Friday, July 29, 2011

A Brutally Frank Message To My Fellow Older Gay Leathermen

This article is part of my Mentoring for Tops/Sirs/Doms/Masters curriculum.



Older kinky gay males of my generation are both a blessing, and a burden upon everyone else. We never got around to DEALING with the "death, disfigurement and disease" thing that has colored our viewpoint since the 1980's, so the majority of us are unable to move forward with the times, while we pretend that everything is just dandy. Too many of us feel like dinosaurs, surrounded by small furry mammals that we can't relate to.

In the meantime, the younger folks who lack our personal experience of Holocaust have kept moving forward, opening their minds wide to diversity of every type. The world has changed radically within my lifetime.  When I came out into the leather scene in 1977, being caught in an act of sadomasochism was still an extremely imprisonable offense. Now, eighteen-year-olds step smartly inside the doors of their local fetishgear emporium, already aware of the virtues of various varieties of floggers, and all due to the wise advice of Mister Google.

This is a huge upgrade for the sake of overall humanity, but in my opinion, it would be great if the older gay leathermen among us were more available for mentoring as well. Folks everywhere are drowning in pure information online, when what they could really use is some wisdom, provided by trusted sources with everybody’s best intentions at heart.  You know – what the old farts have been supposed to be doing all along.

Heaven knows that we old-timers are experienced and able to function well in a society that has been manifestly unwelcoming to us for most of our long lives. The younger folks need to see that we are still around, that they have a future to look forward to, and that they can be as successful with long-term relationships as we are, someday. No matter how many times I beg older gay leathermen to be visible, to be proud and to be available for mentoring, it doesn't happen. Poof - The last thing I see of them is their taillights heading over the horizon, metaphorically speaking. This never fails to disappoint me, and it has been the pattern for several decades now.  I'm over it.

The problem with guys in my demographic is... we're stuck. We can't move back, and we can't move forward.  Yes, that is an over-generalization, but it's largely true. Too many of us are still patiently waiting for the Good Old Days to come back, and frankly, it's not going to happen.

Gay leathermen are never going to be the primary symbol of kink and fetish, ever again. It was a nice fantasy, and it lasted a good long time, but it's over.


Tom of Finland is dead.  There. I said it, and I’m not taking it back.  His work is in a museum, and that is the best place for it. As a template for behavior, Tom’s artwork is a false god. We patterned ourselves upon a model that doesn’t allow for grieving, being playful and silly, or looking different. Yes, it is sexually hot, and yet… It’s a drag to try and emulate those cartoon characters for the long run.

Let’s be honest here – How many times have you heard “Gay Leather Men don’t dance, or touch their Master’s Caps with only one hand by the brim, or blah blah bzzz snore what?” My attention wanders when I get lectured on the Only Possible Acceptable Behaviors According to Olde Guarde.

In the 1970’s, NOBODY had any delusions of Olde Guarde Grandeur… not in my crowd, and we were as hardcore as it got. Olde Guarde makes for a nice construct to live by if you never actually went through it the first time. I consider it to be a trap, and a philosophical dead-end.

Too many people read the Old Guard comic book, and thought that it was the Bible.  I wish that I could remember where I first heard that.  I laughed and laughed!

Trust, Honor and Respect?  Great! – Normal human values, and I vote for that every time. I’m fond of the Golden Rule, too. Arbitrary, arcane and picayune rules that change from one dominating personality to another? Not so much, thanks.

Oh, lordy - I’ve tried so hard to fit inside that Tom of Finland / Olde Guarde box as an entire lifestyle, but it never lasted long. It’s restrictive, lacks creativity and flexibility, and belongs inside a glass case with a light coating of dust. There's no escape hatch built-in for when things change, as they do every single day.

Why punish others for not even trying to clamber inside that box?

The rest of the varied family of humanity has caught up with us in our absence from the public's eye. We can't keep shunning our wildly diverse youth just because they can't seem to fit into neat categories that made sense decades ago. We can understand cream fillings, and we sure can understand cupcakes, but… YOU SAY THAT YOU’RE A CREAM-FILLED CUPCAKE? Inflexible minds must reject you utterly!

