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THECONTENTS >> MORE TO COME <<
C O V E R S T O R I E S A N D F E AT U R E S
ON A ROLL 19 AIDS/LIFECYCLE FROM L.A. TO SAN FRANCISCO
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22 EROTIC OUTLAW
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MR. L.A. LEATHER ERIC PAUL LEUE
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IS THE NEW LEATHER 26 BLACK IML RAMIEN PIERRE TO L.A. LEATHER PRIDE 30 WELCOME COMMITTEE CHAIR MARLON MORALES THE CONTESTANTS 32 LALP: TEN GOOD MEN ENSURING OUR FUTURE 36 LALP: THE LA 30 THE EVENTS 38 LALP: RECEPTIONS, CONTEST, PARTIES WIN A TRIP TO FOLSOM EUROPE 40 LALP: GRAND PRIZE RAFFLE TICKETS
42 LALP: OFF SUNSET FAIR
MUSIC, CULTURE, ART, FOOD AND FUN
44 LALP: THE JUDGES
MR. L.A. LEATHER 2015 CONTEST
THE MASTERS 50 LALP: (OF CEREMONIES)
DON MIKE AND JEREMY RONCEROS
ON THE COVER COVER MODELS: ERIC PAUL LEUE (CENTER) PAULO M. BATISTA (RIGHT) NICHOLAS CODY CARTER (LEFT) COVER PHOTO, MAIN TOC PHOTO AND FEATURE PHOTO BY: DUSTI CUNNINGHAM DEPARTMENTS
08 THE EDITOR IN THIS ISSUE 10 THE CONTRIBUTORS THE TALENT 14 THE TALK PRESIDENT OBAMA 16 THE STATE “EXECUTE GAYS” 18 THE CITY MENINGITIS
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20 THE ROSTOW REPORT SEXUAL SECURITY 54 THE SHARE KINK & SOBRIETY
THEEDITOR
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Stanford Altamirano MANAGING EDITOR Mark Ariel ART DIRECTOR Nadeen Torio MARKETING CONSULTANTS Michael Bishop Tom Pardoe Eric Slayton >> IN THIS ISSUE <<
In recognition of Los Angeles Leather Pride Week taking place this month, Guy Baldwin, M.S., former International Mr. Leather, interviews Eric Paul Leue, Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2014. “Without doubt,” states Baldwin, Leue “represents the vibrancy of the Los Angles leather communities more globally and broadly than any of his many predecessors.” “Since winning his title, Mr. Los Angeles Leather, a year ago, he has flown just over 63,500 miles to represent that title in 34 cities in the U.S. and Canada, and seven cities in Europe. These visits included being on PrEP panels, and meetings with health departments, advocacy groups and journalists.” Leue, born and raised in Berlin, has been a permanent U.S. resident since 2013. “I have fought for years to be able to live here, so I wanted to use the title to let outsiders see Los Angeles, its kinksters, and its thriving LGBTQ community through my eyes,” states Leue. “I dedicated my title year to some of the causes I have been passionate about for a long time,” he reveals. “I have demonstrated against hate crimes and for transgender and racial
equality. I’ve set out to help people with meth addictions and mental health issues. And I’ve advocated strenuously for an open-minded and pro-choice approach to sexual health.” Also in this issue Rob Smith interviews Mr. International Leather 2014 Ramien Pierre (“Black Is The New Leather,” page 26). “As both Mr. International Leather 2014 and Mr. DC Eagle 2014, Pierre holds two sought after titles in the leather community, but he is still well aware that blacks have a long way to go towards full acceptance in the leather community and beyond,” states Smith. “As a black, gay leatherman I am a member of a subculture within a subculture,” says Pierre. For Pierre and many black leathermen like him, ONYX is a safe space for men of color in the scene. ONYX Men (www.onyxmen.com) is an organization founded in 1995 to “provide education, fraternization, and serve as a bridge for men of color to the greater leather community.” Last, but not least, we are proud to have been chosen to be the producers of the Los Angeles Leather Coalition’s Official Leather Week Pride Guide—inside the issue. Enjoy!
SOCIAL MEDIA Paulo Murillo Michael Bishop WEBMASTER Nadeen Torio GET THE FIGHT AT HOME Sent Via First Class Mail 12 Issues: $36 6 Issues: $24 Mail check or money order to: Third Step, LLC 611 S. Catalina St. Suite 307 Los Angeles, CA 90005 PUBLISHER Third Step, LLC DISTRIBUTION Pride In Media The Fight Magazine is published monthly by Third Step, LLC. 611 South Catalina Street, Suite 307 Los Angeles, CA 90005 Telephone (323) 297-4001 Fax (213) 281-9648 Email info@TheFightMag.com THE FIGHT MAGAZINE LEGAL CAVEATS By listing in The Fight Magazine, advertisers acknowledge that they do business in the spirit of cooperation, fairness and service, maintaining a high level of integrity and responsibility. Providers of products or services are fully and solely responsible for providing same as advertised. The Fight Magazine assumes no liability for improper or negligent business practices by advertisers. Advertisers and their agencies assume responsibility and liability for the content of their advertisements in The Fight Magazine. Publisher assumes no liability for safe-keeping or return of unsolicited art, manuscripts or other materials. The Fight Magazine reserves the right to edit all material for clarity, length and content. All contents © 2015 Third Step LLC. All rights reserved. Content may be reproduced with permission. The Fight Magazine assumes no liability for any claims or representations contained anywhere in this magazine and reserves the right to cancel or refuse advertising at publisher’s discretion.
STANFORD ALTAMIRANO Editor-In-Chief
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THECONTRIBUTORS >> OUR WRITERS <<
PAULO MURILLO West Hollywood resident Paulo Murillo has been writing for gay media for over twelve years. He got his start writing a bi-weekly column called “Luv Ya, Mean It” for FAB! Newspaper. Visit his website at thehissfit.com, or friend him on Facebook. ANN ROSTOW Ann Rostow writes news analysis columns for THE FIGHT and other gay publications across the country. For weekly LGBT News updates, visit her blog at: annrostow.blogspot.com. Ann can be reached at: arostow@aol.com. DUSTI CUNNINGHAM Los Angeles based photographer Dusti Cunningham grew up in a very clean single-wide trailer home in rural Kansas. His family didn’t own television so they watched tornadoes. None of his dogs were named Toto. Dolly
Murillo
Rostow
Smith
Duran
Parton and his mother were his heroes, both wore wigs. His inspirations are gypsies, pirates, circuses, 1970s glamour, and the National Enquirer. www.dusticunningham.com. ANTHONY DURAN Anthony Duran, native Angelino,
Baldwin
Cunningham
is a photographer and erotic visual contributor to print and film projects worldwide. Since beginning his career in the 1990s, Anthony’s work has graced numerous magazine covers in Europe, Australia and the US. Anthony can be reached at ad@ anthonyduranphotography.com.
ROB SMITH Rob Smith is an author, lecturer, writer, and LGBT activist. His first book “Closets, Combat, and Coming Out: Coming of Age as a Gay Man in the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Army” is in stores now. He can be found at www.robsmithonline.com. GUY BALDWIN Guy Baldwin, M.S. is a private-practice psychotherapist in Hollywood who works primarily with those on the erotic frontiers. He is also an author, activist, and educator specializing in issues of particular relevance to the BDSM and leather communities. In 1989, Baldwin held two leather titles: Mr. National Leather Association and International Mr. Leather. He is the only person to have held these two titles in the same year.
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MAR CH 2015 | T H E F I GH T 13
THETALK >> W H AT T H E Y ’ R E S AY I N G <<
son Joe asking whether she would prefer if he was gay or straight, in an interview with V Magazine, last month.
