(Published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #72, February 27, 1998)
Black Guard holds Black Frost 21
The Black Guard’s recent Black Frost run, their 21st, attracted out-of-towners (about 60 people were staying at the host hotel) and locals for midwinter leather-flavored fun and games. Saturday night’s banquet, held in the back room of Tropix, was as tasteful as the classical-piano-and-string-quartet chamber music which accompanied it. A wide variety of food, well-prepared and attractively presented, was served buffet-style.
After dinner the crowd moved to the front room, where the show was presented in-the-round. Directed by Black Guard member Carl Gscheidmeier, the show was fast-paced and entertaining throughout. It’s no surprise that Gscheidmeier knows how to put on a great show—he has had a long and illustrious career as female impersonator Allison Brooks, who appeared in several segments of the show and was as stunning as ever. Also stunning was Black Guard member Ursus Torrente, who dazzled the crowd with some breathtaking high-energy dance moves.
Unfortunately, the show ran long and at 9 pm reality intruded on the fun—the front part of Tropix had to be vacated. The last two numbers of the show had to be cut, and the crowd moved to the back room again for the finale (and one of the Black Guard’s oldest traditions): the singing of ABBA’s “The Way Old Friends Do.”
After a Sunday afternoon wind-down gathering at the Brass Rail came the Sunday night Post-Wind-Down party at the Club Metro Underground in St. Paul. That evening, emcee Colin Spriestersbach announced from the stage that because of the generosity of run participants, the community and many behind-the-scenes sponsors, The Black Guard (in the last calendar year) had raised over $12,500 for local charities, including Every Penny Counts, Agape Home, Minnesota AIDS Project, Open Arms, and others.
Meanwhile, in New Orleans . . .
The same weekend that Black Frost 21 was held (February 13-15) was also the weekend of Pantheon of Leather and the Mr./Ms. Olympus Leather Contest finals in New Orleans. Minnesota had quite a presence there. The Atons were nominated for both Club of the Year and Event of the Year (for last autumn’s twenty-fifth-anniversary run). And for the first time, Minnesota sent contestants (B.D. Chambers and Renee Indehar) to the Olympus Leather Contest. Kay Hallanger, who was recently in the Twin Cities to emcee the Mr./Ms. Minnesota Olympus of Leather Contest, was there and sent me the following e-mail about the event:
“Contest was held on Sunday at Le Petite Theatre in the French Quarter. Three female and four male contestants. Female winner was Katherine, Ms. Georgia Olympus Leather; Renee was first runner up. Male winner was Charles Garrett, Mr. Florida Olympus Leather; first runner up was Paul Edenfield, Mr. Georgia Olympus Leather. Renee and B.D. did very well in answering their on-stage questions. Renee's question asked who was her leather role model and she gave kudos to Heartless. The competition was the strongest that I have seen of any of the Olympus contests. The Minnesota contestants were very well received throughout the weekend. Your community had great representation. Alan made a very generous contribution to the Pantheon cause, which was deeply appreciated by Dave Rhodes [contest/event sponsor and publisher of The Leather Journal] and the audience.” Thanks, Kay, I couldn’t have said it better myself.
New Club Officers Announced
Black Guard, installed at Black Frost 21: President, Michael Delorme; Vice President, Steve Katz; Secretary, Scott McKenzie; Treasurer, Carl Gscheidmeier.
Atons, to be installed at Installation Banquet March 15 (see event listing): President, B.D. Chambers; Vice President, Darren Holt; Secretary, Archer Madsen; Treasurer, Brian Spence.
Leather Community to Lead This Summer’s Pride Parade
Minnesota Leather Productions, producers of the Mr. Minnesota Leather and Mr. Minnesota Drummer contests, has signed on as sponsor for this year’s Twin Cities GLBT Pride Parade. They therefore receive the privilege of having the first marching spot, and they invite all leather organizations in Minnesota to join them in leading the parade. Plans also include a twenty-foot-tall float as well as the largest leather pride flag known to be constructed anywhere. Stay tuned—more details will be forthcoming.
Upcoming Leather Events
Atons present Ace In The Hole
Sunday, March 1, 6-10 pm, The Saloon
An event to spark interest in the Atons’ next run, billed as “Gopher Broke, Lucky XIII” and happening July 17-19. Free food 6-8 pm, 75-cent beer and sodas, other drink specials. $5 at the door.
Atons Installation Banquet
Sunday, March 15, 6-10 pm, Twin City Grill at Mall of America
Cocktails at 6, dinner at 7. The new officers mentioned above will be formally installed. Admission is $35 and advance reservations are required. For further information: e-mail to atonsmpls@aol.com; or visit the website at www.starbase21.com/ATONS/. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Mark Your Calendar . . .
Sunday, March 29: The Tank at The Saloon is holding a “One Year of Hard Times” Anniversary Party. Twin Cities leather clubs will be represented and Falcon Studios leather stud Steve Pierce will make an appearance. Event happens 6-10 pm in the disco, Tank doors open at 9. Free food, $5.00 optional cover for beer bust. If you enjoyed the recent Big Red Party, you’ll want to be there.
Friday, February 27, 1998
Friday, February 13, 1998
Minnesota Olympus of Leather Contest Debuts
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Friday, January 30, 1998
Look, Ma, I’m Fashionable! Leather/SM Goes Mainstream?
(Published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #70, January 30, 1998)
Do you remember, a few years back, when only gay people went to drag shows? Then came Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and To Wong Fu, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar, and suddenly drag shows were the hip, happening destination for straights as well. Drag has now gotten so ubiquitous that RuPaul’s hit talk show on the VH1 cable network doesn’t even raise eyebrows—Ru is just Sally Jesse Raphael with bigger hair.
Well, dear readers, we’re next. According to The Village Voice and Newsweek, your lifestyle of choice is either going mainstream or already there.
In an article titled “The Mainstreaming of Kink” in the November 4, 1997 issue of The Village Voice, Guy Trebay examines the increasing appearances of SM/BD imagery in mass culture. Among his examples: Janet Jackson’s nipple ring and proclamations of her high threshold of pain, and the poster for the movie Sick, featuring a portrait of the film’s “Supermasochist” subject, Bob Flanagan, “seminaked, collared, shackled, and with a 10-pound chrome weight suspended from his testicles. Is the image shocking? Not too shocking to post outside Manhattan theaters.” (As of this writing, the full text of this thought-provoking article is still available on the Web at www.villagevoice.com/ink/news/45trebay.shtml.)
Newsweek offered a slightly more irreverent take on the subject in their December 29, 1997 issue on page 85. An article titled “Lick Me, Flog Me, Buy Me!” by Rick Marin is illustrated with the recent Bass Ale boot-licking ad and a photo of a waiter at La Nouvelle Justine, Manhattan’s currently-trendy SM-themed restaurant where, along with food, the menu includes such things as Verbal Abuse and Spanking for $20.
Long-time community members may say, “So what’s new?” Wasn’t it just a few years ago that Exit to Eden appeared in movie theaters (and very quickly disappeared)? Wasn’t it about the same time that Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke posed as Rob and Laura Petrie in bondage gear? Hasn’t Madonna already taken mass culture through this territory? Well, yes, and there have been many other instances in recent history where SM imagery has been appropriated to hype something or sell something.
But recently there’s been a change. SM/BD imagery used to be viewed by the general public as a shocking outrage (or at least titillating naughtiness). Now, instead of inspiring outrage, it provokes responses ranging from curiosity to a jaded yawn. SM imagery has become so non-threatening that even Pat Boone isn’t afraid of it.