The folks who show up at our leathermen's bars (and upset us by their very existence) ARE OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS. Why be angry at them for wanting to be accepted and welcomed and loved and mentored? They aren't cock-blocking anybody, they aren't there to pee in the punchbowl. They share your experience far more than you know, but if you don't take the time to get to know them, you're cheating yourself of a wonderful experience.

As far as I’m concerned, we’re entering into an amazing new age of glorious openness and energy, and I’d sure like my brothers to climb out of their comfortable little bomb-shelters in suburbia and rejoin the party.

I don't want to hear the following sort of phrase any more:

"I was at the bar, and there were women / transmen / youngsters / Sisters / puppies / newbies / whatever there, so I left." I seriously want to throw things around when I hear this sort of self-centered crapola. It's irresponsible, selfish and cruel.  If somebody says this around me, my first thought is "Aha - Peter Pan Syndrome". I'm usually hearing this from men who have more than a few miles on their odometers, who haven't yet taken responsibility for their natural age, and want to pretend that nobody notices. How many more decades must we endure this?

Think about it - Many of us (myself included) are old enough to be grandparents. What do grandparents do?  They pamper the young'uns, they share their life-experiences, and they provide helping hands so that the valued, wonderful younger members of the family gain a few extra advantages along the way.

I’m old enough to remember when that happened for ME. Starting in 1977, I got the full benefit of mentoring from dozens of older gay leathermen, and they didn’t skimp. I learned all about sex, long-term relationships, interpersonal politics, how to be a proud, wise and experienced kinkster with no apologies, and on and on.

Those men died. Every damned one of them.  Out of my big, extended Leather family, I’m the only survivor. This had a tangible, hideous effect upon me, so I totally GET the concept of withdrawing to lick one’s wounds.  I’m a tenth-degree Black Belt in feeling sorry for myself. Fine. Several decades of grieving is enough.  Our presence is required outside of the Pity Pool.

The world has moved on, and in my opinion, every single bit of the changes around us are for the good. So much has changed within our lifetimes, and we have all had a hand in it. The level of acceptance for US has gone up, so how about we return the favor?

Here's what I said to a group of young men who were eager to get connected with the larger community, last night in our local leather bar, in exactly these words:

"I came into the leather scene in 1977, which makes me your History. That communication is not complete unless I also say the other half of it, which is that YOU are are our FUTURE, and you're every bit as important as I am.  My ideas are great, but my ideas are old.  You have a fresh, new, exciting and unpredictable perspective, which we desperately need. I claim you as full members of our community, and I am here to make sure that you succeed. You can count on me for support. I will only introduce you to people that add value to your life. I promise not to treat you like a Twinky piece of ass to use up and throw away, if you promise not to treat me like an old Troll."

Now, it's YOUR turn to say it, and to say it often, and to mean it every time. When you invest in the younger generations, then the level of civilization rises in the world, and you're investing in a future that will be far better than what we endured.

It's your duty as an adult human being. Take ownership of that. It's your turn. The Leather Family Reunions have been reserving a chair for Kinky Gay Grandpa all along, and we've missed you. No matter how much we want our OWN elders to stop being so dead, it's not going to happen, and somebody needs to step up and support the new, vibrant, scary and magnificent thing that is surely coming up. Otherwise we may as well just pull the dirt over our tired old selves and get it all over with.

We all want you back.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Social Column 2011-07-19

-=-=-=-=-=- POST-PRIDE THOUGHTS

Well, that was a San Diego Pride for the record-books. It felt great to behold so many active-duty men and women being bold, open and proud again.  I was openly gay for the last 2-1/2 years I was in the Navy (with NO hassles, since gay liberation was the new civil rights), and I got out in 1979, just before Reagan came in with his Moral Majority creeps that caused everything to go bad for us again. This later period of fear, bigotry and dread has gone on for too long.

I also found out that EIGHT houseguests is my limit for Pride weekend (we even set aside some space on the kitchen floor for #8), plus a great big dog that I was puppy-sitting for the weekend.  I am still cleaning English Mastiff slobber off of the furniture, but he's worth it. 

