CHICAGO: Flix in Gear @ LA&M

Join the Leather Archives & Museum for a pre-bar screening of three films “Age of Consent”, “DOG EAT DOG” and “pissies not sissies”

Come in GEAR, change into GEAR here, or come as you are.

FREE for Members of the LA&M
$5 Students / Seniors / Anyone in Gear (leather, fetish, uniform)
$10 General Admission
FREE popcorn for all

pissies not sissies
2004 – 13 minutes

DOG EAT DOG
2006 – 12 minutes

Age of Consent : The story of the HOIST, London’s first and only Gay Fetish Bar
2014 – 88 minutes

Free bag check will be available.

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*GREAT* Article on what Collars mean to people

Check out this great article on Collars and what it can mean to someone.  

 

A collar is well-known symbol within the BDSM community, but it seems that more and more often I’m seeing newcomers use the collar as simply another fetish accessory. They are unaware of the intense symbolism behind the collar, what it means, why it’s worn and why it shouldn’t be used as a prop.    More…

A Leatherman’s story

Please share this.

Posted by Ren Rushold on Tuesday, May 26, 2015

“Aging in Gayville”

Great article on growing older as a Gay Man reminding everyone that the fun doesn’t stop at 40. It only gets better. (Speaking from experience as well)

My 44th birthday is approaching. I sense shadows in the distance. They’re looming; ominous. I question what they are. I squint into the rainbow-hued sunlight, my hand perched at my brow to block the sun from my eyes. It’s then that I can fully see them: buzzards. The shadows are buzzards. They’re circling, soaring in a loop, waiting for me. They’re anticipating the death of my relevance and desirability as a gay man. Wait, what? What’s going on here? I won’t star in this scenario. I will not accept this! This is not my story. Yet sometimes when I allow myself to just wallow in the loneliness and depression that inevitably affects all of us from time to time as we get older, those thoughts run through my mind.

We all get older. At least we better hope we get older. The alternative is death. The older I get the wiser I get. I’m still learning, growing, changing. I’m making better decisions these days. It’s become less about right and wrong and more about choices….

*FULL ARTICLE*

CLAW 2015 Hotel now accepting reservations!

HOTEL ROOM BOOKED!!!

There’s no way I’m missing CLAW 2015.  The hotels sold out last year from what I understand. It’s a fun event. I recommend everyone check it out.  

 

CLAW Attendance and Schedule of Events Both Grow Again. A record 1,200 people enjoyed CLAW at a new hotel. New events included Pool Parties, Speed Dating Games, and a Men’s BDSM Play Space in the host hotel.

In June, the CLAW Board of Directors distributed $50,000 among 16 different charities. Counting CLAW Nation parties, CLAW has now donated over $500,000 since it began. Big thanks to CLAW’s many sponsors, vendors, advertisers, silent auction donors, attendees and more than 400 volunteers who helped to raise money at CLAW.

CLAW 15 is April 23-26, 2015. Book your rooms now and be at the host hotel for CLAW 15! New Hotel: Holiday Inn Cleveland South. Rooms $129.00/night.

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IML 2014: Meet Pablo Greene at IML and Win A FREE Limited Edition T-Shirt!

Meet Pablo Greene at IML and Win A FREE Limited Edition T-Shirt!

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10  winners get a limited edition t-shirt at IML 2014

We are proud to announce that Pablo Greene will be signing copies of the runaway hit How to Kill a Superhero at this year’s International Mr. Leather in Chicago. IML is one of the longest-running kink and fetish events in the world.

WHERE:
THE LEATHER ARCHIVES & MUSEUM BOOTH IN THE VENDOR MART
CHICAGO MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN
540 N. MICHIGAN AVE.
CHICAGO, IL 60611

WHEN:
MAY 24, 2014, 3-5 PM

HOW TO GET THE SHIRT:
WE’LL HAVE BOOKS FOR SALE AT THE TABLE, BUT ONLY THOSE READERS WHO BOUGHT THEIR BOOK ON AMAZON BEFORE THAT DAY GET THE LIMITED EDITION SHIRT. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE, WHILE QUANTITIES LAST!

