Leatherati

News to Abuse - Book Awards, Retirement, Atlanta Leather Pride

Book Awards

Life, Leather and the Pursuit of Happiness, authored by Leather Life columnist Steve Lenius and published by Nelson Borhek Press, has been named a Finalist for this year’s Geoff Mains Non-fiction Book Award presented by the NLA-I (National Leather Association: International).  Details here.

Gay Retirement

Fountaingrove Lodge, the nation’s first retirement community with the option of continuing care for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) community, has begun construction of its lush 10-acre property in beautiful Sonoma County. With activities and amenities to enhance wellness and contemporary living, Fountaingrove Lodge will provide an inviting, supportive, and active lifestyle in a setting of exceptional natural beauty, where a diverse group of LGBT seniors can live, relax, and enjoy a community of friends.  More info here.

Atlanta Leather Pride

The guys in Atlanta are "kickin' but and takin' names" as my uncle used to say.  After its debut last year, Atlanta Leather Pride returns this Friday through Sunday for cruising, educating, partying, and of course, to select a Mr Atlanta Eagle Leather 2011.

Check out the great coverage the weekend garnered on Q Atlanta - after the jump

 

Interview with Southeast Leather SIR & leatherboy Part 3

Our third and final part of our conversation with Sir Alan (Southeast Leather SIR 2011) and pup Nitro (Southeast leatherboy 2011).

Watch Part 3

Interview with Southeast Leather SIR & leatherboy Part 2

Here we pick up with part two of our interview with the new Southeast Leather SIR, Sir Alan and leatherboy, pup Nitro.

Watch Part 2

Leo Iriarte Snags LAL Title

The culmination of the Los Angeles Leather events for 2011 was the Mr LAL competition at the Henry Hwang Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.  9 men competed before a capacity crowd and Leo Iriarte, competing as Mr Regiment 2011, was selected for both the Brotherhood Award and the Mr Los Angeles Leather 2011 title.  Leo will go on to compete at International Mr Leather in Chicago in May.  (left to right:  Second Runner Up Joey Tarin (Mr Bullet Leather 2011), Leo Iriarte (Mr Los Angeles Leather 2011), Joey Lopez (Eagle LA Mr Leather 2011).

This was a year for historic firsts at the LAL contest.  7 of the 9 men vying for the title were Latino and Leo is the first Latino to win the sash in the history of Mr Los Angeles Leather.  Also, Joey Tarin is the first deaf contestant for the Mr LAL title.  

It should also be noted that in actuality 8 title holders of the 10 eligible feeder contests were Latino for 2011.  Louis Pacheco, who holds the title of Mr Christopher Street West Leather 2010/2011 and American Leatherman 2010, did not compete in the LAL contest since he competed in the 2010 event as the 2010 Mr Christopher Street West Leather 2010. 

Check out this interview we did with Leo a week prior to the contest.  Jay Lawton from JPG Photography also made a gallery of amazing contest shots for you to enjoy.

 

Interview with Southeast Leather SIR & leatherboy

Sirs and their boys

Southeast Leather SIR Alan and Southeast leatherboy pup Nitro are honest to god some of the busiest guys I know...anywhere!  And they've just jumped in to the deep end of the pool with the recent addition of the SELSb titles.

Both are heavily involved in the Atlanta leather and BDSM scene as members of Atlanta S/M Solidarity (yes, the acronym is ASS), the Panther's Leather Levi club, the Hotlanta Rubber Group, and Atlanta Leather Pride.  They recently assumed the Leather SIR and leatherboy title duties as well, which has just about doubled their travel schedule.

I had the pleasure of inteviewing this dynamic duo about their title year, the upcoming ILS/b contest and leather families, among other fun topics.  There are three parts to the inteview.

Enjoy Part 1 after the jump

News to Abuse - Black Party Virgin, Kinky is not Crazy,

Can you use "Black Party" and "Virgin" together? 