MIKE HONDA, GRANDDAUGHTER
BRANDON ROUTH
NOT HURTING
BILLY CRYSTAL
PROUD GRANDPA “As the proud grandpa of a transgender grandchild, I hope she can feel safe at school without fear of being bullied.” —California congressman Mike Honda in a poignant tweet last month in affirmation of his granddaughter.
view with Canada’s Daily Xtra. Audience members were tasked with rating how much they enjoyed an Empire episode in real time by turning a dial throughout a screening, ranked “Zero they hate it, 10 they love it.”
“Thankfully, the world, society, is coming to a more rational thought process about sexuality. It’s like ‘Come on, people, just relax already and live your life and forget other people.’ Don’t worry about what other people are doing, not hurting you...” —Actor Brandon Routh in an interview with Xfinity LGBT last month. KATE WINSLET
ROB BELL
ASHTON KUTCHER
KISS A DUDE
“Jon [Cryer] is my second male kiss on screen. My first one was in ‘Dude, Where’s My Car?’ ... Here’s the thing... if you want to know if you’re not gay, kiss a dude. If you feel nothing, you know... While Jon’s a wonderful human... there was nothing.” —Two and a Half Men’s Ashton Kutcher in an interview with Conan O’Brien last month. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
THEIR BRAINS LEE DANIELS
CAN’T SHAKE
“They’re at a 10 until the two men kiss. Then it’s down to a zero... there’s a stigma to being gay that ... the world can’t shake... [the LGBT movement is] the civil rights of our time right now, and I think we have to not back down.” —Lee Daniels, gay co-creator of the Fox hit, Empire, which features a gay couple, on how a test audience tested positive for homophobia, in an inter-
THEY LOVE
“... You have in front of you flesh-and-blood people who are your brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and co-workers and neighbors and they love each other and just want to go through life with someone.” —Former Mars Hill Bible Church pastor and author Rob Bell on Oprah Winfrey’s “Super Soul Sunday” television show last month, asserting that the church is “moments away” from embracing gay marriage.
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“I like the diversity that my children are exposed to every day. I love the way their brains work. Joe turns to me the other day and says, ‘One day, I will have a girlfriend. But I might have a boyfriend. If I’m gay.’ He’s 7! And I said, ‘You might have a girlfriend or a boyfriend, darling.’ And he said, ‘Which would you prefer?’ And I said, ‘My love, that would be entirely up to you, and it doesn’t make any difference to me.’ But that he knows! It’s a real privilege. Talk about the best education.” —Grammy and Golden Globe winning actress Kate Winslet’s reaction to her
WHOLE LOT
“I want to recognize what Robbie Rogers of the Galaxy has done for a lot of people by blazing a trail as one of professional sports’ first openly gay players... you’ve also inspired a whole lot of folks here and around the world and we’re very proud of you.” —President Obama, during a speech lauding both the 2014 Major League Soccer champions, L.A. Galaxy, and the 2014 Stanley Cup winners, L.A. Kings, at the Whitehouse, last month.
HOW MIRACLES HAPPEN... 2014
brought many new babies for Coastal Fertility Medical Center (Coastal). Dr. Lawrence Werlin is one of the nation's most noted Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) specialists. Dr. Werlin believes educating patients about their options is paramount. Due to his passion for teaching, he holds free monthly seminars to introduce the public to the world of Fertility treatment and gives them a better understanding and the hope that this field of medicine can achieve. Dr. Werlin is a nationally noted expert in the emerging field of Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) and Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). He pioneered two studies to assess the effects of PGS/PGD. This is the screening of chromosomes and genes of an embryo. Dr. Werlin says, "This allows couples to test for abnormalities of an embryo and potentially eliminate hereditary disease in a family." Coastal has been one of Orange County's leading providers of reproductive care to patients since 1982.
The Center's primary goal is patient personal care. Coastal and its dedicated staff are widely recognized for their compassion, as well as their special attention to the individual needs of their patients. "Our lives are connected to our patients, and it becomes a lifetime relationship. Our patients keep us in their lives and update us on all their mile stones, such as receiving college graduation cards from our grown up children," Dr. Werlin states. Coastal welcomes 2015 with open arms and looks forward to helping more families. For more info please visit: www.coastalfertility.com.
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THESTATE
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1 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
California man would like to make it legal to shoot “any person who willingly touches another person of the same gender for purposes of sexual gratification.” The effort is being spearheaded by Matthew McLaughlin, who just forked over $200 to file a ballot initiative with the Attorney General in Sacramento proposing the Sodomite Suppression Act become state law, reports Queerty.com. In a one-page document, McLaughlin calls gay sex an “abominable crime,” labeling it “a monstrous evil that Almighty God, giver of freedom and liberty, commands us to suppress on pain of our utter destruction even as he overthrew Sodom and Gomorrha [sic].” His solution? Gay people must be executed. More specifically, they should be “put to death by bullets to the head or by any other convenient method.” McLaughlin argues that it’s “better” if heterosexuals just kill the gays immediately rather than having everyone suffer God’s punishment in the afterlife, though he doesn’t say why. In addition to requiring straight people to shoot gay people in the head, the Sodomite Suppression Act also bans gay people from running for public office, being employed by the state, or being granted any state or federal benefits, including unemployment, disability, welfare, and social security, or use of any public assets, like roads, parks, or libraries. Oh, and any straight person who demonstrates tolerance or acceptance of a gay person will be fined “$1 million per occurrence, and/or imprisoned up to 10 years, and/or expelled from the boundaries of the state of California for up to life.” Now that the ballot initiative has been filed, McLaughlin will need to collect the signatures of at least 365,000 legitimate California residents in order for it to move forward. n
THECITY >> BY PAULO MURILLO <<
NEW MENINGITIS CASE IN HOLLYWOOD
T
he Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed that a gay man in Hollywood has become infected with invasive meningococcal disease, sparking new calls for organizations to encourage gay men or MSM (men who have sex with men) to get vaccinated to prevent the disease. Meningitis can be deadly in one in 10 cases. The county issued new guidelines last April, recommending vaccination for all men having sex with men who regularly have intimate contact with multiple partners, share cigarettes or use illegal drugs. Vaccinations were also recommended for all HIV-positive MSM. AIDS Health Care Foundation (AHF) continues to offer free meningitis vaccines in greater Los Angeles through its AHF Wellness Centers. For locations, visit freestdcheck.org/locations. MEGHAN TRAINOR
T
25TH ANNUAL DINAH SHORE WEEKEND
he 25th installment of The Dinah Shore weekend (April 1-5, 2015) is expected to be
one of the major highlights of the 2015 Palm Springs festival season and promises to deliver a spectacular slate of legendary headliners, rising pop stars, comedians and celebrities. Pop sensation and 2015 Grammy nominee Meghan Trainor known for her hit “All About that Bass,” will headline the festival this year during the weekend’s Black Party held on Saturday, April 4 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Also set to top the bill at this lesbian getaway are Christina Perri, club diva Crystal Waters, disco legend Rose Royce and others. For more information, visit thedinah.com.
CHRISTOPHER CALUZA
SAN DIEGO GAY FIGURE SKATER CARRIES TORCH
S
an Diego gay figure skater Christopher Caluza, 24, a three-time World Figure Skating Championship competitor who currently ranks 19th in the world, had the honor of being the torchbearer at the California State Games (CSG) Figure Skating competition last month. Caluza fulfilled his torch-bearing duties at the Torch Lighting Ceremony in the San Diego Ice Arena on February 28. All competitors had the opportunity to pass the California State Games Torch during the torch lighting ceremonies. For more information about the figure skating championships at the California State Games, visit, calstategames. org/w-figureskating.html
1 8 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
RUPAUL
RUPAUL’S DRAGCON AT L.A. CONVENTION CENTER
L
egendary Supermodel of the World, RuPaul, and World of Wonder announced the launch of “RuPaul’s DragCon,” which promises to deliver a mash-up of “Comic-Con,” “BeautyCon” and “Hello Kitty Con,” into an all drag convention on May 16-17 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. “DragCon” will cater to “RuPaul’s Drag Race” fans allowing them to meet some of their biggest drag idols and celebrity guests inside a safe queer environment. The convention will also offer drag culture in a range of programs for participants. Seminars will include: “Lady MacBeth to Lady Gaga: Drag in the Mainstream” and “A Drag Revolution: Stonewall Riots.” For ticket information, visit rupaulsdragcon.com.
