Leatherati

Interview with Gear Up Weekend Founders

We're always looking for are people who think outside the norm, who look at the status quo and imagine a different way to get their kink on.  

I recently found out about a new event in Northern California called Gear Up Weekend.  The guys who founded it wanted an event for, and about men.  They wanted to play.  And they wanted to play their way.

Event founder and producer Stephen Charles is very intense about the need for this kind of weekend but he also realized that he needed to tap in to the experience that surrounded him.  Enter Mario Torrigino, founder of Leather Levi Weekend, who, after years of involvement with an increasingly pan-sexual event, wanted to recapture intense male energy.

These guys tell their story way better than I can.  They're on the cusp or launching their baby on to the world on July 22nd and I predict we're gonna see some very special stuff come of out it.

Check out the 3-part interview after the jump

News to Abuse: SFgoL Cover Shot - Golden Fleece Run - IMP @ WNH

SFgoL Cover Shot

Our fave Leather girl group made it to the cover of the SF Bay Guardian.  The issue also includes a fantastic inteview with the SF girls of Leather.  They're making a big difference in SF!

Check out the cover and page 22 after the jump and then head over to the full article.

Golden Fleece Run

This July 4th weekend a three hour tour turns in to a four day camp out with the Rocky Mountaineers' Golden Fleece Run 37 "Jason's Island".

The Golden Fleece Run is an outdoor "motorcycle run" which in reality is a big campout! People do ride their motorcycles up to the campsite, others bring their 4-wheeled vehicles, while others bring the RV's, campers, etc.

Fun!

IMP @ WNH

Huh?  I'll clear it up...The International Mr Piss Contest is taking place the weekend of July 8 - 10 during the annual Wet 'n Hot weekend in Palm Springs.

The producers promise that Wet 'n Hot is an incredible weekend full of uninhibited watersports, fisting, and nasty sex with hundreds of hot, no-attitude pigs. It really is a place like no other, where you can live out your wildest fantasies (and even discover some new ones!) over and over again.

I seriously need to get a copy of the judge's criteria for IMP - flow? stream? technique? flavor?

News to Abuse: SCLG - OMG! Leathergate? - Eagle NYC Raid Update

SCLG (aka Southern California Leather Gathering)

Well over 200 people attended the largest kinky picnic around in SoCal this past weekend.  Congrats Pug on 10 years!

Leathergate?

Christine Lagarde, France's Finance Minister who is assuming directorship at the International Monetary Fund, is looking more and more like our kind of leader.  Or should that be leder?

Turns out she turned her law firm on its collective ear when she graced one the firm's cocktails parties in ....shocking!...leather pants.

The first woman to head the IMF and she looks hot in a pair of leather pants?  Love her!  And love that conservative wags the world over are collectively sucking (in their breath).

Full story after the jump

Eagle NYC Update

Well, a raid on the Eagle NYC on Pride weekend AND only minutes after a marriage equality bill was passed in NY State, did seem to have a certain, shall we say...stench.

NYPD claim their justification for raiding the bar was based in part on "frequent complaints" to the city's 311 hotline.  Hmmm...really?  UnicornBooty.com reports that the city's own 311 complaint map shows that the Eagle hasn't received a single complaint in the past year.

Do over NYPD?

Full story after the jump

Eagle LA Mr Rubber 2011

Rubber and Latex ruled at the Eagle LA on Saturday, June 25th for the Eagle LA Mr Rubber 2011 contest.

4 self-proclaimed pervs threw themselves in to the fray with sharp-tongued George Geary hosting the annual event.

When the talc settled, contesant #3 Rubber Kitten snagged the top honor with André Chambers slipping in to the runner-up slot.

Judges included; Marcus Barela (Eagle LA Mr Rubber 2010), Leo Iriarte (Mr LAL 2011), Eddie Hibbs (Syren/Stockroom), and Gene Mar (Ultra-Perv)

Good job guys and thanks to Charlie and Hunter and the Eagle staff for a hot night!

 

News to Abuse: - Eagle NYC Raid - Roll Call - Restraints 101

Eagle NYC Raid

The NY Times reports that an "unannounced inspection" was carried out by multiple agencies at the Eagle NYC on Friday night that coincided almost exactly with the new that the marriage equality bill had passed the New York Senate.

Police officials said on Saturday that the inspection was part of a routine operation planned long ago. But Scott M. Stringer, the Manhattan borough president, said that he was troubled by descriptions of what took place at the Eagle bar, on West 28th Street off 11th Avenue, and that the actions amounted to a raid.

“I am going to ask the police commissioner to conduct a formal investigation concerning the circumstances around this raid,” he added.

The inspection occurred late at night, Mr. Stringer said, and while it was “true that there are these multiagency inspections, I think this one was ill-conceived and ill-timed given the circumstances surrounding the marriage equality celebration, on Pride week.”

According to those present, about 100 people were mingling at the Eagle, when representatives from the New York Police Department and three other city agencies, as well as from the State Liquor Authority, showed up, at nearly the same time as a vote by the State Senate to legalize same-sex marriage and as the thrill of victory was swirling through the place.

“I was on the roof deck, smoking a cigar and having drinks with friends, and all of a sudden, the police showed up and started shining flashlights in everyone’s face and offending everyone,” said Thomas J. Shevlin, a financial markets researcher and the treasurer of the Stonewall Democratic Club.

“Basically, it is offensive,” Mr. Shevlin, 40, said. “It is real serious harassment that they come out on pride weekend.”