This is the general public we’re speaking about, of course. How are we in the leather/SM community, for whom this is more than a fashion statement, supposed to react? What are we to think of this turn of events? Yes, Madison Avenue and Hollywood are appropriating our imagery and our heritage for commercial purposes, but it also raises the visibility and acceptance of the real thing. It makes us less threatening and more accessible. Some people who react to the imagery with curiosity may be moved to explore further and may find a home. Others will try to get into leather spaces and dungeons for gawking purposes only. As I’ve said in this column before, I don’t relish being part of the floor show; I’m sure there will be the times I’ll wish mass culture had found some other imagery to appropriate.
And you know what? That’s exactly what will happen. After our moment in the spotlight, mass culture will move on and find something else scandalous to glom onto, and we’ll be left to ourselves again. It may already be happening—Kate Betts, a top editor at Vogue, is quoted in Newsweek dismissing SM as “last year’s trend. You can buy leather pants at the Gap.” So there!
Upcoming Leather Events
Atons present Lights Out
Friday, January 30, 9 pm-1 am, Club Metro Underground, St. Paul
The Atons invite you to the first Thrust party of the year. I may have misspoken last issue when I said there’d be “lots of dancing,” but there will be music by DJ Wade Ellars; what that music accompanies is anybody’s guess. It’s safe to say there will be lots of leather and not much light. $5 at the door gets you free beer and non-alcoholic beverages from 9 pm to midnight.
Black Guard Pre-Run Party
Thursday, February 12, 9 pm-1 am, Club Metro Underground, St. Paul
Mingling among the Black Guard and other locals will be out-of-towners who’ve arrived early for . . .
Black Frost ’98
Friday-Sunday, February 13-15, various locations
The Black Guard present their 21st annual run. The host hotel is the Midway Days Inn, where run registration starts Friday at 7 pm. The run offers 16 sponsored events and parties with an “around the world” theme. Banquet and show on Saturday evening is at Tropix/Rear Entry; banquet-and-show-only tickets are available by phone (see below) and will also be available at the Thursday Pre-Run Party (see above.) On Saturday night after the banquet and show is a Leather Night at Tropix/Rear Entry ($5 cover—the Black Guard promises it will be worth it!) with some not-to-be-missed “super surprises.” Awards and Wind-Down Party are Sunday afternoon at the Brass Rail, followed by a Post-Wind-Down party at the Saloon from 6-10 pm.
All run registrations and requests for information are being handled by phone through The Travel Company. (Ask for the "Black Frost Desk.") Those dates are coming up fast so register now. Rates for the run package go up after February 1.
Do you remember, a few years back, when only gay people went to drag shows? Then came Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and To Wong Fu, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar, and suddenly drag shows were the hip, happening destination for straights as well. Drag has now gotten so ubiquitous that RuPaul’s hit talk show on the VH1 cable network doesn’t even raise eyebrows—Ru is just Sally Jesse Raphael with bigger hair.
Well, dear readers, we’re next. According to The Village Voice and Newsweek, your lifestyle of choice is either going mainstream or already there.
In an article titled “The Mainstreaming of Kink” in the November 4, 1997 issue of The Village Voice, Guy Trebay examines the increasing appearances of SM/BD imagery in mass culture. Among his examples: Janet Jackson’s nipple ring and proclamations of her high threshold of pain, and the poster for the movie Sick, featuring a portrait of the film’s “Supermasochist” subject, Bob Flanagan, “seminaked, collared, shackled, and with a 10-pound chrome weight suspended from his testicles. Is the image shocking? Not too shocking to post outside Manhattan theaters.” (As of this writing, the full text of this thought-provoking article is still available on the Web at www.villagevoice.com/ink/news/45trebay.shtml.)
Newsweek offered a slightly more irreverent take on the subject in their December 29, 1997 issue on page 85. An article titled “Lick Me, Flog Me, Buy Me!” by Rick Marin is illustrated with the recent Bass Ale boot-licking ad and a photo of a waiter at La Nouvelle Justine, Manhattan’s currently-trendy SM-themed restaurant where, along with food, the menu includes such things as Verbal Abuse and Spanking for $20.
Long-time community members may say, “So what’s new?” Wasn’t it just a few years ago that Exit to Eden appeared in movie theaters (and very quickly disappeared)? Wasn’t it about the same time that Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke posed as Rob and Laura Petrie in bondage gear? Hasn’t Madonna already taken mass culture through this territory? Well, yes, and there have been many other instances in recent history where SM imagery has been appropriated to hype something or sell something.
But recently there’s been a change. SM/BD imagery used to be viewed by the general public as a shocking outrage (or at least titillating naughtiness). Now, instead of inspiring outrage, it provokes responses ranging from curiosity to a jaded yawn. SM imagery has become so non-threatening that even Pat Boone isn’t afraid of it.
This is the general public we’re speaking about, of course. How are we in the leather/SM community, for whom this is more than a fashion statement, supposed to react? What are we to think of this turn of events? Yes, Madison Avenue and Hollywood are appropriating our imagery and our heritage for commercial purposes, but it also raises the visibility and acceptance of the real thing. It makes us less threatening and more accessible. Some people who react to the imagery with curiosity may be moved to explore further and may find a home. Others will try to get into leather spaces and dungeons for gawking purposes only. As I’ve said in this column before, I don’t relish being part of the floor show; I’m sure there will be the times I’ll wish mass culture had found some other imagery to appropriate.
And you know what? That’s exactly what will happen. After our moment in the spotlight, mass culture will move on and find something else scandalous to glom onto, and we’ll be left to ourselves again. It may already be happening—Kate Betts, a top editor at Vogue, is quoted in Newsweek dismissing SM as “last year’s trend. You can buy leather pants at the Gap.” So there!
Upcoming Leather Events
Atons present Lights Out
Friday, January 30, 9 pm-1 am, Club Metro Underground, St. Paul
The Atons invite you to the first Thrust party of the year. I may have misspoken last issue when I said there’d be “lots of dancing,” but there will be music by DJ Wade Ellars; what that music accompanies is anybody’s guess. It’s safe to say there will be lots of leather and not much light. $5 at the door gets you free beer and non-alcoholic beverages from 9 pm to midnight.
Black Guard Pre-Run Party
Thursday, February 12, 9 pm-1 am, Club Metro Underground, St. Paul
Mingling among the Black Guard and other locals will be out-of-towners who’ve arrived early for . . .
Black Frost ’98
Friday-Sunday, February 13-15, various locations
The Black Guard present their 21st annual run. The host hotel is the Midway Days Inn, where run registration starts Friday at 7 pm. The run offers 16 sponsored events and parties with an “around the world” theme. Banquet and show on Saturday evening is at Tropix/Rear Entry; banquet-and-show-only tickets are available by phone (see below) and will also be available at the Thursday Pre-Run Party (see above.) On Saturday night after the banquet and show is a Leather Night at Tropix/Rear Entry ($5 cover—the Black Guard promises it will be worth it!) with some not-to-be-missed “super surprises.” Awards and Wind-Down Party are Sunday afternoon at the Brass Rail, followed by a Post-Wind-Down party at the Saloon from 6-10 pm.
All run registrations and requests for information are being handled by phone through The Travel Company. (Ask for the "Black Frost Desk.") Those dates are coming up fast so register now. Rates for the run package go up after February 1.
