Not long after the United States Supreme Court ruled that the plaintiffs who sued to have Proposition 8 reinstated had no standing, enabling same sex marriages to resume in California, marriages resumed.
Many watched the announcements on the morning of Wednesday, June 26 with anticipation. First came the announcement that part of DOMA (Defense Of Marriage Act) had been overturned. It did not knock all of DOMA out, but it did establish the equality of GLBT citizens.
Those in California were anxious about the second game of the doubleheader, the ruling on Proposition 8. The announcement was made and the celebration was on. Both California plaintiffs who sued to have Proposition 8 overturned were seen on television as were their attorneys, David Boies and Ted Oleson. The Plaintiff in the DOMA case was seen as well. She traveled to New York for a DOMA overturned celebration there.
A victory celebration was planned in the City of West Hollywood, CA, organized by AFER (American Foundation for Equal Rights) for Wednesday at 5:30 PM which was about a half hour late, probably due to the flight arrival time of the victorious players in the Proposition 8 case at LAX. Some of us who saw these people on television only seven hours before on the steps of the Unites States Supreme Court in Washington, DC were now seeing them live, in person.
Approximately 3,000 people packed the area just south of Santa Monica Blvd. and San Vicente Blvd to hear from the victors. Early on, West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land, who was not scheduled to be at the celebration, welcomed everyone to rousing cheers. She was followed by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa who addressed the crowd in English followed by the same speech in Spanish. The crowd cheered the speech en Espanol as loudly as they did the English version.
Speakers AFER co-founder Chad Griffin who is the President of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Executive Director of AFER Adam Umhoefer, male couple Plaintiffs Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo, the female couple Plaintiffs Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, followed by Lead Co-Counsel David Boies and Ted Oleson. Several other dignitaries spoke and all were cheered loudly as signs appeared throughout the crowd. A gallery with many of the signs and the people who were there will be posted soon.
When they spoke, attorneys Boies and Oleson humored how the other was the best barrister the one had seen. They mentioned how, after depositions that some of the Proposition 8 proponents just faded away, not to be seen; and that the one left helped make the case to defend same sex marriage. Oleson and Boies were opponents in the Bush v. Gore case in 2000.
Although The Leather Journal did not notice anyone dressed in Leather, many from the Leather/BDSM/Fetish community were there including International Mr. Leather 2007 Mikal Gerle who works for the City of West Hollywood. Gerle posted a statement from the City of West Hollywood promoting the victory celebration.
The American Foundation for Equal Rights is the sole sponsor of Hollingsworth v. Perry, the landmark federal constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 8. It is the first case involving the right of gay and lesbian Americans to marry ever to be fully briefed and argued before the Supreme Court.
In August 2010, the District Court held, “Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.”
“The Perry case changed the conversation. It altered the game,” said Plaintiff Jeff Zarrillo. “It created a groundswell of momentum and passion that brought us here to the Supreme Court today. Today, the Court said that I am more equal, that we are more equal, our love is just like our parents and grandparents and that any children we may have in the future will be more secure. I look forward to growing old with the man I love. Today is a great day to be an American.”
“Today, we are closer to marriage equality for all,” said Plaintiff Paul Katami in Washington, DC. “We are lucky, but we know that this fight continues across the country. We cannot forget our LGBT brothers and sisters that are in states that still discriminate against them, and we will not allow it. We will continue the fight until all of us our equal. We stand on the shoulders of so many people that came before us. People that risked their lives to stand up and be who they are.
They gave us the legs to stand up on today. They gave us the momentum to run with and the voice to speak loudly and say proudly: we are gay, we are American, and we will not be treated like second-class citizens.”
The Supreme Court decision on March 26 in United States v. Windsor, concluding that Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional because it violates the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection of the laws.
In an opinion by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, the Court held that DOMA “demeans” gay and lesbian couples and “humiliates tens of thousands of children now being raised by [those] couples.”
Enacted by Congress in 1996, Section 3 of DOMA nullified the marriages of gay and lesbian couples for all purposes of federal law. With the end of the Section 3 of DOMA, the federal government will no longer be permitted to exclude legally married gay and lesbian couples from the federal rights, benefits, and burdens that govern all other married couples.
The Windsor case was brought on behalf of Edith (“Edie”) Windsor by the American Civil Liberties Union, the New York Civil Liberties Union, and the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.
Read the United States Supreme Court deciscion here.
