Leatherati

Sydney Leather Pride Week 2010

 New Sydney Leather Pride Association (SLPA) president Rod Spark is a man on a mission — to make Sydney’s leather and fetish community feel comfortable wearing their outfits of choice when and where they please.

Leather Pride Week 2010 — which runs July 10-17 — will mark the beginning of that mission. A week where Sydney Leather Pride will refocus and refresh its commitment to the community.

“Leather Pride Week has always been an evolving and growing event. We always try to provide something fresh for our community, be it new venues or new events and this year will be no different,” Spark told Sydney Star Observer.

Interview with Durk Dehner, President of the Tom of Finland Foundation

Check out this 4-part interview with Durk Dehner, President and Co-Founder of the Tom of Finland Foundation located in Los Angeles, CA.

Aside from his work with preserving and promoting erotic art, Durk also has quite a history in the leather community.  Did you know he was the first runner up to the very first IML back in 1979?  And there's quite a story to go with that.  

You can get more information on the Tom of Finland Foundation at www.tomoffinlandfoundation.org

 

Eagle LA Mr Rubber 2010

There are contests and then there are Rubber Contests.  Dark, shiny, slick and sometimes industrial but always sexy.  At least that's how the pigs at the Eagle LA play it!

Friday, June 25th the guys took to the stage for the Eagle LA Mr Rubber 2010 contest.  Manhandling the stage was none other than the infamous George Geary.  Contestants Marcus and Jasun worked George's nerves as they worked the stage for the title. 

Judging the event (and let's face it...we ALL judge) were Gregory from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Jeff Gent of Rubellion Rubber, Eagle LA Mr Rubber 2009 Chris McFaul, and Loren Berthelsen of West Coast Rubber and Leatherati.com

Appearances by "Gaga", one contestant's mom, and monster dildos brought the event down to the proper level of debauchery and helped the judges select a winner.  

When the talcum powder settled, Marcus emerged as Eagle LA Mr Rubber for 2010.

Interview with Tyler McCormick, IML 2010

We caught up with the new International Mr Leather Tyler McCormick shortly after his win at IML.  During our two part interview we talked about his journey into leather, his history-making title win and the ensuing controversy

 

Teaching Extreme BDSM Play

Master John Weal is a very accomplished BDSM educator and we recently approached him about the issue of teaching extreme BDSM.  There are some factions in our community that think we shouldn't be in the business of educating on topics like hook pulls or breath play.  We asked Master John for his opinion on the topic.

WHY should we teach extreme classes to our lifestyle you ask?  Well if we don’t several things will happen, none of which are positive.  In this time where people are lear  ning things through the Internet and through watching videos, many of these educational venues don’t talk about the techniques or pitfalls behind edge play.  People are getting seriously hurt and even dying because of the lack of education in extreme BDSM.  

First off,  I am a teacher of extreme BDSM and teach everything from blood sports to crucifixion and more, including breath play.  It is my opinion and I've seen others teach simple classes and not be properly educated and teach such things like telling people to use 90 percent isopropyl alcohol instead of 70 percent in fire play.  The difference is night and day.  

My dear friend Lamalani, IMSL 2009,  and I were just talking about a class where someone was teaching fire play and didn’t mention using only cotton thread, string or whatever you need to make the fire wand they used nylon thread and caused burns in a fire class.  Oh my god that teacher should never teach again!  If good teachers are teaching, then extreme BDSM should be taught so everyone can get good correct information.  

Play It Up!

The LA area is dungeon central in the next few weeks!

DV8

Men’s Dungeon Play Party on Saturday, June 26 
9PM – 2AM

A night of hard BDSM play with lots of play equipment and Men/boys in fetish gear

Tix are limited -  www.DV8.eventbrite.com

Location with ticket purchase.  21+ only

YARD

Then on Friday, July 9th at the infamous Lair de Sade the LA Band of Brothers present their latest edition of Yard, the super-hot men's gear, fetish, play party.

Tix are just $25 and available at www.yardla.com

SOCAL BONDAGE CLUB

Also on Friday, July 9th, it's the SoCal Bondage Club's regular monthly meeting with hot bondage guys from around the LA area.  The guys meet in a fully equipped bondage space and it's always a good time.