The hero of the Leather Realm was Ms. San Diego Leather 2009 Christi Campbell, with her army of dedicated volunteers. I'm boggled by the amount of work that those folks poured into that magnificent space. If we have to be segregated into a space that hides us from public view, why not turn it into the best part of the whole Pride Festival? The team was a blur of continuous action, and everything fell together as if by magic, instead of hard, unending work. I wish that I could muster that kind of stamina!

The Leather contingent in the San Diego Pride Parade for 2011 was amiable, sexy, diverse and a fine way to represent our community. It was a contest between Wish (laying on her side in the center of this group photo) and me, to see who could be more fussy about providing a constant supply of food, water and sunscreen for the whole crew. I think she won! There was a nice breeze, so we stayed cooler than expected during the long walk along the parade route. My favorite part was watching the handsome, younger leathermen interacting with the folks along the route and with each other… Lots of hugging, smooching, leg-humping (yes, that was Britt) and a lot of charming interplay that was always welcome and admired. I don't know how well this will work for you (this is my first time trying this), but here is a video clip of the Leather contingent as we were heading toward the beginning of the parade. Let me know how successful it is, so I can post other video-clips as time goes by.

-=-=-=-=-=- COMING BACK HOME TO THE CENTER

For decades, there has been a mutually-distrustful relationship between the local LGBT Community Center and the gay leathermen's community.  I won't dredge up old issues, but suffice it to say that those of us who have been around the longest, have had the least faith in the Center's commitment to ALL of the LGBT community.

As a result, we have not had any large, annual events (such as titleholder contests) in the Center's huge main auditorium for years.  We have made do with other locations, but it has seemed unfair to me that we have automatically dismissed the Center's facility when making plans for the upcoming years. After all, the Leather Fashion Show at the Center was a smashing success, but then, it was put on by a team that lacked old resentments.

I began a dialog with Delores Jacobs, the Director of the Center, and she was astonished that there was any old, lingering rancor on the part of gay leathermen. She simply couldn't imagine why there would be any issues, and this doesn't surprise me, because the old discords happened long before she showed up. She assured me that the Center is 100% committed to serving the needs of the entire community, without bias, and I'm quite satisfied that she means it.

So… Maybe in February 2012, we can have a GREAT BIG Mr. SD Eagle 2012 Contest at the Center's main hall? The last one at the bar was so crowded, there was no room for a single additional attendee!  The Center's Auditorium can handle a crowd of 548, according to the Fire Marshal. Let's dream big!

Upcoming Events



-=-=-=-=-=- SEVERAL IMPORTANT CHANGES:

Details for all of these changes are provided below.

- The location of the monthly CIGARS AND BOOTS event has been changed to upstairs at Bourbon Street, rather than at Redwing, and from Sunday to Saturday.

The SDLOG monthly educational meeting for August is being supplanted by the Kinky Swap meet at the same time and location.

- The date and theme of the DRESS IT UP/STRIP IT DOWN monthly event have been fixed (details below).  If anybody sees any errors in my listings, please do me the favor of letting me know immediately.  I'm not good with details, and I'm getting worse!

The new MEN'S MONTHLY DISCUSSIONS will be on the third Wednesday of each month.

I'll be out of town for the Dore Alley Street Fair, but if I weren't, I definitely would be attending the Men-Only Beat and Greet event mentioned below.

-=-=-=-=- UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday, July 21, 8-11PM; Yellow Hanky Night at the Eagle. Third Thursday of each month.

Friday, July 29, 8:30PM-1AM: MEN-ONLY FRIDAY NIGHT BEAT AND GREET, downtown, hosted by Bryan Teague - American Leatherboy and Mike Underwood - San Diego's very own Curmudgeonly teddy bear. The Men-Only version is on the FIFTH Friday of each month, such as September 30, and (possibly) December 30th for 2011. There will be hands-on training for folks who want to learn from experts in a very safe environment.