Read the Federal District Court decision here.
The American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) is the sole sponsor of Hollingsworth v. Perry, the landmark federal constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 8. After bringing together bipartisan attorneys Theodore B. Olson and David Boies to lead its legal team, AFER successfully advanced the Perry case through Federal District Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. The Perry case is the first involving the fundamental right of gay and lesbian couples to marry ever to be fully briefed and argued before the Supreme Court. The Foundation is committed to achieving full federal marriage equality.
www.afer.org
As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, the Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide — all committed to making HRC's vision a reality.
Founded in 1980, HRC advocates on behalf of LGBT Americans, mobilizes grassroots actions in diverse communities, invests strategically to elect fair-minded individuals to office and educates the public about LGBT issues.
The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom reported that the American Psychiatric Association has depathologized kinky sex - including cross-dressing, fetishes, and BDSM - in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Now the paraphilias are considered to be "unusual sexual interests," while those who have sex with children or people who haven't consented, or who deliberately cause harm to themselves or others, may be diagnosed with a Paraphilic Disorder.
"The APA has made it clear that being kinky is not a mental disorder," says Susan Wright, Spokesperson for the NCSF. "That means people no longer have to fear being diagnosed as mentally ill just because they belong to a BDSM group. We've already seen the impact - NCSF immediately saw a sharp rise in the success rate of child custody cases for kinky parents after the proposed DSM-5 criteria was released three years ago."
The NCSF would like to thank everyone who participated in signing our DSM Revision Petition and for telling the APA about their own stories of discrimination and persecution. NCSF also thanks every member of the APA Paraphilias Subworkgroup for responding to our concerns, and drawing a hard line between consensual adult kinky sex and those who willfully engage in nonconsensual or harmful activities.
The NCSF is proud to build on the work of kink-aware professionals who have come before us, including Race Bannon and Guy Baldwin, who helped make seminal changes in the DSM-IV in 1994.
The following are some statements about the various paraphilias in the DSM-5. Although highly clinical in language, they show the APA's intent to not demand treatment for healthy consenting adult sexual expression:
"A paraphilia is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for having a paraphilic disorder, and a paraphilia by itself does not necessarily justify or require clinical intervention." p. 686
"In contrast, if they declare no distress, exemplified by anxiety, obsessions, guilt or shame, about these paraphilic impulses, and are not hampered by them in pursuing other personal goals, they could be ascertained as having masochistic sexual interest but should not be diagnosed with a sexual masochism disorder." p. 694
"Many individuals who self-identify as fetishist practitioners do not necessarily report clinical impairment in association with their fetish-associated behaviors. Such individuals could be considered as having a fetish but not fetishistic disorder." p. 701
"Clinical assessment of distress or impairment, like clinical assessment of transvestic sexual arousal, is usually dependent on the individual's self-report." p. 703
The NCSF is committed to creating a political, legal and social environment in the US that advances equal rights for consenting adults who engage in alternative
sexual and relationship expressions.
The NCSF aims to advance the rights of, and advocate for consenting adults in the BDSM-Leather-Fetish, Swing, and Polyamory Communities.
The NCSF pursues its vision through direct services, education, advocacy, and outreach, in conjunction with its partners, to directly benefit these communities.
To support NCSF, click here. NCSF relies entirely on your donations to advance the rights of consenting adults and to do advocacy like its DSM
Revision Project.
With SCOTUS decisions pending — families all over the state of California are planning. Planning what exactly you ask? Well just as we are all sitting here with bated breath, we HOPE that it's a celebration rather than protest. Either way, people all over The Golden State are sitting, waiting, watching the SCOTUS Blog with bated breath. When that decision comes down they are ready to meet with community, friends, and family by taking to the streets.
Meanwhile, cities prepare for red tape nightmares, expecting an onslaught of same-sex couples to apply for marriage licences. For instance, in San Francisco, they have sworn in volunteer city employees in San Francisco who have been trained this week on how to issue marriage licenses and perform ceremonies. If you recall, it was almost a decade ago in that same city hall this whole process started as Mayor Gavin Newsom decreed that San Francisco, despite a ban on same-sex marriages would begin performing them. Some 4,000 ceremonies took place before the state Supreme Court began enforcing the ban. Eventually, same-sex marriage won out and 18,000 more families were given a shot at marriage, and divorce. Three people, California State Lt. Gov Gavin Newsom (then SF City Mayor), Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, started what has become a benchmark in California's movement towards equality.
