by J.P. Rathburne for the San Francisco Spectrum

A New Year holds the promise of new adventures and new experiences. It’s a chance to avoid repeating the same old mistakes; maybe come up with some new mistakes. 

The leather community—like any community—gets into habits and routines by which it functions year after year. Protocol, tradition and continuity keep us together as a community. Events are marked off, month by month, and it is tough to deal with change. After all, we’ve always done it this way.

It’s not easy sometimes to allow people to come up with their own mistakes. To try it their way, even if that is pretty sure not to work.  To be around to catch ‘em when they fall (and try to keep the I-told-you-so’s down to a whisper). Maybe we can use the New Year to let some new leatherettes try their wings, maybe we can develop the leaders of tomorrow. They gotta start somewhere. 

Contributing To This Report

Thanks to the following for contributing material to this month’s Report: David Wheeler, Shayne, Daddy’s Digest, Mama and Mama’s Family, The ICF, The Leatherman’s Discussion Group, The Defenders, Robert Davolt, Daedalus Publishing, Tom Braddock, Mitch Durbin, Vick Germany.

Remember, this is your Leather Report.  If you need to get in touch with me with feedback, press releases, announcements or information, please contact me at jprathburne@sfspectrum.com before the 15th of each month.

San Francisco

San Francisco Leather Community suggested Resolutions for 2004:

• I will try at least one new sexual adventure this year.
  
• I will not blame anyone else or sue anyone if that sexual adventure does not go exactly as I dreamed it would.
  
• I will enjoy the moment and not wax nostalgic for the past or expect an unreasonable future.
  
• I will not complain about events or community projects unless my very next sentence contains an offer to volunteer.
  
• I will check up on my fellow leather folk when they are sick, in need or just down.
  
• I will not create yet another leather contest unless there is a good reason for same.
  
• I will let someone else to go first, I will let an insult slide and I will be generous without seeking praise.
  
• I will get notices and announcements into the Spectrum before the 15^th of the previous month.
  
• I will end 2004 having made a contribution to my community.

Leather Dyke Contests

SF Leather Dyke Boy Shayne (l) and SF Leather Dyke Girl Lori step down at the January 24th contest.

The 3rd annual San Francisco Leather Dyke Boy and Leather Dyke girl Contest is scheduled for Saturday, January 24.  A Meet & Greet is scheduled for Friday, January 23 and a Victory Brunch for Sunday the 25^th.

We know that 2003 San Francisco Leather Dyke Boy Shayne, and Leather Dyke Girl Lori Gold will step down at the contest, but times, locations, judges and ticket information are still a mystery. Hopefully, last minute information will be available at www.dykedaddydiva-sf.org .

Welcome To America

San Francisco Leather Dyke Boy 2003 Shayne presents “Welcome to America, boy!” a fundraiser for the Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center. (LYRIC) on Sunday January 4 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Daddy’s bar (440 Castro). Entertainment, raffle and auction.

Pantheon Nominations

The Bay Area garnered 29 nominations for the 2004 Pantheon of Leather Community Service Awards. The annual Awards will be given out at a ceremony held at Chicago’s Leather Archive & Museum auditorium on Friday, February 13.

The following Bay Area leather folk were nominated for individual awards: Tony Koester, Sal Hopkins, Robert Davolt and Sandy “Mama” Reinhardt (2 nominations each), Gayle Rubin, John Embry, Jack Fritscher, Joe Granese, Lucky Choi, Peter Fiske, Joe Gallagher, Roger Gregg, Mark Leno, J.P. Rathburne, Mark Weigle and a posthumous nomination for Patrick Toner.

The following organizations and events also received nominations: AIDS Emergency Fund/Breast Cancer Emergency Fund (AEF/BCEF), Alameda County Leather Corps (ACLC), San Francisco Leather Dyke Family, Mama’s Family, Leather and Uniform Ball (Phoenix Uniform Club), Leather Walk, Circus of Sin (ACLC), Leather/Levi Weekend III.

For the full list see www.theleatherjournal.com/pantheon.htm .  Daddy’s will be holding their annual Pantheon Party in February to honor the Bay Area Nominees.

Some of over 100 motorcycles in the 2003 Leather Pride Contingent. "Leather Rap" meeting about Pride 2004 is scheduled for January 11.

38th ICF Awards

The 38^th annual Inter-Club Fund Motorcycle Awards to celebrate the year’s outstanding achievements are planned for Saturday, February 14 at Most Holy Redeemer Community Room (100 Diamond Street). Doors open at 6:00 pm, Dinner at 7:00 and the Awards Show at 8:00 pm. Entertainment, door prizes and a raffle featuring a Yosemite Weekend and Wesco Engineer Boots.

LDG Picks Officers

The Steering Committee of the Leatherman’ Discussion Group (LDG) has announced officers for 2004: President Glen Baird; Vice President Bradley Finegold; Secretary Morris Taylor and Treasurer Barry Weinerman. The officers will be responsible for continuing the LDG’s tradition of lively discussion, presentations, demonstrations, forums and workshops on important topics.

This group meets on the first and third Wednesday of every month at 7:30 pm in the upstairs Community Room at Blow Buddies (933 Harrison Street). The topic scheduled for January 21 is Piercing.  For further information visit the LDG website at www.sfldg.org, or email info@sfldg.org.

