Wednesday, March 17, 2010
New York’s Leather Organizations
The Leather Report
By Darrell BlackandBlue
New York’s Leather Organizations
By now you are knee deep in underwear and leather accessories as you buy, choose and edit what you are wearing around town during The Saint At Large’s Black Party Weekend. So many places to go, so many men, so many costume changes! I’m sure it is enough to make you wonder, “What is this all about anyway?” and “Is it all just about animal hides and see-through clothes?” Well yes it is. And no it certainly isn’t.
“The Leather Scene” is about sexuality, tradition, respect, education, charity and the spirit of working and building things together. As quietly as it is kept, these ideas are alive well in the leather clubs that live and thrive in NYC.
Leather Pride Night
Not so much an organization as a monthly meeting of organizations, charities and individuals; working together to produce the annual Leather Pride Night Auction every June. A fun way to learn about the politics, the struggles and concerns of the wide range of fetish people that meet to plan an event that raises money for a number of area charities.
Meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Center. www.leatherpridenight.com
Empire City Motorcycle Club & Excelsior Motorcycle Club
The most traditional of leather clubs are the MC’s or motorcycle clubs. These gay male bikers groups are open to active bikers who own motorcycles. Regular social events and rides are held. Empire City MC is oldest ongoing gay all-riding organization in the country. Founded in 1964, it is also the oldest ongoing gay organization east of the Rockies. Excelsior M.C. began in 1975 when a group of four men shared a room on Fire Island where they spent "Leather Weekend”. The original four members felt a kinship with the club Empire City MC. And ECMC lent them a copy of their constitution and supported them in their beginning stages of forming the club Excelsior.
Meetings are held at the Center. www.excelsiormc.org/ & www.empirecitymc.com
Iron Guard
Iron Guard states their purpose as a club that displays character and leadership in sustaining and supporting the gay leather/levi community in NYC and beyond. Some of the members are bikers, but the club is not a riding club. They come from all vocations and ages. Iron Guard participates in bar nights to raise money for the club and benefits AIDS charities.
Meetings are on the last Tuesday of each month over a casual dinner. All are welcome!
www.ironguardbc.org
MAsT
MAsT: NYC (Masters and slaves Together NYC) is a discussion group for NYC area gay men involved in or interested in the Master/slave lifestyle as well as Daddy/boy and other Dom/sub relationships. Their monthly meetings provide a forum for issues that concern Masters and slaves, to share ideas and knowledge of the lifestyle, and to socialize with others who appreciate the special character of these relationships. The group is about living the reality and/or exploring the issues with living the reality of Master and slave relationships.
Meetings are on the 4th Sunday of the month at The Center. http://mast.net/chapters/new_york_city
Onyx New York
Onyx New York was formed in early 2005 as a NYC chapter of the famed Chicago Onyx Men, a primarily African-American Leather Men and Associates group. They aim to share information and address issues specific to men of color who chose to discuss and/or participate in the leather lifestyle. They hold fundraising bar nights, cultural events, and demo events.
Meetings are on the second Sunday of every month at the Center. www.onyxnewyork.com
New York boys of Leather
New York boys of Leather is a leather social organization whose mission is to provide leatherboys with a forum to have fun, learn, educate, socialize, and support each other and the leather community.
They are a group of kinky people who generally like the submissive or bottom side of things. They define themselves as fun-loving “leatherboys” with a youthful outlook, though they can be of any age or gender as long as one displays masculine energy, and is attracted to masculine energy.
NyboL regularly has fundraisers and activities that benefit local charities. They also give in time and service and can be seen in force at Leather Pride Night and Folsom Street East. They also organize social outings for their members and the community at large. In the past, events have included trips to the theater, to movies, and even to Brooklyn.