In Los Angeles, avid supporters of marriage and political activists including Mike Gerle (center, IML 2009), the City of West Hollywood's Special Events Coordinator for the Human Services & Rent Stabilization Department, and Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Margrat Snatcher and Sister Unity Devine (left and right), pictured here at a 2010 day in the park celebrating a short lived win for safe sex marriages by witnessing and performing marriages, wait with ears and eyes turned east waiting for the SCOTUS decision on both landmark human rights campaigns.
Nine and one-half years later, we sit on the edge of our seats with bated breath, not only as a State but as a nation, waiting for The High Courts decision. Since the 2008 ruling against Californian's rights to marry whom they choose, the nation's capital, 10 states, and 13 countries have passed same-sex-marriage laws allowing couples to marry whom they choose with equal rights under law. Still, we do not know how The SCOTUS is going to decide and with two landmark cases before it seems to be the only thing speculators can agree upon.
According to an e-mail from Ian Owens, Deputy to Council Member John J. Duran, the city is preparing a fluid date for a rally following this decision they are strategizing with the American Foundation for Equal Rights to plan the programming of the Community Event with production team Kasselman. With advance notice from the Court unlikely, the city teamed with AFER to help organize the day's events during which Mayor Land and possibly other council members will speak.
The State (and the nation) are expecting a decision to be released at 7am PST on one of the following days:
During a Live Blog Event on SCOTUSblog.com Amy Howe, an attorney at Supreme Court litigation botique law firm Goldstein & Russell, replied to a readers question about when she expects the release of the decisions for these two cases, "it seems that the court is going to end the term with same-sex marriage because of the complexity and potential number of differing opinions and being argued later in the Term. She also feels that if the Court were going to jettison the case they might have done it, however being that it was not argued till March, due to those potential differing opinions we still might get a surprise non-meritus status announcement. The announcement is expected prior to the start of the Summer Recess for the Court. Traditionally, though it is not always the case, the court releases all outstanding opinions by the end of June so that it can resume in September with a fresh docket of new cases the first Monday of October. Even then, several cases have gone term to term."
According to an email by Ian Owens, Deputy to West Hollywood Councilmember John J. Duran the city is preparing for every decision possible Understandably, this rally must be planned to include for a mood of mourning should the court rule in favor of either Prop 8 or DOMA. Should this occur, the city and production teams are planning for the rally to be held on San Vincente Blvd at Santa Monica Blvd. "Depending on the mood of the crowd, a possible march could happen." Should this occur "AFER and City Staff will try to encourage particpants to utilize the "Dyke March" route", on which it is planned for WHSD to provide rolling closures for participant and public safety.
The SCOTUS heard AFER's oral arguments on March 26, 2013, at this point the justices are busy drafting and circulating opinions in cases that have yet to be decided. AFER says we can expect any of the following outcomes:
Gavin Newsom had this to say in a PBS interview about the court rejecting the appeal for approval of same-sex marriages, "...you want a backlash? You just wait if they go south. In many ways, it will just unite people that may be quietly supportive on the sideline that I think will say, all right, wait a second, this is a civil rights struggle."
Day of Decision SF recommends that folks not park on Castro between Market and 19th on any day that the decision could be announced, and this sound advice is good for all community rally locations, as tempting as it might be. Being stuck without a car in California, as thousands flock to our neighborhoods, well, is not an optimal option for most. The organization has arranged for performances, ASL interpreters, and with no doubt, political figures and encourages all participants to treat the historical neighborhood with respect. To find out more about what is happening in SF see The "Day of Decision SF" Facebook page sponsored by Marriage Equality USA. Marriage Equality USA has sponsored a stage at the event, and Light to Justice is collaborating with local organizations to organize nation-wide rallies at this time.
Alternate Press announced on May 20 that Journey In Leather by Thomas Smith has been named a finalist in the Gay and Lesbian: Non-Fiction category for the 2013 International Book Award, an honor presented by USA Book News.
Jeffrey Keen, President and CEO of USA Book News, said this year’s contest yielded over 1,000 entries from authors and publishers around the world, which were then narrowed down to the final results. Keen says of the awards, “The 2013 results represent a phenomenal mix of books from a wide array of publishers throughout the world.”
