every Wednesday on TheLeatherJournal.com
Share this will all of your friends on Facebook. We want 10,000 Leatherfolk and kinksters reading timely news regularly.
Mama interviewed in San Diego
Sandy "Mama" Reinhardt had a full feature article on Mama's Family in Gay San Diego by Ian Morton - Profiles in Advocacy. This is worth reading. http://gay-sd.com/mamas-international-family/
Jeffery Payne for Texas Governor
Dallas Eagle owner Jeffery Payne announced on July 14 that he is running for governor of Texas. Payne has a record of success in the business world and is International Mr. Leather 2009. He is known for his community service as well, founding the Sharon St. Cyr Fund which provides funding for American Sign Langauage certified interpreters for the deaf. This is going to be exciting and to follow the Payne campaign trail go to http://www.jeffrey4texas.com See photo below.
Tom of Finland Art Fair
The Tom of Finland Art Fair will be September 29 - October 1 in Los Angeles, CA. Check out https://www.yelp.com/biz/tom-of-finland-foundation-los-angeles
Pantheon of Leather Awards
The Pantheon of Leather Awards will be presented on Thursday night, August 31 during International Leather Sir, Leatherboy and Community Bootblack contest weekend, August 31 - September 3, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dallas Near the Galleria in Dallas, TX. Check out http://www.ilsb-icbb.com
Ritual Fire: A Tribal Bonfire Social
Sunday, September 10, from 6:30 - 9:30 PM, at Fiesta Island Park, as Fetish Men San Diego in conjunction with Club X San Diego will host Ritual Fire: A Tribal Bonfire Social. Local kinksters from FMSD and Club X will be performing various feats of Fire Play throughout the night. No tickets sold at the door. https://fetishmensandiego.blogspot.com/2017/08/a-new-kind-of-ritual.html?zx=7625f41a0159466c
Orange County, CA title
Mr. and Ms OCIC Leather and Mr. OCIC Bear contest will be September 8-10 at the Frat House Nightclub, 8112 Garden Grove Blvd, Garden Grove, CA.
Leather Cruise on San Francisco Bay
The Golden Gate Guards' Seventh Annual Leather Cruise on San Francisco Bay will be on September, Saturday, 23. This Leather and Uniform event is during Folsom street fair weekend. The Leather Cruise includes: three-hour boat cruise on San Francisco Bay with great views for hot Leathermen and Leatherwomen. Complimentary navy cap, pin and lei, appetizers and cash bar. Net proceeds from this event will go to San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance. http://ggguards.org/events/cruiseTickets.htm
Palm Springs Leather Pride
Palm Springs Leather Pride 2017 will be held October 26-29 in Palm Springs, CA. The big news is the Friday night Parking Lot Party will return to lot behind the Tool Shed. Tom of Finland will have an exhibit and there will be a Saturday afternoon pool party. And oh, the Mr. Palm Springs Leather contest will be held in the newest hangar at the Palm Springs Air Museum. https://www.palmspringsleatherpride.org/
T’Hayla Ferguson resigns from HOTFF
T’Hayla Ferguson - I want to thank the members of Heart of the Flag Federation (Toronto, Canada, Leather Pride organization including Mr. Leatherman Toronto) for allowing me to hold the position of President these past several years. I have had such a wonderful time working with our community and with some truly amazing titleholders. Life is presenting me with several new opportunities that are going to take great deal of my time which is why it is time for me to step aside as President of the Heart of the Flag Federation.
Philadelphia Leather Pride Night
Philadelphia Leather Pride Night will celebrate its Ninth Annual charity auction event on Saturday September 30 from 5 PM to midnight inside Voyeur Nightclub in the heart of Philadelphia's Gayborhood. Jo Arnone will once again take the stage with her booming voice as auctioneer. http://www.leatherpridenight.com
Ms LA Leather Scarlett Sin is teaching
On Saturday, August 19, Ms LA Leather Scarlett Sin is teaching The Art of Impact at The Stockroom, 2121 Sunset Blvd. in Silver Lake, from 12 - 2 PM. The class is designed for all ranges of experience and gives an insightful and in-depth understanding into the numerous elements of impact play. Go to https://www.stockroom.com/everything-else/stockroom-university.html for details.