Meetings are on the second Thursday of the month at The Center. www.nybol.org
Folsom Street East
Folsom Street East is the largest outdoor fetish street festival on the eastern coast, bringing thousands of kinky people out onto the streets of New York City on a summer afternoon to celebrate sexual diversity and expression. The Gay Men’s S&M Association (GMSMA) (now defunct) held the first Folsom Street East in 1997. Named after the famous Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco, the block party was an instant success, bringing S/M-Leather-Fetish brothers and sisters together for a celebration, while raising money to support worthy causes. Over the past 13 years, Folsom Street East street festival has donated more than $250,000 to organizations like The Center, the NYC Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) and God’s Love We Deliver.
Folsom Street East is a volunteer event, and needs people to setup, run the event during the day, and break it down. Volunteer forms can be found at their website. www.folsomstreeteast.org
New York has had may other clubs that have come and gone, but there survives a heart and spirit of leather brotherhood in which all of that all of us can take part. Seize it!
By Darrell BlackandBlue
New York’s Leather Organizations
By now you are knee deep in underwear and leather accessories as you buy, choose and edit what you are wearing around town during The Saint At Large’s Black Party Weekend. So many places to go, so many men, so many costume changes! I’m sure it is enough to make you wonder, “What is this all about anyway?” and “Is it all just about animal hides and see-through clothes?” Well yes it is. And no it certainly isn’t.
“The Leather Scene” is about sexuality, tradition, respect, education, charity and the spirit of working and building things together. As quietly as it is kept, these ideas are alive well in the leather clubs that live and thrive in NYC.
Leather Pride Night
Not so much an organization as a monthly meeting of organizations, charities and individuals; working together to produce the annual Leather Pride Night Auction every June. A fun way to learn about the politics, the struggles and concerns of the wide range of fetish people that meet to plan an event that raises money for a number of area charities.
Meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Center. www.leatherpridenight.com
Empire City Motorcycle Club & Excelsior Motorcycle Club
The most traditional of leather clubs are the MC’s or motorcycle clubs. These gay male bikers groups are open to active bikers who own motorcycles. Regular social events and rides are held. Empire City MC is oldest ongoing gay all-riding organization in the country. Founded in 1964, it is also the oldest ongoing gay organization east of the Rockies. Excelsior M.C. began in 1975 when a group of four men shared a room on Fire Island where they spent "Leather Weekend”. The original four members felt a kinship with the club Empire City MC. And ECMC lent them a copy of their constitution and supported them in their beginning stages of forming the club Excelsior.
Meetings are held at the Center. www.excelsiormc.org/ & www.empirecitymc.com
Iron Guard
Iron Guard states their purpose as a club that displays character and leadership in sustaining and supporting the gay leather/levi community in NYC and beyond. Some of the members are bikers, but the club is not a riding club. They come from all vocations and ages. Iron Guard participates in bar nights to raise money for the club and benefits AIDS charities.
Meetings are on the last Tuesday of each month over a casual dinner. All are welcome!
www.ironguardbc.org
MAsT
MAsT: NYC (Masters and slaves Together NYC) is a discussion group for NYC area gay men involved in or interested in the Master/slave lifestyle as well as Daddy/boy and other Dom/sub relationships. Their monthly meetings provide a forum for issues that concern Masters and slaves, to share ideas and knowledge of the lifestyle, and to socialize with others who appreciate the special character of these relationships. The group is about living the reality and/or exploring the issues with living the reality of Master and slave relationships.
Meetings are on the 4th Sunday of the month at The Center. http://mast.net/chapters/new_york_city
Onyx New York
Onyx New York was formed in early 2005 as a NYC chapter of the famed Chicago Onyx Men, a primarily African-American Leather Men and Associates group. They aim to share information and address issues specific to men of color who chose to discuss and/or participate in the leather lifestyle. They hold fundraising bar nights, cultural events, and demo events.
Meetings are on the second Sunday of every month at the Center. www.onyxnewyork.com
New York boys of Leather
New York boys of Leather is a leather social organization whose mission is to provide leatherboys with a forum to have fun, learn, educate, socialize, and support each other and the leather community.
They are a group of kinky people who generally like the submissive or bottom side of things. They define themselves as fun-loving “leatherboys” with a youthful outlook, though they can be of any age or gender as long as one displays masculine energy, and is attracted to masculine energy.