Journey In Leather is a collection of provocative essays. It is a personal journey into the Leather tribe. This book takes an unorthodox look at the Leather community, traditions, history and leadership. Inside perspective and practical experience are delivered based on personal experience. Journey In Leather has been honored as the Finalist for the 2013 International Book Awards.
“My journey in Leather is absolutely a path of discovery about myself and the others involved. A person’s Leather journey is rich in feelings and motivations, rich in shades and variations. A person’s Leather journey is experienced and practiced in different ways. Based on my Leather experience, your actions, words, honor and generosity to others will define you far more than a title or awards ever can.” said Thomas Smith
“I am thrilled that Journey In Leather has been chosen as an International Book Award finalist,” states Thomas Smith. “It’s been very gratifying to receive such positive feedback."
Journey In Leather
Publisher: Alternate Press / Createspace (January 21, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1481115827 (Paperback, $10.95)
ASIN: B00BXN3UPA: (E-book, $2.99)
Available from:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Books-A-Million
About Thomas Smith
Thomas Smith's dedication, leadership and passion are shown in his 30-plus years of community involvement. He has been recognized with national and state awards; he has leadership experience in civic, social and community organizations and local, state and federal government.
He earned undergraduate degrees in economics and business administration and graduate degrees in public administration and management. An author published in print and on-line, Thomas was honored as an Award Winning Finalist in the 2013 International Book Awards. His leadership, integrity and optimism is carried over into his private and professional life.
Thomas was recognized with the President’s Award from Pantheon of Leather in 2000 and the Southeast Regional Pantheon of Leather Award in 2011. Thomas was the inaugural recipient of the 2011 Connell-Stanley Award for Kentucky Leather Person of the Year. He was President of the Lexington Lyons Leather Club in Kentucky. He was Mr. Kentucky Leather 1997 and Mr. International Rubber 1999. Thomas created the Leadership Forum online as a resource for leaders; and was Chair and Board member for the Leather Leadership Conference.
It has been said that his writing defines itself by carefully orchestrated simplicity; that he writes what he knows. His writing has been described as art, and his grammar, word choice and structure as the canvas on which his writings are painted.
The National Leather Association: International, a leading organization for activists in the pansexual SM/Leather community, announced the winners for excellence in literary works in SM/Leather/Fetish writing published in 2012 at its Annual General Meeting in Oklahoma City, OK on May 3-5, 2013 and held during Tribal Fire. The judges received a greater number of nominations this year than ever before and judging in most categories was quite difficult with such exemplary pieces of writing.
The National Leather Association: International winners of the Geoff Mains Non-fiction Book Award are Lee Harrington and Mollena Williams for “Playing Well With Others: Your Field Guide to Discovering, Exploring and Navigating the Kink, Leather and BDSM Communities.” Honorable mention in this category goes to Tristan Taormino (ed.) for “The Ultimate Guide to Kink: BDSM, Role Play and the Erotic Edge.”
In the John Preston Short Fiction category, the winner is Annie Cox for "Muriel" (Pink Flamingo Press). Honorable mention for short story goes to I.G. Frederick and Patrick for "“Aunt” Grace" (Smashwords Edition).
Winner of the Samois Anthology Award is Elizabeth Coldwell (ed.), "LIPSTICK LOVERS" (Xcite Books). The honorable mention goes to Wes Royal (ed.), for "Whatever Lola Wants (and Other Wicked Tales)" (FDC Publication).
Victorious in the Pauline Reage Novel category is L. M. Somerton for "The Portrait' (Total-E-Bound). The judges were unable to concur on second place honors this year with 27 novels submitted for consideration. Honorable mentions therefore go to The Masters of Falcon's Fantasies by Cassidy Browning & Reggie Alexander (Siren Publishing), Power Exchange by A. J. Rose (Voodoo Lily Press), Eve Portrait of Submission by Steve Maser (Pink Flamingo Publications), Beyond the Edge by Elizabeth Lister (MLR Press) and A Forbidden Love by Lee Dorsey (Pink Flamingo Publications).
The winner of the Cynthia Slater Non-fiction Article Award for the second year in a row is Mollena Williams, this time for "On Collars And Closure and Owning Myself" which appeared in her blog The Perverted Negress at http://www.mollena.com/ Ms Williams also earned second place in this category for "Digging in the Dirt - The Lure of Taboo Role Play”, which appeared in Tristan Taormino’s (ed.) “The Ultimate Guide to Kink: BDSM, Role Play and the Erotic Edge" (Cleis Press).
