Leatherati

Mr. Edge 2012

by Leland Carina

This year's Mr Edge is Will Swagger.  He is also the current Mr October on the Bare Chest Calendar. 

I got in contact with Terry Penn, the manager of the Edge, to ask why there was no Mr. Edge contest this year. Terry said, "We didn't get to have our contest because of the entertainment licensing process we are going through at the moment.  With the guidance from members of the leather community and Mr Edge 2011, Drew Cutler, I appointed Will."

If you would like to meet the new Mr Edge, you may attend a meet and greet at the Edge bar in the Castro, Wednesday February 15th from 7pm to 9pm.

Will Swagger will go on to compete for Mr. SF Leather during Leather Alliance Weekend from March 2nd to 4th.

Leland Carina
LelandCarina.com

Mr Powerhouse 2012

by Leland Carina

This year's annual Mr. Powerhouse contest took place last night. The bar was truly hopping with hot Leatherfolk.

The judges for the contest were Troy Anicete Mr SF Leather 2003, Lance Holman Mr SF Leather 2010, Brandon Clarke Mr SF Leather 2009, and Darren Bondy Mr SF Leather 2011. All of these men hold Mr. SF Leather titles and have the double distiction of being past Mr. Powerhouse Leather title holders.

Mr Hayes Valley Leather 2012

by Leland Carina

Michael Zane is Mr. Hayes Valley Leather 2012! Robert Soares came in 1st Runner Up.

This Sunday Marlena's in San Francisco was packed with hot Leathermen (and a few Leatherwomen) to watch the contest.

There was an illustrious panel of Judges with Desmond Perrotto Mr Hayes Valley Leather 2008 acting as head judge. He was joined by Darren Bondy Mr San Francisco Leather 2011, Vick Germany SF Dyke Daddy 2002, Jacob Richards of Folsom Street Events, Tyler Fong American Leatherboy 2011, and Mark Paladini of Paladini Productions.  

Rough House

ROUGH HOUSE  is coming on Sunday, November 6!

STEAMWORKS presents ROUGH HOUSE!

A perverted afternoon dungeon-social-cum-house-party on Sunday, November 6, 2011 1pm-5pm at Goodhandy's (120 Church St @ Richmond) in Toronto.  Admission is just $10

Don't miss: 

• PUMPING with Pumper Pete
• Eastern Canada Leatherboy 2011, boy iain
• FLOGGING & PADDLING with Jason Forbes
• Master Tony, International LeatherSIR 2009
• FISTING sling station
• Master R 
• SUSPENSION & ELECTRO by Alex and Brandon
• BONDAGE & CBT
• Spontaneous Scenes € Dungeon Friskiness € Cool Music by Dan € Cash Bar

More info at http://www.RoughHouse.ca

 

Have We Lost the Art of Cruising?

Here's an interesting article from one of our favorite bloggers, Hardy Haberman, for the Dallas Voice, where he proposes that ‘Electro-tricks’ may be quicker and easier, but half the fun of the hook-up was working at it.

In his article Hardy relates some of the allure of cruising as it used to be; If two people read the signals, and actually respond, it might proceed to sending over a drink — or a more direct approach. Often before actually making contact, you would ask a few friends if they knew the man in question, and for the leather scene that would also entail asking if anyone knew more intimate details: Was he a safe player? What was he into?

He goes on to write; Sadly, I don’t see much of that going on anymore.  What I do see is guys checking their smart phones. Looking a little closer, I see them using Grindr, checking Recon and texting.

Check out the entire article after the jump.

I love cruising the "way it used to be", the mystery of the dark corners, the butterflies in my stomach (and other places) when the guy I was cruising responded.

News to Abuse: Beach Party - Is Leather Dead? - Jock Car Wash

Beach Party with Chi Chi LaRue

Washington State Mr Leather 2011 James Dunagan representing Washington State Mr. & Ms. Leather Organization and Seattle Leather Daddy 2011 Shawn Holman. and, Daddy's Boy 2011 Brandon Reyes representing Seattle Men in Leather are producing a Beach Party with Chi Chi LaRue at Seattle's Cuff Complex on Saturday August 6 beginning at 9pm. 

