THOSE IN LEATHER, FLOCK TOGETHER
What is leather pride? More so, what is Leather Pride? One means different things to many people, and the other is exactly the same and so much more! What was once known as “Sweating Bullets,” an intimate gathering of leather brotherhood consisting of around fifty men, has grown and exploded into what Palm Springs and the PSLOD, Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert, call Leather Pride. The slogan “Turning Up the Heat” was coined a handful of years ago as a perfect way to describe the sexy event that happens in the inevitable heat of the desert every fall. However, with Leather Pride being held November 11-14 this year, recent cooler weather should provide ample opportunity to polish up those leathers and dress to impress. With chances to get gigged up in leather few and far between here in the Coachella Valley, marking your calendars for this extravaganza would be smart.
When I was asked to write this column, I had been glancing on Facebook at a friend’s video of him talking about the recent repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on the local FOX affiliate in Orlando. I was so impressed with how Mark spoke about being a Navy Veteran who honorably resigned because of DADT that it took me on a quick walk down memory lane. Why is this important?! Well, when we first met it was about this same time, Halloween 1998, in Orlando at the Full Moon Saloon and I was dressed in full Master regalia. Mark was in a sailor uniform that fit him amazingly and when he called out to me as I swaggered past feeling my moment, “Hello, Sir,” he definitely caught my attention. After some sexy role-play against an oak tree outside, he waited, as instructed, for me to retreat back to the Parliament House to say farewell to friends, and we soon left together.
The next three months consisted of trips back and forth from Ft. Lauderdale, where I was living, to his home in Orlando. Mark and I considered ourselves in a “Daddy/boy” relationship and carried on as such. It fit us for the time being and for the first time I was experiencing my own surge of leather pride. He answered to me as his Sir and I referred to him as my boy when we were together. He submitted to my will, servicing my every need and desire. I dove into some serious BD/SM play, found my ground on where I stood with many fetishes and scenes, and grew leaps and bounds through the journey. That’s where I was at that time in my life. Even though I held the Mr. Florida Drummerboy title, I was far from considering myself a boy.
My relationship with Mark helped me in expressing my newfound dominant and aggressive sides. We even chose to use a lower-case in his name, mark. But that was us. I also learned that in every relationship the terms are varied and what worked for us wouldn’t be another’s cup of tea. Soon enough, I decided that pursuing a new life in Los Angeles was more important to me than carrying on a long-distance relationship so we split amicably and remain close to this day. I knew Mark needed more than I could provide and my life in leather, for what it was, remains a special part of my being. I met some amazing mentors who took me places I dared to go and craved the knowledge and guidance they provided.
Did I live a leather lifestyle 24/7? Absolutely not. However, I did learn of the tradition and camaraderie that the leather brotherhood and sisterhood have for one another and continue my respect for those who choose that way of life. It takes much more than simply putting on a harness and armbands to call oneself a leatherman. It was a fulfilling time in my life and I am glad I have experiences to share when called upon.
This year’s event of “Turning Up the Heat” promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Nothing happens over night and after months of planning and promotion, the time is very near. You’re probably familiar with the fiasco of a few years back when two shady-ass members of the PSLOD clipped the cash and receipts from the Leather Pride event and punched it out of the country, taking with them the entire bank account and setting the PSLOD behind considerably. It seems with the success of last year’s event that things are back on the upswing and the weekend will be chock full of possibilities from shiny leather loving to poop-shoot shenanigans.
VIP Weekend passes are still available for $99 and buying them at DesertLeatherPride.com is your only option. However, single event tickets will also be available at the doors of locations and checking out their glossy web home gives more information on times, statements of purpose, and various event themes. With the VIP package, you get immediate entry to the events, a commemorative run pin and dog tags, and souvenir t-shirt. Rumor has it that these coveted passes go quick so act now and thank yourself later.
Kicking off the weekend, there’s a Meet & Greet on Thursday evening at Hunters where registration begins and one is able to get a scope on who’s hot and who’s even hotter. On Friday, the Formal Leather Dinner will be held at Leon’s Bar and Grill and from the looks of their menu, color me there with knife and fork. The restaurant displays everything that makes Palm Springs famously fabulous, mountain views and an elegance of former Hollywood glamour and celebrity. Of course, later that evening is the return of the ever-popular one-night-only Tool Shed/Gear Back Lot Party where both sponsors turn the parking lots into a full service outdoor beverage garden with liquor and beer being served. This goes hand-in-hand with a heavy emphasis of shameless cruising, unique shopping with local vendors, great music pumping throughout, and the enjoyment our out of town guests who found their way into our desert playground. Pig time ends at 2 a.m. with a clear shot into Warm Sands. Tread carefully.