PRIVATELY-OWNED LGBTQ CENTER IN WEHO
W
est Hollywood business owner Nir Zilberman, who owns three LA Jock Locations in WeHo has converted one of his locations into “Home” - America’s first privately owned LGBTQ Center - in West Hollywood, at 7990 Santa Monica Blvd. According to Zilberman, “Home” is a privately-funded help center designed to serve the LGBTQ community and its allies by offering free support to those in need. Services include: legal, mental health and vocational services. The space is also “Home” to a museum chronicling the LGBTQ community and its struggles throughout history. Visit facebook.com/wehohome for more information.
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AIDS/ Lifecycle On A Roll Registration closes months early for world’s largest annual AIDS fundraiser. BY VICTO R MELA MED
AIDS/LifeCycle® has closed registration for its San Francisco to Los Angeles bike ride—the world’s largest annual, single-event HIV/AIDS fundraiser—earlier than ever before and for only the third time in the 14-year history of the event. The more than 2,500 cyclists who are expected to participate, and who represent nearly every state and 20 countries, are on-track to break last year’s fundraising record of $15.5 million. AIDS/LifeCycle, which begins on May 31 and ends on June 6, supports San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the HIV/AIDSrelated services of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. “I’m overwhelmed and enormously grateful to the huge number of people-from throughout the country and all over the world-who are joining us on this year’s AIDS/LifeCycle,” said Center CEO Lorri L. Jean. “By filling every available seat and reaching capacity, we’ll be able to do even more for people living with HIV and to fight new infections.” Despite the remarkable progress that has been made since the first reported cases of HIV in 1981, the epidemic is far from over. Just in the U.S. there are 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS and the infection rate continues to rise among gay and bisexual men, particularly among communities of color. AIDS/LifeCycle depends heavily on over 600 “roadies” who volunteer to support the event in a variety of essential roles including staffing rest stops, ensuring rider safety, providing medical support, and marking the route for cyclists. This is the earliest registration has ever closed for roadies. Though it’s too late to ride and volunteer on this year’s event, registration remains open for “virtual cyclists” who support the two beneficiaries just like actual participants but without having to train. n
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Visit aidslifecycle.org/register to join as a virtual cyclist. MAR CH 2015 | TH E F I GH T 19
THEROSTOWREPORT >> BY ANN ROSTOW <<
butcher aisles on shopping day while watching adorable pigs and lambs frolic on youtube the day after. One more thing. Just now when I was wondering how someone could get grossed out by a kiss, I recalled the commercial with the repellent guy at the restaurant who makes out with a hand puppet at the table. I’m not making excuses for the people who can’t tolerate a gay lip lock on TV. I’m just saying that it’s possible to be disgusted by a kiss. Mel and I have to grab for the remote and change the channel whenever the puppet-phile appears. From “The Walking Dead”
Why are cannibalism and grotesque necrotic monsters fine, while an innocuous kiss between two men sends people over the revulsion line? TWITTER ANXIETY, HAND PUPPETS & SEXUAL SECURITY
I
haven’t watched “The Walking Dead,” so it’s hard for me to comment on the news that they recently showed a gay kiss, presumably between two non-zombies although I guess I don’t know that for sure. I do know that a bunch of fans reacted negatively, provoking some commentators to wonder why cannibalism and grotesque necrotic monsters are fine, while an innocuous kiss between two men sends people over the revulsion line. Yet that doesn’t seem strange to me. There’s a large sophomoric male demographic that loves gory stuff but lacks the sexual security to tolerate even a whiff of gayness. It’s not at all surprising that a bunch of them took to Twitter or whatever to voice their anxiety. Plus, it looks like there was another group that was just fine with the scene. So there. It’s not really news in my book, but I’m leading with the story because it led me to a link that showed 31 animals kissing which was really cute. Most of the animals looked as if they were touching noses rather than actually kissing, but their affection was heartwarming. I’m not a vegetarian but I find it increasingly difficult to compartmentalize my growing respect for animals with my hunger for steak and bacon. That said, I still manage to cruise the 2 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
RAISING ALABAMA: RESPECTING FEDERAL LAW
S
o, since we last communed, marriage equality has fitfully arrived throughout most of the state of Alabama. Oh, and we also had one marriage conducted in Texas, actually in my own home of Austin, although our attorney general has vowed to reverse the wedding and somehow un-marry the brides. Jerk. In Alabama, meanwhile, a federal judge struck the state’s antigay marriage amendment in a decision that took effect February 9. Before that date, Alabama authorities asked both the Eleventh Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency stay, but both courts refused to stop the marriages. In a noteworthy dissent, Justice Thomas condemned the denial of a stay as an affront to Alabama voters, and Justice Scalia agreed. That doesn’t mean that the vote was 7-2 however, because other conservative justices could also have disagreed with the outcome without sign-
ing on to Justice Thomas’s comments. The only thing we do know is that at least five justices preferred that the wedding tide continue to roll. Even after the marriage equality deadline arrived, a large number of Alabama’s probate judges continued to refuse service, insisting that the (perfectly clear) legal situation was too complex to interpret. Gay couples were obliged to go back to the court for another, more explicit, ruling, which at last convinced most of the recalcitrant judges to open their marriage windows. As I write, almost all Alabama counties are offering marriage licenses on an equal basis, and the governor has confirmed that his state will respect federal law.
STRAIGHT FRIENDS AND BEING “SORT OF” MARRIED
A
s for Texas, a state court judge in Travis County granted a marriage license to Sarah Goodfriend and Suzanne Bryant, a couple for 30 years who are fighting (Goodfriend’s) cancer. Newly elected ogre, Attorney General Ken Paxton, immediately asked the Texas Supreme Court to void the license. I’m not sure what the Texas court will do, but we expect the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to rule on marriage any day now. That federal appellate ruling should set near-term marriage policy for Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Obviously, whatever the Fifth Circuit decides will be quickly confirmed or reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court this summer. This is all to say that the actions of state court judges in Texas will soon be overrun by federal courts. On a personal note, I was
> > T W I T T E R A N X I E T Y, F E D E R A L L A W , S T R A I G H T F R I E N D S , N E R D S < <
struck by the number of (straight) friends who asked me if Mel and I were going to get married now that a license has been granted in our town. But we’ve been legally married since we went to California for that purpose back in 2008! I thought everyone knew this, but now I think they thought we were just “sort of” married, or maybe just calling ourselves married, or maybe that we had a commitment ceremony, or maybe they thought that same-sex marriages were unlike traditional marriages in that we could just get married over and over again in different venues. It bugged me. By the way, the Eleventh Circuit has announced that they will shelve their marriage appeals (from Florida and Alabama) until after the High Court rules. The Eighth Circuit, on the other hand,
will hear arguments in May on cases out of Arkansas and Missouri. It’s not clear why the appellate court decided to proceed with litigation that will be instantly outclassed by a Supreme Court opinion. Perhaps they want to give the nine justices the benefit of their (presumably conservative) insights on the subject.