NyboL regularly has fundraisers and activities that benefit local charities. They also give in time and service and can be seen in force at Leather Pride Night and Folsom Street East. They also organize social outings for their members and the community at large. In the past, events have included trips to the theater, to movies, and even to Brooklyn.
Meetings are on the second Thursday of the month at The Center. www.nybol.org
Folsom Street East
Folsom Street East is the largest outdoor fetish street festival on the eastern coast, bringing thousands of kinky people out onto the streets of New York City on a summer afternoon to celebrate sexual diversity and expression. The Gay Men’s S&M Association (GMSMA) (now defunct) held the first Folsom Street East in 1997. Named after the famous Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco, the block party was an instant success, bringing S/M-Leather-Fetish brothers and sisters together for a celebration, while raising money to support worthy causes. Over the past 13 years, Folsom Street East street festival has donated more than $250,000 to organizations like The Center, the NYC Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) and God’s Love We Deliver.
Folsom Street East is a volunteer event, and needs people to setup, run the event during the day, and break it down. Volunteer forms can be found at their website. www.folsomstreeteast.org
New York has had may other clubs that have come and gone, but there survives a heart and spirit of leather brotherhood in which all of that all of us can take part. Seize it!
LAL 2010 – LA Leather Weekend
March 26th-28th
Get your leather, kink, fetish gear on and get to the biggest leather weekend party now! The ten feeder contests are done and the winners are selected, prepped and ready to compete for the coveted Mr. LA Leather 2010 title. Who will win? Do you have your choice? So much is happening as you read this, so get going. If you haven’t gotten any of your leather gear yet, stop by 665 Leather in West Hollywood, Rough Trade in Silver Lake or The Stockroom in Silver Lake to get into the hottest leather/fetish gear you can. Show off your chest in a harness or flaunt that bubble butt in leather chaps and jockstrap. Add the boots and don’t forget the lube! Check out these official leather events during LAL 2010:
3/21 -- Avatar Leather Lot Party
Avatar’s annual Leather Lot Party shakes things up at the Faultline Bar on Melrose & Vermont. The parking lot is closed off for the ride in of the LAL 2010 leather contestants on motorcycles to be introduced to you. Check out the meat on stage! A BBQ will help absorb the beer intake and Avatar will be glad to show you the ropes or any kinky thought you may have. $5 entry from 2-7PM on Sunday afternoon.
3/24 -- Hell on Wheels
Strap on those roller skates or bring your in-line skates to the kinkiest night on wheels. Get the leather/fetish gear on and roll with the kinksters at the Moonlight Roller Rink in Glendale. Skate to wild grooves from the house DJ or hang with the kinksters on the sidelines. Yup, a great cruising night as well. $10 entry (includes skate rental) from 7:30-10PM on Wednesday night.
3/25 -- A Decade of Mr. LA Leather
Tonight we celebrate a decade of Mr. LA Leathers by honoring and recognizing former Mr. LA Leather titleholders and celebrate the upcoming selection of Mr. LA Leather 2010. A multi-media event is planned for the night’s cocktail reception which will bring back many memories. Join us at JT’s Stockroom in Silver Lake for a celebratory night with LA’s finest leather folk from 7-9PM.
3/25 -- Roast & Toast of Mr. LA Leather 2009
Here is your chance to take a shot at Ken Hearst, Mr. LA Leather 2009, as the community roast & toast him to no end. Take the mic to razz and praise Ken about his title year, his disco dancing, his therapy sessions, and then some. All is game for lots of laughter and maybe some tears. Ken placed 6th place overall at International Mr. Leather. Free entry at Oil Can Harry’s loft bar from 9-11PM.
3/26 -- Southland Honors
Leather folk will gather on this special night to recognize groups and individuals for their tireless work in our local leather community. Service awards will be bestowed upon groups and individuals in this formal leather event, so formal attire will be most appropriate. Southland Honors will be held at the Henry David Hwang Theatre in Little Tokyo, downtown LA from 7-10PM on Friday night with a cocktail reception. Tickets can be purchased at www.MrLALeather.com.