Friday, January 16, 1998
Minnesota Mr./Ms. Olympus of Leather Contest—Why Leather Contests Matter
(Published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #69, January 16, 1998)
The first-ever Minnesota Mr. and Ms. Olympus of Leather Contest will be happening January 23-24, 1998. If your first thought at this news is a sarcastic “Just what we need—another leather contest,” please continue reading as I examine where all these contests came from, why they all exist, and why they’re important. Then mark your calendar and be there.
Both International Mr. Leather and International Mr. Drummer started in 1979. International Mr. Leather (IML) was started by Chuck Renslow, who thought that the leather community would enjoy the contest and would benefit from the leadership and positive role models such a contest would bring forward. International Mr. Drummer was started by Drummer Magazine for the same reasons, but also as a way of providing men for the cover and pages of the magazine. These two major men’s leather titles co-existed quite nicely for years, with International Mr. Leather more political and International Mr. Drummer more sensual. In 1987 the women’s leather community added the International Ms. Leather (IMsL) title.
Then, a few years ago, rumors began to circulate that the Drummer title was going to end due to the financial problems that Drummer Magazine was experiencing at the time. Perhaps coincidentally, or perhaps in response to these rumors, the International Mr. Fantasy title was created in 1995 by Dustin Logan and Bob Ewing. They had been producers of an annual event called “Fantasy” at which titleholders presented fantasies and other entertainment to raise money for charity. It has always been my personal feeling that this event became the International Mr. Fantasy contest to carry on the tradition of the International Mr. Drummer title. It turned out that both Drummer Magazine and the Drummer title are still alive, however, and it is very much to the credit of International Mr. Fantasy’s producers and titleholders that International Mr. Fantasy has become a credible title in its own right.
At about the same time that International Mr. Fantasy was being created Dave Rhodes, publisher of The Leather Journal, created the Mr. and Ms. Olympus Leather contest in conjunction with his “Pantheon of Leather” community-service awards held each year in New Orleans. The OIympus Leather contests differ from the other titles mentioned above by awarding both female and male titles and holding both competitions in the same event. In this way, neither sex is a “guest” at a contest for the other sex. (By the way, there is no connection between the Mr. and Ms. Olympus Leather contests and similar-sounding men’s bodybuilding titles.)
Minnesota has seen local and regional contests in the IML, IMsL, Drummer, and Fantasy circuits. Now Alan Stangler, of Back in Black Leather Productions, has invested a large amount of time (and money) in establishing the Minnesota Mr. and Ms. Olympus of Leather titles.
Why do all these leather contests exist? Certainly not because they’re fantastic money-making opportunities. Winning a leather contest and holding a title is a difficult way to get rich and an easy way to become impoverished. The same generally goes for producing leather contests; they almost always have a raising-money-for-charity component, and any proceeds left over are generally kept as seed money for next year’s contest. Cash cows they ain’t.
Leather contests exist because they offer something to the leather/SM community. They’re entertaining to watch. They’re stimulating to enter. And they can be rewarding to produce. The leather impresario who gives time, effort and money to put on a contest knows that she or he is engaged in a very special form of community leadership and mentorship. The producer is a mentor to the contestants, who will learn and grow by being in the contest and who will reap benefits long after the contest is over. The contestants in turn become mentors to the people in the audience by standing onstage with pride before the community. Entertainment, growth, personal development, leadership, mentorship . . . all this and hot men and women on stage in leather, too. That’s why leather contests exist. And that’s what you can see at the Minnesota Olympus of Leather contest. (See details in shaded box.)
Upcoming Leather Events
Leather/Levi Dinner
Saturday, January 17, 7:30 pm, Minnesota Bar & Grill (1501 S. 6th St., Mpls.)
A few years back the Atons used to host occasional leather/levi dinners; now they’re reviving the tradition at a new locale. If you haven’t done so already, this is a great excuse to check out the menu and atmosphere at the new Minnesota Bar & Grill.
First Annual Minnesota Mr. & Ms. Olympus of Leather Contest
All events happen at Club Metro Underground, St. Paul.
Friday, January 23: Meet & Greet 9 pm-1 am. Judges include current International Ms. Leather Genelle Moore, Mr. World Rubber 1998 Keith Martel, International Ms. Leather 1991 Kay Hallanger, current Mr. Minnesota Leather Roger Gregg, and current Mr. Minnesota Fantasy (and first-runner-up to International Mr. Fantasy) Michael deLeon (other judges are still to be announced). SM-themed dancers in cages will set the mood for the evening (music both nights by DJ Pat Ryan from West Hollywood’s The Rage nightclub).
Saturday, January 24: Doors for the Contest open at 8 pm; contest runs until 1 am. Contestants will be judged in the following events: Private interview with judges; leather presence; onstage Q&A; and fantasy presentation. In future years attention will be focused on contestants’ prior community involvement; this year the emphasis is on contestants’ vision for the title and the community. Contest entertainment will include a Back in Black leather show.
For advance ticket sales and hotel information call (612) 870-2968. Advance tickets, good for admission both Friday and Saturday nights, are $10 at the Back in Black shop in Club Metro; admission at the door is $5 Friday and $10 Saturday.
Contestants: Prizes have been added. First-place Mr. and Ms. winners receive airfare and hotel in New Orleans Feb. 13-16, 1998 while competing in the Finals contest. First-place winners also receive $250 worth of leather from Back in Black and $100 cash; second-place winners receive $100 worth of leather and $50 cash; third-place winners receive $50 worth of leather and $25 cash. Call for contestant information.
Atons present Lights Out
Friday, January 30, 9 pm-1 am, Club Metro Underground, St. Paul
The Atons invite you to the first Thrust party of the year. Lots of leather, lots of loud music, lots of dancing, not much light. $5 at the door gets you free beer and non-alcoholic beverages from 9 pm to midnight.
Mark Your Calendar . . .
February 13-15, 1998: The Black Guard present Black Frost ’98, their 21st annual run, at the Midway Days Inn. All run registrations and requests for information are being handled by phone through The Travel Company. (Ask for the "Black Frost Desk.") Those dates are coming up fast so register now. Rates for the run package go up after February 1.
The first-ever Minnesota Mr. and Ms. Olympus of Leather Contest will be happening January 23-24, 1998. If your first thought at this news is a sarcastic “Just what we need—another leather contest,” please continue reading as I examine where all these contests came from, why they all exist, and why they’re important. Then mark your calendar and be there.
Both International Mr. Leather and International Mr. Drummer started in 1979. International Mr. Leather (IML) was started by Chuck Renslow, who thought that the leather community would enjoy the contest and would benefit from the leadership and positive role models such a contest would bring forward. International Mr. Drummer was started by Drummer Magazine for the same reasons, but also as a way of providing men for the cover and pages of the magazine. These two major men’s leather titles co-existed quite nicely for years, with International Mr. Leather more political and International Mr. Drummer more sensual. In 1987 the women’s leather community added the International Ms. Leather (IMsL) title.
Then, a few years ago, rumors began to circulate that the Drummer title was going to end due to the financial problems that Drummer Magazine was experiencing at the time. Perhaps coincidentally, or perhaps in response to these rumors, the International Mr. Fantasy title was created in 1995 by Dustin Logan and Bob Ewing. They had been producers of an annual event called “Fantasy” at which titleholders presented fantasies and other entertainment to raise money for charity. It has always been my personal feeling that this event became the International Mr. Fantasy contest to carry on the tradition of the International Mr. Drummer title. It turned out that both Drummer Magazine and the Drummer title are still alive, however, and it is very much to the credit of International Mr. Fantasy’s producers and titleholders that International Mr. Fantasy has become a credible title in its own right.
