The Pacific Coast Motor Club is going ahead with their famous Black Mountain Run, set for the July 30 - August 3 weekend, once again at the club’s traditional campground of 44 years, high in the woods above Palm Springs and Idyllwild, California. Last year, the Black Mountain site had to be evacuated at the last minute as a precaution because a wildfire elsewhere in that forest required the full attention of authorities. The Big Bear campground where the party regrouped turned out to be so pleasant and convenient that it was considered for this year’s run, but tradition and a love for the original location won out.
One reason for the run’s survival into these times is its evolution into a “pioneer-style” event, where the club’s meal and equipment responsibilities are more manageable for a downsized membership. Guests arrive when they want and bring whatever they expect to need for meals other than Friday night and Saturday; food and equipment resources are often pooled and sporadic potluck snacks and banquets arise spontaneously. The LA Chapter of Trident International regularly contributes Saturday breakfast, and sometimes one LA-area bar or another contributes a Friday happy hour party.
The centerpiece of New York-based Excelsior Motorcycle Club’s 39th Anniversary Weekend Run, from May 16 to 18 in Cherry Grove, Fire Island, New York, and bawdily billed as “Uranus Needs Men,” was the 14th annual Mr. Fire Island Leather contest, at the Ice Palace nightclub in the Grove Hotel on May 17, and Excelsior Treasurer Victor “Vic” Skolnik, besting two other contenders, was chosen as Mr. Fire Island Leather 2014 by a panel of four judges.
Island Breeze restaurant bartender Stevie Rich, as audience favorite, won the title of Mr. Meat Rack, and singer Edd, the third contestant, was awarded a $25 Ice Palace bar tab.
Entertainer Ariel Sinclair, celebrating 14 years as contest co-host, and porn star and former Mr. FI Leather Collin Stone served as emcees. DJ Chuck McTague was responsible for music, lights, and sound.
The Mr. Bear San Diego 2014 contest was held on Saturday 29, 2014 at The Hole. Three contestants vied for the opportunity to represent the Bears San Diego this year: David Ferguson, Jeff Breeze, and Phil Leggitt. Contestants withstood a private interview with a panel of judges at 6 PM.
The four-judge panel consisted of Everardo Aguilar, Mr. San Diego Bear 2001; Sister Ghana Maria from the San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence or The Asylum of the Tortured Heart; Ben Hernandez, Mr. SoCal Bear 2013; and this author.
Emceed by the wonderful and entertaining Empress XXV Roxie Bleau, the contest also drew many Sisters and one fearless Guard from the Asylum of the Tortured Heart, who showered the venue with blessings, songs, sass, and naturally…glitter.
On working with the Sisters, contest producer and Bears San Diego Treasurer Jeff Rosenfeld said, “The Sisters have truly been our partners in our fundraising endeavors throughout this year. We could not accomplish what we do without them.”The contestants were introduced to the audience in Casual Wear (everyday clothes). After a break, the three men took turns on stage in Bear Wear (what makes them feel sexy).
Los Angeles Leather Pride Week was huge and what a production is was, with the main event at Circus Disco in Hollywood being the 15th Annual Mr. LA Leather Contest where Eagle LA Mr. Leather 2014 Eric Paul Leue was best in a field of 10 men vying for the opportunity to represent the City of the Angels at International Mr. Leather in Chicago.
The theme for LA Leather Pride 2014 was Brethern = Blood, Building the Bonds of Brotherhood.
There was a ton of events that started at the ONE Archives Foundation near the USC campus with a motorcycle ride that stopped at several popular Leather businesses while working their way to the Bullet Bar in North Hollywood, Chariots of Fire with the Mr. LA Leather contestants, Payasos LA and followers on Sunday morning, March 22 followed by Odyssey: The Road to Mr. LA Leather the opening party of LA Leather Pride hosted by Avatar Club Los Angeles put on Odyssey: The Road to Mr. LA Leather – the traditional kick off party to Mr. LA Leather Pride where the contestants for Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2014 drew their numbers. The Bullet has recently been remodeled and the back room behind the patio was converted to a VIP lounge.
On Saturday, February 8th, Mr. Eagle NYC 2013 Arsenio Amadis and Mr. Connecticut Leather 2014 Omar L. Boots presented the first Leather Care Ribbons fundraiser in New Haven, Connecticut: a benefit for AIDS Project New Haven (APNH). The highly successful event was held at the Malaysian restaurant Bentara and included a family-style dinner, live entertainment, raffles, and handmade Leather red ribbons for sale with all proceeds going to APNH.
Performers that night included Empress MMXIII of The Imperial Sovereign Court of All Connecticut Morgana De Luxe, Lucia Virginity, Shaun Casey, and Arsenio Amadis himself.
Omar L. Boots described how the event came to life, "At the beginning of my title year I made a list of things to do during my title year-- including charitable events and activities to reach different groups of our community: Leather, non-Leather, drag queens, and all the LGBTQ people, including people of color and Latinos... and also to interact with the straight community. I believe that Title holders can make a positive difference in our community"
It was announced on stage at the Hotel Whitcomb on Market Street on Saturday night, March 1 that Mr. San Francisco Leather 2014 is Scott "Big Red" Farrell. The first runner-up was Mr. San Francisco Eagle Leather Gage Fisher and the second runner-up was Mr. Daddy’s Barbershop Leather. Six men competed.
Heading the judging panel was Mr. San Francisco Leather 2013 who was the fifth Mr. San Francisco Leather titleholder to win the International Mr. Leather title. The other four were IML 1979 David Kloss representing the Brig, IML 1981 Marty Kiker representing the Brig, IML 1985 Patrick Tone representing Chaps and IML 1992 Lenny Broberg.
Joining Andy were Mr. LA Leather 2013 Justin Emerick, Mr. Bolt Leather 2013 Robert Brooks, Mr. Santa Clara County Leather 2012 Thib Guichard-Callin, Ms San Francisco Leather 2013 Val Langmuir and Judge Emeritus Garry "Marlena" McLain.
The emcees were Mr. San Francisco Leather 2013 Darren Bondy and International Mr. Leather 198 Mike Pereyra.
As Mr. Legion of Sin, Scott Farrell is a muscled redhead who is Mr. September on the 2014 Bare Chest Calendar. Big Red is a member of BaGG (Bondage a Go Go) and is the secretary of the San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance. He will compete at International Mr. Leather in Chicago in May.
On Saturday, February 1, The Care Bears International Daddy Bear 2009 Joe Mannetti and Mr. North American Bear 2012 Jed Ryan presented Forever Fierce, a benefit for the New York City-based organization FIERCE at the West Village Bear/Leather hotspot.
The fundraiser was organized with the participation of John Blasco who is President of ONYX Northeast and Lead Organizer of FIERCE. Forever Fierce featured live performances by Mr. Eagle 2013 Arsenio
Amadis, Justice LaBoy who is the lead singer of modern rock band Mad for Justice and popular drag diva Candy Samples.
Also in attendance were The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, celebrity/fashion photographer Mr. Paddles NYC 2013 Rob Ordonez and the men of ONYX, the national Leather fraternity of Men of Color.
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
