GLPW

Twisted Family Picnic on Pride Saturday

2010-06-13T10:12:00.001-07:00

The Stonewall Intention

2010-05-09T09:58:00.000-07:00

As we near the Northwest's Pride Celeberations, I encourage you to remember the original intention of those who rioted at Stonewall in 1969. That night, patrons rebelled against police, forcing them out of the bar and into the streets. To borrow the words from The Who's anthem, "We ain't gonna take it!" That was the cry that was heard that night. Patrons wanted to be left alone to mourn the passing of Judy Garland without disturbance from New York city's "finest."

As we struggle for marriage equality and civil rights throughout the United States, let us not forget the original intent that night. "Leave us alone" is a far different sentiment than "Accept us." I would suggest that as Leatherfolk, we do not give a fuck about acceptance. With the patrons of Stonewall, we only want to be left alone to celebrate our sexuality as consensual adults.

Many years ago when I came out as a Leatherboy, I was told by Mr. Guy Baldwin that I should show respect for others not in the Life. I learned to wear my Leather only when it was appropriate. And while some took the phrase "Living in Leather" quite literally, I chose to follow the older tradition, reserving it for evenings, Runs, and Pride events.

"We want acceptance as part of society." While this may be the sentiment of some, personally I do not want to see Leatherfolk in Gear shopping in Safeway on a Saturday morning. I, also, do not want to bring my grandchildren to public places in broad daylight where F/folk flaunt their toys off their hips and shoulders. My grandchildren do not need to know about flogging techniques or cock rings until they are sexually active and exhibit curiousity. This coincides with my interpretation of consensual behavior.

Acceptance is a two-edged sword for Leatherfolk. We define ourselves as rule breakers. We delight in being bad boys and girls pushing the confines of accepted social behavior. Thus, by our very nature, acceptance into the maintstream is the antithesis of who we are. In short, techniques do not define us as Leatherfolk.

During Pride, let us march together with our brothers and sisters in solidarity. We do not ask that people like us. We do not ask that people approve of us. We demand the right to be left alone to celebrate our radical sexuality as we define it.

Self-anointed Daddies and Other Fairytales

2010-03-20T16:22:00.000-07:00

As I celebrate my twenty-first year since coming out in Leather, I sadly note the loss of core values within the Tribe. As ego eclipses experience, the terms "sir" and "daddy" become commonplace, assumed labels with little or no foundation.

I would suggest that those men who decide to annoint themselves with a dominant title totally miss the boat. "Sir" is a title bestowed on someone, either by a mentor or by a submissive. It is a recognition for training. Because being a sir entails mentorship, a dominant must have an understanding of the art of SM. The development of a boy must be understood. The moniker is ultimately a gift.

Nor does one automatically decide to be a "daddy." I am a biological father and grandfather, and I feel a great deal of paternal feelings for my boys. they know that "Daddy" or "Daddy Sir" are terms reserved solely for them. This distinguishes them as different from the other boys in the community. If I were to invite all boys to call me "Daddy" the term would lose its unique meaning for them.

One of the most experienced Sirs in the Northwest is Aubrey Sparks. When meeting him, he does not introduce himself as "Sir" or "Daddy" Aubrey. Rather, he introduces himself simply. "Hello, I am Aubrey." Two weeks ago as I watched him play with my boys, I noticed how quickly "Aubrey" became "Sir" to them. Not once did I hear him say to them during play, "Call me 'Sir.'" They understood instinctively what to call him without any prompt.

I suggest that those who introduce themselves using a descriptive, dominant label usually lack the confidence to be what they claim. With few exceptions, these men lack the training that has been the foundation of Leather culture.

A true Sir learns His craft. After years of service, He assumes His true role as a dominant. Finally, He earns the respect to be called "Sir" by the submissives with whom He plays.

One of the questions asked during my interview at the Northwest LeatherSir contest. "Can a man be a sir without a boy?" My answer, "No!" A man can feel he is a sir, and he can even be honored by other sirs. But without boys to acknowledge his ultimate place as a dominant and a mentor, he is not a sir. Like everything else in life, true meaning is defined by the operation of that person or thing.

"Sir" and "Daddy" are not titles with which we annoint ourselves. They are gifts given.

Hugh B Russell
Northwest LeatherSir 2010

More about the upcoming Northwest Sash Bash 2010 Weekend

2010-02-04T18:23:00.000-08:00

With only weeks ahead, the events for Northwest Sash Bash 2010 begin to take shape. I am especially excited by the most recent development, a reading by author David May.