Info at www.SoCalBondage.com

By way the bondage nights are the second Friday of every month.

ANVIL CLUB

For the guys out there that really get off on gearing up, check out the extreme dress code party at Anvil Club.

Anvil Club is an old-school retool of our hottest leather bars with an enforced dress code and tons of hot bar/backroom action.

This month Anvil Club is on Saturday, July 31 from 10 PM to 4 AM.  Info and applications at www.anvil-club.com

Young Gay Blood

by Tynan Fox - tynanfox.com

There’s been quite a bit of discussion about how to attract young gay blood, mostly from older members of the leather community. Perhaps we should be asking the young gay blood precisely what they think, rather than speculating.  I’m 25 years old, and have been active since I was 18.  Like it or not, here it is.

My primary fetish is bondage; until recently, I’ve never wanted to explore leather.  Why?  I thought that in order to be into leather, you had to be at least 45 years old, 45 lbs overweight, and 45% covered in dark, thick body hair.  The only instances I ever saw Leathermen, whether on Recon, porn, or otherwise, consisted of men precisely like that.  When I was 23 I finally met a sexy guy close to my own age into leather.  What a changing experience that was.  Even without this, I wanted to go to IML badly for years and years, thanks to all the crazy stories friends told.  Finally, this year I had the time and money to do so.  Why would I do that, if I’ve admittedly never been that enthusiastic about leather?

I attended because I wanted to get laid, and meet other guys into bondage.

An IML DIssenter

Editor's note: We debated long and hard over publishing this submission and in the end we decided that censorship would be a dIsservice to our community, which is comprised of individuals from across the ideological spectrum.  We welcome all comments and submissions but reserve the right to edit or not publish items with extreme profanity or hate language.
 

By Stephen Lane, Ox Balls

What new doors have been opened by having a transexual win IML? None. How many trannies dream of winning a contest for and about leathermen? I guess the same right i have to win a trannie or lesbian contest? 

If i even thought i had a shot at winning such a contest, (I am, btw a 46 year old 6'2" hairy beast, always in leather), would i be allowed to enter? Would it be right for me to enter and take this honor from a deserving trannie or lesbian? 

No. Nor would i choose to enter because i know what i am, and i know the damage it would do if i did. 

LLC, INC. ANNOUNCES 2010 BOARD ELECTION RESULTS

The LLC Board of Directors is composed of nine members and to maintain leadership and continuity, their terms expire on a rotating basis.  The Leather Leadership Conference is pleased to announce the results of its annual election to the Board of Directors.
 
Effective July 1, 2010 Wendell Joost of Seattle, WA was re-elected to a second term on the Board.  The Leather Leadership Conference is pleased to welcome three new board members - Steve Ward of San Francisco, CA, Jerith of Chicago, IL, and Thomas Smith of Louisville, KY.
 
Stepping off the board this year after 6 years is Sheryl Dee and after 3 years Pat Baillie.  Thanks to both of them for their hard work and dedication as part of the national LLC board.

Mr & Ms Alameda County Leather Contest

The Alameda County Leather Corps announces its 19th annual title contest. 

This great event will start on Friday August 6th, 2010 with a Meet and Greet of this year's contestants. Come out to the World Famous Turf Club, 22519 Main Street, Hayward, to meet the contestants and hang out with other folks from the leather community. The Emcees for this event will be Girl Kim S. F. Dyke girl 2002 and Lance Britain Mr. ACL 1994. These two marvelous entertainers will keep the evening moving with their great stage presence and humorous banter.

Saturday, August 7th, is the ACLC Title Contest, being held at the Humanist Hall, 390-27th Street, Oakland. The event this year will be the most  exciting ever! Emcees this year are the 2009 Entertainer of the Year, the incomparable Ms. Bubblinsugare. She has entertained at many events throughout the year with her humor combined with an exceptional flare for the dramatic. Joining her on stage is Randal Kinnear, Executive Co-Producer of the International LeatherSir/Leatherboy.