Nominations for literary works published in 2013 will open late this year.
Finalists named for NLA Writers Awards announced The National Leather Association: International (NLA-I), a leading organization for activists in the pansexual SM/Leather/Fetish community, announced today the finalists for its annual writing awards. Named after activists and writers Geoff Mains, John Preston, Pauline Reage, Cynthia Slater, and the groundbreaking organization Samois, they are awarded annually to recognize excellence in writing and publishing about Leather, SM, bondage and fetishes.
The finalists for the Cynthia Slater Non-fiction Article Award are: Civility Revisited by Kassie (Leatherati.com), Rogue Leatherwomen by Leland Carina (Leatherati.com), Stop, Drop and Role! Erotic Role Playing by Mollena Williams (The Ultimate Guide to Kink: BDSM, Role Play and the Erotic Edge), Digging in the Dirt - The Lure of Taboo Role Play by Mollena Williams (The Ultimate Guide to Kink: BDSM, Role Play and the Erotic Edge) On Collars And Closure and Owning Myself by Mollena Williams (The Perverted Negress).
The finalists for the Geoff Mains Non-fiction Book Award are: Twenty-Five Years of Living in Leather: The National Leather Association, 1986-2011 by Steve Stein (Adynaton Publishing), The Ritual of Dominance and Submission: A Guide to High Protocol Dominance and Submission by David English; Playing Well With Others: Your Field Guide to Discovering, Exploring and Navigating the Kink, Leather and BDSM Communities by Lee Harrington and Mollena Williams (Greenery Press), The Ultimate Guide to Kink by Tristan Taormino, ed. (Cleis Press), Sexual Outsiders: Understanding BDSM Sexualities and Communities by David Ortmann, LCSW and Richard Sprott, PhD.
The finalists for the Pauline Reage Novel Award are: The Masters of Falcon's Fantasies by Cassidy Browning & Reggie Alexander (Siren Publishing), Power Exchange by A. J. Rose (Voodoo Lily Press), The Portrait by L. M. Somerton (Total-E-Bound), Eve Portrait of Submission by Steve Maser (Pink Flamingo Publications), Beyond the Edge by Elizabeth Lister (MLR Press), A Forbidden Love by Lee Dorsey (Pink Flamingo Publications). The finalists for the Samois Anthology Award are: Bound by lust: Romantic stories of submission and sensuality, ed. Shanna Germaine (Cleis Press), Cheeky spanking stories, ed. Rachel Kramer Bussel (Cleis Press), Luscious: Stories of anal eroticism, ed. Alison Tyler (Cleis Press), Whatever Lola Wants (and Other Wicked Tales), ed. Wes Royal (FDC Publication), LIPSTICK LOVERS, ed. Elizabeth Coldwell (Xcite Books).
The finalists for the John Preston Short Story Award are: THE GREENER GRASSES by M. Christian, from “STROKE THE FIRE: The Best ManLove Fiction of M. Christian” (Renaissance E Books/Sizzler Editions), Christmas Comes to Otters' Gap by Jeff Mann, from “The Dirty Diner” (Bold Strokes Books, Wild Like Honey by Angel Propps, from “Dangerous Curves” (Ravenous Romance), Muriel by Annie Cox (Pink Flamingo Press), “Aunt” Grace by I.G. Frederick & Patrick (Smashwords Edition).
The winners will be announced at the National Leather Association’s Annual General Meeting, which will be held during Tribal Fire on May 3-5, 2013 in Oklahoma City, OK.
For more information about the awards, please contact the award committee chair, pyxy, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
{tag}meta name="geo.placename" content="47 North Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701, USA" {/tag}{tag} meta name="geo.position" content="41.247841;-75.881422"{/tag}{tag} meta name="geo.region" content="US-PA"{/tag}{tag}meta name="ICBM" content="41.247841, -75.881422" {/tag}AUDITIONS FOR "A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE"!
Oblivion Productions will hold Auditions for Tennessee Williams' “A Streetcar Named Desire”, Saturday and Sunday, May 4th and 5th, at Downtown Arts, 47 North Franklin Ave, in Wilkes-Barre.
Passion and Death. Fantasy and Reality. “A Streetcar Named Desire” explores such themes through the lives of three individuals: Blanche, a fractured woman seeking sanctuary; Stanley, a force of nature who knows no bounds when it comes to protecting his life and property; and Stella, a woman torn between familial duty and her own personal wants and needs.
