Over the years, the leather community has supported numerous charities. During the AIDS crisis, not that it’s over, the community created and financially supported organizations like Mama’s Kitchen, The Food Pantry and Being Alive. These organizations provide food and services to members stricken by what was once a terminal illness that left its mark not only on the gay community, but the world.
Groups like the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, created in San Francisco, have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for social and political causes. San Diego started its own order of Sisters in 2005, The Asylum of the Tortured Heart. Sisters are men and women donned in nuns outfits that go out and manifest to the community at large. They perform outreach for safe sex, promote a life of non-guilt and perform blessings for entertainment.
The cowboys are brothers to the leather community. Just like leathermen, they wear chaps and like leathermen, they wear boots. And both groups wear jeans!
The cowboys, like the Sisters, are 501c3 organizations. As 501c3 organizations, they are non-profit and they give back to the community. Every year, annual rodeos are held in cities across the United States. The San Diego Gay Rodeo just recently had their event in hot Palm Springs. And in Palm Springs it’s not just the weather that’s hot, so are the men.
Keep your eyes open for the rodeo advertisements, and then check it out. You might get roped – or is that at a leather event? Like I said, they’re not far apart!
A few years ago, San Diego had a group called the Cash Cows. The Cows, just like the other community groups, would go to events, collect donations and contribute to needy causes. The Cows were one of the first groups in San Diego to organize a fundraiser for hurricane Katrina relief in New Orleans.
Before the economy took a tank, San Diego held the annual leather community awards. The awards would recognize individuals, groups, clubs and businesses that contributed to the success of the San Diego leather, Levi, bear, kink and fetish communities. Some notable groups recognized were Submissive Voice, Bears, Imperial Court, Pleasures and Treasures, San Diego Eagle and Pecs Bar, all of which are still promoting benevolence today.
Some organizations, like the San Diego Leather boys and the Leather boys of San Diego have restructured, but you can still see the fruits of their labor in San Diego.
A lot of organizations not only bring entertainment to San Diego, they bring income to the community. The San Diego Bears and The Bears of San Diego have held annual events like the Mr. Bear contest and Sun Bear Weekend for many years now. The bears are our furry, frisky and friendly friends.
The leather community also includes our pan-sexual groups like Club-X, who cater to our straight, bi-sexual and transgender men and women. At a Club-X function, you might find your traditional definition of a kinky straight couple, or bi-curious folks. They socialize for coffee first, and then they play later.
There is something for everyone in the leather community. You can see for yourself at the Leather Realm during San Diego Gay Pride in July.
Contest this weekend!
This Friday, stop by the San Diego Eagle and meet the contestants for the 2012 California Leather Sir, boy, Bootblack and Puppy Contest being held at Queen Bees, 3925 Ohio St. San Diego (North Park) 92104 on Saturday night. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the contest starts at 7 p.m. The contest will be filmed by Third World Media from San Francisco.
Contestants are running for Leather Sir, boy, Bootblack and Puppy. The emcee is San Diego’s own Ms. Roxy Blue. There will be a special performance by the San Diego 2010 Winner of So You Think You Can Drag, Glitz Glam! The rodeo is hosting the bar and the after-parties on Saturday are at the Eagle and a cigar social at the Redwing on Sunday, hosted by California Leather Sir 2010, Sir Miles and boy Shawn.
The contest promises to be very exciting, due in part to the fantasies and the introduction of the California Puppies. Tickets are on sale at Pleasures and Treasures, who by the way is in the process of moving to a new location on University, next door to the Water Lady. Tickets are also on sale at the Eagle and The Crypt on Park Boulevard.
Congrats to a San Diego hero, Mr. Anthony Rollar, who won second runner-up at International Mr. Leather (IML) held in Chicago, Memorial Day weekend. Also, thanks to everyone who contributed to my wonderful birthday weekend. But I celebrate the entire month of June, so it ain’t over! And to my pen pals, keep those cards and letters coming. Let’s connect and share energy. Intlleathersir2003@cox.net.
As a last thought, I would like to say my farewells to a champion of the leather community, George Wong of L.A. George passed on to the next life on June 6. He had his fingers in just about everything in California and across the nation. He is already missed. George was a community man and a friend!
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