Mr. Los Angeles Leather preliminaries
Most of the schedule for the Mr. Los Angeles Leather preliminaries is known. Mr. CSW is known since the first in the series was held in June. Those with set dates are Mr. Sister Leather produced by the LA House of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence September 16 at Eagle LA; Mr. Precinct Leather at the Precinct November 19; Mr. and Ms Sanctuary Leather at Sanctuary Studios LAX December 8-10; Eagle LA Mr. Leather at Eagle LA January 13-14; Mr. SoCal Leather at Eagle LA January 14; Mr. LA Leather Bear by Bers LA at Eagle LA January 18-21; Mr. Oil Can Harry's at Oil Can Harry's January 26-28; Mr. Bullet Leather at the Bullet Bar, February 2-4; and Mr. Regiment Leather by the Regiment of the Black and Tans at Eagle LA February 16-18.
Leather History Preservation
Leather History Preservation Weekend, October 20-22, Radisson Hotel High Point in High Point, NC will be a weekend of shared journeys, camaraderie and fellowship, with multiple historiographers sharing their experiences. Among the historians are JAH Holiday, OB Hamm, Sir Tom Matt, JP Garner, and Angel Propps. Go to http://www.lhpfoundation.org and make your plans.
Butchmanns board
A change of leadership took place at the June Annual General Meeting of the Butchmanns board. After nine years as Chair, Thay Z (aka Master Z) asked to step down from the office. Ches Clark was elected to chair the board for a three-year term. Wayne Brawner and slave bonnie were reelected to two-year terms as Vice Chair and Secretary respectively. Thay Z remains on the board as treasurer, an appointed position. slave tina is currently serving as Executive Director of the Southwest Leather Conference. Master Bob Blount, slave Angie, Ms Kendra, slave kirk thomas and Patrick Mulcahey affirmed their board membership for another year. http://www.butchmanns.com
Butchmanns Experience
The next Butchmanns Experience weekend will be a pansexual event in Phoenix, AZ, October 20-22. http://www.butchmanns-experience.org
How you can help make Dave Rhodes' Hump Day better - no, the best. 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 August 27, make sure I have it by Monday afternoon, August 21. Make sure to add your events to the Leather Community Calendar by clicking on Calendar above - follow the directions.
You had a contest over the weekend - send us the names of the winners and a photo and a brief bit about it. We have it by mid-Monday and it will appear on Wednesday. Your events hotel room block opens - that is news. Send the link and a brief. Someone passes, let us know - photo please if available, but do not let lack of an immediate photo stop you from sending. This is news shorts.
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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Dallas Eagle owner and International Mr. Leather 2009 Jeffrey Payne launched his bid to become the Governor of Texas.
Welcome to Dave Rhodes' Hump Day - Wednesday, August 9, 2017. This column will appear every Wednesday on TheLeatherJournal.com The idea behind this weekly is to keep up with, and even set, the pace in a snippet news-style. Many articles will be in one or two sentences as you will read below. Of course, we will publish larger news, feature stories and interviews as we have for the past 30 years. This is one of those new previously unnamed innovations I promised in my May Editorial.
How you can help. 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 August 20, make sure I have it by Monday afternoon, August 14. Make sure to add your events to the Leather Community Calendar by clicking on Calendar above - follow the directions.
You had a contest over the weekend - send us the names of the winners and a photo and a brief bit about it. We have it by mid-Monday and it will appear on Wednesday. Your events hotel room block opens - that is news. Send the link and a brief. Someone passes, let us know - photo please if available, but do not let lack of an immediate photo stop you from sending. This is news shorts.
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.
IML room block is OPEN. IML will be doing another year at the Congress Plaza Hotel on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, IL the weekend of May 24-28. Go to http://imrl.com/ to reserve your room. Click on Hotel Info on the right side of the IML home page.