 

Kinky does not equal Crazy

Check out this article from Perry Tsai of the Daily Tar Heel on the issues of equating kinky with psychotic. 

 

Get ready for Melbourne Leather Pride

April 8 - 26 the leather heads Down Under with a plenitude of hot events.  More info here.

Leatherati Live at LAL

Don't forget this weekend Leatherati is live from the Los Angeles Leather 2011 contest.  Friday night is the Southland Honors program and Saturday is the contest with 9 great guys vying for the sash.

See you this weekend!

 

Florida Leather SIR/boy and Community Bootblack

Over the weekend of March 11 & 12, 2011, Beyond Leather and The Ramrod Bar, Ft. Lauderdale hosted Florida LeatherSIR/leatherboy & Community Bootblack Contest.  This year, there were five contestants competing for the titles.

Congratulations go out to SIR Michael (Florida LeatherSIR 2011), boy jimmy (Florida Leatherboy 2011) and boijen (Florida Community Bootblack 2011).  

The emcee for the event was Russell Matheney, who brought his hysterical and quirky wit to a very responsive crowd of over 150 attendees.   The 2011 contest judges included Sir Jason Pelky (SouthEast LeatherSIR 2009), Sir Raul Mendez (International LeatherSIR 2008), Caro (Ms. Olympus Leather 2005), Ms. Rae (Ms. SouthEast Leatherfest 2009), and Ian (Mr. Beyond Leather 2010).   The Tally Masters were Rich Rodriquez (Mr. Ramrod 2010) and Sebaztian (Mr. SouthEast Olympus Leather 2011).  The Judges assistant was Pete Trimble (Vice President of the Leather Men’s Brotherhood).

Before the announcement of the 2011 winners, a list of attending title holders was announced and 27 current and past title holders made their way to the stage representing international, regional, state and local title holders going as far back as 1996.  

Congratulations and good luck to the 2011 title holders as they prepare for the International Leather SIR/boy & Community Bootblack contest in San Francisco during Dore Alley Weekend, July 28 – 30, 2011

 

News to Abuse - Tyler McCormick, 15 Association, Bound to be Charitable

Video: Tyler McCormick

Our friends at Third Rail Media shared a great clip and interview with current IML Tyler McCormick.  Check out the fun contest footage and the candid interview that follows.

Tyler was a triple-history-making winner:  1st in a wheelchair, 1st transgender, and the first winner from New Mexico.

 

 

Dungeon:  15 Association

The SF-based 15 Association presents a Play Party at the SF Citadel on Saturday, March 26th at the Citadel at 1277 Mission Street.  Doors open at 8 PM and close at 11 PM.  Info and forms at the15association.org

 

Giving:  Bound to be Charitable

On a recent Saturday in March, The Southern Ontario Leather Association (SOLA) held a public and silent auction with all proceeds going to The Interval House of Hamilton; a shelter and source of assistance for people suffering at the hands of domestic violence. Based on the name of the organization one could assume they simply like leather jackets and the like. However, the members of this association actively engage in the lifestyle known as BDSM (bondage and discipline, sadism and masochism).

The irony is truly rich; people who play with the concepts of abusive power reaching out to assist those that suffer from pure abuse. As Alec Purves of SOLA offers, “BDSM is consensual and respectful with boundaries being respected”. A sense of family was very much in evidence at the auction and the community is truly concerned about the difference between consent and abuse.

Read more after the jump

NCSF Objects To "Choke Hold" Legislation

New legislation introduced on February 4th by Sen. Christine Kehoe, a Democrat who represents parts of San Diego, would create new categories of violent crime—attempted strangulation and suffocation. Both felonies would be punishable by mandatory two, three or four years in prison, plus an extra two years if the perpetrator is in a relationship with the victim.

Although Kehoe insists the legislation is aimed at domestic violence incidents, the vague wording could be interpreted to include consensual breath play scenes.

Read more after the jump