Defenders Anniversary

Defenders/San Francisco will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary on Saturday, January 24 with a Spiritual Retreat beginning at 2:00 pm. After closing with a Celebratory Liturgy at 5:00 pm, a cocktail party will begin at 6:00, followed by a buffet dinner at 7:00. Interested persons may attend any or all of the afternoon and evening celebrations (Admittance by invitation or overlay). For further information and/or an invitation, please contact Defenders/SF Leader Jim Remer at jim@sfdefenders.org.

The Defenders differ from other Levi/Leather/Motorcycle clubs in that they celebrate their Christian faith/spirituality as a component of their leather sexuality. There are currently active chapters in Boston, Chicago, Columbus/Dayton, Philadelphia, Providence, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Tampa Bay.

B-day & Sling

Tom Braddock announces a 40^th Birthday party on Friday, January 9 at the Powerhouse, from 8:00 pm to midnight. The next Friday, January 16 at 9:00 pm Braddock hosts a party at The Sling (926 Natoma) to benefit the Sevicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). Tickets are $15 ($20 for a couple). For information: tombraddock@yahoo.com .

Then on Saturday, January 17 Braddock will have a beer bust from 3:00 till 6:00 pm at The Edge (18th & Collingwood) at which point 40 will feel much, much older after all those parties. 

New book to release this month takes "irreverent and unauthorized" look at the leather community.

Delayed Release

The delayed book release party for former Drummer publisher Robert Davolt’s first book (Painfully Obvious: An Irreverent and Unauthorized Manual for Leather/SM, Daedalus Publishing, 264 pages, $16.95). has been rescheduled for Saturday, January 10 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Daddy's bar. A limited number of special advance, first editions will be sold to benefit the Leather Archive & Museum in Chicago. Also planned are door prizes, a special dedication and refreshments.

Eagle  Events

The SF Eagle Tavern’s (12^th & Harrison) Sunday Beer Busts include a SOMA Bare chest Calendar event (Sunday, January 4), SF Leather Daddy XX Tony Koester  (Sunday, January 18) and a LYRIC fundraiser (Sunday, January 25).

Pride Rap

The first steps towards the 2004 Leather Pride Contingent will be taken Sunday, January 11 at 1:00 pm on the patio of the SF Eagle Tavern. SF Leather Daddy XXI Peter Fiske and Jennie Mork (both members of the SF Pride Committee) host a “Leather Community Rap” about the upcoming Pride Parade and Celebration.

The Rest Of The World

The big January event outside of San Francisco is Mid-Atlantic Leather (MAL) in Washington, DC over the MLK, Jr. holiday weekend.  But from Indiana to San Leandro, leatherfolk are celebrating 2004 with gusto:

Leather Elegance

Alameda County Leather Corps (ACLC) invites you to “a night of elegance; a night of class” on Saturday, January 17 from 7:00 to 11:00 pm—“A Night to Remember.” Evening attire and formal leather is suggested for this evening of dinner, dancing, entertainment and silent auction at Elio's Family Restaurant (260 Floresta Blvd in San Leandro).

Tickets sold in advance only through Frantix Ticket Service at <www.frantix.net> or call (866) 372-6849. Due to restaurant requirements, all tickets must be purchase by January 13 (Tickets will not be for sale at the door).  The beneficiary is the Eldridge Elementary School (Hayward) Science Program.

The Sacramento Valley Leathermen (SVL) provided color guard for the SF Leather Contingent for the past two years. SVL installs new officers January 10.

SVL Installation

Sacramento Valley Leathermen (SVL) installs their 2004 Board of Directors with a night on the town in the capitol city Saturday, January 10. The evening begins at 8:00 pm at The Bolt (2560 Boxwood, Sacramento) with the formal swearing-in. A caravan (with designated drivers) will hit the gay bars in the heart of Sacramento's Lavender Heights (Faces, Depot, and Mercantile). After the “leather invasion" makes its way through the bars, the entourage will return to the Bolt to finish the evening.

Leather/Fetish attire is requested and for more information on the event or SVL visit www.svlclub.org or email svl_club@yahoo.com.

Indiana Wants Me

Just in case you are stuck mid-country in January, The Indianapolis chapter of the National Leather Association (NLA:Indianapolis) cordially invites you to join them for Indiana Leather Community Night on Saturday, January 24 from 9:30 pm to close at The 501 Eagle (upper level, 501 N. College Ave., Indianapolis). A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Leather Archives & Museum and National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (see information about the PPF Fund at www.ppffund.org).

Transitions

Unfortunately, there have been several passings in our community.

Dave Lewis of Seattle, on Sunday, December 14. President of Seattle Men in Leather (SML), Lewis passed away of an apparent heart attack. A charter member of SML, the first Seattle Leather Daddy,  President of Generic Leather Productions of Washington on the Board of Outdoor Adventurers Club and was a candidate for the Seattle School Board.

Dean Walradt of Dallas, on Monday, December 15. Walradt, owner of Leather by Boots, also conducted the boy's Training Camp, Master's Retreat, and a multitude of projects.

Rodney “Rodt” Jordan-ross of Clear Lake, California on Saturday, December 6, following treatment for Lymphoma. Dancer, educator and beloved slave, boy and partner to Phil Ross.

Bob Ross of San Francisco on Wednesday, December 10, publisher and owner of the Bay Area Reporter.

Cowhide Calendar

Some upcoming events you might be interested in:

New Community Calendar!
It's easy to to submit your Free calendar listing,
click on "Add Event".


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