Mistress Cyan and Jill Overfield were married at MCC in the Valley on Saturday afternoon with about 150 in attendance. Reverend Pat Langlois performed the ceremony. Cyan and Overfield are owners of Sanctuary Studios LAX. See photo below.
The Mayor of Folsom Street: The Auto/Biography of "Daddy Alan" Selby aka Mr. S - A biography of San Francisco entrepreneur and activist Alan Selby, founder of the iconic Mr. S Leather Store on Folsom Street. In the Introduction, Dr. Jones, a close associate of the late Mr. Selby, offers a biography of the man, who immigrated from London to San Francisco, where he became world-famous as the owner of the Mr. S Leather store and a key figure in the San Francisco gay community during the AIDS crisis. The second part of the book is an autobiography constructed from Selby's own journals.This book gives a unique inside look into the character and personality of one of San Francisco's most colorful figures. A must-read. https://www.facebook.com/TheMayorOfFolsomStreet See photo below.
The Regiment of the Black and Tans held their annual Change of Command on Sunday, August 6 in Sherman Oaks, CA. They followed that with a Wet Boxers Shorts contest at the Bullet Bar in North Hollywood. See photo below.
The Pantheon of Leather Awards will be presented on Thursday night, August 31 during International Leather Sir, Leatherboy and Community Bootblack contest weekend, August 31 - September 3, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dallas Near the Galleria in Dallas, TX. Check out http://www.ilsb-icbb.com
Speaking of Labor Day Weekend, Master/slave Conference 2017 runs from August 31 through September 4 at the Radisson Hotel Baltimore Downtown – Inner Harbor, 101 West Fayette Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201. Largest conference in the world totally dedicated to Master/slave lifestyle. http://www.masterslaveconference.org
Florida Leather Sir 2017 is Major Ty and Florida Leatherboy 2017 is Pup Napoleon. held June 15-18 at the Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburg, FL. Both will compete at ILSb-ICBB this year over Labor Day Weekend in Dallas, TX. http://www.ilsb-icbb.com See photo below.
The Exiles All-Genders 20th Anniversary Celebration will be at the Center for Positive Sex and Culture, 1349 Mission Street in San Francisco at 7:30 PM. Sponsored in part by the Society of Janus and the San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance, the Exiles' biggest event of the year is going to be even bigger than ever before, this all-genders party that kicks off Folsom Street Fair weekend and it just so happens to coincide with the Exiles’ 20th Anniversary. https://fetlife.com/events/533331
The Los Angeles Pony and Critter Club hosts EQUUS, an international weekend-long pony play event at Sanctuary Studios LAX in Lennox, CA, August 11-13. EQUUS is welcoming and open to all styles of pony play, all types of ponies. http://www.laponiesandcritters.com
Xavier Espejo of Sherman Oaks, CA is California Drummer 2017 and Eric Audet, of San Diego, CA, is California Drummerboy 2017. California Drummer Fetish Weekend was held at the Barracks Bar in Cathedral City June 30 through July 2 in Palm Springs, CA. They will compete at Drummer North America 2018 in Las Vegas, NV in February. Visit http://www.DrummerCalifornia.com See photo below.
San Francisco's Bare Chest Calendar 2018 Men will be at the Barracks in Cathedral City, CA the weekend of August 11-13. Saw 'em at Up Your Alley a couple of weeks ago and there are some hotties in the group.
The Leather Archives & Museum announced in July that CLAW Corporation donated $26,250 to the LA&M from its 2017 event. Since its inception in 2002, CLAW has donated over $137,000 to the Leather Archives & Museum and has raised over $799,000 in charitable funds nationwide. The monies raised this year will continue to to sponsor Thursday Free Days at the museum and help create a new LA&M traveling exhibit prototype. Ready to get dirty and have a taste of some nasty fun? Lick It is going back to its roots of funky and sexy fun. They have DJ Blackstone of Club Universe, Faith and Fag Fridays. August 11 at The Powerhouse (1347 Folsom Street, SF, CA), 10 PM. $5 at the door to benefit the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund.