At about the same time that International Mr. Fantasy was being created Dave Rhodes, publisher of The Leather Journal, created the Mr. and Ms. Olympus Leather contest in conjunction with his “Pantheon of Leather” community-service awards held each year in New Orleans. The OIympus Leather contests differ from the other titles mentioned above by awarding both female and male titles and holding both competitions in the same event. In this way, neither sex is a “guest” at a contest for the other sex. (By the way, there is no connection between the Mr. and Ms. Olympus Leather contests and similar-sounding men’s bodybuilding titles.)
Minnesota has seen local and regional contests in the IML, IMsL, Drummer, and Fantasy circuits. Now Alan Stangler, of Back in Black Leather Productions, has invested a large amount of time (and money) in establishing the Minnesota Mr. and Ms. Olympus of Leather titles.
Why do all these leather contests exist? Certainly not because they’re fantastic money-making opportunities. Winning a leather contest and holding a title is a difficult way to get rich and an easy way to become impoverished. The same generally goes for producing leather contests; they almost always have a raising-money-for-charity component, and any proceeds left over are generally kept as seed money for next year’s contest. Cash cows they ain’t.
Leather contests exist because they offer something to the leather/SM community. They’re entertaining to watch. They’re stimulating to enter. And they can be rewarding to produce. The leather impresario who gives time, effort and money to put on a contest knows that she or he is engaged in a very special form of community leadership and mentorship. The producer is a mentor to the contestants, who will learn and grow by being in the contest and who will reap benefits long after the contest is over. The contestants in turn become mentors to the people in the audience by standing onstage with pride before the community. Entertainment, growth, personal development, leadership, mentorship . . . all this and hot men and women on stage in leather, too. That’s why leather contests exist. And that’s what you can see at the Minnesota Olympus of Leather contest. (See details in shaded box.)
Upcoming Leather Events
Leather/Levi Dinner
Saturday, January 17, 7:30 pm, Minnesota Bar & Grill (1501 S. 6th St., Mpls.)
A few years back the Atons used to host occasional leather/levi dinners; now they’re reviving the tradition at a new locale. If you haven’t done so already, this is a great excuse to check out the menu and atmosphere at the new Minnesota Bar & Grill.
First Annual Minnesota Mr. & Ms. Olympus of Leather Contest
All events happen at Club Metro Underground, St. Paul.
Friday, January 23: Meet & Greet 9 pm-1 am. Judges include current International Ms. Leather Genelle Moore, Mr. World Rubber 1998 Keith Martel, International Ms. Leather 1991 Kay Hallanger, current Mr. Minnesota Leather Roger Gregg, and current Mr. Minnesota Fantasy (and first-runner-up to International Mr. Fantasy) Michael deLeon (other judges are still to be announced). SM-themed dancers in cages will set the mood for the evening (music both nights by DJ Pat Ryan from West Hollywood’s The Rage nightclub).
Saturday, January 24: Doors for the Contest open at 8 pm; contest runs until 1 am. Contestants will be judged in the following events: Private interview with judges; leather presence; onstage Q&A; and fantasy presentation. In future years attention will be focused on contestants’ prior community involvement; this year the emphasis is on contestants’ vision for the title and the community. Contest entertainment will include a Back in Black leather show.
For advance ticket sales and hotel information call (612) 870-2968. Advance tickets, good for admission both Friday and Saturday nights, are $10 at the Back in Black shop in Club Metro; admission at the door is $5 Friday and $10 Saturday.
Contestants: Prizes have been added. First-place Mr. and Ms. winners receive airfare and hotel in New Orleans Feb. 13-16, 1998 while competing in the Finals contest. First-place winners also receive $250 worth of leather from Back in Black and $100 cash; second-place winners receive $100 worth of leather and $50 cash; third-place winners receive $50 worth of leather and $25 cash. Call for contestant information.
Atons present Lights Out
Friday, January 30, 9 pm-1 am, Club Metro Underground, St. Paul
The Atons invite you to the first Thrust party of the year. Lots of leather, lots of loud music, lots of dancing, not much light. $5 at the door gets you free beer and non-alcoholic beverages from 9 pm to midnight.
Mark Your Calendar . . .
February 13-15, 1998: The Black Guard present Black Frost ’98, their 21st annual run, at the Midway Days Inn. All run registrations and requests for information are being handled by phone through The Travel Company. (Ask for the "Black Frost Desk.") Those dates are coming up fast so register now. Rates for the run package go up after February 1.
Friday, January 2, 1998
A Leather Review of 1997 . . . and a Preview of ’98
(Published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #68, January 2, 1998)
Goodbye, 1997. For the Twin Cities leather community it has certainly been an interesting year that has provided me with more than enough material to fill this column each issue.
CLUBS: Several Twin Cities leather clubs celebrated milestone events. The Black Guard held their twentieth Black Frost run in February, and the Knights of Leather held their ninth Knights Tournament May 30-June 1. The grand-Daddy of them all, however, was the Atons twenty-fifth-anniversary run in September. 1997 saw the formation of new clubs in the area. Sober Leather made its debut in the Pride Parade and later at a “Welcome to the Community” party in September. You’ll hear more about another new club, Unleashed, in early 1998.
CONTESTS AND TITLEHOLDERS: 1997 gave Minnesota new visibility in the national and international leather scene. Minnesota sent a record three contestants to the International Mr. Leather Contest in Chicago over Memorial Day weekend (Kevin Cwayna, Thomas Smith, and Colin Spriestersbach), as well as sending Twin Cities-based band Savage Aural Hotbed as contest entertainment. Cwayna went on to win the contest and bring home Minnesota’s first-ever international leather title.
In April, Michael deLeon became Mr. Minnesota Fantasy 1997, and he went on to win First Runner-Up at the International Mr. Fantasy contest in Omaha in August. Philip Oakes, the 1997 Mr. Minnesota Fantasy Runner-Up, has lately been making a splash as a very popular erotic-video star.
In July, Jack Maynard became Mr. Minnesota Drummer 1997 and Stephen Zeller became Mr. Minnesota Drummerboy 1997.
Roger Gregg won the title of Mr. Minnesota Leather 1998 in October. He will be competing this coming Memorial Day weekend in Chicago at the twentieth-anniversary International Mr. Leather contest.
While Minnesota sent three contestants to the International Mr. Leather contest, it went unrepresented at this year’s International Ms. Leather contest. Ms. Minnesota Leather 1997 Amazon resigned the title for personal reasons (now it can be told—Amazon has become Nick). The title passed to Aalan Cameron, who for health reasons was unable to compete at the International.
NIGHTLIFE: 1997 saw a proliferation of leather nights at local bars: Hard Monday at The Saloon; Wednesday at The Town House; Thursday at Club Metro Underground; and The Tank on Sundays at The Saloon. which seems to have been the most consistently popular. These establishments and Tropix have also served as new venues for contests, fundraisers, and other community events. Old standby The Men’s Room at the Gay 90’s revamped its entry this year, which now is through the (actual) men’s room. In the Duluth/Superior area, the Main Club’s famous “garage” was no more; the old Main Club burned to the ground at the end of 1996. Owner Bob Jansen was able to open a new Main Club in June of this year, with a grand opening in July.
CELEBRITY VISITS: Besides having International Mr. Leather as our very own home-town international titleholder, the Twin Cities has become a destination for other international titleholders and leather luminaries. This year has seen visits by International Mr. Fantasy Kevin Watson, International Mr. Drummer Kyle Brandon, and International Ms. Leather Genelle Moore. The Tank featured ubiquitous porn star Donnie Russo at its grand opening in March and brought in “domestic goddess” Judy Tenuta for a performance during Pride Weekend. The Town House again hosted male erotic superstar Steve Kelso in October. The Gay 90’s presented a show by the Tom of Finland Foundation in November.
