The
LeatherReport:
December 2003
by J.P. Rathburne for the San
Francisco Spectrum
Santa Claus is ours. You all know it. He’s a big,
bearish leather daddy who smokes a pipe, wears wide, black
leather belts and boots to match. He carries a whip (he
says it’s for the reindeer). He lives with
a bunch of submissive short guys who follow his every
order. What else do you need? A sash that says, "Mr.
Leather North Pole"?
Top news for December: Master Claus
is a leatherguy.
 |
| Tony
Koester is named the new "Daddy of Daddy's"
during the two-day celebration of the bar's 8th
Anniversary in November. Last year's "D of
D," Lenny Broberg (left). |
Contributing To This Report
Thanks to the following for contributing material to
this month’s Report: David Wheeler, Daddy’s
Digest, Mama and Mama’s Family, the Leather Forum,
Rich "RTB" Trevino, Annie Romano-Blas, Sheryl
Dee, Snatch, Mark Paladini.
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
It’s traditional to come to the end of yet another
year and reflect on what has occurred, what has been accomplished
and what yet needs to be done.
In 2003: One new leather club was born (the Latin Leather
Club) and one celebrated their first year (The San Francisco
Boys of Leather). The first woman Leather Marshal was
chosen for the Pride Parade. In May, your humble scribe
joined the San Francisco Spectrum for his first
column.
We had two San Francisco Leather contests, which is more
than anyone really deserves in one year. In Chicago, local
hero Richie Chameroy brought us back an international
title. We recalled a governor but nobody can recall another
year in which state and city politics were so bizarre
and so painful, it made the Folsom Street Fair look tame
by comparison.
At the end of a year like this, there must be a Christmas.
Regardless of personal religious or spiritual beliefs,
it must be there to restore our faith– that faith
in each other and in our shared humanity. Christmas is
temporary permission to suspend our adult fears, suspicions
and weariness, to embrace the fleeting hope, the wonder
and the excitement of children on Christmas morning. Very
best wishes for a happy holiday–however you choose
to celebrate and whatever family or friends you chose
to gather around you.
Forum Holiday Party
The annual Leather Forum of San Francisco Holiday Party
will be held Sunday, December 7, 2003
6-9pm at Leticia's (398 7th Street at Harrison). This
traditional party for the leather community is open to
anyone wearing an overlay of a club (local or distant)
and by invitation. Appetizers, buffet dinner and two complementary
drinks are provided to attendees. For more info, email
to HolidayParty@SFLeatherCalendar.org.
The Leather Forum coordinates the San Francisco Leather
Calendar at www.SFLeatherCalendar.org
in order to prevent overlapping and schedule conflicts
among the city’s many leather events. Keep that thought
in mind when reading our next item(s):
Leather Brunch
Also on Sunday, December 7 is the PRC Holiday Leather
Brunch from 12:30-2:30 pm at the Utah (500 4th St. at
Bryant). Your $20 ticket gets you a sumptuous brunch,
complimentary soda or mimosa cocktail, the awarding of
the Unsung Leather Hero of the Year, entertainment and
the silent auction– all to benefit the Positive Resource
Center. Tickets available at Daddy’s or by calling
(415) 292-9808.
…And This, To Boot
Rounding out your Sunday, the Boot Party at Daddy’s
(440 Castro) with International Boot Black Richie Chameroy,
December 7 from 4-8pm. Stop by and get your boots buffed
between the Leather Brunch and the Leather Dinner. They
may need it by then.
The Edge of Christmas
Donna Sachet and Gary Virginia are teaming up to produce
the Edge (18th & Collingwood) Holiday Party
on Thursday, December 11 at 8pm. Donna’s "Songs
of the Season" show for AEF is back at the Plush
Room on Monday, December 15. Native Hunter’s Note:
Every year, there are always spontaneous, post-SOS, after-theater
parties full of hot leather guys that night in the Castro.
Maybe you guys like music, maybe it’s just an excuse
to party on a weeknight…I dunno.
