Friday, April 9, 2010

CONGRATULATIONS Brad Taylor, Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2010


1st Runner-up: Louie Pacheco, Mr. CSW Leather
2nd Runner-up: Chewy Morin, Mr. Ashram West Leather
Brotherhood Award: Pup Don Mike, Mr. Sister Leather

New York Welcomes the first Mr. Rawhide NYC Mr Rawhide, NYC Contest Winner Ryan Moller


The Leather Report
by Darrell Blackandblue

On Saturday March 13, history was made within the NYC Leather community when the city's oldest and original Leather/Levi bar, Rawhide, held it's first ever Mr. Rawhide, NYC leather competition. Despite the ominous wind and rain conditions outdoors the bar was packed with Leather men and women as they celebrated the competition and then the choosing of the first Mr. Rawhide, NYC, Ryan Moller. Ryan has been active in the leather, rubber and fetish scene in recent years and is a behind-the-scenes theatre professional. The other contestants had among them, an adult film star, a Rawhide regular and raconteur and a self-proclaimed Master’s boy. How did it feel to compete? “It was thrilling,” Ryan says, “to be in the first contest with such a group of great guys...(we) have become such great friends… guys that I (might) not have gotten close to otherwise.” The esteemed and diverse panel of judges and support staff consisted of a round up of New York nightlife scene makers and royalty of East Coast Leather titleholders. Will Clark, Porno Bingo impresario, emceed the night with DJ Delroy spinning tunes and Ray Daniels dancing "Coyote Ugly" style. Special Guest Judge, Mike Dreyden threatened to steal the show with his wisecracks and snarkitude! While running in a Leather contest might seem easy, don’t be fooled. “I have seen a few contests in the past, but never had the guts to stand up in front of everyone and do it myself,” Ryan continues, “The judges really made me feel at ease and confident (and showed me) that it was nothing to be scared of…on contest night the audience was wonderful, they really helped put me at ease, which is not easy when you are half-naked in front of strangers!”

What’s it like to chosen as a winner? Ryan tells me, “Winning means acceptance and that I have gained the confidence of the Leather community in NYC. Chosen by a panel of judges really ranging the gamut, it means that they trust that I was the best to go forth and represent the community, something I am really excited to do. It is great to know that the staff and patrons of Rawhide are ready to get behind a new guy and (hopefully) will support me during this title year and beyond.” Ryan will represent the bar and his local leather community through events, fundraising and charitable action. He will go onto compete at International Mister Leather in 2011.

Produced by Rawhide, NYC, and Leather First, NYC, the competition was sponsored by area businesses that support leather activities in NYC. The Mr. Rawhide, NYC Leather contest marks a new chapter for the Chelsea bar. It will soon host weekly and monthly Leather-themed parties, open to all NYC Leather communities. The bar and its new titleholder will be stars to watch in the coming year!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

THIS WEEKEND IN NYC BLACK PARTY

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!

LAL 2010 – LA contestants double click to see larger image

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.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

LA Area Leather/Fetish/Kink Clubs & Organizations

By: Kinky Brothers

You are very fortunate to be living here in the LA area because you can attend a leather, fetish, kink oriented event every night of the week. Compared to smaller cities around the country who may possibly have 1-2 events a month, we have so much to do and see around us. Get your fetish gear on and come out to see what is out there for you to enjoy, learn, participate, and dive in. Some of these clubs/organizations require membership to participate, but most have events for the public to enjoy as well. Check these out, maybe one or more may be of interest to you or have the courage to step out of the box to try something different.

Avatar Club Los Angeles -- www.AvatarLA.org
Avatar is a non-profit fraternal organization for gay men with interests in leather, kink, and fetish. Avatar promotes safe, sane, consensual and fun BDSM play. Monthly educational programs are open to all interested adults. Avatar Leather Lab provides men with hands-on educational programs. Avatar hosts dungeon play parties for men to play, practice, and learn BDSM/fetish/kink of different levels. Although Avatar is a membership by invitation organization, adults are welcomed at their public events. Avatar has proudly served the community as an educational forum since 1983.

Bears LA -- www.BearsLA.org
Bears LA was created 15 years ago to provide a social outlet for the Los Angeles and the surrounding area Bear community. We sponsor and organize a variety of social events, Mr. SoCal Bear and Mr. LA Leather Bear. We are an all-inclusive group supporting camaraderie, fun and friendship while giving to charitable causes and encouraging community service.