3/26 -- Cigar Social & Rub Out
Get your rubber/latex and/or leather gear on and get to the Eagle LA to hang with some cigar smokin’ hot men. Maximus provides the smokes and you provide the fire. Just don’t get the cigars and fire too close to the rubber/latex. Maybe the Daddy of your dreams is waiting there for you.
3/27 -- Mr. LA Leather 2010 Contest
The main event of the weekend is the fun and impressive Mr. LA Leather 2010 contest show at the Henry David Hwang Theatre in Little Tokyo, downtown LA. Ten contestants will vie for the coveted title to represent the LA leather community. The winner will go on to compete at International Mr. Leather this May in Chicago. The 1st Runner-up has the option to go on to compete at American Brotherhood Weekend this July in Chicago. Past LA winners have gone on to win larger titles: Mike Gerle, IML 2007; Randy Carmenaty, ABW 2008; and Alex Lindsay, ABW 2009. Who will be the next Mr. LA Leather? Get your tickets at www.MrLALeather.com.
3/28 -- LAL Victory BBQ
Meet and congratulate the newly crowned Mr. LA Leather 2010 and the rest of the LAL 2010 class of titleholders. As they say, come meet the MEAT! The celebration continues Sunday at The Bullet Bar in North Hollywood with a delicious BBQ and beer bust. This promises not to be your average burger and hot dog BBQ. Don’t forget your cameras and come hungry from 4-8PM.
Many Other Kinky Events
There are many other leather events happening during the week that will peek your interest and juices:
3/22 -- SPANK Karaoke www.bulletbarla.com
Kinky fun karaoke singing with a twist every Monday night with an entertaining host, Alex. Take the mic and sing to your hearts content. A little high kick with your boots won’t hurt either.
3/27-28 -- Erotic Art Fair www.tomoffinlandfoundation.org
Tom of Finland Foundation 15th Annual Erotic Art Fair Wknd @ West Hollywood Park. Some extraordinary erotic artists gather for the weekend to show off and sell their artwork. If you ever wanted to draw from a nude live model, here’s your chance. Bring your drawing pad and checkbook to pick up some erotic artwork for your home, office or dungeon.
3/27 -- Anvil Club www.anvil-club.com
Anvil Club is all about cruising and socializing in your gear and all of the back hallways are dedicated to major darkroom action. It's a full-on gear dress code club in a private space that features a fully equipped dungeon and a huge darkroom. Dress code fully enforced.
3/28 -- Interfaith Leather Celebration Service www.mccinthevalley.com
Sunday church service with a leather theme at MCC in the Valley, North Hollywood. Wear your Sunday best leather gear. Free entry from 11AM-1PM.
Get your leather, kink, fetish gear on and get to the biggest leather weekend party now! The ten feeder contests are done and the winners are selected, prepped and ready to compete for the coveted Mr. LA Leather 2010 title. Who will win? Do you have your choice? So much is happening as you read this, so get going. If you haven’t gotten any of your leather gear yet, stop by 665 Leather in West Hollywood, Rough Trade in Silver Lake or The Stockroom in Silver Lake to get into the hottest leather/fetish gear you can. Show off your chest in a harness or flaunt that bubble butt in leather chaps and jockstrap. Add the boots and don’t forget the lube! Check out these official leather events during LAL 2010:
3/21 -- Avatar Leather Lot Party
Avatar’s annual Leather Lot Party shakes things up at the Faultline Bar on Melrose & Vermont. The parking lot is closed off for the ride in of the LAL 2010 leather contestants on motorcycles to be introduced to you. Check out the meat on stage! A BBQ will help absorb the beer intake and Avatar will be glad to show you the ropes or any kinky thought you may have. $5 entry from 2-7PM on Sunday afternoon.
3/24 -- Hell on Wheels
Strap on those roller skates or bring your in-line skates to the kinkiest night on wheels. Get the leather/fetish gear on and roll with the kinksters at the Moonlight Roller Rink in Glendale. Skate to wild grooves from the house DJ or hang with the kinksters on the sidelines. Yup, a great cruising night as well. $10 entry (includes skate rental) from 7:30-10PM on Wednesday night.