On Saturday, the Vendor’s Market moves to The Barracks from 2 p.m. until midnight, with a Cruise Party from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Just in time to head over for the competition at the Palm Springs Convention Center which starts at 7 p.m., doors opening at 6. Once again, the Convention Center will play host to the Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2011 Contest and the Recon Victory Dark Dance immediately afterwards. There are three contestants vying for the title that Scott Anthony, the current titleholder, took all the way into the Top 20 at International Mr. Leather. Here’s hoping our new winner has the good luck Scott did and the same amazing experience he proudly talks about. The contestants this year are Mr. Tool Shed, Drew Kramer; Mr. Twisted Sisters Leather, Chris Krelle; and Mr. Barracks Leather, Henry Jordan III. Sending focus and sincerity to all the contestants! Good luck to each of you! Stand proud and have fun. A silent and live auction will run in sync with the contest and cutie pie Lenny Bromberg, International Mr. Leather 1992, will be serving it up as emcee.
On Sunday, everyone’s weekend funhouse Helios holds the traditional Pool Party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with food, drink, and dick being served. Tickets for this single event are $20 and include all the voyeurism one can stomach and public displays of affection one will not soon forget. Like memories that burn in the corneas, err, corners of one’s mind. Try to squeeze in a breath of rest sometime because from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. is the infamous Tom of Finland Foundation Beer Bust at The Barracks, with the Vendor’s Market continuing on, as well. A donation for the Foundation will be suggested at the door so throw a few extra bucks in your pockets and have fun finding parking. It will be PACKED, and I’m not talking about your boyfriend’s ass.
Regardless of what you do over Leather Pride weekend, DO SOMETHING! Not everything costs and cruising is always free. There’s going to be many hot men in town from all over our great lands so ask yourself if you can really pass up the chance of “meating” a new stranger. The local bars and watering holes will be busy, too, so find your way somewhere. And remember that wearing something on the right, such as an armband or hanky, holds you in the regard of “bottom” and on the left, “Top.” Know what you’re flagging and own it. If you want to guzzle down some warm piss, throw a yellow hanky in that right pocket. Want to dominate in a bondage scene? Place a light grey hanky in that left pocket. And if you decide that a butt plug with a horse’s tail is what you want to feature, then start whinnying. I betcha someone comes around quick, quick.
On a side note: No animals were harmed in the creation of this column. Well… Maybe some cows. Lots and lots of helpless, senseless cows.
What is leather pride? More so, what is Leather Pride? One means different things to many people, and the other is exactly the same and so much more! What was once known as “Sweating Bullets,” an intimate gathering of leather brotherhood consisting of around fifty men, has grown and exploded into what Palm Springs and the PSLOD, Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert, call Leather Pride. The slogan “Turning Up the Heat” was coined a handful of years ago as a perfect way to describe the sexy event that happens in the inevitable heat of the desert every fall. However, with Leather Pride being held November 11-14 this year, recent cooler weather should provide ample opportunity to polish up those leathers and dress to impress. With chances to get gigged up in leather few and far between here in the Coachella Valley, marking your calendars for this extravaganza would be smart.
When I was asked to write this column, I had been glancing on Facebook at a friend’s video of him talking about the recent repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on the local FOX affiliate in Orlando. I was so impressed with how Mark spoke about being a Navy Veteran who honorably resigned because of DADT that it took me on a quick walk down memory lane. Why is this important?! Well, when we first met it was about this same time, Halloween 1998, in Orlando at the Full Moon Saloon and I was dressed in full Master regalia. Mark was in a sailor uniform that fit him amazingly and when he called out to me as I swaggered past feeling my moment, “Hello, Sir,” he definitely caught my attention. After some sexy role-play against an oak tree outside, he waited, as instructed, for me to retreat back to the Parliament House to say farewell to friends, and we soon left together.
The next three months consisted of trips back and forth from Ft. Lauderdale, where I was living, to his home in Orlando. Mark and I considered ourselves in a “Daddy/boy” relationship and carried on as such. It fit us for the time being and for the first time I was experiencing my own surge of leather pride. He answered to me as his Sir and I referred to him as my boy when we were together. He submitted to my will, servicing my every need and desire. I dove into some serious BD/SM play, found my ground on where I stood with many fetishes and scenes, and grew leaps and bounds through the journey. That’s where I was at that time in my life. Even though I held the Mr. Florida Drummerboy title, I was far from considering myself a boy.
My relationship with Mark helped me in expressing my newfound dominant and aggressive sides. We even chose to use a lower-case in his name, mark. But that was us. I also learned that in every relationship the terms are varied and what worked for us wouldn’t be another’s cup of tea. Soon enough, I decided that pursuing a new life in Los Angeles was more important to me than carrying on a long-distance relationship so we split amicably and remain close to this day. I knew Mark needed more than I could provide and my life in leather, for what it was, remains a special part of my being. I met some amazing mentors who took me places I dared to go and craved the knowledge and guidance they provided.