PASSINGS: Milo Smith (April 13) and Peter Semotink (December 4).
So that’s some of what happened in 1997. Here’s a look ahead at what’s in store for us in the first part of 1998:
Jan. 23-24, 1998: Mr. and Ms. Olympus Leather Contest at the Metro Underground. Call for contestant, hotel and ticket information. Produced by Back in Black Leather Productions. (Winners represent Minnesota in the Mr./Ms. Olympus Leather Contest in New Orleans at Pantheon of Leather February 13-16, 1998.)
February 13-15, 1998: The Black Guard present Black Frost ’98, their 21st annual run, at the Midway Days Inn. All run registrations and requests for information are being handled by phone through The Travel Company. (Ask for the "Black Frost Desk.") VISA and MasterCard accepted! Those dates are coming up fast, so pick up the phone and register now, and encourage your far-flung friends to do likewise—airfare discounts are 5% until January 10. Rates for the run package itself go up after February 1.
March or April: W.I.L.L.O.W. Productions Inc. is accepting applications for the 1998 Ms. Minnesota Leather Competition (planned for this spring.) Contact W.I.L.L.O.W. Productions Inc., Brooklyn Center MN. (W.I.L.L.O.W. Productions Inc. is the Official Representative for the 1998 Ms. Minnesota Leather Competition.)
May 29-31, 1998: The Knights of Leather present Knights Tournament 10. Bring a new participant and receive a 10% discount on your application fee. Or get early sign-up prices if you register before March 23, 1998. For more information or an application form call or write Knights of Leather, Minneapolis, MN.
Goodbye, 1997. For the Twin Cities leather community it has certainly been an interesting year that has provided me with more than enough material to fill this column each issue.
CLUBS: Several Twin Cities leather clubs celebrated milestone events. The Black Guard held their twentieth Black Frost run in February, and the Knights of Leather held their ninth Knights Tournament May 30-June 1. The grand-Daddy of them all, however, was the Atons twenty-fifth-anniversary run in September. 1997 saw the formation of new clubs in the area. Sober Leather made its debut in the Pride Parade and later at a “Welcome to the Community” party in September. You’ll hear more about another new club, Unleashed, in early 1998.
CONTESTS AND TITLEHOLDERS: 1997 gave Minnesota new visibility in the national and international leather scene. Minnesota sent a record three contestants to the International Mr. Leather Contest in Chicago over Memorial Day weekend (Kevin Cwayna, Thomas Smith, and Colin Spriestersbach), as well as sending Twin Cities-based band Savage Aural Hotbed as contest entertainment. Cwayna went on to win the contest and bring home Minnesota’s first-ever international leather title.
In April, Michael deLeon became Mr. Minnesota Fantasy 1997, and he went on to win First Runner-Up at the International Mr. Fantasy contest in Omaha in August. Philip Oakes, the 1997 Mr. Minnesota Fantasy Runner-Up, has lately been making a splash as a very popular erotic-video star.
In July, Jack Maynard became Mr. Minnesota Drummer 1997 and Stephen Zeller became Mr. Minnesota Drummerboy 1997.
Roger Gregg won the title of Mr. Minnesota Leather 1998 in October. He will be competing this coming Memorial Day weekend in Chicago at the twentieth-anniversary International Mr. Leather contest.
While Minnesota sent three contestants to the International Mr. Leather contest, it went unrepresented at this year’s International Ms. Leather contest. Ms. Minnesota Leather 1997 Amazon resigned the title for personal reasons (now it can be told—Amazon has become Nick). The title passed to Aalan Cameron, who for health reasons was unable to compete at the International.
NIGHTLIFE: 1997 saw a proliferation of leather nights at local bars: Hard Monday at The Saloon; Wednesday at The Town House; Thursday at Club Metro Underground; and The Tank on Sundays at The Saloon. which seems to have been the most consistently popular. These establishments and Tropix have also served as new venues for contests, fundraisers, and other community events. Old standby The Men’s Room at the Gay 90’s revamped its entry this year, which now is through the (actual) men’s room. In the Duluth/Superior area, the Main Club’s famous “garage” was no more; the old Main Club burned to the ground at the end of 1996. Owner Bob Jansen was able to open a new Main Club in June of this year, with a grand opening in July.
CELEBRITY VISITS: Besides having International Mr. Leather as our very own home-town international titleholder, the Twin Cities has become a destination for other international titleholders and leather luminaries. This year has seen visits by International Mr. Fantasy Kevin Watson, International Mr. Drummer Kyle Brandon, and International Ms. Leather Genelle Moore. The Tank featured ubiquitous porn star Donnie Russo at its grand opening in March and brought in “domestic goddess” Judy Tenuta for a performance during Pride Weekend. The Town House again hosted male erotic superstar Steve Kelso in October. The Gay 90’s presented a show by the Tom of Finland Foundation in November.
PASSINGS: Milo Smith (April 13) and Peter Semotink (December 4).
So that’s some of what happened in 1997. Here’s a look ahead at what’s in store for us in the first part of 1998:
Jan. 23-24, 1998: Mr. and Ms. Olympus Leather Contest at the Metro Underground. Call for contestant, hotel and ticket information. Produced by Back in Black Leather Productions. (Winners represent Minnesota in the Mr./Ms. Olympus Leather Contest in New Orleans at Pantheon of Leather February 13-16, 1998.)
February 13-15, 1998: The Black Guard present Black Frost ’98, their 21st annual run, at the Midway Days Inn. All run registrations and requests for information are being handled by phone through The Travel Company. (Ask for the "Black Frost Desk.") VISA and MasterCard accepted! Those dates are coming up fast, so pick up the phone and register now, and encourage your far-flung friends to do likewise—airfare discounts are 5% until January 10. Rates for the run package itself go up after February 1.
March or April: W.I.L.L.O.W. Productions Inc. is accepting applications for the 1998 Ms. Minnesota Leather Competition (planned for this spring.) Contact W.I.L.L.O.W. Productions Inc., Brooklyn Center MN. (W.I.L.L.O.W. Productions Inc. is the Official Representative for the 1998 Ms. Minnesota Leather Competition.)
May 29-31, 1998: The Knights of Leather present Knights Tournament 10. Bring a new participant and receive a 10% discount on your application fee. Or get early sign-up prices if you register before March 23, 1998. For more information or an application form call or write Knights of Leather, Minneapolis, MN.
Friday, December 19, 1997
Holiday Potpourri
(Published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #67, December 19, 1997)
In the style of Charles Dickens' ghosts, this column concerns itself with Leather Past, Leather Present, and Leather Future.
Leather Past: Black Guard and Atons host successful events
The Twin Cities leather/SM community has been treated to some exceptional events lately. The Black Guard's recently presented their twenty-first annual Chili Feed, and they showed that after doing it that many times they know how to do it right. This event marked the inauguration of the Tropix back room as a leather space, and it seemed to work very well on most counts. (Parts of their upcoming Black Frost run will be held in the same space; let's hope that by then there's a better sound system available.) Sizzling fantasy entertainment was provided by some very talented leathermen including current Mr. Minnesota Leather Roger Gregg; current Mr. Minnesota Leather Runner-Up Steve Eue; and J. Martin Ellis, current Mr. Southeast Drummer (who has recently relocated to the Twin Cities from Atlanta).