BUY HOW TO KILL A SUPERHERO NOW ON PAPERBACK OR KINDLE

Do you love the Gold Apocalypse books and How to Kill a Superhero?

Leave us a review on Amazon.

 

RUFF THOUGHTS: “Keep Em’ Guessing”

People are fascinating.

Last saturday night, I was making my way to the exit of Jackhammer bar where I ran into an old co-worker where we proceeded to catch up and leave the bar together.  A very sexy built Ginger who we’ll call “Bubba”… just because when he reads this he’ll have a good laugh.  “Bubba” is a very sweet man that I don’t see often because we run in different “circles” of friends and both have odd hours with jobs.  A long while back, when we were co-workers, we had an incident happen where we saved a man’s life in a very crazy situation. So, needless to say, that was a bonding experience for us.

As we started to leave, we both keep getting stopped by friends.  Mind you, the music in Jackhammer is L-O-U-D… but I can still hear his friends.  “Who the hell is that guy you’re leaving with?  Is he gonna tie your down and pound your Ass into oblivion?” was one of the many comments (and looks) I overheard in the bar along with “Bubba’s” giggle saying “That’s not the case“.   As we walked out of the bar onto the sidewalk, another group started commenting to “Bubba” with “You are definitely not making it to Church tomorrow!“.   He jokingly shouts “BYE NOW!!!“.    He can see that I’ve overheard all of it.

So, I grabbed his hand and we proceeded to skip down the street in full leather and tall Wesco Boots with 15+ people just staring at is… their lusty fantasies of two masculine Men leaving the Leather bar totally ruined.

At times, people project how they want to see in people. The Leather Scene can be sooooo serrrrious at times.  It doesn’t need to be.  The laughter that followed our romp down Clark Street made my entire weekend.

CHICAGO: Fireside Chat with Joey McDonald

Screen Shot 2014-01-15 at 6.00.25 AM.pngCome hear Chicago’s own Joey McDonald live-on-stage! Kicking off the 2014 Center’s Fireside Chat series Joey McDonald will be interviewed live-on-stage. Chat host Douglas OKeeffe will talk with Joey about his community history, his life history, ad his community work. Following the formal interview the floor will open for audience questions. Come hear a slice of Chicago history! The Chats are free as a public service. A $5 donation to the Center on Halsted at the door, to cover its expenses, is appreciated.

Wednesday Jan 29th 7:30pm

Facebook Event Page (with Directions)

* This is a Fireside Chat that I’m really looking forward to.  Our history as Gay Leathermen (& women) is something that always moves me.  Joey’s also a sweetheart with a great sense of humor. I hope he doesn’t hold back any.

2014 Mr. Twin Cities Leather WEEKEND!

Friday Feb. 14th
-8:00pm Meet and Greet
-9:30pm Contestant Introductions/Drawing for Contestant Order
-9:45pm Raffle Drawing (Event Packages Product)
-10:00pm Black & Red Ball (Valentine’s Day)

Saturday Feb. 15th
-2:00pm until 5:00pm Kink U (More details to come!!!!)
-8:00pm Contest
-10:00pm Victory Ball

Sunday Feb. 16th
-12:00pm until 4:30pm Brunch/Hands on Rope Class
-4:30pm until 8:00pm Beer Bust/Travel Fund Fundraiser
-10:00pm until 2:00am Rubber/Kink Shower Contest

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*THIS* Weekend in Washington DC

MAL 2014

A few early-birds will trickle into DC this Wednesday when the faintest scent of leather accoutrement and cock rings are detected by curiously aroused TSA agents.  Traveler destination: DCA, IAD and BWI for MAL.  On Thursday, more early-birds arrive and it will be impossible to miss or ignore the palatable energy that signals the approaching countdown and commencement of 2014 Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend.  Finally, on Friday, January 17, the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill will teem with both MAL veterans – those who have attended the event for a number of years – and several hundred MAL virgins who by all accounts are filled with (I can see you shiver with antici — “say it!”) ….pation.  #MAL2014 emails, tweets and Facebook posts confirm #MAL2014 is a source of much excitement and chatter among many weekend virgins and most striking are the sheer volume of questions about the event itself.  “Where to go?  What to do?  Who to do?”  Not surprisingly, cadres of selfless, noble MAL veterans have placed themselves front and center responding to a large percentage of virgin inquiries.  Moreover, weekend veterans exemplify the altruistic nature of the leather community that is again proven unparalleled.  It is expected that over the next few days MAL veterans will increase all efforts that serve to confirm that for every single virgin in attendance, there are a minimum of two experienced hands waiting to welcome him, or her.   It is worth noting that friendly couples are in many cases, offering more than the minimum.

If you have not yet purchased a full MAL Weekend package, you may still do so, but only at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill on Friday, January 17 and only until 7pm that same evening.  The full package permits access to the leather exhibit hall; Saturday evening’s Leather Cocktails; Sunday brunch, Mr. MAL Contest; the official MAL Weekend closing party at 9:30 Club, Reaction Dance; and weekend shuttle service between Green Lantern, DC Eagle and 9:30 Club during published shuttle service times.  Separate day passes are also being sold – however, Leather Cocktails, Brunch and shuttle bus access are only included in the FULL package purchase.   Seasoned MAL attendees advise that you do your homework and go to www.leatherweekend.com for detailed information about everything from A – Z.  There is also a Weekend FAQS page at http://www.leatherweekend.com/faqs/
Q: Is there a dress code for Leather Cocktails?
A:  Indeed there is.  In maintaining the time-honored tradition of Leather Cocktails, we request that you dress in your best formal leather, boots, jeans, etc.  NO BARE CHESTS AND NO EXPOSED BUTTOCKS WILL BE PERMITTED IN LEATHER COCKTAILS.  Individuals baring chests and buttocks will be denied access to Leather Cocktails.  For more information about the origin and tradition of Leather Cocktails please visit our history page. In addition, the menu for Leather Cocktails has been leaked (by us so we’re fine with it) and may be viewed at http://www.leatherweekend.com/leather-cocktails-menu/
REACTION Dance: 3 DJs, 3 Levels, 3 Day Weekend
DJ tim ē (Tim Morse) has been added to the REACTION roster and will provide music in the Backbar at 9:30 Club.   DJ tim ē has been electrifying DC dance floors since 2006 spinning his own style of HiNRG pop, diva anthems and tribal beats.  He has performed at CHERRY here in DC opening for DJ Abel and Market Days at the Cellblock in Chicago; while also spinning several DC Capital Pride events. His weekly residency for the last 5 years is at Secrets (DC) where his INFERNO parties are always sizzling HOT!  Timmy has played most dance venues in DC: Town, Cobalt, Green Lantern, Apex, Nellie’s, and Motley bar. Look up DJ tim ē on Facebook.
Purchase REACTION tickets at http://ticketf.ly/195QUrl and in person at the 9:30 Club and Adam and Eve located off Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.  REACTION tickets will also be sold at the Centaur MC store during MAL Weekend and are included in the full MAL Weekend package.
Join our Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend page on Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/MALWeekend/
Remember to visit www.leatherweekend.com
Follow us on Twitter @CentaurMC.  We look forward to seeing you in a few days!!

RUFF THOUGHTS: “Dealing with Emotional Vampires”

giphyWe all have lessons in life that have to be experienced repeatedly to finally learn from.  One of mine has been dealing with Emotional Vampires.   When people “dump” their day’s issues on you without so much as a “Hello, how are you today?” (huge pet peeve) …or … what I find is very common in the Kink World, people that are unsupportive (or “Judgey”) of your sex life and even your sexual comfort levels in comparison to theirs.  For example, I’m not a huge fan of Orgies where there’s just sex going on. Just not my thing. But, I do enjoy BDSM related Play Parties.  I’ve gotten some negative feedback from less kinky people saying they’re the same.   I agree (to a point) but still not my thing. Why try to make me feel hypocritical because I’m not interested in your Orgy?