Directed by Justin John Costello, “A Streetcar Named Desire” will be an extremely daring, stylistic production of the play, focusing on the characters and themes, and will consist of a cast of Three (3) Women and Three (3) men portraying the following roles:
Blanche DuBois
Stella Kowalski
Eunice Hubbell
Stanley Kowalski
Harold Mitchell
Steve Hubbell
Those auditioning are asked to arrive at 5pm on Saturday, and 7pm on Sunday at Downtown Arts, 47 North Franklin Ave, in Wilkes-Barre. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the play, improvisation, as well as movement exercises. Those auditioning on Saturday may be asked to return on Sunday for Call Backs, if applicable. Actors and actresses are asked to wear comfortable clothing.
Performances are set for July 26-28th.
The Leather Journal publisher and editor Dave Rhodes will be the guest on Leather It Up at 5 PM EST on Wednesday, March 20 with hosts Bad Boy Dan Radwanski and Woodie Barnes. Discussion will center around the International Mr. and Ms Olympus Leather 2013 contest and the development of www.TheLeatherJournal.com Rhodes has appeared on Leather It Up twice last summer.
Leather It Up is a Live talk show on one of the largest GLBT Internet radio stations, GSHRadio.com The show is about the Leather and Fetish lifestyle hosted by Dan Radwanski aka "bad boy" and boy Woodie Barnes.
Leather It Up is in its second year and growing but needs your support in listenership. Join Dan and Woodie on Wednesday's at 5 PM EST for 30 minutes of information about this lifestyle. Also join Leather It Up in the Facebook chat room as well as at the website GEHRadio.com
Readers may not know but I have a thing for hot goth girls, and chocolate ice cream. So when I read the following description of Centaur of the Crime on Author Michael Angel's Amazon Author Page by his editor, Cassandra Campbell I had to pick it up. I've read Angel's books before and Cassandra not lie. Lovers of fantasy, mystery, dick tracy type detective books and of alternate universe fiction will find Angel's imagry and quiet (and sometimes not so quiet) wit entertaining as he entangles your imagination in this murder mystery's cast of other world misfits and the trials of solving a murder that spans two worlds. Fantastic read and I can't wait to dig into my next Angel book: The Detective & The Unicorn which I previewed at the end of my Kindle e-book. I fought e-books for a long time, as I really love the feel of hard bound books, but the convienience of having a book right at my finger tips whenever, has brought me so much joy. I can't wait to share my next read with you all.
Campbell's Book Soup says: "If Abby Scuito and Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (CBS's NCIS) were merged into one character -- you'd get Dayna Chrissie: a strong, independent crime scene investigator for the LAPD who has a thing for 'stompy gothic boots of doom' and Chunky Chocolate Coma ice cream.""But when Dayna is transported to another world to help solve a murder of the king of the human realm, she is introduced to a collection of creatures and characters who will test her senses and her knowledge of how things work on Earth as well as Andeluvia. She will build a team of rejects: Galen who has been rejected by his father; Shaw who has been rejected by his rider; and Liam who has been rejected by his people -- and take them back to Los Angeles to research and investigate how the murder happened and reduce the suspect list.""Michael Angel creates two worlds rich with sensory details. His word-play injects a little sense of humor and can cause the reader to smirk, smile and even chuckle out loud as well as shorten your breath, cause you to pause and reflect about your own relationships with others.I hope that Angel will play in this world again, as I'd love to see more of Andeluvia and it's residents."
Rounding out multiple days of screenings and parties in its Tenth Anniversary appearance, organizers for CineKink NYC/2013 announced the recipients of awards in a range of categories during the film festival's closing celebrations held on Sunday, March 3.
"When we set off on our first year of CineKink, little did we think that one day we’d be celebrating a 'decade of decadence,'" noted Lisa Vandever, CineKink co-founder and director, as she presented the awards. "It's because of amazing, quality films that we've reached this important milestone and it's a pleasure to honor just a few of those tonight."
Audience Choice Awards were given to "Remedy" (Cheyenne Picardo) for Best Narrative Feature, with "Betty Page Reveals All" (Mark Mori) winning for Best Documentary Feature. The CineKink Choice awards were determined by audience ballot just following each eligible film's screening during the festival.