Two weeks later, the Atons held their annual Holiday Fundraiser at the Saloon, and both attendance and food donations were greater than last year's event. Holiday spirit was in abundance as partygoers posed for photos with International Mr. Santa Kevin Cwayna. A raffle collected food and cash benefitting the Aliveness Project, and the door proceeds of approximately $850 were donated to Every Penny Counts.
Leather Present: Greetings of the Season
Two years ago in this column I wrote: "Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice or none of the above . . . it doesn't matter what other people think about how you celebrate the holiday. What matters is that it be uplifting and meaningful for you . . . whatever you celebrate, however you celebrate it." That's still my holiday wish for all my readers.
Peter Semotink, 1955-1997
PHOTO: Peter Semotink (self-portrait)
Peter Semotink, a prominent member of the local leather/SM community, died on December 4, 1997. Funeral services, held December 9, were attended by members of the leather/SM community as well as a large number of relatives, friends, and the community at large. Semotink had been struggling with AIDS for several years; his death followed a stroke-induced coma. He was preceded in death by his partner of approximately five years, Tim Newman, who died of complications due to AIDS on December 7, 1994.
Semotink was an active member of the Atons for 10 years; he served two terms as club Treasurer and one term as club President (1993-94). Together with club members, he shepherded the Atons through three successful runs: the Egyptian, the Roman and the Renaissance. He was instrumental in launching the annual Leather Pride celebration as an adjunct to the Twin Cities Festival of Pride. He and Newman were active associate members of the Chicago Hellfire Club.
Born July 8, 1955 in St. Paul, Semotink at an early age discovered an interest in computers and technology; he turned this aptitude into a successful career working for many of the area's largest companies, culminating in a management position with supercomputer-manufacturer Cray Research. He was also an accomplished photographer whose work was seen in, among other places, Drummer Tough Customers #10.
In the words of fellow Aton Sam Carlisle, "Peter was a person who, no matter how difficult his situation was, would find a way to help someone who needed it."
Leather Future: Mark Your Calendar . . .
Jan. 23-24, 1998: Mr. and Ms. Olympus Leather Contest at the Metro Underground. The Olympus Leather Contest showcases a positive image of leather life and represents the entire diverse range of our community, from motorcycle and leather/levi clubs to heavy SM players and everyone in between. Call for contestant, hotel and ticket information. Produced by Back in Black Leather Productions. (Winners represent Minnesota in the Mr./Ms. Olympus Leather Contest in New Orleans February 13-16, 1998.)
February 13-15, 1998: The Black Guard present Black Frost ’98, their 21st annual run, at the Midway Days Inn. All run registrations and requests for information are being handled by phone through The Travel Company. (Ask for the "Black Frost Desk.") VISA and MasterCard accepted! So pick up the phone and register now, and encourage your far-flung friends to do likewise—airfare discounts are 5% until January 10. Rates for the run package itself go up after February 1.
May 29-31, 1998: The Knights of Leather present Knights Tournament 10. The site, a private camp within a 16,000-acre wooded state park, includes cabins with military bunks. Weekend events include workshops, demonstrations, fantasies and a tenth-anniversary Birthday Party! Dungeon space is available all weekend. Bring a new participant and receive a 10% discount on your application fee. Or get early sign-up prices if you register before March 23, 1998. For more information or an application form call or write Knights of Leather, Minneapolis, MN.
In the style of Charles Dickens' ghosts, this column concerns itself with Leather Past, Leather Present, and Leather Future.
Leather Past: Black Guard and Atons host successful events
The Twin Cities leather/SM community has been treated to some exceptional events lately. The Black Guard's recently presented their twenty-first annual Chili Feed, and they showed that after doing it that many times they know how to do it right. This event marked the inauguration of the Tropix back room as a leather space, and it seemed to work very well on most counts. (Parts of their upcoming Black Frost run will be held in the same space; let's hope that by then there's a better sound system available.) Sizzling fantasy entertainment was provided by some very talented leathermen including current Mr. Minnesota Leather Roger Gregg; current Mr. Minnesota Leather Runner-Up Steve Eue; and J. Martin Ellis, current Mr. Southeast Drummer (who has recently relocated to the Twin Cities from Atlanta).
Two weeks later, the Atons held their annual Holiday Fundraiser at the Saloon, and both attendance and food donations were greater than last year's event. Holiday spirit was in abundance as partygoers posed for photos with International Mr. Santa Kevin Cwayna. A raffle collected food and cash benefitting the Aliveness Project, and the door proceeds of approximately $850 were donated to Every Penny Counts.
Leather Present: Greetings of the Season
Two years ago in this column I wrote: "Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice or none of the above . . . it doesn't matter what other people think about how you celebrate the holiday. What matters is that it be uplifting and meaningful for you . . . whatever you celebrate, however you celebrate it." That's still my holiday wish for all my readers.
Peter Semotink, 1955-1997
PHOTO: Peter Semotink (self-portrait)
Peter Semotink, a prominent member of the local leather/SM community, died on December 4, 1997. Funeral services, held December 9, were attended by members of the leather/SM community as well as a large number of relatives, friends, and the community at large. Semotink had been struggling with AIDS for several years; his death followed a stroke-induced coma. He was preceded in death by his partner of approximately five years, Tim Newman, who died of complications due to AIDS on December 7, 1994.
Semotink was an active member of the Atons for 10 years; he served two terms as club Treasurer and one term as club President (1993-94). Together with club members, he shepherded the Atons through three successful runs: the Egyptian, the Roman and the Renaissance. He was instrumental in launching the annual Leather Pride celebration as an adjunct to the Twin Cities Festival of Pride. He and Newman were active associate members of the Chicago Hellfire Club.
Born July 8, 1955 in St. Paul, Semotink at an early age discovered an interest in computers and technology; he turned this aptitude into a successful career working for many of the area's largest companies, culminating in a management position with supercomputer-manufacturer Cray Research. He was also an accomplished photographer whose work was seen in, among other places, Drummer Tough Customers #10.
In the words of fellow Aton Sam Carlisle, "Peter was a person who, no matter how difficult his situation was, would find a way to help someone who needed it."
Leather Future: Mark Your Calendar . . .
Jan. 23-24, 1998: Mr. and Ms. Olympus Leather Contest at the Metro Underground. The Olympus Leather Contest showcases a positive image of leather life and represents the entire diverse range of our community, from motorcycle and leather/levi clubs to heavy SM players and everyone in between. Call for contestant, hotel and ticket information. Produced by Back in Black Leather Productions. (Winners represent Minnesota in the Mr./Ms. Olympus Leather Contest in New Orleans February 13-16, 1998.)
February 13-15, 1998: The Black Guard present Black Frost ’98, their 21st annual run, at the Midway Days Inn. All run registrations and requests for information are being handled by phone through The Travel Company. (Ask for the "Black Frost Desk.") VISA and MasterCard accepted! So pick up the phone and register now, and encourage your far-flung friends to do likewise—airfare discounts are 5% until January 10. Rates for the run package itself go up after February 1.
May 29-31, 1998: The Knights of Leather present Knights Tournament 10. The site, a private camp within a 16,000-acre wooded state park, includes cabins with military bunks. Weekend events include workshops, demonstrations, fantasies and a tenth-anniversary Birthday Party! Dungeon space is available all weekend. Bring a new participant and receive a 10% discount on your application fee. Or get early sign-up prices if you register before March 23, 1998. For more information or an application form call or write Knights of Leather, Minneapolis, MN.