July 28-30; International Leather Sir/boy/Community Boot Black in San Francisco, leading into...


Wednesday, August 3, 9PM: PUPPY NIGHT at the Eagle, hosted by Pup DragZ and San Diego Puppy Play (SDPP). First Wednesday of each month.

Friday, August 5, 7-9PM: Kinky Swapmeet.

Saturday, August 6, 9PM-2AM; BearNight Dance at Numbers. $5 cover. First Saturday of each month. Lots of leathermen attend this event, and it comes highly recommended… Here are some reviews.


Saturday, August 6, 3PM, CIGARS & BOOTS upstairs at Bourbon Street, hosted by California LeatherSir 2010 Miles B. First Saturday of each month. If you like a low-pressure, comfortable event with men that you can relate to, this one is for you.


Friday, August 12, 9PM-1AM: DRESS IT UP/STRIP IT DOWN at the Eagle; 2nd Friday of each month. This has become the biggest fetishmen's event in San Diego every month!  It's the nicest, friendliest crowd you'll see at a leather bar.  Here are a few reviews, if you haven't been to one yet. This month's theme is "SHORTS, TANK TOPS AND BOOTS", since it's going to be HOT for August!.  Here are some pictures from OctoberFebruaryMarchApril and June. Notice how HAPPY everybody is. You deserve to be that happy too.

Wednesday, August 17, 7-9PM: MEN'S MONTHLY DISCUSSIONS, hosted by FetishMenSanDiego and San Diego League of Gentlemen. Moderated by Papa Tony. This month's topic is Relationships
Friday, August 19, 8:30PM-1AM: FRIDAY NIGHT BEAT AND GREET, downtown, hosted by Bryan Teague - American Leatherboy 2010, tiger - Ms San Diego Leather 2010, caryl - San Diego's premier Sea Monkey Trainer, and Mike Underwood - San Diego's very own Curmudgeonly teddy bear. Third Friday of each month. This is a GREAT educational event if you want some hands-on training in a safe environment.

September includes Vegas Pride and Folsom Street Fair. Then, Palm Springs Pride is followed by Palm Springs Leather Pride in November.

Kinky Swapmeet - August 5


From: Bryan Teague

August 5, 2011 - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Joyce Beers Center
1230 Cleveland St (between the Terra and Aladdin's restaurants on Vermont St.)
San Diego, Ca

Please note:  This event is open to everyone. 

Annual Kinky Swap Meet
Co-hosted by Club X

It's that time of the year again, for the 5th Annual Swap Meet on Aug 5th at the Joyce Beers Center. Brought to you by Club-X and SDLOG. Come out grab a FREE table and and lets gets rid of those treasures you no longer use. Browse for that item you have been looking for but not wanting to get at full price. You never know what you will find. Vendors are welcome!

CIGARS & BOOTS at Bourbon Street

From California LeatherSir 2010 Miles B.


Our August social will be at a new location.  Bourbon Street Bar and Grill will be our host bar. Join us Saturday, August 6th at 3pm. We have the upstairs room all to ourselves. There will be free pool, balcony to hang out on and smoke, 1/2 price pitchers of beer and 1/2 price Smirnoff drinks. They also will have food specials off their food menu. 

I'm pretty excited about the new location and date. Having the event on a Saturday will allow more people to come out and enjoy a smoke.

I will have cigars available if you don't have your own. And as always, if you don't smoke, join us anyway there will be plenty of people not smoking. People come out to this event because it is a chill environment, good people and no pressure. Pipes and cigars are always welcome.

MEN'S MONTHLY DISCUSSIONS


Men's Monthly Discussions

Cost: Free, to all ages, eighteen and up. We'll pass around the hat at the end of the event, to OPTIONALLY help pay for the rental of the space, and to show our appreciation for the freedom it provides.

When: 7PM to 9PM, First and Third Wednesday of each month. 

Topic for Wednesday, August 17: RELATIONSHIPS… Long-term, mixed vanilla/kink, age disparity, multi-way, Leather Families and anything else that shows up. There will be a lot to cover, and this same topic might lead into September and October as well!