Did I live a leather lifestyle 24/7? Absolutely not. However, I did learn of the tradition and camaraderie that the leather brotherhood and sisterhood have for one another and continue my respect for those who choose that way of life. It takes much more than simply putting on a harness and armbands to call oneself a leatherman. It was a fulfilling time in my life and I am glad I have experiences to share when called upon.
This year’s event of “Turning Up the Heat” promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Nothing happens over night and after months of planning and promotion, the time is very near. You’re probably familiar with the fiasco of a few years back when two shady-ass members of the PSLOD clipped the cash and receipts from the Leather Pride event and punched it out of the country, taking with them the entire bank account and setting the PSLOD behind considerably. It seems with the success of last year’s event that things are back on the upswing and the weekend will be chock full of possibilities from shiny leather loving to poop-shoot shenanigans.
VIP Weekend passes are still available for $99 and buying them at DesertLeatherPride.com is your only option. However, single event tickets will also be available at the doors of locations and checking out their glossy web home gives more information on times, statements of purpose, and various event themes. With the VIP package, you get immediate entry to the events, a commemorative run pin and dog tags, and souvenir t-shirt. Rumor has it that these coveted passes go quick so act now and thank yourself later.
Kicking off the weekend, there’s a Meet & Greet on Thursday evening at Hunters where registration begins and one is able to get a scope on who’s hot and who’s even hotter. On Friday, the Formal Leather Dinner will be held at Leon’s Bar and Grill and from the looks of their menu, color me there with knife and fork. The restaurant displays everything that makes Palm Springs famously fabulous, mountain views and an elegance of former Hollywood glamour and celebrity. Of course, later that evening is the return of the ever-popular one-night-only Tool Shed/Gear Back Lot Party where both sponsors turn the parking lots into a full service outdoor beverage garden with liquor and beer being served. This goes hand-in-hand with a heavy emphasis of shameless cruising, unique shopping with local vendors, great music pumping throughout, and the enjoyment our out of town guests who found their way into our desert playground. Pig time ends at 2 a.m. with a clear shot into Warm Sands. Tread carefully.
On Saturday, the Vendor’s Market moves to The Barracks from 2 p.m. until midnight, with a Cruise Party from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Just in time to head over for the competition at the Palm Springs Convention Center which starts at 7 p.m., doors opening at 6. Once again, the Convention Center will play host to the Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2011 Contest and the Recon Victory Dark Dance immediately afterwards. There are three contestants vying for the title that Scott Anthony, the current titleholder, took all the way into the Top 20 at International Mr. Leather. Here’s hoping our new winner has the good luck Scott did and the same amazing experience he proudly talks about. The contestants this year are Mr. Tool Shed, Drew Kramer; Mr. Twisted Sisters Leather, Chris Krelle; and Mr. Barracks Leather, Henry Jordan III. Sending focus and sincerity to all the contestants! Good luck to each of you! Stand proud and have fun. A silent and live auction will run in sync with the contest and cutie pie Lenny Bromberg, International Mr. Leather 1992, will be serving it up as emcee.
On Sunday, everyone’s weekend funhouse Helios holds the traditional Pool Party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with food, drink, and dick being served. Tickets for this single event are $20 and include all the voyeurism one can stomach and public displays of affection one will not soon forget. Like memories that burn in the corneas, err, corners of one’s mind. Try to squeeze in a breath of rest sometime because from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. is the infamous Tom of Finland Foundation Beer Bust at The Barracks, with the Vendor’s Market continuing on, as well. A donation for the Foundation will be suggested at the door so throw a few extra bucks in your pockets and have fun finding parking. It will be PACKED, and I’m not talking about your boyfriend’s ass.
Regardless of what you do over Leather Pride weekend, DO SOMETHING! Not everything costs and cruising is always free. There’s going to be many hot men in town from all over our great lands so ask yourself if you can really pass up the chance of “meating” a new stranger. The local bars and watering holes will be busy, too, so find your way somewhere. And remember that wearing something on the right, such as an armband or hanky, holds you in the regard of “bottom” and on the left, “Top.” Know what you’re flagging and own it. If you want to guzzle down some warm piss, throw a yellow hanky in that right pocket. Want to dominate in a bondage scene? Place a light grey hanky in that left pocket. And if you decide that a butt plug with a horse’s tail is what you want to feature, then start whinnying. I betcha someone comes around quick, quick.
On a side note: No animals were harmed in the creation of this column. Well… Maybe some cows. Lots and lots of helpless, senseless cows.
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