GAY TEENS VERSUS NERDS OR GEEKS
D
id you watch the Oscars? Of course you did! But did you know that the guy who gave the touching speech about suicide is straight? I know, I know. He did not look it. More interesting has been
some of the reaction to his call for young people to “stay weird” despite the bullying and depression that can be triggered by not fitting in. Here’s the thing. The guy wrote the screenplay for The Imitation Game, the movie about gay mathematician Alan Turing, who helped break the German code in World War II, but was later arrested for being gay and killed himself. The movie, which I haven’t seen, is also accused of downplaying the side plot of Turing’s sexual orientation. So here’s the question. Are the problems faced by gay and lesbian teens the same as those faced by, I don’t know, nerds or geeks or “weirdos?” Obviously, bullying and social isolation are bad things regardless of the motivation of the oppressors. But isn’t there something clueless
about a straight guy conflating homophobia with the generic hostility that greets many high school students who manifest a degree of eccentricity? Almost like a guy with a dark tan talking about the hardships faced by “people of color.” True, the guy didn’t say he was depressed because he was gay. But his introduction was all about Alan Turing, so it seemed clear he was talking about antigay harassment in school. Given that he was straight, his heartfelt appreciation for weirdness also seemed to merge gayness with weirdness, even though you can be the epitome of the perfect high school star and still get gay bashed just as you can be weird and still be the most popular kid on campus. I suppose my point is that it's not “weirdness” that needs to be protected. It’s “gayness.” n
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Erotic OUTLAW
Eric Paul Leue, Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2014, on his title year, brotherhood and why leather is more than just “leather.” BY G U Y BA LD W I N, M. S. | PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNI NGHAM
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s a general rule, I prefer to conduct interviews in a quiet, civilized setting, with a cup of tea and an audio recording device. But with Eric Leue, that was simply not possible, because the guy is more or less constantly in motion. What’s below has been assembled from phone calls, text messages and emails. Without doubt, he represents the vibrancy of the Los Angles leather communities more globally and broadly than any of his many predecessors. Since winning his title, Mr. Los Angeles Leather, a year ago, he has flown just over 63,500 miles to represent that title in 34 cities in the U.S. and Canada, and seven cities in Europe. These visits included being on PrEP panels, and meetings with health departments, advocacy groups and journalists. Oh....and he has judged some 33 title contests, and helped to raise a ton of money. And no, he is not a flight attendant or pilot. So what does this man have to say? Please give us a short, compact paragraph with some biographical info about you. I was born in the countryside of East Berlin in 1986, so I’m German by birth. I threw myself into the deep end of the Berlin leather scene with its infamous darkrooms as soon as I turned 18. I was an exchange student in Grand Rapids, MI in 2004, then I moved to London in 2008. Los Angeles stole my heart when I came here the first time in 2010 for a date with a guy who has since become my best friend. The city has such a vibrant, sex-positive kink-culture, that I just had to move here. I’ve been a permanent U.S. resident since 2013. I’m sure that last year, one of the Mr. L.A. Leather judges asked you why you wanted the title. What was your answer? Everyone who hears “Los Angeles” but isn’t familiar with all of its 5,000 square miles thinks only of Beverly Hills and Hollywood. I love L.A., and I have fought 2 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
for years to be able to live here, so I wanted to use the title to let outsiders see Los Angeles, its kinksters, and its thriving LGBTQ community through my eyes.
Being a Leatherman does not mean you can’t be a pup, or into gear, or be into rubber, or be flamboyant or be a sassy outlaw sometimes, or that you have to be born a specific bio-gender. How sad would it be if we would always stick to an imaginary rule book and not be able to evolve and grow? Has your year as Mr. L.A. Leather turned out as you thought it would? I had no concrete idea of what I wanted my year to look like at first. When I entered and won the contest for Eagle L.A. Mr. Leather (which qualified me to enter the Mr. L.A. Leather competition), I didn’t even know much about leather titles. I just thought of it as a fun evening, a little bit sexy, a few giggles, and beers with my friends. Then I realized how many fundraisers we hold in our leather bars, and wondered why I never see fundraising in the bars in my home-neighborhood of West Hollywood. I always questioned why it is the leather community that always fundraises itself to the last drop as if we need to prove something. So I decided to do it differently, not better, just different. I helped raise $125K for HIV/AIDS, youth organizations, and PrEP education outside of the bars in just two events. Without ever expecting to, I spent north of $25K of my own money to travel to over 40 communities in the US, Canada, and Europe to support and motivate, to educate, to advocate, and to bring together.
My year as Mr L.A. Leather (LAL) has been, and continues to be life-changing. I became the Director of Sexual Health and Advocacy for Kink.com. I have been meeting thousands of fascinating individuals in and out of leather; inside and outside of the LGBTQs; I have heard incredible and heartbreaking stories that inspire me every day. And just as I was stepping aside from my first title as Eagle L.A. Mr Leather, I was unexpectedly swept off my feet by someone very special who has become a guide, invaluable companion, and stronghold in the past few weeks. How does it get better than that? So did your titles make you who you are today? No, they did not. Nobody needs a title to make things that matter happen, and I do not believe that our community is dependent on leather titles. These competitions are entertaining and they raise funds for causes dear to our community. But they are not presidential elections or careers. At the same time, for nearly all leather titles, there are really no expectations as to what a title holder should or shouldn’t do, other than be polite, and show up next year to pass the title along. My title has been useful in that it gives me an opportunity and 90 seconds of people’s attention which I can then use to do whatever I’m feeling passionate about. If anything made me who I am today, then it is the nine guys I competed with for the L.A. title. None of what I did, or do, would have been possible without their support and inspiration. How about the International Mr. Leather (I.M.L.) competition in Chicago... what was that experience like for you My favorite part was hearing Chuck Renslow, the owner of I.M.L., endorse PrEP. Michael Kaplan (Mr. Heartland Leather), Woody Woodruff (I.M.L. 2012), Chuck Renslow and I had shared a tense conversation about it just four weeks earlier at
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the 2014 Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend, (C.L.A.W.), and so Mr. Renslow’s hearty endorsement from the podium at I.M.L. was a total surprise. I don’t remember much else, other than a lot of “Hurry up and wait.” 2014 was one of the smallest years of I.M.L. with “only” about 45 contestants, but as we were placed into separate groups and the schedule is pretty tight, I only really got to know 12 of my competition brothers. It took a lot of travel to build the brotherhood I feel between me and my brothers in L.A. What will you do differently now that you’re about to turn the title over to your successor. I dedicated my title year to some of the causes I have been passionate about for a long time, and that will not change. I have demonstrated against hate crimes and for transgender and racial equality. I’ve set out to help people with meth addictions and mental health issues. And I’ve advocated strenuously for an open-minded and pro-choice approach to sexual health. For example, let’s take the “Condoms in Porn” conversation: how dare we limit a person’s choice to take control over their own body? Would we want to see that happen to women and birth control? Is an adult film performer not allowed to take charge of his or her own body? Rather than limiting choice, shouldn’t we fight to ensure that the right to choose freely, and to take con-
trol is protected and guaranteed? Anything else is just not right. I will always resist and work to prevent whatever toxic mix of ego, personal insecurities, and lack of knowledge from conveying harm onto others by discriminating against people and infringing on everyone’s personal right to self-determination. I believe that unless we open our minds, learn, and empower people, we risk sliding into a moral shallowness that will cost lives... some of them strangers’ lives, and others’ not. Tell me about the story behind THE FIGHT cover photo. Unofficially, I call it “The Modern Leatherman.” The photographer, Dusti Cunningham and Stanford Altamirano, Editor-InChief of THE FIGHT,
and I wanted to create an image that reflected who I am, our kinkster diversity, and my community advocacy. Leather is more than “just” leather. “Leather” can be a blanket term for all kinds of fetishes and a self-defining lifestyle. Being a Leatherman does not mean you can’t be a pup, or into gear, or be into rubber, or be flamboyant or be a sassy outlaw sometimes, or that you have to be born a specific bio-gender. How sad would it be if we would always stick to an imaginary rule book and not be able to evolve and grow? I wanted a photograph that summarized those ideas, because they are what makes and keeps “leather” vibrant and relevant today. After all, since the leather community first began to form in the mid-1950s, “leather” has always been a euphemism for Erotic Outlaw! Guy Baldwin, M.S. is a private-practice psychotherapist in Hollywood who works primarily with those on the erotic frontiers. He also held the titles of Mr. National Leather Association, and International Mr. Leather concurrently many years ago.
