Leatherati

Guy Baldwin, Leather’s Enfant Terrible at 65

by Leland Carina

As one would expect, with Guy Baldwin presenting, the space above Mr. S Leather in San Francisco was filled with eager Leatherfolk. We were treated to an informal presentation, with Patrick Mulcahey acting as a mediator/interviewer for the majority of the time and some questions near the end from audience members.

Darren Bondy Mr SF Leather 2011 welcomed us. This session is part of a larger series entitled Making the Connection, which is his title project. He joked that he wanted to contribute something besides parties at bars and putting out.

Patrick started by asking Guy to talk about Leather people and places that used to be in San Francisco and still cast a long shadow.

Back in the day, Guy reminisced, SOMA didn’t have any street lights; it was dark. It had warehouses and dives that eventually become Leather bars. The sun would go down and Leathermen would creep out from wherever they had been hiding. There were no parking issues then, he pointed out to the audience’s amusement. First, he said, was the Toolbox on Harrison and then later the Ramrod, which was the flagship Leather bar. Later it became Chaps II and is now known as KOK.

Northern California LeatherSIR, Leatherboy, and Community Bootblack 2012

by Leland Carina

This year Northern California LeatherSIR, Leatherboy, and Community Bootblack (NCLSbCBB) sought to renew the sexiness and excitement of Drummer Magazine and the NCLSbCBB legacy. Deborah Isadora Wade produced the contest with her able staff of Jessie Vanciel Mr. SF Citadel 2012, Luna International Community Bootblack 2012, Ms. V International Ms. Bootblack 2007, and Shawn Kinnear California Leatherboy 2009.

MCs Lance Holman Mr SF Leather 2010 and Bubblinsugar kept the crowd enticed and amused with their naughty jokes and obvious rapport. 

The incredible panel of judges included head judge Rod Wood Northern California Mr. Drummer 2000, Thomas Pupp Sacramento Leather Sir 2006, boyjean International Community Bootblack 2007, Ms. V, Richard Sprott Mr. Alameda County Leather 2009, Darren Bondy Mr. San Francisco Leather 2011, Sir Alan Penrod International LeatherSIR 2011, Bryson "Pup Nitro" Hankinson International Leatherboy 2011, and Luna.

Mr. Homoto Leather 2012

by Leland Carina

For the first time Homoto Motorcycle Club is sponsoring a candidate for the Mr. SF Leather contest that takes place as part of Leather Alliance Weekend in March.

I spoke with Jay Larson, who was up until recently the club’s President, since he is taking lead on this project. Jay said that Homoto is hoping to inject a new flavor into the contest by representing gear and non-traditional sport bike Leather.

When approaching the idea of sponsoring a candidate, Jay reached out to the membership to ask who might be interested in running; Stephen Charles stepped up. If there had been additional interested parties, Jay says that they would have had an inner-club contest/fundraiser. He adds that this is an idea for next year.

Stephen Charles Mr. Homoto Leather 2012 has been a member of Homoto for two years. He is currently Co-Captian of one of their Saturday Rides and also leads beginner rides for the club. Stephen is also Chair of Gear Up Weekend.

If you would like more information about Homoto, please visit their web site. Please note that in addition to San Francisco, there is also a new chapter in San Jose.

Leland Carina
LelandCarina.com

 

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

Making the Connection

by Leland Carina

Tonight in the space above Mr. S Leather in San Francisco, Darren Bondy Mr SF Leather 2011 launched his new series of workshops called Making the Connection. The inaugural event was a class by "Knotty" Brent that showcased his skill as a rope top.

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.

LDG's Erotic Hypnosis

by Leland Carina

Erotic Hypnosis -- Heron Saline

A group of about 100 men and a few women gathered in the space above Mr. S Leather for LDG’s Discussion Group on Erotic Hypnosis. On behalf of Mr. S, Keith Sattelmaier welcomed us and expressed that LDG was invited to consider the space their new home.

Brian James, President of LDG, also welcomed us. He reflected for a moment on the great success of LDG in the past year with events such as “Is Leather Dead,” and said that they are currently working on putting together another amazing year ahead.

LDG is partnering with Cleveland Leather Annual Weekend (CLAW) in the hopes of bringing some of San Francisco to the rest of the world. They are excited to have Richard Sprott on board as their new Mentorship Program Director, as well as the addition of many other new board members. LDG will also be launching an open youth discussion group (YLDG) that will meet at Wicked Grounds in the hopes of providing a non-intimidating space for young men to enter the community. Brian extended thanks to many sponsors, especially David Ortmann for his generous donation which allowed the purchase of the chairs for the Mr. S location.

To introduce Heron Saline, Patrick Mulcahey told us that he takes our trust in his ability to choose presenters seriously. Though he had not yet seen Heron present, he does have an understanding of his wisdom and skill from having been one of his clients. Patrick confided that he went to Heron for help in relation to a specific goal that was giving him difficulty. In three or four sessions he heard himself express insight that he hadn’t before been aware of. He said it was with gratitude, respect, admiration, and curiosity that he invited Heron to present to us.

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.  

Rubber Men San Francisco (RMSF)

by Leland Carina

RMSF are making quite a splash on the San Francisco scene. I recently attended one of their parties as their official photographer-- what a fun time! Rick Holte, the group's current leader, dressed up as Rubber Santa. Here he is with hot piece of venison boy Erik who's dressed as Piston the (flagging yellow) reindeer.

RMSF was originally organized in 2001. Terry G. and Marc Webb had major roles in the leadership then. The new revival was spearheaded by Seven, who works in the latex department at Mr S Leather. He first set out to create his own rubber group, contacting all the men who listed rubber as an interest on Recon to build momentum. One of the men he reached out to was Holte who told him about RMSF. The two got together with Terry and decided to meld the groups together with the idea that Terry would retire. Dore Alley 2011 brought their first big events, which included a meet and greet at Mark I. Chester's studio and a party at the Powerhouse. Both had extremely great turnout. Holte believes this initial success was due to the group melding well with the energy created by both the Leathermen Discussion Group's Is Leather Dead panel and Gear Up. Seven has now stepped back due to the recent success of his drag persona, Aurora Switchblade, leaving Holte as the fearless leader.

More Folsom Pics!

Leatherati correspondent Leland Carina snagged some great photos at Folsom Street Fair.

Check em out here