In the shorts competition, juried festival awards went to "Pinecone" (Michael Markham) for Best Comedy Short, "Krutch" (Matthew Clark) for Best Dramatic Short, "Impact" (Mollena Williams) for Best Experimental Short, and to "Zucht und Ordnung" (Jan Soldat) and "Ritual" (Jörg Fockele), which tied for Best Documentary Short. Honorable Best Mention awards were presented to "50 Seconds of 50 Shades" (Bo Blaze), "Amber" (Aven Frey, Gala Vanting and Frank Ly) and "Rift" (Keith Hodder).
Determining the shorts awards, CineKink jurors this year included Viviane Tang, ring-leader of the sex blog "Viviane's Sex Carnival," Mike White, editor and publisher of the independent film-focused "Cashiers du Cinemart," and Bill Woods, a film festival programmer and curator of the New Filmmakers series at Anthology Film Archives.
The fourth annual CineKink "Bring It!" award, determined by audience ballot during a presentation of excerpts showcasing current adult cinema, went to "Joy Club" (Petra Joy).
The CineKink Tribute, recognizing extraordinary depictions of kink and sex-positivity in mainstream film and television, was presented to "Sessions" (Ben Lewin/Fox Searchlight) for its "amiable and often humorous assertion that sexual pleasure is an essential human right." Honorable mentions for the CineKink Tribute went to the film "Hysteria" (Tanya Wexler/Sony Pictures Classics) and to the television show "Our America with Lisa Ling" (OWN), with a special "'Pokemon Polyamory' Farewell Tip of the Hat" presented to the outgoing series "30 Rock" for "introducing such terms as 'normaling' and 'sex idiot' in the American vernacular." Works eligible for consideration this year were those released or aired in the United States from January 1 until December 31, 2012.
Making its tenth anniversary run February 26-March 3, 2013, CineKink NYC featured a specially selected program of films and videos that celebrate and explore a wide diversity of sexuality. Billing itself as "the kinky film festival," the event is dedicated to the recognition and encouragement of sex-positive and kink-friendly depictions in film and television. With offerings drawn from both Hollywood and beyond, works presented at CineKink NYC ranged from documentary to drama, comedy to experimental, mildly spicy to quite explicit - and everything in between. Sponsors of CineKink NYC/2013 included Crystal Delights, KinkyMedical.net, njoy and TakeDown Piracy, along with ainsley-t, DistribPix, Feminist Porn Awards, FetishMovies, Leather Archives and Museum, Les Jeux du Marquis, National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, Pleasure Salon, Reload and The Eulenspiegel Society.
Selections from CineKink NYC will be featured in a traveling version of the festival, slated to appear in various cities throughout the coming year.
For more information, visit http://cinekink.com
CINEKINK NYC/2013 - DETAILED AWARD INFORMATION CINEKINK CHOICE - AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS
CineKink Choice awards, which go to feature-length works in competition during the festival, were determined by audience balloting at the close of each eligible work's screening.
The 2013 award winners are:
CineKink Choice Award for Best Narrative Feature:
"Remedy" (Cheyenne Picardo, 2013, USA, 120 minutes) A psychological drama based on writer/director Cheyenne Picardo’s personal experiences, REMEDY follows a woman into the dungeons of New York City and the world of professional domination and submission.
CineKink Choice Award for Best Documentary Feature:
"Bettie Page Reveals All" (Mark Mori, 2012, USA, 102 minutes) An intimate look at the rise, fall and rise again of one of the world’s most recognized and controversial sex symbols.
CINEKINK BEST - JURY AWARD FOR BEST SHORTS
CineKink Best awards, which go to short works in competition during the festival, were determined by jury deliberation and ranking. The 2013 award winners are:
CineKink Best Comedy Short: "Pinecone" (Michael Markham, 2012, USA, 18 minutes) At the end of a first date, a young man and woman are desperate to surprise the other.
CineKink Best Dramatic Short: "Krutch" (Matthew Clark, 2012, USA, 5 minutes) The perspective of one young woman lies bare any preconceptions of sexability.
CineKink Best Documentary Short: "Zucht und Ordnung" (Jan Soldat, 2012, Germany, 9 minutes) Two naked, elderly men talk about their relationship, their predilections and the good old days. -tie- "Ritual" (Jörg Fockele, 2011, USA, 5 minutes) One man journeys to cope with his HIV infection through a hooking ritual.