3/25 -- A Decade of Mr. LA Leather
Tonight we celebrate a decade of Mr. LA Leathers by honoring and recognizing former Mr. LA Leather titleholders and celebrate the upcoming selection of Mr. LA Leather 2010. A multi-media event is planned for the night’s cocktail reception which will bring back many memories. Join us at JT’s Stockroom in Silver Lake for a celebratory night with LA’s finest leather folk from 7-9PM.
3/25 -- Roast & Toast of Mr. LA Leather 2009
Here is your chance to take a shot at Ken Hearst, Mr. LA Leather 2009, as the community roast & toast him to no end. Take the mic to razz and praise Ken about his title year, his disco dancing, his therapy sessions, and then some. All is game for lots of laughter and maybe some tears. Ken placed 6th place overall at International Mr. Leather. Free entry at Oil Can Harry’s loft bar from 9-11PM.
3/26 -- Southland Honors
Leather folk will gather on this special night to recognize groups and individuals for their tireless work in our local leather community. Service awards will be bestowed upon groups and individuals in this formal leather event, so formal attire will be most appropriate. Southland Honors will be held at the Henry David Hwang Theatre in Little Tokyo, downtown LA from 7-10PM on Friday night with a cocktail reception. Tickets can be purchased at www.MrLALeather.com.
3/26 -- Cigar Social & Rub Out
Get your rubber/latex and/or leather gear on and get to the Eagle LA to hang with some cigar smokin’ hot men. Maximus provides the smokes and you provide the fire. Just don’t get the cigars and fire too close to the rubber/latex. Maybe the Daddy of your dreams is waiting there for you.
3/27 -- Mr. LA Leather 2010 Contest
The main event of the weekend is the fun and impressive Mr. LA Leather 2010 contest show at the Henry David Hwang Theatre in Little Tokyo, downtown LA. Ten contestants will vie for the coveted title to represent the LA leather community. The winner will go on to compete at International Mr. Leather this May in Chicago. The 1st Runner-up has the option to go on to compete at American Brotherhood Weekend this July in Chicago. Past LA winners have gone on to win larger titles: Mike Gerle, IML 2007; Randy Carmenaty, ABW 2008; and Alex Lindsay, ABW 2009. Who will be the next Mr. LA Leather? Get your tickets at www.MrLALeather.com.
3/28 -- LAL Victory BBQ
Meet and congratulate the newly crowned Mr. LA Leather 2010 and the rest of the LAL 2010 class of titleholders. As they say, come meet the MEAT! The celebration continues Sunday at The Bullet Bar in North Hollywood with a delicious BBQ and beer bust. This promises not to be your average burger and hot dog BBQ. Don’t forget your cameras and come hungry from 4-8PM.
Many Other Kinky Events
There are many other leather events happening during the week that will peek your interest and juices:
3/22 -- SPANK Karaoke www.bulletbarla.com
Kinky fun karaoke singing with a twist every Monday night with an entertaining host, Alex. Take the mic and sing to your hearts content. A little high kick with your boots won’t hurt either.
3/27-28 -- Erotic Art Fair www.tomoffinlandfoundation.org
Tom of Finland Foundation 15th Annual Erotic Art Fair Wknd @ West Hollywood Park. Some extraordinary erotic artists gather for the weekend to show off and sell their artwork. If you ever wanted to draw from a nude live model, here’s your chance. Bring your drawing pad and checkbook to pick up some erotic artwork for your home, office or dungeon.
3/27 -- Anvil Club www.anvil-club.com
Anvil Club is all about cruising and socializing in your gear and all of the back hallways are dedicated to major darkroom action. It's a full-on gear dress code club in a private space that features a fully equipped dungeon and a huge darkroom. Dress code fully enforced.
3/28 -- Interfaith Leather Celebration Service www.mccinthevalley.com
Sunday church service with a leather theme at MCC in the Valley, North Hollywood. Wear your Sunday best leather gear. Free entry from 11AM-1PM.
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