Daddy’s For The Holidays
Mr. SF Leather 2004 Julian Marshburn hosts an auction
of his fellow Daddy’s bartenders on Thursday, December
11 beginning at 8pm to benefit Magnet Health Services
and the SF Leather Travel Fund.
Mark Paladini will be hosting the Boy’s Toys Toy
Drive with Fernando Robles at Daddy’s from 4-8pm
on Sunday, December 14. The event will benefit both the
toy drive for kids with HIV at Camp Sunburst, but also
Project Open Hand–so bring cash or a new, unwrapped
toy and exchange it for play money to participate in the
night’s festivities.
Wednesday, December 17 is Daddy’s Christmas Party
beginning at 7pm with music and a visit from Santa. New
Years Eve Party on December 31, as is traditional.
 |
Michael Holeman
and Jay Hemphill celebrate leather nuptials and
contribute $1,483 to the LA&M. |
LA&M Celebrates Wedding
Jay Hemphill and Michael Holeman commemorated their recent
wedding in Toronto with a reception held at Daddy’s
on Sunday, November 9. In addition to a swell party, it
was a fundraiser for the Leather Archives and Museum (LA&M)
in Chicago. The event, plus a generous donation of their
own to mark the occasion, sends a total gift of $1,483
to help retire the Museum’s mortgage.
Gift Suggestions
Struggling with last minute leather gifts? The new photo
book by Fakir "Spirit + Flesh" is available
through Different Light (489 Castro). Rock Hard (518 Castro)
has some clever leather ‘n spike tree ornaments.
Don’t forget to shop Under One Roof (549 Castro),
where your gift purchase gives twice (be sure to thank
the volunteers while you’re there–some are cute
AND single).
At last check, all these shops still have the 2004 SOMA
Bare Chest Calendar in stock, proceeds of which go to
AEF/BCEF and Positive Resource Center. The same charities
benefit when you shop online and order the much-praised
"Carols Across America" CD ($14.99 at
www.ecarols.com)
with Donna Sachet, Linda Imperial, Irene Soderberg, TJ
& Sheba, Jo-Carol, Mark Paladini, SDK, Paul Parker,
and many others. Perfect background music for that holiday
party! Hear samplings at the website.
Don’t forget the selection of gift coffees available
at www.gaycoffees.com/rtb
that benefit the LA&M and/or the Gay Men's Domestic
Violence Project (GMDVP).
If your favorite leatherman already has all the calendars,
CD’s, coffee, restraints, floggers and accessories
he needs, make a donation directly in their name to the
LA&M or the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom
(NCSF). Or for the folks who won’t be home with their
families this Christmas, contribute to the Servicemembers
Legal Defense Fund (SLDN) to end the hateful "Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell" policy of our armed forces.
Sadistic Press
Daedalus Publishing announces a new work by the former
publisher of Drummer magazine and local leather columnist
Robert Davolt.
"Painfully Obvious: An Irreverent
and Unauthorized Manual For SM/Leather" is a
collection of 40 provocative essays written for the LeatherPage.com,
the international leather community's "website of
record" for news and commentary. The anthology takes
an unorthodox look at leather relationships, community,
contests, business, tradition, history and leadership.
Inside perspective and practical tips on "What To
Wear," "Leather On The Cheap" and "Passing
The Bar," are delivered with authoritative research
and barbed humor. Introduction written by respected leather
columnist for the Minneapolis Lavender Steve Lenius
and Foreword by International Mr. Leather 1996 and publisher
of the LeatherPage.com Joe Gallagher. (This column is
also carried at www.LeatherPage.com).
A San Francisco book release party is planned at Daddy's
in December when the book will be available at local bookstores,
Amazon.com and directly through DaedalusPublishing.com.
For an invitation or further information, contact author
at DaddyXIX@hotmail.com
or the publisher at their website.
Imperial Christmas
The Thigh-High Leather Empress (Snatch) will have a busy
season beginning with the December 14 "Nice
& Nasty X-mas Show" at Harvey's (18th &
Castro) and then "Rough Trade" at The Powerhouse
(Dore Alley & Folsom) December 17 beginning at 10pm.