B&B Corps -- www.bbcorps.com
The California B & B Corps is a uniform club of men with mutual interest and respect for Boots and Breeches as worn by police motor officers. In 2008 The Corps celebrated its 40th anniversary. The longest established uniform club in the US, the B & B Corps began in 1968 in Los Angeles. The Corps presently has Divisions in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Palm Springs. The Corps sponsors club and public events throughout the year in the greater LA, SF, and PS areas.

Bears Ventura -- www.BearsVentura.org
Bears Ventura is an organization for Bears and their admirers. We are a social club which organizes activities for members that allow them to interact with each other, meet new people and make new friends. More importantly TO HAVE FUN. Throughout the year, Bears Ventura organizes activities for our members. Twice a year the club sponsors a retreat to Pine Mountain for “Bears in the Woods”, a weekend event in which members hike, eat, watch movies, play games, and enjoy each other’s company. On a monthly basis, the club hosts a beverage benefit and BBQ at Paddy’s in Ventura. Bears Ventura has a long-standing tradition of supporting various charities in and around our community. The support for the charities comes from the many fund raising activities done throughout the year

Genesis TNG -- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GenesisTNG
Genesis TNG (The Next Generation) is a special interest group established in 1999 for the younger participants (18-38) of the Lifestyle. We are a pansexual social and education group comprised of peers from various walks of the lifestyle. All experience levels, sexual orientations and interests are welcome. Genesis TNG is a "gateway" organization. While we do schedule our own events, encourage members to expand their knowledge amongst peers, and just hang out and have fun, we also provide the information, networking and support necessary to eventually transition into the larger community. Genesis TNG does not follow a “One-size-fits-all” philosophy. We encourage everyone to explore the various aspects of our lifestyle and utilize the vast resources our community has to offer.

LA Band of Brothers -- www.labrothers.org
We are current and former Los Angeles titleholders whose primary purpose is to support current and future titleholders born out of the Mr. L.A. Leather contest system, and to represent the unique and diverse tribe of the Los Angeles Leather Coalition. We do this by educating titleholders on ways to maximize their abilities, sharing our experience as titleholders, and maintaining a titleholder fund.

LA Boys of Leather -- www.LAboL.org
The LA Boys of Leather exists as a forum through which self-identified leatherboys may educate and learn, (about the brotherhood of boys and the leather community at large), provide fellowship and encouragement, socialize, have fun, and support each other and their community. We define the term 'leatherboy' as broadly as possible with the intent of being inclusive. The term 'leatherboy' is not limited to a particular age, gender, appearance or sexual orientation. Rather it represents a common dedication to service and devotion to the leather community. We gather in boyhood and brotherhood to support ourselves and our community with respect and integrity.

LOBOC -- www.loboc.com
LOBOC Motorcycle Club is a pansexual, pangendered motorcycle club, established in 1972. "LOBOC" stands for "LOng Beach & Orange County," (California) which is where our meetings and most events take place.

Masters And slaves Together -- www.mast.net/chapters/greater_los_angeles.htm
MAsT: Greater Los Angeles is a pansexual support and discussion group for those interested in the Master-Mistress/slave or Dominant/submissive relationship. Persons of any gender and sexual orientation are welcome.

Maximus Cigars/Pipes & Smoke Club -- www.n2maximus.com
Maximus organizes quarterly socials and periodic smokers for Real Men and butch boys — not the nelly or faint of heart — who know, crave and indulge in the macho appeal and libido-stoking lure of cigar-smoking, pipe-smoking, and the he-man camaraderie and male bonding they stir up. Where there's smoke, there's fire — and you'll find both at MAXIMUS gatherings. If you're looking for the tobacco-fumed company of like-minded, red-blooded men who share your cigar and pipe fetishes big time, you've come to right place.

Moonburn Men’s Spanking Club -- MoonburnLA@sbcglobal.net
Moonburn is a group of men who host a monthly all-male spanking party in Los Angeles the first Saturday of every month in the North Hollywood area from 2-6 PM. Come play, socialize, learn and meet others who are into spanking, paddling, caning and impact play.

Oedipus Motorcycle Club -- www.omcla.org
Oedipus’ focus is motorcycle riding and related social activities, serving the gay and lesbian community. Members ride a variety of motorcycles, ranging from sports bikes, cruisers, Harley’s and more. Come join us on one of our monthly rides to see for yourself. Our rides cover various regions throughout the Southern California area, from Ojai to Long Beach, and many areas in-between.

Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert (PSLOD) -- www.PSlod.org
PSLOD is a pansexual organization of like-minded individuals pursuing an interest in the Leather/SM/Fetish lifestyle, with an interest in fundraising for the local community. PSLOD produces the annual “Turning Up the Heat” leather pride weekend in November where they select their Mr. Palm Springs Leather titleholder.

Radical And Wicked Women (RAWW) -- www.myspace.com/keepingitraww
RAWW is an organization for women with interests in leather, BDSM, fetish and kink. They promote safe, sane, consensual and fun play. They host monthly gatherings for networking, socializing, and learning different fetishes. The night usually ends with a dungeon play party which gets hot and loads of fun.

Palm Springs Boys of Leather -- www.PSboL.com
Palm Springs Boys of Leather is to provide leatherboys a forum to have fun, learn, educate, socialize, contribute, and support each other and their community. The PS Boys of Leather is a group of self-identified leatherboys. The term leatherboy is defined as broadly as possible with the intent of being inclusive, and boy not being based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, or appearance. Our purpose is to gather in brotherhood and boyhood, supporting our members and our community with respect and integrity.

Orange Coast Leather Assembly (OCLA) -- www.OCLA.org
OCLA is an education and outreach organization for the Leather, S/M and Fetish community in Orange County, Long Beach, South Bay, Greater L.A. and the surrounding areas of Southern California. OCLA is open to adults 18 years of age and older, of all genders and sexual orientations, from absolute novice to skilled experts, who socialize and learn from each other. OCLA is a non-membership group that promotes individual and community health, safety and growth and functions as an information source. Learn safe, sane and consensual S/M practices. Meet other people who share your interests. Hear from noted authorities in the field of S/M.

The Regiment of the Black & Tans -- www.BlackandTans.org
The Regiment of the Black and Tans is a Los Angeles based social and fraternal organization for men with an interest in uniforms. Founded in 1974, the Southland's most active uniform club sponsors 3-6 uniform events annually. Their most notable event, Maneuvers 2010, is happening April 30-May 2 and GRUNT is held in the Fall season.

Satyrs Motorcycle Club -- www.SatyrsMC.org
The Satyrs Motorcycle Club was founded in 1954 and is the longest, continuously-running gay organization in America. The main purpose of the club is to promote motorcycling. However, the club also participates in and promotes many social and charitable activities. It sponsors group bike rides - sometimes to raise funds for charities - and holds parties, weekend runs, and beverage benefits in addition to the monthly meetings for club members. The Badger Flat Campground is the site of the club's grand event each year: The four-day run on Labor Day weekend. This hugely popular event attracts bikers and their friends from all over the US and abroad.

Trident International/LA -- www.reocities.com/WestHollywood/1279/
Trident International/Los Angeles is a leather/uniform social club for gay men of any race or physical condition. It is one of 12 "halls" in Trident International, founded in 1973 at Montreal's Neptune bar. That's why our insignia combines the three-pronged fork of King Neptune, mythical god of the sea, with the fleur-de-lis emblem of Canada's Quebec Province. Trident International Los Angeles is not only one of the most open clubs of it's kind in the area, but the only one with a true international affiliation.

So. California Bondage Club -- www.SoCABondage.com
We are a men’s bondage club that meets monthly on the second Friday night in the North Hollywood area for BONDAGE FRIDAY play parties. We welcome both experienced players and newbies. This is a great place to learn the ropes! So bring your rope, restraints, favorite toys or just a desire to learn. We encourage safe, sane, consensual and fun play and encourage everyone to always be respectful of other's scenes and space.

Threshold Society -- www.Threshold.org
Threshold is a non-profit educational and support organization for adults (18 and older) who have an interest in sado-masochism and other activities involved in the safe and consensual exchange of power. Our common belief is that BDSM and Power Exchange is a healthy means of self-exploration and self-expression. We strive to provide forums to promote greater understanding of BDSM issues within our community and beyond.
Threshold seeks to provide a sense of community for our members by organizing a variety of educational and social events.

Warriors Motorcycle Club -- www.WarriorsMC.org
The Warriors established in 1969 as a California nonprofit corporation formed for the primary purpose of promoting safe and enjoyable motorcycling for its members. It is limited to 16 members, at least 2/3 of whom must own and ride a motorcycle. Regular meetings are held monthly, and various events open to the public are sponsored by the club each year.

For a quick glance at what’s happening in your area any night of the week and news reports with photos of events, check out these sites:

www.theleather.blogspot.com
www.freewebs.com/laleatherbdsm/index.htm
www.instigatormagazine.com
www.theleatherjournal.com
www.Leatherati.com