This is a men-only, welcoming and brotherly space, moderated by Papa Tony.  We have needed more reasons to have events outside of a noisy bar environment, for the benefit of our youth, and folks in recovery.

This is not a lecture,  it's a conversation that will never be boring, and the discussion will progress briskly.  Each time that we do this, we'll have an over-arching theme,  but the discussions will flow naturally, as conversations tend to do. 

It's meant to be an opportunity for men to share wisdom from their own experiences, for the benefit of all. We have plenty of Wikipedia-style information coming at us every day,  but it can mean a lot more to have your concerns,  considerations and questions directly answered by men who have had long years of experience on a particular topic.

There aren't enough mentors and role-models to go around, so this is a way of spreading around what we have available. If you're experienced and wise, we want you there. If you're an absolute newbie, you will be treated very well; we all had to start somewhere!

Dress comfortably, relax and open your mind to the men around you. Get away from the computer screen and invest in some new friends!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

San Diego Leather Realm 2011

For those who are not clear on the topic:

Every year, during San Diego Pride, there is a VERY LARGE, very hidden area down at the very bottom of the hill within the Pride Festival that is set-aside for the Leather Realm. Due to the worry that the Pride organizers have about wild happenings being visible to the unwary, the easily-alarmed or the very young, you could easily walk right past the entrance and not realize that such a splendid resource is available, and has been for years. Just look for the big "LEATHER REALM" banner. It looks like this… How do I know? I made it, years ago, along with almost a hundred of the other banners that you'll see at the Leather Realm, representing clubs, businesses and sharing helpful messages.

If you've never been the the Realm, please take the time to swing by and check it out. It's free of charge, but you do have to show ID at the door. It's highly sociable, visually interesting and friendly as all hell.  There will be vendors, lecturers, demonstrations, volunteers to answer questions, local affinity-groups, and a strong sense of reunion for those of us who enjoy seeing friends that we haven't had a chance to see for a while.

Most people step timidly inside the gate, look around, and SCAMPER right back out, which seems silly to me, because there isn't a single soul there who will do anything but be available for questions or assistance (or coaching) if requested.  Thousands and thousands of people pour through during the weekend, and it's surprisingly well-shaded by trees, with soft ground underfoot.  It's the nicest area to hang around in, within the entire Festival.

I will be at the Leather Realm on Saturday from the end of the Parade to around 6PM, and I urge any volunteers to come by to help newbies join up with FMSD. I'll coach you on the best way to do this. There will be water, snacks and camaraderie to spare.

-=-=-=-=-

For all events listings:

Web site: http://SDLeatherRealm.info
Leatherrealmsdpfestival@yahoo.com

COME WALK WITH US IN THE SAND DIEGO PRIDE PARADE.
Please join Mr. and Ms. San Diego Leather 2011 Kurt and Beanstalk, Mama Sandy Reinhart, brothers and sisters from many other areas of the county, LA Ponies and Critters, and folks representing all of the beautiful colors of our tribe at the San Diego Pride Parade.

Pride parade Leather Group Details.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Check In: 10:15-10:30 a.m.: Hillcrest DMV parade staging area (University and Normal St)
Parade Kick Off: 11:00 a.m.
Group #104
Questions? Wish wishuwerehere_f41@yahoo.com
Christi SDLR<leatherrealmsdpfestival@yahoo.com>

HISTORY IN THE MAKING IN SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA

Active-Duty Military Members To March In Pride Parade
- San Diego News Story - KGTV San Diego www.10news.com
SAN DIEGO -- History will be made at this year's San Diego Pride Parade when active-duty military members will march openly through the heart of Hillcrest. Thursday, June 23, 2011.