MAR CH | THE| FI T I GH T 23 MAR2015 CH 2015 THGEH F 23
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MAR CH 2015 | TH E F I GH T 25
>> LEATHERMEN <<
Black Is The New Leather How African-American organizations and leathermen are shaking up the leather community’s status quo. BY RO B SMITH
U
ntil recently the only thing associated with black and the leather community was the color of the material, but a few groups and some new African-American pioneers are doing what they can to change that. If you’re an outsider to the leather scene and stumble upon the websites or marketing materials for leather events or organizations, you’ll most likely be presented with a fairly homogenous idea of the typical leatherman: beefy, older, bearded, and white, not that there’s anything wrong with that. The leather community, however, definitely seems to be making moves towards embracing diversity, even within the group vying for the title. After being selected as Mr. Sister Leather 2014, black leatherman Jordan Frink was one of ten finalists for Mr. LA Leather, and his experience has been a transformative one. Though he’s found it somewhat difficult to navigate the scene as a black man, he constantly thinks of new ways to bridge the divide that he sometimes sees between whites and people of
JORDAN FRINK
2 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
color in the leather scene. “Minorities on any level— racially or sexually—should stick together,” states Frink in an interview with THE FIGHT. “History shows when we work together efficiently we benefit from results.”
SOMETHING MAGICAL Alongside Frink, there are more than a few black and brown faces that mix and mingle with the majority white ones during the various events, and his presence is undoubtedly charting a path for the next generation. The biggest moment, however, for AfricanAmericans in the leather community in quite some time was Ramien Pierre’s selection as Mr. International Leather in 2014. Though black leathermen claimed the title at least twice in the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s winners fit a more traditional mode. Pierre’s win was a deserved and welcome shock to the system, but he’s taking it all in stride. He’s fairly new to the leather community, and his introduction to it just happened to coincide with a major moment in American history. His first leather event was Mid-Atlantic Leather weekend in 2009 during the same weekend of President Obama’s inauguration. “There was something magical about being in our nation’s capitol at a time when there was so much positive energy focused on being black and being leather,” said Pierre in an interview with THE FIGHT. “It was unbelievably affirming.” As both Mr. International Leather 2014 and Mr. DC Eagle 2014, Pierre holds two sought after titles in the leather community, but he is still well aware that blacks have a long way to go towards full acceptance in the leather community and beyond.
RAMIEN PIERRE
“As a black, gay leatherman I am a member of a subculture within a subculture,” he says. He’s been mistaken for other prominent black leathermen more than once, and is well aware of how issues of race and privilege impact the scene.
ONYX MEN For Pierre and many black leathermen like him, ONYX is a safe space for men of color in the scene. ONYX Men (www.onyxmen.com) is an organization founded in 1995 to “provide
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home base, comfort, and reality check. I education, fraternization, and serve as wouldn’t be able to engage with the larger a bridge for men of color to the greater LGTB or leather/kink communities without leather community.” having that support.” There are chapters in LA, San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and SOME Even as a New York. While HICCUPS Mr. International black and brown However, the Leather titleholder, Pierre faces dot the integration of has encountered some racial crowd at mainblacks and stream leather other people of tension in his dealings within the events, at color into the community. He refers to multiple ONYX, they’re mainstream incidents of being told that he “speaks leather definitely the main attraccommunity well,” a backhanded compliment that tion. They hasn’t been a great deal of African-Americans have ongoing without its are all too familiar with and one events on both hiccups. Popular that made him feel “small in coasts, and as leather-themed they approach their circuit event The an unpleasant and disem20-year anniversary Black Party was powering way.” in 2015, they seem to criticized by some for its be creating a path for di2012 poster that featured versity in the mainstream leather a submissive-looking Asian man community. It’s a path that Pierre is grateful bound and whipped. for and proud to march down. Also—unsubstantiated gossip regarding “My ONYX brothers are also my the leather festivities on the west coast
claims that some black men were discouraged from running for fear that they wouldn’t “represent” the leather community in a positive way. Even as a Mr. International Leather titleholder, Pierre has encountered some racial tension in his dealings within the community. He refers to multiple incidents of being told that he “speaks well,” a backhanded compliment that a great deal of African-Americans are all too familiar with and one that made him feel “small in an unpleasant and disempowering way.” Still, he is proud of the community, his place in it, and the message that his selection sends as another season of leather community events beckon. To him, selecting a person of color as an IML winner sends the message that hotness comes in a range of sizes and hues, just don’t ask him if he represents all leather people. “I represent nearly 100% of all American, gay, black, male, introvert, Quaker-educated, IvyLeague, leather titleholders,” he says. “But for obvious reasons that’s a pretty small group.” For more info on ONYX Men visit: www.onyxmen.com.
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tribe rites of passage The Los Angeles Leather Pride 2015 G
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March 22-29
+ ALL THE EVENTS + ALL THE CONTESTANTS + ALL THE PARTIES MAR CH 2015 | TH E F I GH T 1
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Welcome To L.A. Leather Pride have never been more proud or excited to be a part of the Los Angeles Leather community. It is a great pleasure to serve as your L.A. Leather Pride Chairman for 2015 along with our outstanding volunteers and dedicated planning committee members. Leather Pride is produced by the Los Angeles Leather Coalition (LALC) and is a result of a strong network of businesses, clubs, organizations, and individuals working together to showcase the incredibly vibrant leather scene here in Los Angeles and the Southern California region. The sign of any stable and successful organization is continued improvement year after year. L.A. Leather Pride is not different. Each new year has brought record attendance, new and exciting events and growth in sponsorship. Our 16th year is a turning point as we continue to innovate and make improvements that are making us one of the most established, prosperous, and influential leather events in the world.
MARLON MORALES
DIFFERENT ROADS Our theme in 2015 is TRIBE: Rites of Passage, as we celebrate over 10 days the different roads we have all taken into the community and the camaraderie that keeps us together. We kick-off the week at FAULTLINE BAR on March 22nd with all the signature events you have come to expect and we introduce some surprises too. I am eager for you to see what awaits you at SOUTHLAND HONORS, The ROAST OF ERIC PAUL LEUE, The ASSEMBLY Dress Code Enforced Uniform Party, FULL FETISH TRIBAL RIGHTS play party sponsored by RECON, and so many more ancillary eventsall leading up to the Mr. L.A. LEATHER
the latest updates on events happening Leather Pride week and throughout the year. Please use it to take advantage of special promotions available only to App users. And thanks to a generous gift from THE FIGHT MAGAZINE—our partner in producing and distributing our L.A. Leather Pride Guide & Program-we are scaling up our print visibility to 25,000 and reaching an online readership of 200,000.
WEEKEND IN EUROPE PHOTO BY ANTHONY DURAN
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A Message From Committee Chair Marlon Morales.