Beach Party with Chi Chi LaRue is being held as a benefit for two great Seattle organizations: Seattle Counseling Service which is a unique resource for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities and also Chicken Soup Brigade - Lifelong’s Food Program which is a leader in improving the nutritional status of people living with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses in Seattle/King County 

Patrons will have the opportunity to enjoy the Cuff Complex fully decorated for for a beach party including a real sandy beach, a swimsuit competition and Chi Chi LaRue spinning the dance grooves.

More News to Abuse after the jump

Justice Comes Through in Atlanta

From the Westport News

Six Atlanta police officers have been fired — and others face disciplinary action — after an investigation found they lied about what happened during a raid on an Atlanta gay bar.

Six officers were dismissed Friday "for violating the department's truthfulness policy," police spokesmanCarlos Campos said in a statement. Two other officers accused of lying had already been dismissed as a result of an unrelated internal investigation, Campos said, and Chief George Turner ordered that the charges against two others be withdrawn because there wasn't enough evidence they lied.

Nine other officers were disciplined — with punishment ranging from a written reprimand to 20 days suspension — as a result of the raid on the Atlanta Eagle bar, Campos said. Three more have disciplinary hearings set for the coming week.

Justice might creep along sometimes but it's always heartening when she comes through.

 

News to Abuse: BULLY at Eagle NYC - CSW Leather - Leatherman of Color

BULLY at Eagle NYC

Tonight Friday, May 20th is BULLY: a BLUF and Hot Boots social at the Eagle NYC, 554 West 28th Street (between 10th & 11th Ave.). Starts at 10 PM sharp and goes 'til 2, on the first floor.

Smoke on the back patio, and enjoy $4 well drinks and draft beers until 11 PM.

CSW Leather

After a one year absence, the Mr Christopher Street West Leather contest is back as part of the Los Angeles Pride celebration.  The contest will take place on Saturday, June 11 at 6 PM in the Erotic City main tent.

The winner of CSW Leather will lead the leather and titleholder contingent in the Pride Parade on Sunday, June 12th.  Mr CSW Leather is also the first feeder contest for the 2012 Mr LA Leather contest and the winner of CSW Leather will go on to compete in that contest.

Judges for the event include: Head Judge, Ken Hurst (Mr LA Leather 2009), Leo Iriarte (Mr LA Leather 2011), Brad Taylor (Mr LA Leather 2010), Ross Wood (Mr LA Leather 2008), and Marc Watrel (Mr LA Leather 2004).

Leatherman of Color IML Send Off

Rod McCoy (Mr Leatherman of Color 2011) will have an IML Send-Off party tonight Friday, May 20th, at the DC Eagle, 639 New York Avenue NW.  Get in on the action with $2 Drafts, $2 Jello Shots, Raffles, Kinky Stuff at Midnight, plus the debut of the "Porn Garage Sale" to benefit his IML Travel Fund.  

Our Own Spaces

Loki Madmonk, co-founder of the Ourboros Leather Levi Club, submitted the following comments to add to the dialogue we've had recently about the closing of the SF Eagle and the challenge from Guy Baldwin in his LLC Keynote speech to take care of our own.  Good stuff...give it a read.

You guys, I have noticed a pattern here, and I hope you all have as well. The Spike is gone, Diamond Jim’s gone, Gateway Inn gone, The Outpost gone and countless Eagle Bars across the nation are gone or about to close their doors. It is time we take responsibility and take action or the only place we will have kink will be in our bedrooms by ourselves with a bottle of lotion with Righty (or lefty if you prefer). 

A lot of us complain about leather dying out and not having places to go and that the Pansexual and Heterosexual BDSM community has somehow ruined leather for us. First off nature, as well as kink, favors the diverse. Making friends and allies in the Hetero and Pansexual circles can reap major benefits, if the bitter queens can quit bitching long enough to realize them. 

News to Abuse: Eagle LA 5th - A Billion Wicked Thoughts - Gutter Dayz

5 years of hotness!

One of our favorite "leatherazzi" photographers, Jay Lawton of JayPG Photography was on hand for the 5th anniversary blow out at the Eagle Los Angeles.

Check out these super-hot pics.  Especially the ones of the current Eagle LA Mr Leather Joey Lopez with the snake (no, a real one).  Hot!  Note: pics are slightly NSFW due to scantily clad leather men and bondage scenes.

 

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