Bay Area Reporter - July 23, 2009
Mister Marcus, hatchetq@aol.com

During his remarks at the opening ceremonies at IML this past May, IML CEO Chuck Renslow stressed the fact that HIV is on the rise again and that barebacking is one of the main reasons (among others) for this rise in infections. His remarks were met with general applause but he made no mention at the time of banning those videos.

Of course, this announcement caused a furor and the Leather Titleholders List was in total disarray with both praise and condemnation. The IML offices were inundated with both pro and con phone calls and emailed comments and criticism, according to my sources. I personally am HIV-negative but have endured the loss of countless talented and dedicated friends. It wasn't easy to write obituaries for several leather men or to attend funeral services for men who succumbed due to HIV.

As far as I'm concerned, anything that will prevent any further losses of men and women to HIV is of paramount importance. While I may be chastised for applauding Renslow's decision, it is important to say it is his contest and he and he alone will endure any adverse consequences in making this decision, not to mention the loss of revenue from porn companies. It's here to stay, so live with it.

ABW winner Alex Lindsay during the "hot wear" judged portion of the competition chose a gear theme for his presentation. Apparently it pleased the judges in their scoring.

This summer is fast fading, but there are plenty of things coming your way if you have the stamina and the ability to indulge with your hard-earned cash. In San Francisco, the mid-summer delight which draws thousands of people from across the universe (Up Your Alley/Dore Alley) street fair will take place on Sunday, July 26. We'll have a new SF Leather Daddy by that time and there will be booths galore to satisfy even the most discriminating among us.

The weather forecast for Sunday looks good. Believe it or not, this is one street fair that has never (so far) been ruined by inclement weather (and it only rained once at the Folsom Street Fair). There will be lots of leather and skin, so it is definitely another extravaganza you will not want to miss. Like any unwanted spam email, any nudists that should have stayed dressed can be deleted from memory if you so choose.

Coming Soon

The weekend of Aug. 7-9 will be busy in California. Mr./Ms. Olympus Leather titles will be bestowed in Los Angeles at the LAX Airport Hilton on Saturday night. The Leather/Levi weekend will take place in Northern California at Saratoga Springs. And in Long Beach, the California Leather Sir/boy competition will take place at Pistons Bar. Winners here will advance to compete for the International titles in San Francisco on Halloween weekend.

The Alameda County Leather Corps presents the Mr./Ms. ACLC contest the weekend of Aug. 14-15, with a Meet & Greet on Friday at the Turf Club, and the contest at the Humanist Hall on Saturday.

The 2010 Central Plains Leather Sir/boy contest will take place that same weekend. Also, Leather Camp V will take place in Wichita, Kansas and Mr./Ms. WOOLF and Kansas boy and girl competitions. The following weekend (Aug. 20-23) the 2010 Great Lakes LS-b takes place in Indianapolis and several other titles will be awarded.

Daddy Eric Siglin administers a spanking to a naughty Johnny Boy in his fantasy segment. Johnny boy was also recipient of the Brotherhood Award at this event voted upon by all the other contestants who competed at ABW 2009.

Friday, Aug. 21, it's Mama's Breast Cancer Emergency Fund event (not a dinner/banquet this time) at 1930 at City Forest Lodge (254 Laguna Honda Blvd.) with a $20 donation from www.frantix.net.

The weekend of Aug 28-30, it's the Ottawa Leather Fest in Canada's capital and the Golden Gate Guards' weekend run to a new location (Forest Hill, Calif.) with a $160 price tag for all the amenities. For more info on this one, go to www.ggguards.com.

The Northwest Regional International Leather Sir/boy and Community Bootblack contest will take place in Seattle the weekend of Sep. 4-6 and of course, the world's biggest leather event, the Folsom Street Fair is the last Sunday in Sept. (Sep. 27th). The SF Leather Daddy's boy contest is on Friday, Sep. 25th but as usual, not a word has been put out about this event.

Saturday, Oct. 3 is the Mr. New York Eagle Leather contest with a $3,000 prize package for the winner and a chance at IML 2010. This is one of the most rewarding bar titles in the nation and of course, the Wicked Witch of the East, Vern Stewart, will be producing again.

Int'l. Ms. Bootblack 09 "Pony" was afforded mic time at ABW 2009 with a short speech that was very optimistic and forthright. She is indeed a delight and seemed to be enjoying New Orleans.

In San Francisco, it's the revival of the Ms. San Francisco Leather title to be held at the Blue Macaw (2565 Mission St.), a very beautiful and elegant club. Stay tuned for details on this one!

And International Leather Sir/boy and Community Bootblack contests returns to San Francisco on Halloween weekend (Oct. 28-31) at the Hotel Whitcomb on Market St. It looks like a busy season so gear up for all the fun!

Sorry I missed the tribute for photographer Rich Stadtmiller last weekend. But as you know, I was in New Orleans judging the ABW contest. I hear the dinner at Don Roman's was well-attended, and lots of folks paid tribute to Rich at the Powerhouse afterward. We've been lucky to have great artistic photographers in our midst (like the late Robert Pruzan to name one) to capture the city's most important events! Keep up the good work!

In his fantasy segment, boy Chris actually endured a buzz cut scene in his quest for the ABW boy title. This segment had the crowd in enraptured ecstasy throughout.

Eventures in Leather, July 24 û Aug. 15, 2009

Friday, July 24

SF Leather Daddy contest at the Eagle Tavern from 2100 to midnight to benefit AEF. Celebrity judges are promised.

Bay Area Cigar Buddies party at 933 Harrison St. on the patio tonight around 2100. Nothing like big, long cigars for an evening.

Saturday, July 25

More cigars as the Bay Area Cigar Buddies continue with their stogies at the Eagle Tavern from 1500 to 1800 with a $12 beer/soda bust to end all beer busts. Barbecue too! Don't miss this one!

Sunday, July 26

Dore Alley/Up Your Alley Street Fair between 9th & 10th on Folsom and two blocks of Dore Alley. Men, booze, merchandise booths, skin, leather, packed bars, groping, grabbing and grinding. Lots of out-of-town people and foreigners too! Take the day off and have fun!

Sunday, Aug 2

Join Northern California Sir, boy. Bootblack Tom Pupp, Tyler Fong and David Shorey for a stepdown brunch at the Turf Club from 1100 to 1400. $10 donation for travel fund. RSVP by July 25 to tazpuppy@sbcglobal.net .

Aug. 7-9

Mr./Ms. Olympus Leather contests at the LAX Airport Hilton in Los Angeles. I'll be judging this one so you'll be the first to know the results!

Also California Leather Sir/boy/Community Bootblack contests at Pistons in Long Beach. Sorry to miss this one.

Aug. 14-15

Mr./Ms. Alameda County Leather contests. Meet & Greet at the Turf Club on Friday. Contest on Saturday at the Humanist Hall in Hayward. It's "Ten Hut" (a military theme?).

090723
BR090705

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2009. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2009. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .