Chicago once again proved it's worthy of housing our illustrious Archives by hosting LEATHERFEST 2003, MR. CELLBLOCK, PANTHEON OF LEATHER, and many private parties in one great February weekend! Whatever the wind chill outside, it was hot, hot hot, inside Chicago's establishments as the movers and shakers of the community converged on the city to pick up its much-deserved pat on the backs from the community. For details and list of the recipients visit: www.theleatherjournal.com .
Unusually freezing temperatures everywhere! Where's this 'global warming' thing and when does it kick in? I'm going back to aerosol cans, I think.
Finally got around to actually reading that glossy new magazine INSTIGATOR which has the look, feel and text of a first-class European 'pig' magazine on par with SM and TOY. While the photography and artwork are first class, I have to say that much of its content, editorial and such are right on par with my thinking on a myriad of subjects, mainly sex, sex and oh yes, sex. It makes no apologies for itself and makes no claim to be politically correct. I hope this mag is around for a while cause it could be the voice of the next generation of kink/fetish players.
February certainly became African-American pride month as every contest I attended had at least one prominent man of color in it. I gave them my Mr. Ebony Leather producer card 'just in case.' Must have been a good-luck token because in each case 'my' contestant won! Adrian Williams became Cellblock's Leatherman 2003. Look for him along with MAL's winner and Mr. Ebony's Vince Edd all competing at IML in May.
With the high profile of the TOM OF FINLAND SALUTES MEN OF COLOR event recently held in LA, it is becoming more and more apparent to our tribe that we ARE diverse and we ALL contribute. Now if we can get those same communities to represent, get even more involved and realize that the kink/fetish community isn't just for gay alpha white males anymore!
Couldn't help but notice in the rags we read, that Europe is pretty much on board with gay marriages/unions et al. That Bernard Melanie, Paris' openly gay mayor is winning friends and foes alike based on his socialist political views, but NOT on who he is sleeping with. While back home New York's sexual nondiscrimination act (SONDA) protects gays and lesbians but hangs the transgendered out to dry.
Bush is to be commended on finally signing the Sudan Peace Act protesting genocide in response to the over 2 million Black, non-Muslim civilians slain during the civil war in Sudan. An event the Washington Post called 'possibly the greatest humanitarian disaster on Earth.' Ah but you already knew that ... and in Zimbabwe ...
PETA staged a 'small but colorful protest' at January's mid-Atlantic leather weekend. They handed out leaflets that stated imitation was the sincerest form of flattery. hmmmm Latex, I should invest in Latex.
For Pics of events visit website www.mrcain.com etc etc
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