About David - Starting out in life as a nice boy from a good family looking desperately for the wrong crowd, David May started writing as a child. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, he moved to San Francisco where he initially gained notoriety in 1984 when his first story, Cutting Threads, which was published in Drummer, sparking both controversy and praise from readers. A regular contributor to Drummer until its demise, May’s work has also appeared in Honcho, Mach, Advocate Men, Unzipped, Inches, Frontiers, Lambda Book Report, Harvard Gay & Lesbian Review, Cat Fancy, International Leatherman and Manifest Review. David May’s work, both fiction and nonfiction, can also be found in Kosher Meat, Best of Gay Erotica 2003, Best of Gay Erotica 2007, Afterwords: Real Sex From Gay Men’s Diaries, Bar Stories, Queer View Mirror, Flesh and the Word 3, The Mammoth Book of New Gay Erotica, Bears and many other anthologies. In 2002 he moved to Seattle where he lives with, and is owned by, his Sir and two cats. (From the Nazca Plains website)

For more information about Northwest Sash Bash 2010, see the website at: www.nwsashbash.org.

Northwest Sash Bash 2010 Press Release

2010-01-07T05:16:00.000-08:00

Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Cascade mountains and the Puget Sound, Leather titleholders from across North America will converge in Seattle, Washington on March 5 - 7 for Northwest Sash Bash 2010. Produced by Generic Leather Productions of Washington, the weekend will offer a variety of events including workshops and discussion groups, play parties, an evening of Leather fantasy performances, and a kinky pajama party co-hosted by Seattle's Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Northwest Sash Bash will give titleholders and their friends an opportunity to enjoy themselves without the frantic pace of contests and the stress of titleholder responsibilities.

Cost for the Northwest Sash Bash weekend is $40, with all proceeds to benefit the Tony Deblase Scholarship. Admission per event will also be offered during the weekend. Lodging for all current titleholders will be supplied by members of Seattle's Leather community.

If you are a current titleholder and would like to attend this year's Northwest Sash Bash, please send your request via e-mail to nwsashbash2010@gmail.com. Also see us on Northwest Sash Bash 2010 on Facebook.

Northwest Sash Bash was first produced in 2004 by Andy Mangels, Mr. Oregon State Leather 2004, and Teresa "Darklady" Reed, Ms. Oregon State Leather 2004. They invited current Leather titleholders from around the United States to visit Portland, Oregon for a weekend of events not centered around a title contest. The first Northwest Sash Bash was such a success that attendees decided to make it a Northwest tradition, trading hosting responsibilities between Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. Since its inauguration, Blackout Productions of Portland has supported the event.

Northwest Sash Bash 2010 is produced this year by Generic Leather Productions of Washington. codirectors of the weekend are Hugh B Russell, Northwest Leathersir 2010, and Mercea Strecker, American Leatherwoman 1998.

The Tony Deblase Scholarship supports students entering the fields of sex education, sex therapy, research, or furthering the understanding of human sexuality, especially alternative sexuality. All donations go directly to the Tony DeBlase scholarship at the Pride Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and may be tax-deductible.

For a complete schedule, see Weekend Events.

Photo by Travis Hughes. Rights reserved by artist.

Northwest Sash Bash 2010 Schedule of Events

2009-12-30T04:55:00.000-08:00

For a complete schedule of events,see this pdf document.

Northwest Sash Bash 2010, March 5 - 7

2009-12-10T05:52:00.001-08:00

Northwest Sash Bash 2010 will give titleholders and their friends an opportunity to enjoy themselves without the hubbub of contests and the stress of titleholder responsibilities.

Come and enjoy the beautiful city of Seattle and the array of exciting activities including:

- workshops and discussion groups led by Leather leaders in the Northwest
- a kinky pajama party co-hosted with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
- an evening of performance and Leather fantasies
- a play party co-hosted with Seattle's Center for Sex Positive Culture.

All present titleholders will enjoy the hospitality of a local member of Seattle's community.

To attend, send an email to nwsashbash2010@gmail.com.

Celebrate the Holiday Weekend with Northwest LeatherSir/boy/Community Bootblack

2009-11-25T05:43:00.000-08:00

If you are like me, you welcome the Thanksgiving Weekend with mixed emotions. I always enjoy the bountiful family dinner, although I am not crazy about turkey. And in spite of its heterocentricity, I always enjoy hearing all the new tidings regarding my family. But after the turkey, yams, and blueberry pie, I find myself missing my Tribe.

This Thanksgiving, the Northwest titleholders offer you Alternative Family Fare. Together with special guests, we will be busy at Spanksgiving on Thanksgiving evening. And at a men's only dungeon party on Saturday night directly following Seattle Men in Leather's Daddy/Daddy's boy contest.

Proceeds from both events go to the Tony Deblase Scholarship. Come celebrate the Holiday with us and help us reach our goal of one thousand dollars this weekend.

For more about Spanksgiving, click on the poster to the right. To receive an invitation to the Heart of Darkness dungeon party, request an invitation via email: nwleathersir2010@gmail.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

Heart of Darkness

2009-11-15T08:12:00.000-08:00

Northwest LeatherSir 2010 Hugh BR and Seattle Men in Leather President Toby Noon host Heart of Darkness, a dungeon party for men of all levels, on November 28th. This event will directly follow the Daddy/Daddy's boy contest. A suggested donation of $10 will be collected at the door to go to the Tony Deblase Scholarship.

