Portland Pride

Nothing better than a road trip with members of my Clan, especially when the purpose is to celebrate Pride!

Together with Gene Romaine, his boy Mitch, and my boy pj, we headed for Portland, Oregon on Saturday morning. Upon arrival we met Northwest Leatherboy dan who greeted us with hugs and a hearty laugh.

When we finally settled into our room at the Marriott, I decided to reward our trusty driver pj by binding him securely on the bed with three hanks of hemp rope. A happy boy who soon fell fast asleep for a well-deserved nap.

As if in counterpoint to pj's subservience, dan decided to tell jokes with his unique brand of irreverence and frivolity. After telling one joke too many, Gene and I gave him a time out in the corner. And to complete the "punishment" a trash can was placed on his head, in lieu of a dunce cap.

Hours later we joined more family and together enjoyed a hearty Thai meal.

To complete the evening, a trip to the Eagle for the Bear's monthly beer bust.

Next morning we confronted looming storm clouds and the promise of rain. And the weather did not disappoint. By the time we arrived at the parade holding area, the light rain started. It continued throughout the day.

Nothing stirs up a Pride crowd more than the crack of a whip. Gene and I spent the entire parade route cracking our whips in syncronicity, pausing only to face off in the occasion whip duel. As the parade moved on, the sweat began to run. Finally I shed my sash and shirt and let the cool rain wash over my torso. Freedom of movement at last.

Today I am sore, with the muscles in my back and right shoulder aching from the hundreds of throws.And I look forward to next weekend's Pride in Seattle, my home city.

Thank you, Blackout Leather Productions, for the opportunity to join you in celebration of Portland Pride.

NW LeatherSir and Leatherboy host Twisted Family Picnic

The Butch Factor

The Butch Factor is a film that claims to examine the idea of masculinity in current Gay culture. During the course of the documentary, sports types, blue collar workers, rodeo cowboys, authors, drag queens, bears, and transmen are interviewed. However, in spite of the barage of images of Leathermen, the directors of this film chose to gag us. Rather than allowing a member of the Tribe to speak, Leather was used as a backdrop for the hypermasculine in Gay culture.

Recurring clips of men on Folsom Street wearing chaps and harnesses peppered the ninety minute film. And Tom of Finland's iconic images of muscled Leathermen were in abundance. Still more surprising was the fact that the entire history of Leather was appropriated to support the premise of the film without acknowledging to whom this history belongs. Even black and white images of early Gay motorcycle clubs complete with covers and jackets!

This film suggests that Leather has emerged from the shadows of Gay culture only to be placed within the darker context of the Other. An object of desire without voice. I believe this is necessary so as not to interfere with the prevalent drive by many Gay men for acceptance into society at large. Throughout the film, we are reminded that the men interviewed are just like heterosexual men. Except, of course, for the fact that they suck cock and fuck each other up the asshole.

As a Leatherman I do not want acceptance by either polite Gay society or the hegemonic group. Nor do I want the culture of my Tribe to be brought into the light and subsequently appropriated. I prefer to remain in the shadow together with my rebel Tribe.