West Coast Mr., Ms and Mx Olympus Leather will be at the new Eagle 562 in Long Beach, CA August 25-27. The current International Mr. and Ms Olympus Leather Anthony Harmon and Pixie Mary step down from their regional titles. https://www.facebook.com/
The Second Annual DTLA Proud Festival will again be held at Pershing Square from 12 PM until 10 PM on August 26 and 27 and will offer visitors a blend of local queer culture, art, history and entertainment with over 40 community and retail booths, a main stage hosted by the Boulet Brothers and the return of Summertramp, a pop-up water park that will transform Pershing Square into a colorful urban oasis. While not a Leather event, DTLA Proud will have strong Leather/Kink participation. https://dtlaproud.org/2017-dtla-proud-festival
Mr. and Ms Alameda County Leather will see new titleholders on Saturday, August 19 at 6 PM at the Hayward Veteran's Memorial Hall in Hayward, CA. Go to http://www.acleather.org. The title is produced by the Alameda County Leather Corps.
Palm Springs Leather Pride 2017 will be held October 26-29 in Palm Springs, CA. The big news is the Friday night Parking Lot Party will return to lot behind the Tool Shed. Tom of Finland will have an exhibit and there will be a Saturday afternoon pool party. And oh, the Mr. Palm Springs Leather contest will be held in the newest hangar at the Palm Springs Air Museum. https://www.palmspringsleatherpride.org/
Fourth Annual Kinky Prom: Rainbows and Unicorns on Saturday, August 12 at 7 PM at Voo Doo Leatherworks in Colorado Springs, CO to benefit Colorado Leather Fest. $15 per person or $20 per couple. Features the Cycle Sluts, cash bar, food and snacks, DJ/music/dancing, Prom photos available for purchase, bootblacks, silent auction, kinky poker and a Kinky Prom Royalty Contest. Facebook look for Kinky Prom: Rainbows and Unicorns in Events.
The NCSF (National Coalition for Sexual Freedom) sent out this - There's a new bill in Congress that would threaten your right to free expression online. If that weren't enough, it could also put small Internet businesses in danger of catastrophic litigation. The Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA) wouldn't help punish sex traffickers; it would do is expose the Internet content platforms that we all rely on every day to the risk of overwhelming criminal and civil liability for their customers' actions. https://act.eff.org/action/don-t-let-congress-censor-the-internet
American Brotherhood Weekend in Chicago, IL is on tap for October 6-8 and features the American Leatherman, Leatherwoman, and Leatherboy contest at the Leather Archives & Museum. The judging panel will include David Katzenberg, Robert "Bobbie“ Smith, Bella Oliver, Jeff Willoughby and Laura Antoniou. For more information go to http://www.AmericanBrotherhood.com
The next Avatar Club Los Angeles public monthly program will be Predicament Bondage by Midori on Wednesday August 23 beginning at 8:30 PM at MCC in the Valley, 5730 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood, CA. A unique form of bondage where strategy, physical and psychological insights, gamesmanship, wit, slyness, humor and creativity converge. It can challenge the bottom's endurance, physical, sexual or psychological states and more. Predicament scenes will be illustrated through devious scenes. http://www.avatarla.org/
Bad Ass Spanking Weekend VIII is all set for October 19-22 in Augusta, GA and is the largest multi-day event on the east coast for men who are into spanking. http://www.bawevent.com
Leather History Preservation Weekend, October 20-22, Radisson Hotel High Point in High Point, NC will be a weekend of shared journeys, camaraderie and fellowship, with multiple historiographers sharing their experiences. Among the historians are JAH Holiday, OB Hamm, Sir Tom Matt, JP Garner, and Angel Propps. Go to http://www.lhpfoundation.org and make your plans.
Please share us on Facebook.
Jill "Goddess Genesis" Overfield and Cyan St. James were married on August 5. Photo by Dave Rhodes
The Mayor of Folsom Street: The Auto/Biography of "Daddy Alan" Selby aka Mr. S
The Regiment of the Black and Tans held their annual Change of Command. Photo by Dave Rhodes
Florida Leather Sir and Florida Leatherboy 2017. Photo by Bill Hoeppner
California Drummer and California Drummerboy 2017. Photo by Motorboot Photography
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