If you are a player in the men's community and have always been reticent to participate in play in a dungeon setting, come and participate. Advanced players will be present to answer questions relative to dungeon protocols and etiquette, negotiation, and sex in public play spaces.

To receive an invitation to this event, please e-mail your request to: nwleathersir2010@gmail.com. And put "Heart of Darkness" in the subject line.

The Tony Deblase Scholarship supports students entering the fields of sex education, sex therapy, research, or furthering the understanding of human sexuality, especially alternative sexuality. All donations go directly to the Tony DeBlase scholarship at the Pride Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and may be tax-deductible.

Our New International LeatherSir, Leatherboy, and International Community Bootblack 2009

2009-11-01T07:31:00.000-08:00

After a rousing weekend contest in San Francisco, Sir Tony Palazzo became International LeatherSir 2009 and boy Brad Hill was awarded the title International Leatherboy 2009. Both are from Eastern Canada. Sir Evan, from the Gulf Coast, received the honor of becoming International Community Bootblack 2009.

We are especially proud of Thom Butts, Dominic Chevalier, and "Diamond Jack" Shephard. They represented our Northwest players' community with distinction and honor. Congratulations especially to Dominic who was first runner up in the Leatherboy category.

Good luck to all winners for a great title year!

For more about the contest weekend go to www.leathersir.com.

The Exchange of Power and La Forza Italia

2009-10-28T17:37:00.000-07:00

From the blog of Northwest LeatherSir 2010 -

Many of us accept play as a paradigm of life. We see power as an exchange that goes beyond the play space and into the broader field of citizenship, a role that each of us plays in our respective countries. This view of the praxis of power was promulgated by late twentieth century philosopher, Michele Foucault.

In Italy many refuse to vote, feeling that it is futile to engage in the political dialogue. Yet there are others that continue to participate in the process, despite the disheartening electoral results of the last decade. And as they continue to push against the formidable wall of Berlusconi's "Forza Italia," they grow stronger, louder, more resilient. Resistance training, Italian style.

If we embrace Leather as a lifestyle, a set of principles that infuses our own day to day existence, then we must acknowledge our role in the exchange of power. We must educate ourselves on the issues. We must take a stand and be engaged in our political process. Finally, we must vote.

To translate the words of Mussolini's nemesis, Antonio Gramsci:

The person who truly lives must be both a citizen and a partisan. Indifference is apathy. When one is possessed by it, one becomes a parasite, a coward. Indifference is not life.

Vote!

I never needed a pup hood to do it "doggie-style"...

2009-10-23T23:30:00.000-07:00

One evening, as I perused through a leather gear site, I noticed the proliferation of pup hoods and masks that are now on the market. The quality and practicality of these accessories for a human pup is a matter of preference. The owner, as well as the pup, needs to ask him/herself the inevitable question: "Do I really need to wear all of this pup gear in order to play the role of a human pup/dawg?"

I vote NO!

Now, call me old-fashioned, but when I first entered the Leather and BDSM arena back in late 1998, the human pup movement was just getting onto it's four doggie feet. Owning a pup hood was considered a luxury, and there weren't many to be found from many of the leather distributors. I had to (shocking comment) use my imagination and maybe a pair of kneepads and a jockstrap to boot, IF I was lucky! My past Sirs and owners truly craved the interaction they had with me as their human pup, with all the wonderful mannerisms and puppy personality that I could add to it. And I truly felt like a dog, barked, growled, fetched, and begged as a pup. All I needed to be a pup was the energy exchange between my Sir and myself, as well as using our disciplined, yet carefree imaginations.

It would be wonderful to hear more about the hot play that a Sir/Owner has with his/her pup, than whether the boy has the proper puppy buttplug in his/her ass and the right kind of hood!

Power to the pups!

-A Shaggy Mutt in Seattle

Our Northwest 2009 Titleholders Compete in San Francisco

2009-10-21T21:41:00.000-07:00

Gene Romaine, the Executive Producer of the Northwest LeatherSir, Leatherboy & Community Boot Black Contest and the President of Generic Leather Productions of Washington has appointed Thom Butts as Northwest LeatherSir 2009, Dominic Chevalier as Northwest Leatherboy 2009, and Diamond Jack as Northwest Community Bootblack 2009.

Thom, Dominic, and Jack will represent the Northwest Region at the upcoming International LeatherSir and Leatherboy Contest in San Francisco, from October 29 through November 1.

GLPW wishes them the best of luck next week.

It doesn't matter if you agree -

2009-10-20T18:08:00.001-07:00

If the articles in this news blog make you think, then we have done our job. Agree, disagree, get pissed off. It really doesn't matter. As long as we provoke you to use your head and your heart.

Because head and heart are the foundation of what we do, the reason that we exist as a non-profit organization.

And if we can stir you below the waist, too, even better!