The San Diego family, which includes the Imperial Court, puppies, sisters, cowboys, bears, local business owners, men and women of the leather community and a few elders, all came together on Sunday, May 15 at Dutch’s “Pink Palace,” a beautiful estate, to send-off Anthony Rollar, Mr. San Diego Leather 2010, to International Mr. Leather (IML) in Chicago, Memorial Day weekend. Everyone greeted each other with smiles, hugs and laughs.
Kurt, Mr. San Diego Leather 2011, organized the gathering. Anthony gave a heartwarming speech to thank everyone for their support. I would like to commend him for all his hard work, dedication and earning his cover. It is well deserved.
In past columns, I explained Sirs are dominant and boys are submissive. I am a Sir, and I have a boy, cubby Jeff, who wears my collar. (Remember, respect the collar; don’t touch it, please.)
Regarding Bootblacks, they can either be dominant or submissive, yet they’re committed to leather care. They love the smell, the feel and have a great passion for taking care of leathers. Their fetish could be feet/boots, but they care for, and condition leather jackets, chaps, pants and other leather gear. If you want to know how to care for leather, seek out a Bootblack. If you’re turned on by the smell of leather and the way it feels against your skin, and you’re reading this column for the first time, you’re already into leather.
Now let’s talk about dogs and puppies. Grrr! They are unique. Part boy, part dog, part companion, part servant, yet very protective and in need of supervision. Very loyal.
Here’s a dog fact I bet you didn’t know. A “devil dog” was once, or is currently, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. He’s very butch, and needs a strong handler.
Be wary; don’t jerk a dog’s chain. Although dogs and puppies share “some” of the same characteristics, they’re all different. Some wear masks, some don’t, some walk on all fours, and some don’t. But they’re all loyal companions.
Want to see what this puppy thing is all about? Then come out in June to the California Leather Sir, boy Community Bootblack and Puppy Contest (CLSB). Meet them face-to-face. If they like you, they’ll let you rub their heads. You just might want to take one home. They’re very entertaining. But keep in mind: it’s their headspace, not yours. So please respect it.
As the producer of this contest, I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing, emailing, befriending and rubbing a lot of heads. Rouff!
The CLSB crew, me, my sidekick Chris, Tom D, Uncle Curtis, Prince Royal Michael Lobo, Sir Miles and my cubby Jeff and the rest of crew, are all being advised by our other family members: Gary, affectionately known as mother, and my Aunties Mark and Wayne (Roxy).
The judging panel is made up of some fresh new faces, some seasoned leather folk and current and past titleholders.
The weekend kicks off Thursday, June 16 with the arrival of contestants and judges from all over California and the United States. Members of the San Diego Leather Community are volunteering to share their homes with our contestants and judges. This is the old school way from back in the ’80s and ’90s – and now considering the economy, it’s economical. We’ll probably start hanging out at the Eagle on Thursday night.
The rest of the contestants and the judges will arrive Friday. There will be a private social gathering so that judges and contestants can get to know each other. Afterwards, at 10 p.m. everyone will gather at the San Diego Eagle where we will introduce the contestants to the general public. On Saturday morning, the judges will interview each contestant.
After the interviews, the contestants will go to Queen Bees and familiarize themselves with the venue, do microphone checks and have a run through of the program. At 6 p.m. the doors to Queen Bees will open for a social hour and the contest starts at 7 p.m.
The emcee for the evening is San Diego’s own Ms. Roxy Bleu. During the evening, there will be a hot performance by Glitz Glam and the Malashock dance company.
After the contest, everyone will converge on the San Diego Eagle to round out the evening. If you purchase a ticket at the Eagle on North Park Way, it will come with a parking coupon. Once parked, you can stroll around the corner to the contest, which is less than half a block away, and then afterwards stroll back to the Eagle – no driving.
During the contest, there will be a cocktail bar, hosted by the San Diego Gay Rodeo Association. Eros Galleries will feature leather art and is the CLSB host vendor. A silent auction will also be available for public bidding. You can also purchase tickets to the contest at Pleasures and Treasures on University or The Crypt on Park for $15.
Sponsors for the contest are: Baja Betty’s, Bud Light, Chaps Inn – PS, Dick Wadd Media, Eagle LA, Empowered Products (Gun Oil), Eros Galleries, Falcon Studios, FetishForce.com, Gossip Grill, Hot Desert Knights, ID Lubes, ILSb, Jagermeister, KOK Bar, Leather Masters, LeatherStock.com, LGBT Weekly, Man-Upp Cigars, Mo’s Universe, Palm Springs Piercing, Pleasures and Treasures, Powerhouse, Queen Bee’s Art and Cultural Center, Raging Stallion, Redwing Bar and Grill, Robert Black XXX, Ruff Pig, San Diego Eagle, San Diego Rodeo, Slammer Club LA, Stella Artois, Stockroom.com, Stompers, The Crypt, Treasure Island Media and Water Boys.
We are proud to announce that San Diego’s own Macleo Leather is making vest patches. I hope I didn’t forget anyone.