CineKink Best Experimental Short: "Impact" (Mollena Williams, 2012, USA, 7 minutes) The viewer becomes voyeur as this short explores the emotional impact of witnessing a series of consensual and kinky interactions.
CineKink Honorable Best Mentions:
"50 Seconds of 50 Shades" (Bo Blaze, 2012, USA, 2 minutes) An extremely abridged rendering of the literary classic.
"Amber" (Aven Frey, Gala Vanting and Frank Ly, 2012, Australia, 15 minutes) A film about the push-pull of erotic edgeplay and the curious brutality of love.
"Rift" (Keith Hodder, 2012, USA, 5 minutes) A family man has his devotion challenged by the unexpected arrival of his secret lover.
"BRING IT!" - Adult Industry Showcase Award The CineKink "Bring It!" award is determined by audience ballot during a presentation of excerpts showcasing adult cinema.
"Joy Club" (Petra Joy, 2012, United Kingdom, 16 minutes) A pool table sex scene? In a female take on the classic porn scenario, our heroines turn the tables on the cocky macho men and give as good as they get.
CINEKINK TRIBUTE - Festival Award for Extraordinary Depiction of Kink and Sex-Positivity in Mainstream Film/Television Works eligible for consideration this year were those released or aired in the United States from January 1 through December 31, 2012.
"Sessions" (Fox Searchlight; dir. Ben Lewin)
Honorable Mentions:
"Our America with Lisa Ling" (Oprah Winfrey Network)
"Hysteria" (Sony Pictures Classics; dir. Tanya Wexler)
Special "'Pokemon Polyamory' Farewell Tip of the Hat" "30 Rock" (Broadway Video; NBC)
http://www.cinekink.com
Jim and Drew Ward Fete 25 Years
Renowned author and founder of the Gauntlet body piercing studios, Jim Ward, celebrates 25 years with his Sir, Drew Ward this year.
They enjoyed the 15 Association's fine 33rd Anniversary dinner at the Italian American Social Club in San Francisco, CA on Friday night, February 22 where a copy of Jim's book Running The Gauntlet, An Intimate History of the Modern Body Piercing Movement went to a very happy bidder in the silent auction.
A number of celebratory events will mark this milestone anniversary for the couple throughout the year.
No spoilers here, I've not even completed the book The Killer Wore Leather. Before you send hate mail or complain about my premature review, yes, I will properly ammend this post when I have. However, I can't sing the praises or rave recognition of this joyfully comedic look at our Leather Contest Culture enough. ANYONE who has ever attended a convention, seminar, leather contest, fundraiser bar night or read an article in a main stream newspaper about "living the lifestyle", will recognize characters and brilliant portrayals of the colorful group we call family, even if the color of choice is matt black, worn in some long dark alley. I for one can name 2 or more people for every vividly illustrated personality in this book and I am only at Ch. 4!
The Killer Wore Leather: An S/M Mystery by Laura Antoniou
OneGoodLove.com Announces Valentine’s 2013 LGBT State of the Date Report
65 Percent of LGBT Singles More Likely to Desire Marriage As States Pass Marriage-Rights Laws
How does the GLBT part of the Leather community relate to this survey conducted by OneGoodLove.com? Odds are that many in the Leather community participated, but we may never know that demographic as it relates to the OneGoodLove.com survey. OneGoodLove.com Nevertheless, many can relate to some of the answers given to survey questions
Los Angeles, CA – February 11, 2013 - OneGoodLove.com, the Internet’s leading relationship-focused online dating service for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) singles, announced today the release of its Valentine’s 2013 “LGBT State of the Date Report.” The report, based on a survey of over 500 LGBT singles using OneGoodLove, as well as analysis of the stated dating preferences of OneGoodLove’s more than 150,000 members, is a Valentine’s Day snapshot of LGBT dating experiences today.
The NCSF (National Coalition for Sexual Freedom) conducted an exploratory Consent Survey to find out what kinky people think about consent in a BDSM context. With over 4,000 responses on all of the questions, the survey returned useful information on power exchange relationships, the concept of risk, and respondents' attitudes about consent that went into the formation of NCSF's draft Consent Statement, which will be launched on February 8, 2013.
In the survey, NCSF found that one in three kinky people had their pre-negotiated limits violated and/or their safeword ignored. This typically occurs in the first 5 years that someone gets involved in the scene. This result shows there is a real need for more education about consent violations and how to keep them from happening.
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