Presentation Forum
Saturday ~ July 16th
130pm to 230pm ~ Embracing the erotic side of your leather journey with Miles
245pm to 345pm ~ Bend your Gender Josh to Misha
4pm to 5pm ~ Things that pinch with Officer Wes
515pm to 615pm ~ Being open to the relationship that finds you with Bo and slave Debbie
630pm to 730pm Caning : The English vice with Mistress Melissa

Sunday ~ July 17th
1pm to 1pm Sex, gender and play with Codi
115pm to 215pm The Art of Sensation Play with Serene SCLW 2010
230pm to 330pm Sex, magic and primal Florentine flogging with Shelly Sins
345pm to 445pm A crash course in fetish and kink terminology with Dan
5pm to 6pm Fun with Electricity play by Daddy Mike, boy bryan , Shae Flanigan

Community Awareness Forum

Saturday ~ July 16th
230PM TO 345PM; "The Internet is Making Us Socially Retarded": Bringing the community together in new ways that work really well. - Tony Lindsey of FetishMenSanDiego

4PM TO 530PM ~ Safe Sex Practices with the San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

545PM TO 7PM ~ Leather and Sober Living with Ms San Diego Leather 2011 Beanstalk and Sister Hecate of the Bodacious Tatas

730pm to 9pm ~ Never Alone, Friends of Bill Meeting

Sunday ~ July 17th

12pm to 115pm ~ Exploring and Realizing Your M/s Dynamic (Master/slave 101)
130pm to 245pm ~ Leather and Spirituality with Master Onyxe
330pm to 430pm TBA
445pm to 615 pm ~ Safe Sex Practices with the San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
630pm to 8pm ~ Never Alone, Friends of Bill Meeting

Attractions;

~ Mama’s Family Reception and Celebration

Friday, July 15th, 8:30 – 11:00 p.m.
For: The Leather Contingent, The Sisters and all other organizations that want to join in. The Sisters have been asked to do their annual “Veil of Shame” veil burning during the event.

Saturday, July 16th, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
The Back Alley
~ Keynote Speech
Community, Volunteerism and Family – Mama Sandy Reinhart

~ Mama’s Family Reunion Picture
On Saturday, 7/16, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Leather Realm area in San Diego Pride, Mama will be giving a keynote speech on Community, Volunteering and Family. Come hear what this amazing woman has to say about these very important topics. Mama’s Family has been instrumental in raising thousands and thousands of dollars, as well as awareness in both the leather community, the straight community and the GLBT community for years. She is a wealth of information and the Leather Realm is delighted and honored to have her present this year.

~ San Diego Leather History
Find out the amazing and long-standing history of the San Diego Leather Community. From NLA to Club X and everything in between. You’ll be surprised at what you will learn!

~ The Niche Market
Calling all experienced players!!! Bring your toys and have some fun! We have a new space specifically designated with you in mind. We at the Leather Realm have heard your requests for something a bit more. We have located a few more volunteers and equipment to assist with this new arena. The Niche Market at this years Leather Realm will be open Saturday July 16th 1pm to 830pm and Sunday 12pm to 730pm. Please take a chance before enjoying the Niche Market to read over and be mindful of the guidelines of the Leather Realm venue. Come find a little of your niche with us!!

~ Eco Friendly Green Zone ~

~ Erotic Art Zone
A host of artists from all over the area will display their wares for your perusal and purchase. The variety is incredible – from stained glass to oil paintings to statuary, jewelry and photography. Come see what leather culture has to offer!

~ Hands On Area Ambassador Stations: Toys and Information
Flogging, mummification, spanking, bondage, rope bondage, sensory deprivation, and cupping. You will have the opportunity to “try the toy”!! Come visit the ambassadors in the hands on area and see what you can learn from them. All of the ambassadors are experienced players and teachers and are eager to pass on their knowledge.

~ Clubs and Organizations ~

~ Photo Area
Want to get your picture taken in a kinky pose? Have some new duds that you want to play up in a photo? Come to the Photo Area and have our talented photographers take your picture for a wonderful and hot memory of the 2011 Leather Realm.
~ The Back Alley

Saturday

2pm to 3pm
Social and Appreciation Announcements

3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

~ Social Mixer
Keynote Speech on Community, Volunteerism and Family – Mama Sandy Reinhart
Mama’s Family Reunion Picture

5pm to 830pm
Dance and Cruising Zone

Sunday

1pm to 3pm
Social and Appreciation Announcements

3pm to 5pm
Mixer with Guest Speaker* TBA

5pm to 730pm
Dance and Cruising Zone

~ Critter Arena ~ Come find your inner critter.