Friday, December 5, 1997
Dialogue: Genelle Moore, IMsL ’97
(Published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #66, December 5, 1997)
PHOTO: Genelle Moore, International Ms. Leather 1997
Current International Ms. Leather (IMsL) Genelle Moore is a real-life police officer in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she lives with her sash widow Kathy Tejcka. International leather titles seem to run in Moore’s family — her older brother, Ronald Moore, was International Mr. Leather 1984. The focus for her year as IMsL is summed up by the motto that appears on her notecards: “With participation there’s education and growth.”
As International Ms. Leather 1997, you will spend your title year representing the ideals of the women’s leather community. What are some of those ideals?
When I think back on the women who have been mentors in the community as far as lesbians are concerned, one of the names that always comes to mind is Dr. Gayle Rubin. She was one of our founding mothers — she was working side by side with leathermen when I was a teenager. I think a perfect leatherwoman would be a woman like her, who thinks beyond today, who thinks about where we’re going to be twenty or thirty years from now. She definitely has a commitment to the legacy for new leatherwomen who are coming up, and she has a commitment to maintaining the history of what leathermen and leatherwomen have done. She’s not necessarily the type who’s in this for show, I think she’s in it because she’s committed to this life.
Let’s talk about similarities and differences between leatherwomen and leathermen. First of all, what differences are there?
I think women learn differently from men, and we as leatherwomen need to keep that in mind when we’re trying to teach other women about leather. I don’t think women jump right in. Women like to talk about things, conceptualize it, and then they do it. I’ve talked to women who are interested in leather but are a little intimidated, and I think it’s because they’ve been to leather events where it’s more “in your face.” That’s where women’s leather clubs come into play, because we can sit and talk about it, let people feel comfortable with it, and when they’re able to conceptualize what they want to do, then we do it.
What do leatherwomen and leathermen have in common?
Well, we’re still fighting the AIDS epidemic, and I think that’s a common issue. And I think we have a common commitment to maintaining the history of the leather culture. As far as leather is concerned and the philosophies and teachings behind it, I think the men’s and women’s communities can walk hand in hand and learn from each other. We need to work together and we need to remember that the common goal is “safe, sane and consensual” and that’s what we’re trying to perpetuate.
What is it like being a leatherwoman in the minority among leathermen?
I guess for myself, I feel like I fit into any environment. I enjoy men, so I don’t mind being around leathermen. My brother was a leatherman, so I can relate. But I can understand that some leatherwomen are very uncomfortable being around leathermen, just as some leathermen are uncomfortable being around leatherwomen. I don’t know that it’s a difference of philosophy, I think what’s happening is that leatherwomen, or even women in general, are going through another stage of the evolution of their development. Maybe what leatherwomen need to start developing is the spiritual part of living in leather; maybe that’s the part of our community that’s been missing. Women have always been very spiritual in any culture, and I think that’s what’s happening here. We’re going through some growing pains, not quite understanding where we fit in the whole leather scene, with all the definitions of tops and bottoms and daddies and boys and so on. Women are still jostling with where and how we fit in and how we’re to carry our piece of the community. I think it goes a lot deeper than the play, I think we need to start developing the spirituality that’s involved in living in leather.
(Information about Moore is available at many sites on the World Wide Web. She is featured on IMsL’s web page at www.probe.net/~savo/imsl/imsl97.htm; you can find more web sites with information about her by doing a Web search for her name.)
Upcoming Leather Events
TIES presents Snowbound ’97, an all-day BDSM seminar
Saturday, December 6, Laughing Cup Auditorium (1811 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls.)
Doors open at 11 am, presentations start at noon
Unfortunately, this event sold out soon after I got the press release. But what an event it will be! Topics include negotiation and consensuality, flogging techniques and safety, sensation play, toy making and care, slave training and rope bondage — followed by an attendees-only play party where people can practice newly-acquired skills under the supervision of experienced Dungeon Masters. This seminar hopes to provide new insights for both beginners and experienced players and, as are all TIES events, will be pansexual (GLBT, het, kink). If this sounds interesting, TIES is planning a larger seminar, SunStroke, next June, and they have a full calendar of monthly and quarterly events. For more information: TIES, Minneapolis MN or e-mail: ties@visi.com. (By the way, TIES stands for Tremendously Intense Erotic Situations.)
Atons Holiday Fundraiser
Sunday, December 7, 6-10 pm,The Saloon
A great way to kick off the holiday season. $5 at the door (benefitting Every Penny Counts); free food, drink specials including tap beer or non-alcoholic drinks for 75 cents. Also, food is being collected for The Aliveness Project; for every pound of food you bring, you get an entry in a drawing for a pair of leather pants donated by Back in Black Leather.
Mark Your Calendar . . .
Jan. 23-24, 1998: Mr. and Ms. Olympus Leather Contest at the Metro Underground. The Olympus Leather Contest showcases a positive image of leather life and represents the entire diverse range of our community, from motorcycle and leather/levi clubs to heavy SM players and everyone in between. Call for contestant, hotel and ticket information. Produced by Back in Black Leather Productions. (Winners represent Minnesota in the Mr./Ms. Olympus Leather Contest in New Orleans February 13-16, 1998.)
SPECIAL BONUS FEATURE: For inclusion in Letters to the Editor:
To the Editor:
Issue 65 of Lavender contained two Letters to the Editor about my column in Issue 63 on electrical SM play. I thank the writers for taking the time to express their views and feel that they, and the community, deserve a response from me.
I don’t choose topics for the “Leather Life” column to “boost my readership”; I choose them based on questions and comments I hear from the community. I try to include things the community either wants to know or needs to know. Here’s what sparked (excuse the pun) the electricity column: I was talking with a gentleman at a party recently, and the topic of conversation turned to electrical play. I mentioned the “never above the waist” rule — a rule with which this gentleman was unacquainted. His response was that gee, it sure was a good thing we talked about this because he had been considering experimenting with a car battery and jumper cables — one clamp to one nipple, one clamp to the other. I told him that was not a safe thing to do, and thought to myself “Well, there’s a column that needs to be written.”
One letter writer chastises me for “advising people to play with bondage or electricity . . . without proper training.” That was most certainly not the intent of the column. Some others may have read only the headline and deduced that I was telling people not to play with electricity at all, ever. That also was not the intent of the column.
I have always tried to make “Leather Life” sex-positive and SM-positive, within the bounds of intelligence, common sense and good taste. The message of the electricity column was not “Don’t play with electricity.” It was “Don’t kill yourself or someone else while you’re doing it.” In this context, I consider the descriptions of other electrical phenomena involving the human body very relevant in establishing a healthy respect for electricity and illustrating the importance of approaching electrical play in an intelligent manner.
When “Leather Life” started two-and-a-half years ago, a decision was made that it would not be a “how-to” column, since that kind of information is available elsewhere. Coverage of SM in this column has either been concerned with reinforcing awareness of the community’s “safe, sane, consensual” motto or has been targeted to those who are new to the community and who have questions. Similarly, the intent of this particular article was not to set myself up as a master “electrician,” but rather to emphasize the importance of seeking out those in our community who are experts at electrical play and learning from them.
Now, about violet wands and auras: I clearly presented it as my opinion (to which I am entitled), and in the next sentence I gave the reader permission to hold their own opinion on this matter. Metaphysics being the indeterminate science that it is, I thought that was fair. But I do thank Robert Johnson for making the quite valid point in his letter that violet wands should not be used around the eyes, and I also thank him for citing Checkpoint and DungeonMaster as learning resources.