Finally, an S&M Christmas Party at Daddy’s on
December 21 from 4pm to 8pm.
Late Breaking News
This item was just received about a birthday party and
benefit for Magnet Health Services on Sunday, November
30 at Daddy’s from 4-8pm. The occasion, according
to the press release, is celebrating "Chuck Ross’
36th time around the sun." Promised are raffles,
auction and door prizes, entertainment by Donna Sachet
and David Bentley–all to be emceed by Brian Butler.
Suggested Attire: Wild, flamboyant, over-the-top.
The Rest Of The World
Outside San Francisco, people are getting ready for winter.
They are pulling woolen sweaters over their harnesses
and shoveling the walk to the dungeon. They are chipping
ice off the sling and heating the lube to a toasty degree.
And that’s just in Santa Clara…
LLC8 Submission Deadline
The Eighth Annual Leather Leadership Conference is accepting
proposals for presentations to LLC8 to be held in New
Orleans April 2-4. Deadline for submissions is December
15 and accepted proposals will be notified by January
15. For further information (including a handy "How
To" form and samples) go to http://www.leatherleadership.org/llc8/index.htm.
 |
Kohl
was selected Mr. Santa Clara County Leather 2004
at a San Jose contest. |
Santa Clara Leather
Khol and Sage (no last names, please!) were selected
Mr. Santa Clara County Leather and Ms. Santa Clara Leather
2004, respectively. The narrow field in San Jose consisted
of two candidates for Mr. and just one for Ms. A check
for $600 was presented to the Billy DeFrank LGBT Center
in San Jose and $400 went to the Leather Archives &
Museum. A full barrel of food was gathered for the Second
Harvest Food Bank.
 |
Ms
San Diego Leather 2004 Karen Yew (center) is flanked
by her runners-up. |
Ms. San Diego
Leather
I usually leave Southern California to my colleague Don
Thompson, but I thought this was a story of note: Hard
hit by recent wildfires, the San Diego community took
a break to celebrate and select the 10th Ms
San Diego Leather. After weeks of coordinating relief
efforts, the contest was held Saturday, November 15 at
the recently renovated LGBT center. Of the three contestants,
Karen Yew was selected as Ms. San Diego Leather 2004.
Many communities have clubs and events. Almost any community
can hold a leather contest. Not every community can pull
together in the face of disaster. It is not titles or
contests that define a community, but the extraordinary
organization, unity, purpose and determination as shown
by the San Diego leather community. Kudos.
Got Bounce?
Chris Vincent from Las Vegas was named Mr. International
Rubber 2004 at the Cell Block in Chicago on Saturday,
November 8 defeating competitors from Rome, Sydney…and
Columbus. The event also marked the new owners of the
Halstead Street bar and a fond farewell to former owner,
Roger Hickey.
Cowhide Calendar
Some upcoming events you might be interested in:
| December |
6 |
(Sat) |
ACLC Slave Auction, Turf Club, Hayward
|
7 |
(Sun) |
Leather Brunch
|
7 |
(Sun) |
Boot Party, Daddy’s
|
7 |
(Sun) |
SF Leather Forum Holiday Party
|
11 |
(Thu) |
Bartender Auction, Daddy’s
|
11 |
(Thu) |
Holiday Party, Edge
|
14 |
(Sun) |
Boy’s Toys Toy Drive, Daddy’s
|
17 |
(Wed) |
Christmas Party, Daddy’s
|
17 |
Wed) |
Rough Trade, Powerhouse
|
21 |
(Sun) |
S&M Christmas, Daddy’s
|
25 |
(Thu) |
Christmas
|
27 |
(Sat) |
15 Association Play Party
|
31 |
(Wed) |
New Years Eve
|
| |
| January |
4 |
(Sun) |
Bare Chest Calendar, Eagle
|
17 |
(Sat) |
ACLC Leather Elegance, Hayward
|
18 |
(Sun) |
Mid Atlantic Leather, WDC
|
|
24 |
(Sat) |
Defenders 10th Anniversary
|
|
