Category Archives: Gay Rights
Whip First!
RESIST regression, stand up against exclusion, demand equality, celebrate diversity. Those themes and more marked this year’s Pride Parade in San Francisco. Many organizations and businesses were there to support their LGBT members and employees, but the queer organizations were there to say, Resist! and No, we won’t go back! I loved Race Bannon’s poster, “My safeword is IMPEACH”. Another of the Leather Contingent’s banners was, “Whip Fascism, We Won’t Go Backwards”.
The crowds were very upbeat and there were plenty who took the opportunity to proclaim their queerness, especially through their attire and clever t-shirts. Who can forget “Queer as Fuck” or “Can’t Even Think Straight”.
As always it was a pleasure and an honor to march with Leather Pride SF and this year my good friend Brue was one of the Leather Marshals. Congratulations again to Brue and thank you for all that you do for the community. I also have to give a special mention to Danny for leading us, whip first! The cracking of his whip got everyone’s attention and was hot to watch! For photos of all the fun, follow this link.
Leave a comment | posted in Gay Pride, Gay Rights, Leather, Pride Parade, San Francisco, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
The word for the day at the Folsom Street Fair was “shade”. Not the kind you throw, but as in get out of the direct sun. It was a scorcher out there. Even with the temps hovering in the upper 80’s to low 90’s, kinksters of all types came to celebrate and hang out with friends.
Organizers said more than 300,000 leather aficionados made it to the 33rd annual leather-loving, BDSM-loud-and-proud fair. Most stripped off their street clothes as soon as they passed through the entrance gates. Folsom is the place where everyone’s free to be who they want to be. Its a celebration of all things sexual. The fair annually draws visitors from around the world, and is the third-largest street event in California, after the Tournament of Roses Parade and the San Francisco Pride parade. Each year, net proceeds from Folsom Street Fair, including gate donations and beverage sales, are given to qualified local charities (“beneficiaries”). These include charities working in public health, human services, and the arts, as well as beverage partners. The event regularly generates over $300,000 annually for charity.
Here is a link to this year’s batch of photos from Folsom. If you were there, take a look and if you missed it, take a look to see some of the sexiness and craziness that is the Folsom Street Fair. If you want to keep up with what’s happening in the leather community here a couple of great resources, The Leather Journal and if you are on Facebook, join Race’s Bar.
Leave a comment | tags: BDSM, Bears, Fetish, Flagging, Flogging, Folsom, Folsom Street Fair, Gay, Gay Men, Gay Pride, Gear, Jock straps, Kink, Leather, Leather Pride, Leathermen, Men in Gear, Porn Stars, San Francisco, Sexy Men, Some Men Photography, Stratton Moore, Trenton Ducati, Uniforms | posted in Flagging, Folsom Street Fair, Gay Rights, Leather, Male Models, San Francisco, Some Men Photography, Underwear
“For Racial and Economic Justice” – The crowds were noticeably smaller than last year which actually made for a much more enjoyable experience. Last year, Marriage Equality became the law of the land, and everyone came out to celebrate. This year, the parade goers and marchers were just as enthusiastic, but after the tragedy in Orlando, some decided to stay away. I decided to march this year as an act of defiance. The slogan “Silence Equals Death” has new meaning now in the wake of so much gun violence.
Marching with the Leather Contingent was fantastic. We were near the front of the parade and there was lots of interaction between us and the crowds. Many folks wanted a picture with us or wanted a slap on the ass with a flogger. Check out the photos!
1 Comment | posted in Gay Pride, Gay Rights, Pride Parade, San Francisco, Some Men Photography, Uncategorized
More contingents, more vendors, more fun sums up this year’s Sonoma County Pride 2016. “United in Pride” was the theme as a diverse group from throughout Sonoma County came together to celebrate Pride. The Pride Committee did a great job of putting on a fun and successful Pride Parade and Celebration. This was their top priority, but they also promoted working with other community groups and our local governments to address LGBT issues.
It was a great kick-off for the month of Pride. To see all the photos, follow the link here.
Leave a comment | posted in Gay Pride, Gay Rights, Pride Parade, Some Men Photography
Thank you Supreme Court for doing the right thing. Marriage Equality is now the law of the land! And, they timed the announcement right before Pride which was awesome. In fact over a million people came to San Francisco Pride to celebrate the decision. There were so many people I couldn’t get close enough to photograph the actual parade, but here are lots of photos of the marchers as they queued up to march.
Leave a comment | tags: SF Pride Parade | posted in Gay Pride, Gay Rights, Pride Parade, San Francisco, Some Men Photography
“Free to Be!” The Sonoma County Pride Parade & Celebration 2014 was held on Sunday, June 1st in Guerneville, CA. Sonoma County’s LGBT Community, friends and family came out to celebrate and cheer on the parade Grand Marshals, Mayor Carol Russell of Cloverdale, Mayor Robert Jacob of Sebastopol and Guerneville’s own Rodger Jenson!
To see a slide show of all the photos, click here.
Leave a comment | posted in Gay Pride, Gay Rights, Pride Parade, Some Men Photography
The leather pride banners lining Market Street are a great reminder that the Folsom Street Fair is happening on the last Sunday in September. The banners made their first appearance for the 25th Folsom Street Fair and this year it turned 30 and what a party it was. Community connection, fetish sexuality and philanthropy all rolled into one event. There was all kinds of BDSM play, adult games and over 200 vendors bringing their kinky products and services to the attendees. Despite some commercialization, this event remains focused on the kink community. There are no politicians, no banks, and no grocery stores there. It’s all about fetishes, leather and sex. And yes, I saw some guys having some fun here and there. If you like leather, sex and kinky play, by all means follow this link to see what I am talking about.
Leave a comment | posted in Folsom Street Fair, Gay Pride, Gay Rights, Leather, Male Models, Male Photography, Mr S Leather, San Francisco, Some Men Photography
Some Men 