CONTEST and LEGION dance on March 28th at an amazing new venue, CLUB 333 LIVE, located in the heart of DOWNTOWN L.A.’s pulsating city life. We top it all off with the OFF SUNSET STREET FAIR on March 29th where we expect 8,000 participants! I hope you have already downloaded our App for iPhone and Android. With a reach of 9,000, more people than ever have engaged our sponsors and receive
All the wonderful new opportunities for 2015 have been made possible by our record number of sponsors. There are far too many to list in this message, but I especially want to highlight FOLSOM STREET EVENTS and RECON who are scaling up their presence in Los Angeles. Generous sponsorships from FOLSOM EUROPE and SCHOTT LEATHER are making possible an unbelievable “WEEKENDIN-EUROPE” GRAND PRIZE RAFFLE. I am deeply grateful for the dedication of our LA30 giving circle members who have personally pledged financial support to assure the success of our week. And what is most exciting, all our work at L.A. Leather Pride makes possible significant charitable contributions to PROJECT ANGEL FOOD, ONE ARCHIVES FOUNDATION, and TOM OF FINLAND FOUNDATION. Thank you for your support and welcome to L.A. Leather Pride 2015! Yours in leather,
Marlon I. Morales
Chairman L.A. Leather Pride 2015
Our 16th year is a turning point as we continue to innovate and make improvements that are making us one of the most established, prosperous, and influential leather events in the world. 3 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
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The Contestants The ten competitors for the coveted title of Mr. LA Leather 2015. The winner will be chosen on Saturday, March 28 at Club 333Live, 333 South Boylston Street, Los Angeles, 6pm-10pm. For more detailed bios on each contestant visit laleatherpride.com. PHOTOS BY ANTHONY DURAN
ROD MERCADO
JUSTIN NATOLI
ROD MERCADO Mr. Regiment 2015 Mr. Regiment Rod Mercado is a 34 year old doctor originally from Guadalajara, Mexico. Mercado spent most of his early years in California. In 2007 he relocated to Los Angeles after graduating from medical school. He trained in medical residency and now practices medicine at a local hospital.
CHRISTOPHER PAUL
CHRISTOPHER PAUL Mr. CSW Leather 2015 Mr. CSW Leather Christopher Paul is a 25 year old wardrobe stylist originally from Plantation, Florida. After moving to Los Angeles in 2012 Paul started volunteering with the Trevor Project, where he works with teens, fighting against suicide.
MASTER PROMETHEUS
JUSTIN NATOLI Mr. Sister Leather 2015 Mr. Sister Leather Justin Natoli is a 35 year old psychotherapist originally from St. Louis, MO. Natoli specializes in sex and love addictions, healthy sex and intimacy, sero-discordant couples, and non-traditional relationships.
3 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
MASTER PROMETHEUS
Mr. Sanctuary Leather Mr. Sanctuary Leather 2015 Master Prometheus is a 51 year old personal trainer originally from Tulsa, OK. He now runs his own business of personal training and has a small boot camp in Redondo. He currently serves the community by volunteering his time at Sanctuary studios as a dungeon monitor, as well as hosting lifestyle events.
CHRIS JONES
CHRIS JONES Mr. SoCal Leather 2015 Mr. SoCal Leather Chris Jones is a Vice President of Operations originally from Los Angeles. Jones works with multiple nonprofit agencies in Los Angeles including the LGBT Center, Tom of Finland Foundation, AIDS Lifecycle, and has done work with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
SIR FRANK
FRANCO AMERICANO
SIR FRANK Mr. LA Leather Bear 2015 Mr. LA Leather Bear Sir Frank Cavallo is a 56 year old Italian American who was raised in New York City. Retired from education as a school principal, Cavallo has a passion for collecting bear paraphernalia, reading gay literature and watching the cooking network. Cavallo has been an active member of the leather community for over 25 years.
FRANCO AMERICANO Mr. Oil Can Harry Mr. Oil Can Harry’s Leather Franco Americano, 43, a holistic practitioner originally from NYC, is an accomplished fine artist painter, and has had gallery showings in Europe and the US, which have featured his fetish collections. He has volunteered at “Sylvia’s Place” in NYC, assisting homeless youth with emergency shelter, food, clothing and HIV education.
PATRICK SMITH Eagle LA Mr. Leather 2015 Eagle LA Mr. Leather Patrick is a Senior Manager of Business Development originally from Winnipeg, Canada, currently living in Silver Lake. Smith works for Marvel surrounded by hot superheroes in tight leather outfits. A true pup, Smith can regularly be seen at Eagle LA, Folsom, The Bullet Bar, the LA Woof Club, and play parties all over the state.
BRIAN GOSS ESTEBAN BARTHOLO
BRIAN GOSS Mr. Pistons Leather 2015 Mr. Pistons Leather Brian Goss, 47, moved to Long Beach from New Jersey in 1993, looking for a change. Movement and variety have long been themes in his life as he’s worked a variety of jobs, moved through a number of different social circles and traveled to many different locations. Goss is currently a member of Speak Out LGBT Toastmasters.
ESTEBAN BARTHOLO Mr. Bullet Leather 2015 Mr. Bullet Leather 2015 Esteban is a 44 year old architect originally from Columbia, now living in Silverlake. Bartholo is cofounder and vice-chair of the Board of Payasos, L.A. He also currently serves as a full member of The Regiment of Black and Tans.
PATRICK SMITH MAR CH 2015 | THE F I GH T 33
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The LA30 Extraordinary leaders ensuring our future
T
he LALC has established The LA30 Program in order to identify supporters of LA’s leather community willing to make a commitment of at least $250 per person ($500 per couple) on an annual basis in order to assure the ongoing financial stability for the Coalition and L.A. Leather Pride. Members of The LA30 have a high level of access and priority, and serve as an attentive liaison between the LALC and the leather community it serves. The Los Angeles Leather Coalition wishes to recognize and thank those who made extraordinary leadership commitments to secure the future of L.A. Leather Pride. The following individuals are members: Members of The Founders Legion • Jim Neuman—Leadership Gift • Doug Beardslee and Andrew Bassi • Dr. Lawrence Burden and William Terrell • Randy Carmenaty in Memory of Bob Tomasino • Kevin C. and Brian D. • Carlos Dievez and Tom Mathie • Steve Ganzell • Mike Gerle • Steve Harman • Charlie Matula and Hunter Fox • Marlon Morales • Jon Wright and Eric Womack New Members • Esteban Jimenez and Leo Iriarte • Jeffrey Erdman and Xavier O. Espejo Honorary Members • Eric Paul Leue • Robert Green • Dave Rhodes
3 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
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L.A. Leather Pride Events SUNDAY MARCH 22
The Eagle LA at the combined Meet and Greet and Maximus Cigar Social event. The event is open to entire leather community (there is no door charge) and the men of Maximus will be there to sell cigars.
