At approximately 150 am Monday, November 14, 2016, three patrons of the San Diego Gay Leather bar The San Diego Eagle were, made the recent victims of hate, when they were egged by men in a silver sedan.
The men in the car shouted “faggots” at the group, and then circled around back towards Heimbach who had just separated to make his way home.
When I asked Jay if he was ok, he replied, “Yes. I was they did miss me and another "friend" (but) not by much at all. We were standing by the windows of the breakfast place on the corner finishing a cig. It splattered on me. I'm okay I stood up for myself and ran a bit after the car.” He continued on confirming that all involved in the early morning attack are okay “Angle my Imperial Wife was there witnessed but not egged.”
History was made this year on April 3 at the Off Sunset Festival in Los Angeles, CA. The first three years of the festival saw exclusively men’s groups sponsoring booths and activities, but 2016 was host to a more inclusive festival as Off Sunset welcomed its first women’s group into the fold.
The Southland Title Sisters (STS), a group of female-identified titleholders from Los Angeles County through San Diego County, were out in force to support the festival along with Ms LA Leather 2016, Moon O’Neal, Ms San Diego Leather 2015, Annette Suarez, and Ms San Francisco Leather 2016, Stela Furtado, among others.
The festival, founded in 2013, is produced by the Off Sunset Association, “a group of individuals who work, live, and play in the Silver Lake area” of Los Angeles.
Shae Flanagan, founding member and President of STS, had this to say, “It was an honor to join our brothers this year and we are looking forward to seeing everyone again next year. This first year out, we were still getting the lay of the land, but with the incredible support of the Southland Title Sisters we had an amazing time keeping folks hydrated with lemonade and water balloon fights and will back with more of both. If you don't know us, come say hi, we look forward to meeting you!”
By Daddy Rod
The 29th Anniversary of the Atlanta Eagle Bar and the Seventh Anniversary of Atlanta Leather Pride held April 8-10 saw three people sashed and they are Ms Atlanta Eagle 2016 Princess Leigh (Janelle DeFoor), Mr. Atlanta Eagle 2016 Daddy Rod and Mr. Southeast Rubber 2016 Sean "Red" Franks.
Atlanta Leather Pride benefited The Leather Heart Foundation: Our Community, Our Heart. http://www.leatherheart.org/ which provides charitable assistance in times of financial hardship to individuals of all sexual orientations in the Leather, BDSM, M/s and fetish communities.
$6,000 was raised for the Leather Heart Foundations new Sir Alan Penrod Bare Necessities Fund. These funds will be used to make sure folks have their bare necessities taken care of.
Daddy Rod is the first African American Mr. Atlanta Eagle winner. He will be competing at International Mr. Leather in 2017.
To see more photos check out http://www.atlantaeagle.com/atlanta-eagle-news/
The highlight of San Diego Leather Pride was the San Diego Leather 2016 contest at the World Beat Center in San Diego's Balboa Park on Saturday night, March 19 with the titles going to Ms San Diego Leather 2016 Jae Marie, Mr. San Diego Leather 2016 Jay Heimbach and San Diego Bootblack 2016 Eric.
All official events took place March 17-20 at the World Beat Center.
One of the highlights was the Women's Leather History display presented by Viola Johnson of the Carter/Johnson Leather Library which included books, magazines, articles, photographs, illustrations and sculptures.
The judging panel for Mr. and Ms San Diego Leather consisted of Head Judge Viola Johnson, Carmelle, Ms San Diego Leather 2010 Tiger, Mr. San Diego Leather 2004 Adam Latham, American Leather Boy 2015 Boypup Max, International Ms Leather 2015 Sarge (who was also Ms San Diego Leather 2014-2015), and Master Anjin.
The judging panel for the San Diego Bootblack contest consisted of International Ms Bootblack slave tabitha, Ms. Los Angeles Leather 2016 Goddess Moon and Southern California Leather Bootblack 2015 Danielle.
Mark Frazier of Dallas, TX was the keynote speaker at the Victory Brunch on Sunday. Mark gave a thought provoking speech on "Building a House of Leather" that was well received and appreciated by all. Frazier stated that this was his last keynote speaking engagement and San Diego was proud to have him choose to do it there.
San Diego Leather contest producers Annie Romano and Bryan Teague announced that this would be their least year producing the contest and weekend and that a new producer would be named soon.
Friday night saw a meet and greet with food where the contestants, one for each contest, introduced themselves to the judges and guests.
James Tyrcha, a trans male, was chosen to be Mr. Leather64TEN 2016 at the Jackhammer in Chicago, IL the night of March 12 and as a result, will compete at International Mr. Leather in May.
First runner-up was Gerald Cernak and second runner-up was Matt Cardoni. Steve Bell and Adam H. filled out the roster of contestants.
Michael Pacas Mr. Leather64Ten 2015 Michael Pacas was the head judge. Joining him on the panel were Justin St. Clair, Tinac Mackay, Will Boyd-Bohaczek and Dan Ronneberg. The tally masters were Pup Scout and Alex Tatum.
Emees Slade Travis and Todd Davidson kept the contest moving at a good pace.
The producers were Leather64TEN store owners Eric Kugelman and Michael Syrjanen.
James Tyrcha transitioned 10 years ago this April, and yet for years after he lived in fear of rejection just for being transgender. Two years ago, that stopped—when he came out to everyone about his transition. According to Ross Forman of the Windy City Times.