Read the entire NYT article after the jump

 

Leather Alley @ SF Pride

This Sunday @ SF Pride I guess you know where the pervs will be!  ;-)

Interview with Thomas Smith, LLC Chair

Longtime community member Thomas Smith just assumed the duties of Chair of the Leather Leadership Conference (LLC) National Board.  

Criticism of the LLC has abounded In the wake of LLC XV in Los Angeles, prompted in large part by Guy Baldwin's call to action keynote speech.  In the following interview with Thomas, he talks about the key issues and the steps being taken to address them.

Leatherati: For those that don't know, can you give us a synopsis of what LLC is and what the mission is?

Thomas: The LLC is incorporated as a charitable organization and is a 501 (c) (3) under the IRS rules.

I describe the LLC as the premier leadership training conference for the kinky community. The LLC provides bridges between the various kink communities, different geographic groups, and different demographics such as age, sex and gender and builds leadership.

The Mission Statement reads: "The Leather Leadership Conference (LLC) is an organization dedicated to strengthening the Leather/BDSM/Kink/Fetish community through the development of the leadership skills of community members and fostering a greater sense of connection between and within community groups."

In implementing this mission statement, our goal is to aid in the growth and success of organizations and community groups through the development of these skills by providing access to leadership information and topics. By strengthening the leaders in our community we hope to facilitate a greater sense of connection between and within community groups.

News to Abuse: SF Pride Is On! - "Still Around" - Fakir Musafar

SF Pride!

This weekend one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world kicks in to action in San Francisco.  Leatherati correspondent Leland Carina will be up to her gorgeous eyeballs in all the mischief and blogging on Leatherati Live.

Look for her all over but specifically at the Eclipse women/trans party on Friady at the Citadel, the Dykes on Bikes fund raiser on Pink Saturday and marching with the Leather Contingent on Sunday.

Still Around

Still Around is a feature length compilation of 15 short films about HIV/AIDS that weaves a diverse slate of stories into one powerful video AIDS quilt of our times.

One of the shorts included in the compilation is Ritual, which takes the audience on an electrifying journey as Jorge seeks to transcend the humiliation and depression he experienced after seroconverting. He reaches deep into the traditions of the leather community to find a challenge that can help him overcome his feelings and get his life back on track. Wanting merely to regain his self-confidence, Jorge discovers an entirely new spiritual path through the rigors and euphoria of this beautiful and visually stunning hooking ritual.

Still Around is showing today at the Castro Theatre at 1:15 PM.  Advance tickets are still available at http://bit.ly/StillAround  

Be sure to check out our podcast with Co-Executive Producer Jörg Fockele and interview with Assistant Director Rick Osmon.

Fakir Musafar

On Friday, June 24th, 2011 Fakir Musafar will present "My Sixty Years of Body Play" at the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago. Also included will be an exhibition of photographs, artifacts and papers.

Reserved seats include admission to an opening reception featuring Fakir and special guests Cleo Dubois and Eve Minax. This celebration is funded in part by a grant from The Cumulus Foundation.

Tix and info on the LA&M website.

What Did You Learn, Dorothy?

by Joe Mannetti – Mr. International Daddy Bear 2009

Going back to LA after a year of living back east was a very empowering experience for me. The Southland was my home for twenty-four years after I made the move there from New York back in 1986. I packed up my bags once again in June of 2010 to start a new chapter of my life in Connecticut just outside of the New York area where I grew up. I felt love on my return to LA, and I am very appreciative that I have friends on the west coast who still remember me. I hope that you will always remain my friends. I know that Los Angeles, California will always hold a very special place in my heart.

News to Abuse: 15 Party - Art of Self-Love - Mr-S Locker Room

15 Association Play Party

On Saturday June 25th, 2011, it's the Pride Play Party at SF Citadel at 1277 Mission St in San Francisco.

Doors open at 8 PM and close at 11 PM. Info and application at www.the15assocation.org

Darklady's "Art of Self-Love" Portland Masturbate-a-thon v. 10.2

Darklady knows that the ultimate "love that dare not speak its name" is self-love. Join her for the 10th annual officially non-official Portland Masturbate-a-thon and show your support for the many languages and artful interpretations of shebopping, sexercising, shaking the dew off the lily, going to the palm prom - or whatever you call taking yourself out for a date.

Indulge in two floors (three hot tubs, one stripper pole, a cage w/leather sling, a massage table, chill space, coat check, cash bar, treats from the Naughty Baker, a vegetarian & omnivore-friendly buffet) and multiple kinds of frolic space at the famous Angel's Social Club while raising money for sex-positive causes.

Everything happens on Saturday, June 25, 2011.  Doors Open at 7:00 PM Lights Out at 4:00 AM.  Cost is $35 per person (includes free 3-year Angel's membership or renewal) $30 per person w/donation for Esther’s Pantry (includes free 3-year Angel's membership or renewal) Ages 21+

Angels Social Club 3533 SE 39th Avenue (Cesar Chavez Blvd) Portland, OR 97202 ACCESSIBLE on lower level More info at www.AngelsPDX.com

Mr-S Locker Room Grand Opening

Don't miss the big grand opening party for the brand-new Mr-S Locker Room happening on Saturday, June 25th from 2 - 6 PM during all of the Pride weekend festivities in San Francisco.  

We got a sneak preview and all we need to say is that the space is hot and the gear is hotter.  Richard and the guys have a ton of stuff planned for the event so get in there and get some gear on!  

Details at www.mr-s-leather.com