THE SOUTHLAND HONORS The Faultline, 4216 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, 12pm-2:30pm. $25. For more info visit: laleatherpride.com. The Southland Honors brunch takes place in the Faultline parking lot where all members of the Los Angeles Leather community get together to enjoy a delicious catered brunch and celebrate the Southland Honors Awards. These awards were created to nurture an attitude of integrity and community pride, preserve leather community tradition, and to recognize community service. Six awards are given based on nominations from the community. Two awards are given by the LALC Chair and LALP Chair to those individuals who have assisted in the production of Los Angeles Leather Pride. Attendees are encouraged to remain at the venue for the Gathering of the Tribe Kick-off event. GATHERING OF THE TRIBE The Faultline, 4216 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, 3pm-7pm. $10. For more info visit: laleatherpride.com. The week-long Los Angeles Leather Pride 2015 festival begins with a roar as the 10 hot as hell men of the CLASS of 2015 are introduced to the assembled Leather Tribe for the first time as a group. Entering the area in style riding on motorcycles, the winners of the 10 feeder contests which began back in June of 2014, will start the week-long road to Mr. LA Leather 2015 by drawing their numbers and showing the crowd the qualities which make them all winners! WEDNESDAY MARCH 25
VIP RECEPTION @TOM HOUSE TOM House, 1421 Laveta Terrace, Los Angeles, 6pm-9pm. Invited Guests and VIP Package Holders. For more info visit: laleatherpride.com. THURSDAY MARCH 26
ROAST OF MR LA LEATHER 2014 ERIC PAUL LEUE The Bullet Bar, 10522 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood, 9pm-11pm. Free. For more info visit: laleatherpride.com. 3 8 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
SATURDAY MARCH 28
MR. LOS ANGELES LEATHER 2015 Bid farewell to Eric Paul Leue, Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2014, in a hilarious send-off roast produced by the Class of 2014! As always, there will be laughs, tears and big surprises as Eric ends his incredible year! FRIDAY MARCH 27
THE ASSEMBLY UNIFORM RECEPTION Presented by The California B & B Corps, and The Regiment of the Black & Tans—the two oldest and most active uniform clubs in the USA, plus the men of BLUF—the worldwide Breeches & Leather Uniform Fanclub, the 4th Annual Assembly is a formal uniform/ formal leather gala reception under the stars of Silver Lake. Held in the private outdoor setting of Rough Trade Leathers on March 27, this is the pre-eminent uniform event on the West Coast. Cocktails and fabulous hors d’oeuvres by our own leatherclad caterer Layne Sanden will be served. This is a formal Uniform and Leather Event: we’re sorry, but persons not meeting this strict dress code will not be admitted. RECON FULL FETISH: LA | TRIBAL RITES PLAY PARTY Sanctuary Studios LAX, 10914 South La Cienega Boulevard, Lennox, 9pm. For more info visit: avatarla.org. Full Fetish Tribal Rites Men Only Play Party. Presented by Recon & Hosted by Avatar LA. OFFICIAL MEET AND GREET + MAXIMUS CIGAR SOCIAL Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, 9:30pm. For more info visit: laleatherpride.com. Following The Assembly, you’ll have the chance to meet the Class of 2015 contestants and judges up close and personal at
Club 333Live, 333 South Boylston Street, Los Angeles, 6pm-10pm. $30 Advance, $40 Door. For more info visit: laleatherpride.com. The Class of 2015 has been assembled—10 hot men competing for the title of Mr. LA Leather 2015. Be at the 333 Club in DTLA to see who will represent Los Angeles at International Mister Leather (IML). There will be a silent auction, vendor mart and much more. LEGION Club 333Live, 333 South Boylston Street, Los Angeles, 10pm-4am. $30 in advance, $40 at the door. For more info visit: laleatherpride.com. LA Super Producers Justin David & Hunter Fox Present. With DJ Tony Moran, Ana Paula + DJ Matt Pernicano—upstairs in the Gold Room, Function One Sound System, LED wall + Laser Light Show that is not to be missed. SUNDAY MARCH 29
OFF SUNSET FESTIVAL 4200 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, (Santa Monica Blvd: Hoover To Sunset), 11am7pm. $15 Advance, $20 Gate. For more info visit: offsunsetfestival.com. The 3rd Annual Off Sunset Festival is expected to draw over 8000, taking the party to the streets at an event that promises to be even bigger and better than last year. What better way to kick off spring than by luxuriating in Los Angeles’ legendary sunshine as it spotlights an area spanning over half a mile of live music (featuring Missing Persons, Debby Holiday, and Hi Fashion), DJ-driven dancing, gourmet food trucks, festival foods, beer trailers, ice-cold specialty drinks, and dozens of hand-picked merchandise, art and novelty vendors. For more auxiliary events please visit: laleatherpride.com.
tHE aMERICANA AT BRAND, 112 cARUSO AVE, GLENDALE, CA 91210 WWW.SCHOTTNYC.COM
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Win A Trip To Folsom Europe! Grand Prize Raffle Tickets: Trip for 2 To Folsom Europe 2015 in Berlin.
A
s part of the new alliance between the leather communities of the sister cities of Los Angeles and Berlin, L.A. Leather Pride 2015 is featuring an incredible opportunity to experience the sight, sounds, tastes and touches of FOLSOM EUROPE BERLIN 2015. We are grateful for the contributions of all the Berlin based organizations and merchants who are making this a true once in a lifetime experience. Join the crowds along Fuggerstrasse in the heart of Berlin’s world famous leather enclave for a weekend of fun in
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the Gay Capital of Europe. The raffle includes airfare (courtesy of American Airlines) for two and 4 nights hotel accommodations, event tickets (subject to availability), and so much more. If you have never been to Berlin this is a perfect opportunity to get to know
the city during one of the most festive leather events of the year. Visit www.folsomeurope.info to see the full schedule of the parties, street festival and related events that make a trip to Berlin during Folsom Europe an amazing experience. All net proceeds go to L.A. Leather Pride 2015 Charitable Partners. Suggested Donation: $20 per ticket/ 3 for $50. Drawing held 3/28/2015 at Mr. L.A. Leather 2015 contest. See drawing rules at laleatherpride.com for more information.
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Off-Sunset Festival Celebrate the final hours of Los Angeles Leather Pride at the Off Sunset Festival in Silver Lake: Sunday, March 29, 2015.
T
he Off-Sunset Festival, first held in 2013, is an exciting day of music, culture, art, food and fun, with an expected attendance of 8000 people. The event features live music (including Missing Persons, Debby Holiday, and GayC-DC), DJ-driven dancing, gourmet food trucks, beer trailers, ice-cold specialty drinks and dozens of hand-picked merchandise, art and novelty vendors, including items of interest to the leather and fetish communities.
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In an effort to celebrate and preserve Silver Lake’s diverse community, The Eagle LA bar owners Hunter Fox and Charlie Matula, along with the very talented Kim Sharp, formed “The Off-Sunset Association.” The association produces the Off-Sunset Festival, taking place this year on Sunday, March 29, 2015, the last day of LA Leather Pride Week, at 4200 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, (Hoover to Sunset), 11am7pm. 21 and over. MISSING PERSONS, DALE BOZIO
For more info on The Off-Sunset Festival visit: offsunsetfestival.com.
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The Judges Here are your judges for the Mr. LA Leather 2015 contest taking place this month. For more detailed bios on each judge visit laleatherpride.com. ERIC PAUL LEUE Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2014 Mr. LA Leather 2014 Eric Paul Leue is a born East Berliner. He has been an active member of the Leather community since he was 18, first in Berlin, then London and now in his hometown Los Angeles. He went on to Mr LA Leather after being awarded the Eagle LA Mr Leather title. With his title he has visited more than 40 communities across the US and Europe, judged contests and continuously worked on outreach for PrEP, and the change it brings in 35 years of an epidemic that has riddled our community.
RAMIEN PIERRE International Mr. Leather 2014 Mr. DC Eagle 2014 In addition to being International Mr. Leather 2014 and Mr. DC Eagle 2014, Ramien is also a proud member of the Mid-Atlantic chapter of ONYX - a national leather and kink fraternity for gay and bisexual men of color. His involvement with the DC leather community in general, and ONYX in particular, has helped Ramien embrace his kinks and become a more interesting, powerful, and high-fidelity version of himself.
TYRONE RONTGANGER German Mr. Leather 2013/14 Tyrone was born in London, UK, and moved to West Berlin in the 1980s. He actively took part in the freedom demonstrations in East 4 4 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
Berlin and stood on the Wall the night it fell on November 9, 1989. He’s been a wearer of leather and rubber since his early 20s and has always been a regular on Berlin’s diverse leather scene. Elected Mr Leather Berlin 2012, he became German Mr Leather 2013 and again in 2014.
TROY ANICETE Mr. San Francisco Leather 2003 Troy Anicete, a San Francisco native, has been active in the leather scene since the early 1980s. He began his leather design/tailoring at Image Leather before moving to Los Angeles in 1985 to pursue his passion in fashion design. There, he founded Anicete Designs, worked with Mikal “Daddy Zeus” Bales at ZEUS Studios and geared up International Mr. Leather Guy Baldwin for that year’s win and most recently, Andy Cross, IML 2013.