Your humble columnist,
Steve Lenius
PHOTO: Genelle Moore, International Ms. Leather 1997
Current International Ms. Leather (IMsL) Genelle Moore is a real-life police officer in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she lives with her sash widow Kathy Tejcka. International leather titles seem to run in Moore’s family — her older brother, Ronald Moore, was International Mr. Leather 1984. The focus for her year as IMsL is summed up by the motto that appears on her notecards: “With participation there’s education and growth.”
As International Ms. Leather 1997, you will spend your title year representing the ideals of the women’s leather community. What are some of those ideals?
When I think back on the women who have been mentors in the community as far as lesbians are concerned, one of the names that always comes to mind is Dr. Gayle Rubin. She was one of our founding mothers — she was working side by side with leathermen when I was a teenager. I think a perfect leatherwoman would be a woman like her, who thinks beyond today, who thinks about where we’re going to be twenty or thirty years from now. She definitely has a commitment to the legacy for new leatherwomen who are coming up, and she has a commitment to maintaining the history of what leathermen and leatherwomen have done. She’s not necessarily the type who’s in this for show, I think she’s in it because she’s committed to this life.
Let’s talk about similarities and differences between leatherwomen and leathermen. First of all, what differences are there?
I think women learn differently from men, and we as leatherwomen need to keep that in mind when we’re trying to teach other women about leather. I don’t think women jump right in. Women like to talk about things, conceptualize it, and then they do it. I’ve talked to women who are interested in leather but are a little intimidated, and I think it’s because they’ve been to leather events where it’s more “in your face.” That’s where women’s leather clubs come into play, because we can sit and talk about it, let people feel comfortable with it, and when they’re able to conceptualize what they want to do, then we do it.
What do leatherwomen and leathermen have in common?
Well, we’re still fighting the AIDS epidemic, and I think that’s a common issue. And I think we have a common commitment to maintaining the history of the leather culture. As far as leather is concerned and the philosophies and teachings behind it, I think the men’s and women’s communities can walk hand in hand and learn from each other. We need to work together and we need to remember that the common goal is “safe, sane and consensual” and that’s what we’re trying to perpetuate.
What is it like being a leatherwoman in the minority among leathermen?
I guess for myself, I feel like I fit into any environment. I enjoy men, so I don’t mind being around leathermen. My brother was a leatherman, so I can relate. But I can understand that some leatherwomen are very uncomfortable being around leathermen, just as some leathermen are uncomfortable being around leatherwomen. I don’t know that it’s a difference of philosophy, I think what’s happening is that leatherwomen, or even women in general, are going through another stage of the evolution of their development. Maybe what leatherwomen need to start developing is the spiritual part of living in leather; maybe that’s the part of our community that’s been missing. Women have always been very spiritual in any culture, and I think that’s what’s happening here. We’re going through some growing pains, not quite understanding where we fit in the whole leather scene, with all the definitions of tops and bottoms and daddies and boys and so on. Women are still jostling with where and how we fit in and how we’re to carry our piece of the community. I think it goes a lot deeper than the play, I think we need to start developing the spirituality that’s involved in living in leather.
(Information about Moore is available at many sites on the World Wide Web. She is featured on IMsL’s web page at www.probe.net/~savo/imsl/imsl97.htm; you can find more web sites with information about her by doing a Web search for her name.)
Upcoming Leather Events
TIES presents Snowbound ’97, an all-day BDSM seminar
Saturday, December 6, Laughing Cup Auditorium (1811 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls.)
Doors open at 11 am, presentations start at noon
Unfortunately, this event sold out soon after I got the press release. But what an event it will be! Topics include negotiation and consensuality, flogging techniques and safety, sensation play, toy making and care, slave training and rope bondage — followed by an attendees-only play party where people can practice newly-acquired skills under the supervision of experienced Dungeon Masters. This seminar hopes to provide new insights for both beginners and experienced players and, as are all TIES events, will be pansexual (GLBT, het, kink). If this sounds interesting, TIES is planning a larger seminar, SunStroke, next June, and they have a full calendar of monthly and quarterly events. For more information: TIES, Minneapolis MN or e-mail: ties@visi.com. (By the way, TIES stands for Tremendously Intense Erotic Situations.)
Atons Holiday Fundraiser
Sunday, December 7, 6-10 pm,The Saloon
A great way to kick off the holiday season. $5 at the door (benefitting Every Penny Counts); free food, drink specials including tap beer or non-alcoholic drinks for 75 cents. Also, food is being collected for The Aliveness Project; for every pound of food you bring, you get an entry in a drawing for a pair of leather pants donated by Back in Black Leather.
Mark Your Calendar . . .
Jan. 23-24, 1998: Mr. and Ms. Olympus Leather Contest at the Metro Underground. The Olympus Leather Contest showcases a positive image of leather life and represents the entire diverse range of our community, from motorcycle and leather/levi clubs to heavy SM players and everyone in between. Call for contestant, hotel and ticket information. Produced by Back in Black Leather Productions. (Winners represent Minnesota in the Mr./Ms. Olympus Leather Contest in New Orleans February 13-16, 1998.)
SPECIAL BONUS FEATURE: For inclusion in Letters to the Editor:
To the Editor:
Issue 65 of Lavender contained two Letters to the Editor about my column in Issue 63 on electrical SM play. I thank the writers for taking the time to express their views and feel that they, and the community, deserve a response from me.
I don’t choose topics for the “Leather Life” column to “boost my readership”; I choose them based on questions and comments I hear from the community. I try to include things the community either wants to know or needs to know. Here’s what sparked (excuse the pun) the electricity column: I was talking with a gentleman at a party recently, and the topic of conversation turned to electrical play. I mentioned the “never above the waist” rule — a rule with which this gentleman was unacquainted. His response was that gee, it sure was a good thing we talked about this because he had been considering experimenting with a car battery and jumper cables — one clamp to one nipple, one clamp to the other. I told him that was not a safe thing to do, and thought to myself “Well, there’s a column that needs to be written.”
One letter writer chastises me for “advising people to play with bondage or electricity . . . without proper training.” That was most certainly not the intent of the column. Some others may have read only the headline and deduced that I was telling people not to play with electricity at all, ever. That also was not the intent of the column.
I have always tried to make “Leather Life” sex-positive and SM-positive, within the bounds of intelligence, common sense and good taste. The message of the electricity column was not “Don’t play with electricity.” It was “Don’t kill yourself or someone else while you’re doing it.” In this context, I consider the descriptions of other electrical phenomena involving the human body very relevant in establishing a healthy respect for electricity and illustrating the importance of approaching electrical play in an intelligent manner.
When “Leather Life” started two-and-a-half years ago, a decision was made that it would not be a “how-to” column, since that kind of information is available elsewhere. Coverage of SM in this column has either been concerned with reinforcing awareness of the community’s “safe, sane, consensual” motto or has been targeted to those who are new to the community and who have questions. Similarly, the intent of this particular article was not to set myself up as a master “electrician,” but rather to emphasize the importance of seeking out those in our community who are experts at electrical play and learning from them.
Now, about violet wands and auras: I clearly presented it as my opinion (to which I am entitled), and in the next sentence I gave the reader permission to hold their own opinion on this matter. Metaphysics being the indeterminate science that it is, I thought that was fair. But I do thank Robert Johnson for making the quite valid point in his letter that violet wands should not be used around the eyes, and I also thank him for citing Checkpoint and DungeonMaster as learning resources.
Your humble columnist,
Steve Lenius
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