Leatherati

Leatherati Poll - Impact of a Transgender IML

Alex Lindsay, American Leatherman 2009

There has been a lot of discussion of late regarding the impact that the selection of Tyler McCormick, who is transgendered, as IML will have on the leather community.  The specific question we asked was: How will the selection of a disabled and transgendered man impact IML and the leather community? There have been articles and emails, conversations, and arguments.  We also expected that there would be a certain degree of ambivalence in this poll, and that was clearly the case.

The second and third most popular choices - statistically tied at (26.1% and 26.5%) are the perfect evidence of this bipolarity. On the one hand we have a quarter or respondents indicating that IML is now representative of the entire community, and on the other an equal number who state that IML no longer represents them.

In my opinion, this is a reflection of a philosophical rift that has been growing in intensity within the leather community—whether we should be working toward greater inclusiveness, or if we need to protect our individual identities. This is not to state that one or the other is the right direction for the community, simply that they appear to be beliefs held by comparably sized groups.  This is an area in which there is already ongoing discussion in various quarters.  I believe that we are seeing this reflected as well in events that are being produced - a quick look through the Facebook event calendar for the community will show a large number of events with a very broad target audience, not particularly geared toward men or women as an example.  It will also show a growing number of events with a very narrow target.  The number of events geared toward specific fetishes is increasing, and these are often targeted toward men only.  We are simultaneously becoming a melting pot and a federation of homogeneous focused interest groups.

According to the "Official" King James Bible online website, the word "Bondage" appears 36 times in the KJ version of the Christian holy book.

The word "Gay" only appears once: "...have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing..."

I knew I was finally going to get some respect for my Donna Summer "Bad Girls' tour t-shirt. Cause nothing is more gay than that....

Former Passive Arts Employee Charged with Murder

L.A. prosecutors have filed murder charges against a former employee accused of shooting the owner of a bondage club near Los Angeles International Airport and then setting the business on fire.

David Edward Albert, 53, was booked early Wednesday on suspicion of arson and murder in connection with Tuesday’s fire at the Passive Arts Studio, a bondage club near Los Angeles International Airport described on its Myspace page as the "largest, most elegant and best equipped play area in the nation.” He was formally charged Thursday.

Authorities said the owner, identified as John Lavine, no age available, was found shot to death inside the burning business.

Albert had been fired from the club last week, said Luis Castro, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies discovered him across the street from the blaze, hiding in the bushes. He was bleeding and said he had been hit by a car.

After some questioning, he was arrested. His bail was set at $1 million.

Those Scampy Brits!

This from Temptations Direct in the UK

The downturn is making British people kinkier, according to one of the UK’s top online sex toy shops, Temptations Direct. With a focus on their purse as well as their pleasure, cash-strapped adults are swapping a night out in the pub for a sensational, BDSM-inspired night in the bedroom with handcuffs, clamps and restraints, turning this country into the United Kinkdom. 

Temptations Direct is one of the UK’s five largest online retailers of adult goods. During 2009, it witnessed the sales of fetish products growing significantly more than adult products in general. And, recently, sales of fetish goods more than doubled on sales in 2009. In particular, there was a sharp rise in demand for novelty fetish items such as furry handcuffs. 

Hellfire 40!

From the Windy City Times....

The Chicago Hellfire Club is one of the most mysterious organizations within the LGBT community, but, as the private gay men's club prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary starting this November, club president Roger Scheid sat down for an exclusive interview. He spoke with the Windy City Times' Ross Forman about the Hellfire 13's members, memberships, practices and attitude toward transgender people, among other topics.
The Chicago Hellfire Club is one of the oldest, and certainly one of the leading, BDSM ( bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism ) leather organizations in the United States.

There are about 400 members, including 70 who live in the Chicagoland area. Members are as young as 21 and some are in their 70s. The group is commonly referred to as Hellfire 13 after its 13 original founding members—and one of the 13 is still alive and active in the organization.

More after the jump

I so want this job....

Communication.
The SM will attend weekly meetings with the BDSM to identify areas of revenue opportunity assisting the SM in planning their sales activities for the week/month etc. Any training needs or product development ideas should be highlighted by the SM during those meetings.
An email summarising key points raised during the meeting to be sent by the SM to the BDSM after every weekly meeting.

Why We Need Orgs Like The NCSF

This article from The Dispatch underscores why we need to fight for our sexual freedom.

A Columbus High School security guard was released by the Columbus Municipal School District Tuesday amid suspicions of ties to a sadomasochistic blog.

Suspicions arose last week that former Columbus police officer and Columbus High School security guard Seretta Richardson was Lady Cimarron, a pseudonym used by a self-described dominatrix who authored an online blog that has since been removed from the internet.

Interview with Master John - The Leatherman's Protocol Handbook

We had a chance to catch up with Master John Weal from Fort Lauderdale during the ILSb/CBB weekend to discuss his latest book, The Leatherman's Protocol Handbook

John also gave a class on Protocol during the weekend which apparently drew an over-capacity crowd!

Check it out and be sure to pick up your copy on Amazon.com

 

Deadly Fire at Los Angeles area BDSM Club

The popular BDSM club Passive Arts was the scene of a fire and fatality on Tuesday, July 27th.  

The fire was reported at Passive Arts Studios, 10914 S. La Cienega Blvd. in Lennox, CA at 11:35 a.m. and was out within 20 minutes of firefighters' arrival. 

The body of a man in his 50's was found at the scene.  Authorities are not releasing his name until authorities have notified his family, however speculation in the community is that the owner, John, died in the fire along with his dog Koda.

Police have also taken a former employee in to custody on suspicion of arson and murder.  The man was fired from Passive Arts approximately one week prior to the incident.

It is not clear what the future will hold for Passive Arts, which is closed until further notice.

Two Los Angeles area clubs are planning memorial activities to help the community mourn. 

Threshold Society at 11300 Hartland St. in North Hollywood will open it's doors at 7:30 on Wednesday, July 28th for an informal gathering, for those who seek to talk, reminisce, and express their feelings about the loss.

Lair de Sade at 6628 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollwyood will open on Sunday August 8th at 3:00 PM for a day of remembrance and sharing.

There is no admission for either memorial and the community is invited to attend. 

*The "Airs" Have It

I just saw two 8 year old girls air kiss at the mall. Someone's been watching too much Rue Paul Drag Race I think.