DAVE FAUNCE International Mr. Olympus Leather 2015 Winning the Mr. Bullet Leather title in 2012, Dave became a integral part of the LA Leather scene. In 2013, he was inducted into the Los Angeles Band of Brothers. He is Mr. West Coast Olympus leather 2014 and the current International Mr. Olympus Leather 2015.
STÈPHANE DONALDSON Director of Sales and Marketing, OXBALLS Stèphane Donaldson is a 45-year-old fetish man with a major interest in
rubber. In 2008, Stèphane was selected Mr. Rubber Montreal. He then went on to win Mr. American Rubber 2009, and eventually Mr. International Rubber the same year. Stèphane has produced the Mr. Leather Montreal contest for 8 years, Mr. Rubber Montreal for 4 years, Mr. Rubber Toronto for 3 years, Mr. Rubber Calgary for 1 year, Mr. Leatherman Vancouver and Mr. Rubber Vancouver for 1 year and finally Mr. Rubber FortLauderdale for one year.
SHAE FLANIGAN Ms. Sanctuary Leather 2014 Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Shae finds her heart at home within the Southern California Leather community and is proud to have been chosen to represent as the inaugural Ms. Sanctuary Leather 2014 taking the message of supportive Leather community (regardless of gender) as far as her bank account would take her.
JERRY ROBERTS Alternate Judge San Francisco born Roberts is a Friend of the Constantines M/C of the Bay Area and the San Francisco Phoenix Uniform Club. For 13 years he co- produced the Mr. S.F. Leather Contest and for 11 years co-produced the South of Market Bare Chest calendar which currently is publishing its 32nd edition which is a benefit for the AIDS Emergency Fund.
WEST HOLLYWOOD
THE CARPENTER HARNESS V2.0
8722 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California 310.854.7276 WWW.665LEATHER.COM
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Thank You To Our Sponsors! CHIEF LEVEL SPONSORS ($2,500 OR MORE)
CELEBRATING HISTORY 2015 Marks the 50th Anniversary of Continuous Operation of a little bar in Long Beach with an Oh So Big History in the GLBT/Leather Community! In our current inca incarnation as Pistons, we celebrate our fore-brothers of Jim’s Corral, Mike’s Corral and Wolfs. The His History we have seen and shaped in the last 50 years will move all of us forward, long into the future! Thank You to all of you, all over the World, that made Our History a part of Your History! Here’s to the Next Fabulous 50!
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MAR CH 2015 | T H E F I GH T 49
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The Masters (Of Ceremonies)
Don Mike and Jeremy Ronceros are your hosts for the Mr. Los Angeles Leather Contest at Club 333Live on Saturday, March 28. DON MIKE Don Mike is a cultural movement. From his past memberships in Avatar, the L.A. boys of Leather, and L.A. Pups, to more recently being a founding member of the Los Angeles Band of Brothers, Don is dedicated to the mentorship of new leathermen and a conviction to get people to stop taking themselves so seriously. He was also canonized
by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence as Saint Bernard of the Consecrated Canines. He can often be found emceeing leather contests (with or without his pants), hosting the “Bear” Chest contest at the Eagle LA and creating (and performing in) online entertainment for the gay man with the all new “Our Gay Group.” JEREMY RONCEROS Jeremy Ronceros was born and raised in Los Angeles. He was Mr. Oil Can Harry’s 2013 and won the Brotherhood Award at
THE BENEFICIARIES The following Los Angeles based organizations have been selected receive the net proceeds from LOS ANGELES LEATHER PRIDE 2015.
PROJECT ANGEL FOOD Project Angel Food cooks and delivers—free of charge—nutritious meals to men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
ONE ARCHIVES FOUNDATION ONE Archives Foundation collects, preserves, and protects LGBTQ history, art, and culture in collaboration with ONE Archives at the USC Libraries.
TOM OF FINLAND FOUNDATION The non-profit Tom of Finland Foundation preserves Tom of Finland’s (Touko Laaksonen) vast catalog of work. The Foundation offers a safe haven for all erotic art, as well as educating the public about the cultural merits of erotic art—promoting healthier, more tolerant attitudes about sexuality.
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the LAL Contest that year. He is the current President of the Los Angeles Band of Brothers and founded the group Fetish Men Los Angeles. In January he celebrated 11 years with his husband, Nicholas Oliver, Mr. CSW Leather 2014. Together with their Pup, Decadence, they live and work in North Hollywood. He is honored to be an MC for the Mr. Los Angeles Leather Contest.
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EASY DOES IT
In celebration of all things leather and kink we asked a few sober folks in the leather community how they integrate their leather and kink lifestyles with their clean and sober lives.
DALTON HUCKABY JR.
THE OPTION “I surround myself with people who are supportive of my sobriety and who can give me proper guidance to experience kink in a sober and safe realm. I always have sobriety as a priority before I go in to play or have hookups. I always mention no PNP. If I’m around people where I know that’s going on, I just know that I need to be more aware and safeguard my sobriety and always give myself the option to leave if I need to.” —Dalton Huckaby Jr., sober since January, 1995.
because it is unsafe if you are impaired, so I follow that and I do not play with people who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol... Whether it’s dominant/submission play, or heavy-duty impact play, I feel that to be safe, sane and consensual, both parties have to be clear. It’s not challenging for me because I like to be present and I like to connect, even if it’s with an anonymous person. I still want to connect physically, mentally and spiritually and I can’t do that if either one of us is not sober.” —Maxx Litwak, sober since June, 2011.
and embrace that darker side of myself. For me, leather and kink is a state of mind. There is a huge misconception in sobriety that you should not participate in behaviors with leather and kink, because it is deemed unacceptable and non-spiritual. As long as I can put my head down at night, I didn’t hurt anybody and my higher power is okay with me, I am okay.” —Jeff May (Chris Matthews), sober since September, 2007.
fun. It’s much better for me. It’s much more freeing and I’m able to express myself more. It’s also humbling to be able to do this sober.” —Daniel Blair, sober since March, 2014.
DAVID SANFORD
DANIEL BLAIR
JEFF MAY
WITH FAITH MORE FREEING
HIGHER POWER MAXX LITWAK
BE PRESENT “In my early training I was taught not to party and play
“With everything in my life, sobriety comes first. As an adult film performer, both fetish and mainstream, I learned to bring my higher power with me in whatever I do. The freedom I found in sobriety allows me to let my walls down
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“I got sober the day after L.A. Leather Pride last year... Now I’m more aware of my surroundings, as far as what I put my body through during sexual activity. Obviously, I don’t do poppers and that was a big thing for me. I just happen to be surrounded by these sober people who are into it. I find my group and I stay in the middle of the boat. I still have
“I’m very new to the leather/kink community and I’m still finding my way, but so far I’ve learned that just like anything new I do in sobriety, I need to take God in with me. I need to replace fear with faith and just have fun. And so far, that’s exactly what I’m doing. I have sober friends who support me and who are also into leather and that is who I hang out with and talk to.” —David Sanford, sober since March, 2008.
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MAR CH 2015 | T H E F I GH T 55
A good meal can put a smile on your face. Ray D.A.P. Community Center Manager
D.A.P. treats and supports the whole person Our Community Center is jumping with activity...our clients help put on and participate in all kinds of educational and social activities. Our twice-monthly cooking class combines bits of both because I get to show them how they can make great, no-fuss meals for very little money, while keeping a sanitary kitchen. And they walk out with the recipes to try these nutritious and healthy dishes at home. But not before we share this meal together!
This and more...all under one roof
Thanks to your generous support, Desert AIDS Project has been saving lives for 30 years. Please continue to help by donating at desertAIDSproject.org, joining one of our annual giving programs, or by saving the date for one of our upcoming fundraising events.
Dinner at My Place | March 22 - April 2, 2015 Dining Out for Life | April 30, 2015 Queen of the Desert | May 27, 2015
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