Tyrcha told the Windy City Times, "I just needed to be open about my transition and be an advocate" for the transgender community, said Tyrcha, spurred to speak out by bathroom/locker room use debates for transgender and the hoard of trans-bullying and physical attacks, particularly against trans women.
Flash-forward to the present, and Tyrcha is now an award-winning trans male. Click here to see full article in the Windy City Times.
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-Trans-man-Tyrcha-claims-Mr-Leather-64TEN-title-preps-for-IML/54655.html
Trans males have fared well at International Mr. Leather with Tyler McCormick winning the title in 2010. Years before, Billy Lane finished in the IML Top 20.
Tyrcha said to The Leather Journal, "My passion in life is creating change through acceptance in our community.
Acceptance is the road to the future of our community, especially for our newest members. I love dogs, the beach, and life!"
There was a VIP party on Friday night at the Jackammer followed by a meet and greet.
The celebration of Mr. Bullet Leather on Saturday, February 6 at the Bullet Bar in North Hollywood, CA led to the appointment of Jason "Pup Woody" Atkinson to the Mr. Bullet Leather 2016 title.
After a constructive discussion with all parties involved in a significant disagreement, Bullet Bar owner Michael Lara exercised his right as a producer to appoint a Mr. Bullet Leather 2016 who will be a
representative at Los Angeles Leather Pride events, including Mr. Los Angeles Leather to be held Saturday, April 2 at the Globe Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.
Don Mike served as emcee as Mr. Bullet Leather 2015 Esteban Bartholo gave a short and sweet step down. Jeremy Ronceros headed a roast of Esteban that seared him.
Esteban was presented his Los Angeles Band of Brothers backpatch by club president Ronceros after his step down speech, a tradition the club has for all of its members.
Sandy "Mama" Reinhardt was on hand to pin several new babies into Mama's Family.
Mama was to be on the judging panel for the contest which was canceled due to a dispute between the Bullet Bar and the LA Leather Coalition. We will not go into it, but suffice it to say all matters seem to have been resolved.
When Lara announced the appointment he noted that Jason was first runner-up in the Mr. Bullet Leather 2015 contest. Jason informed The Leather Journal that he ran as Pup Woody in 2015.
Under the production of Shae Flanigan, the Ms Los Angeles Leather title was resumed the weekend of January 14-17 with Nicole Moon O'Neal besting Tuesday Niles and Persefonie Di Stefano to become the first to hold the title in about two decades.
Emcees Dave Faunce and AJ aka Sister Amanda Reckonwith were on top of their game.
The recipient of the Ms Los Angeles Leather 2016 Leather Heart Award was Persefonie Di Stefano who is the President of the Los Angeles girls of Leather.
The head judge was Lee Lambert with slave Bren, Eric Paul Leue, Dara Bryant, Melissa Miles, Slave Pug, Sandy "Mama" Reinhardt and Rik Newton-Treadway working with her. The tallyfolk were Anthony Harmon and Stela Furtado, the judges' boys were Aaron Duke and Chris Owen, the contestant coordinator Tiara Gollaher was assisted by Muffin, and den daddy Gus Norris.
The meet and greet was at Rough Trade, the interviews were at Sanctuary, the contest was at Threshold and the victory party was at the Bullet Bar.
By Tynan Fox
Twin Cities Leather Weekend 2016 concluded this year with attendance of just under 2,000 people over three days of events.
The weekend kicked off with a great Meet and Greet, which included a raffle, contestant number draw, and Twin Cities Leather & Latte’s unveiling of their new logo and plans for the future. This was followed by a women and men’s kink/Leather night. Flogging, bondage, and paddling were clearly represented.
The contest judges this year included: Head Judge Andrew Bertke of The Atons of Minneapolis, Mr. Tristate Leather 2015 Bolt Donner, Mr. Ireland Leather 2015 Kevin Murphy, Mr. Phoenix Leather 2015 Pup Tugger, Mr. San Francisco Leather 2015 Trevor Black, Ms Iowa Leather 2014 Lucket Kiche, International Leatherboy 2015 ASH! and Mr. Twin Cities Leather 2014 Greg Menzel.
The Tallymaster was Mr. DC Eagle 2011 Michael Kramer. Assisting Mr. Kramer and the ASL Interpreter for the weekend was Great Lakes Leatherboy 2015 Boy Woody.
Four contestants ran for Mr. TCL; Steven Sinclair of Minneapolis, MN, Anthony S. of Iowa City, IA, Justin Anderson of Minneapolis, MN and Emerson Kellogg of Minneapolis, MN. Emerson Kellogg emerged the winner and was sashed Mr. Twin Cities Leather 2016.
The event included featured bootblack Erick, the first and current Alaska State Bootblack.
Sunday Brunch sponsored by Nicollet Diner was hugely popular, where TCL&L presented the 2016 Bobbie Smith Community First! Award to John Bigger for his selfless donations of his time and energy.
The weekend closed with the Sunday Saloon Shower contest where a number of the weekend attendees jumped in the shower to win a chance at $500.
The event sponsors include Twin Cities Leather and Latte, The Saloon MN, Uberlube, Si Novelties, Nicollet Diner, Smitten Kitten, Everett Allen Photography, Ox Balls, Slam Dunk Lube, Leatherstock, Nasty Pig,
Instigator Magazine, Coit Photography, Twin Cities girls of Leather, CLAW, IML, ILW, and BearSKN Underwear.
The winner receives $1,000 in custom Leather from Twin Cities Leather and all travel and accommodations to IML, CLAW, and MAL. Twin Cities Leather, in partnership with the other contest sponsors, takes great pride in strongly supporting their titleholder.
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