Maybe they really think my kind of party is possibly more fun?  Or maybe they’re not getting invited to either kind?   Who knows.  But, it’s not worth letting anyone make you feel  hypocritical or like you are missing out.

Do what YOU are comfortable with pushing boundaries when YOU are ready.  

Below is a quick article that spawned my thoughts today. I don’t agree with the author’s thoughts on quickly writing off negative people without having attempted a mature conversation first… in most cases.   Choose your battles wisely.  There will ALWAYS be another Orgy or BDSM themed Play Party.

-Ruff

The care and feeding (and shunning) of vampires

Vampires, of course, feed on something that we desperately need but also can’t imagine being a source of food.

You have metaphorical vampires in your life. These are people that feed on negativity, on shooting down ideas and most of all, on extinguishing your desire to make things better.

Why would someone do that? Why would they rush to respond to a heartfelt and generous blog post with a snide comment about a typo in the third line? Why would they go out of their way to fold their arms, make a grimace and destroy any hope you had for changing the status quo?

Vampires cannot be cured. They cannot be taught, they cannot learn the error of their ways. Most of all, vampires will never understand how much damage they’re doing to you and your work. Pity the vampires, they are doomed to this life.

Your garlic is simple: shun them. Delete their email, turn off comments, don’t read your one-star reviews. Don’t attend meetings where they show up. Don’t buy into the false expectation that in an organizational democracy, every voice matters. Every voice doesn’t matter–only the voices that move your idea forward, that make it better, that make you better, that make it more likely you will ship work that benefits your tribe.

It’s so tempting to evangelize to the vampires, to prove them wrong, to help them see how destructive they are. This is food for them, merely encouragement.

Shun the ones who feed on your failures.

Original Article

CLAW 14 Registration is now open!

CLAW 14 Registration Open

BUY NOW AND SAVE: The CLAW 14 PACKAGE is only $85 through December 31, 2013, a $14 savings. Starting January 1st the price will be $99.

Or register as a VOLUNTEER and get your CLAW 14 Package in exchange for 5 hours of time helping at the event!

The CLAW 14 PACKAGE includes ALL of the following:

  • At the Sheraton Hotel:
    • Access to CLAW 14 Leather VendorMart
    • Three Days of Great Silent Auctions
    • More than 40 Different Educational & Leather Skills Workshops
    • Showcase and Live Jock Auction
    • Puppy Mosh Pit and Puppy Pool Party
    • Special 1 hour performance by leather comedian John Pendal
    • Access to Hercules Ballroom play area (in basement of the Sheraton) all weekend long
    • Access to the Boots and Cigar Tent all weekend long
    • BDSM Art Show, and “Bound and Beautiful” Live Art
    • Leather Burlesque Bingo Party
    • Sunday Night Music and Comedy Review
  • CLAW Parties at Bars Around Cleveland (you won’t be asked for a $5 donation at each bar)
  • Transportation Pass to/from CLAW events and and all CLAW hotels, all weekend long
  • CLAW Merchandise (T-Shirt, Hankie, Run Pin, and more)

Optional Add-Ons for Your CLAW Package:

  • The International Leather Family Dinner, sponsored by Square Peg Toys, Saturday, 7-9pm in the Sheraton Ballroom ($65),
  • The Leather Hall of Fame Brunch, sponsored by International Mr. Leather, Sunday, 11 am – 1 pm in the Sheridan Ballroom ($35), and
  • RECON/REFLEX Dungeon Parties at FLEX Warehouse Dungeon, Thu-Fri-Sat night parties ($30/$55/$80)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

CLAW 14 Registration Open