~ Never Alone - Friends of Bill W.
Saturday July 16th
545pm to 7pm Leather and Sober Living Presentation
730pm to 9pm Never Alone, Friends of Bill Meeting

Sunday July 17th
630pm to 8pm Never Alone, Friends of Bill Meeting

All scheduled meetings and presentations will be held in the Community Forum area of the Leather Realm

~ Community Awareness Forum
Men’s, Women’s and Transgender information and outreach pertaining to gender relations. This will include health issues, information on safer sex practices and other medically needed info, as well as other resource information for the community as a whole.
The Community Awareness Forum is the host for the Community Forum presentations.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Upcoming Events

I'm going to keep things brief this week, since I have been swamped with work (which has bringing in money, I'm glad to say).

This is the time of year when things get VERY scattered, due to multiple conflicting events (involving everybody's family, friends and community) all summer long. Things will get quieter once the fall arrives.

The big news is San Diego Pride in a week.  I'm planning to march with the Leather Contingent in the parade. After the parade, the Leather Realm at the very bottom of the hill at the Pride Festival will be enormous again, just like always. I will be giving a talk at 2:30PM, and we will need some volunteers for short shifts to help steer potential new FMSD members toward our group. I will be happy to train volunteers on the best techniques for doing so.

There will be a massive play-party for men that same Saturday, but I never heard back from anybody from FetishMen who wanted to attend. Ah, well. More fun for me and my boys!  We will also be attending Dore Alley Street Fair at the end of the month - Here are some pics to entertain you…

Stay cool this summer!

-=-=-=-=- UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday, July 8, 9PM-1AM: DRESS IT UP/STRIP IT DOWN at the Eagle; 2nd Friday of each month. This has become the biggest fetishmen's event in San Diego every month!  It's the nicest, friendliest crowd you'll see at a leather bar.  Here are a few reviews, if you haven't been to one yet. This month's theme is "SKIN TIGHT", with a special invitation for men wearing Lycra/Spandex.  Here are some pictures from OctoberFebruaryMarchApril and June. Notice how HAPPY everybody is. You deserve to be that happy too.

July 8-10: Wet 'n Hot Weekend in Palm Springs

July 15-17, San Diego Pride, featuring the large, annual and well-attended Leather Realm during the festival. Be sure to come march in the parade with the Leather Contingent. Wear sunscreen!

Thursday, July 21, 8-11PM; Yellow Hanky Night at the Eagle. Third Thursday of each month.

Friday, July 29, 8:30PM-1AM: MEN-ONLY FRIDAY NIGHT BEAT AND GREET, downtown, hosted by Bryan Teague - American Leatherboy and Mike Underwood - San Diego's very own Curmudgeonly teddy bear. The Men-Only version is on the FIFTH Friday of each month, such as September 30, and (possibly) December 30th for 2011. There will be hands-on training for folks who want to learn from experts in a very safe environment.

July 28-30; International Leather Sir/boy/Community Boot Black in San Francisco, leading into...


Wednesday, August 3, 9PM: PUPPY NIGHT at the Eagle, hosted by Pup DragZ and San Diego Puppy Play (SDPP). First Wednesday of each month.

Friday, August 5, 7PM: SDLOG monthly educational meeting

Saturday, August 6, 9PM-2AM; BearNight Dance at Numbers. $5 cover. First Saturday of each month. Lots of leathermen attend this event, and it comes highly recommended… Here are some reviews.

Sunday, August 7, CIGARS & BOOTS at Redwing, hosted by California LeatherSir Miles B. First Sunday of each month, out on the patio at Redwing. If you like a low-pressure, comfortable event with men that you can relate to, this one is for you.


Friday, August 19, 8:30PM-1AM: FRIDAY NIGHT BEAT AND GREET, downtown, hosted by Bryan Teague - American Leatherboy 2010, tiger - Ms San Diego Leather 2010, caryl - San Diego's premier Sea Monkey Trainer, and Mike Underwood - San Diego's very own Curmudgeonly teddy bear. Third Friday of each month. This is a GREAT educational event if you want some hands-on training in a safe environment.


September includes Vegas Pride and Folsom Street Fair. Then, Palm Springs Pride is followed by Palm Springs Leather Pride in November.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Social Column 2011-07-02

-=-=-=-=- ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY MEMBERS TO MARCH IN PRIDE PARADE   

As a former military man, I find this to be exciting news. I was openly gay for the last 2-1/2 years that I was in the Navy, and I encountered no hostile reactions. Why? Because gay rights were the new civil rights in the mid-to-late 1970's. Nobody knew if it was okay to be a bigot any more, and the haters were on the run. I got out in 1979, just before Reagan came into power with his Moral Majority team that renewed calls for prejudice in the ranks. 

I see that a lot of supporters are planning to join the folks who are active-duty. I'm torn between being a part of this contingent, and the Leather contingent.

-=-=-=-=-=- ANTHONY'S THANK-YOU PARTY

This issue is a bit delayed because I wanted to include a group picture from Wednesday evening's event.  I was unable to attend due to the neighborhood party I was hosting that same evening, but a great team of guys helped me pull the information together:

This is the first time I have ever seen such a possibility in San Diego... Not only did we send off a local titleholder to represent us at an international titleholder contest with all expenses paid, but there was MONEY LEFT OVER.  Anthony decided to use the surplus funds to thank his many supporters.

Here is Anthony's review of the event (the group picture, provided thanks to Mark Conlan, only shows some of the attendees that came through during the course of the evening):

The IML Supporters Thank You Party went well. It was nice to see every one in person, hand out my Thank you cards and give everyone Big Hugs! I was also given a "Human Relations Commission Special Commendation Award" by City Commissioner Nicole Ramirez. That was a very nice surprise. Again, thank you all for your support. Big Hugs & Leather Love! 

Now, we need to keep this as the new standard for all of the folks in San Diego's Tribe who are our ambassadors, leaders and volunteers!

-=-=-=-=- VIDEO FROM LAST WEEK'S CONTEST/KINK CRUSADERS

JUST as I had sent off last week's overview of the California Leather Sir/boy,  Bootblack and Puppy Contest, I received word of the video that Third Rail media had posted on Youtube, showing highlights from the contest and interviews with various folks. It's fourteen minutes of pleasure that I happily recommend.

One of the folks who had captured the video has contacted me with the following request, and I'm hoping that somebody will have some good suggestions. The following video deserves to find its audience:

Hello Papa Tony,

My name is Dorjan and we met at the the California Leather Sir/boy,  Bootblack and Puppy Contest last weekend. I was with the cameraman that did the interview with you. I just wanted to follow-up for one to say hello and two, I wanted to know if you had any suggestions or contacts with the San Diego GLBT film festival? Our documentary 'Kink Crusaders' has been snubbed by both Frameline AND OutFest this year. So we kinda thought and felt that California was just not gonna happen for us. However, when we went to the contest last weekend, I felt differently. So here's our website take a look at the trailer and I'd love to see what you're thoughts are on it. It was great meeting you by the way and would love to keep in touch. Take care.

http://kinkcrusaders-themovie.com/www.kincrusaders-themovie.com/Home.html

--
Dorjan Williams
redpill1975 @ gmail.com

Dance-Off Challenge Tonight!

This is entirely unofficial and impulsive, but I challenge my brothers out there to show how much you love to dance.  I will be at tonight's BearNight Dance at Numbers, and I'm in the mood to be a show-off, but it's no fun if I'm the only one.

So, if you love-love-LOVE to dance, and like to share your enjoyment, meet me on the main dance-floor at 9:30 tonight at Numbers. I'm choosing that time because it will be too CROWDED to do it any later.  I don't want to dislocate somebody's jaw when I hit Diva Overload!

We'll warm up for a bit, and when the groove goes hardcore, so will we - I challenge you to show me your best moves!