38
Jumf K
^august 3, 2001
CULTURE
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Basic black
Oregon’s leather community celebrates
With heart and education by A ndy M angels
ou’ve had more than a month to recover
from Gay Pride activities, hut another seg
ment of the community has been prepar
ing for its own weeklong celebration.
The fifth annual Leather Pride Week is
sponsored by a coterie of leather and fetish
organizations in the Portland metro area. The
clubs have put together a wide range of activi
ties centering on three agendas: education,
fund raising and fun.
Although often marginalized by the queer
community at large— and vilified by the reli
gious right wing— the leather community is a
thriving part of the local scene. Those who are
members of the community are not always easy
to categorize.
Some wear leather as a fashion statement or
because it looks good. Some enjoy the dynam
ics of power exchange or role-playing in their
relationships, whether long-term or more fleet
ing. Some engage in bondage/domination/
Leather Pride
Week 2001
• Leather Social and Red Hanky Social: A
social gathering of leathermen and those into red
hanky-style activities. No cover. (9-11 p.m.
Aug. 3. Dirty Duck Tavern, 439 N.W . Third Ave.)
• Fetish Ball: Leather, Feathers and Fur:
Sponsored by Portland Leather Alliance and fea
turing a no-host buffet and bar, a costume con-
Patrick Bear gives a clip job
Tired of
eating alone?
sadism/masochism practices, always staying
mindful of the community motto: “Safe, Sane
and Consensual.” Some in the leather commu
nity don’t wear much leather at all, opting
instead for other fetish clothing such as uni
forms, latex or lace.
Leather Pride Week has grown from
a few events five years ago to more than
a dozen in 2001. Some activities are
geared toward men or women; others are
pansexual, allowing people of all sexual
orientations to interact and participate
together.
“This week will allow members of
alternative sexual communities a safe place to
exchange ideas, educate each other and social
ize,” says Don Hood, president of the nonprofit
Blackout Leather Productions, sponsor of sev
eral of the events. “We’ll also be raising a lot of
money for good causes. Trie leather community
is a tribe of unique individuals, and Leather
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Sgsg v <v i. g
Pride Week gives us a chance to share and
explore that individuality.” j[7j
ANDY M a n g e l s is a longtime member of the
leather, uniform and bear communities. You can
write him at amangelssw@aol.com or visit his
Internet site www.andymangels.com.
• PLA Board Meeting:
test and dancing. Also expect
Erotic author Lady Green will
performances by San Francis
conduct a workshop on pain
co’s Dark Carnival group
processing and read from her
including knife throwing,
works. (7 p.m. Aug. 7. Jasmine
bullwhip tricks, glass walking
and more. Tickets, $15 at the
Tree, 401 S.W. Harrison St.)
• Leather Family Barbe
door, benefit Dove Lewis Ani
mal Hospital. (8 p.m. Aug. 3.
cue: Bring your own meat to
Adrianna Hill Grand Ballroom,
cook plus a side dish to share
in this social setting. (6 p.m.
918 S.W. Yamhill St.)
Aug. 8. Overlook Park, North
• K inky A uction:
Fremont Street and Interstate
A uctioneers Krystal Belle
Rose and M arlene will sell
Avenue.)
a variety of cool and
• Age-Play Hot Dog
Social: Kidz & Adultz
kinky gear. (6:30 p.m .
He knows what he’s wearing to
Aug. 4. C .C . Slaugh' the Fetish Ball
Together Sharing is a group of
ters, 219 N .W . Davis St.)
adults who like to do consensual role-playing
• Uniform and Buzz Cuts Party: Spon
age-play. A $5 donation for the Leather
sored by InUniform.net, this party will be
Archives and Museum is requested. (6:30 p.m.
full of cops, jocks, soldiers and firefighters.
Aug. 8. E-mail katspdx@aol.com for location.)
The $4 cover at the Eagle benefits the
• Leather and Lace Show: Trie Imperial
Leather Archives and Museum, with flat-
Sovereign Rose Court presents a fabulous drag
tops and buzz cuts in the back room by
show for guys and dolls. Free. (7 p.m. Aug. 9.
Seattle’s infamous Patrick Bear! Plus, men
Embers Avenue, 110 N .W . Broadway.)
in uniform get in for half-price at Club
• Erotica Show: This production will include
XES all evening! (9 p.m. Aug. 4. The
many local artists, including a fire dancer, belly
Eagle and Club XES, 1300 W. Burnside St.)
dancers, erotic performers, singers, musicians,
dancers and more. $5 cover. (7-9 p.m. Aug. 10.
• Leather Tastings: A chance to see
some of the local community’s finest,
Embers Avenue, 110 N.W. Broadway.)
demonstrating safe and sane B/D/S/M
• Mr./Ms. Oregon State Leather Contest:
techniques. PLA members $3, nonmem
Trie fifth annual contest sponsored by Blackout
bers $5. (1-4 p.m. Aug. 5. The Eagle,
Leather Productions will see the crowning of
Oregon’s two new leather titleholders, who will
1300 W. Burnside St.)
Raized Printing
We specialize in
business cards
Call us at: 5 0 3 . 2 3 9 . 6 6 9 4
visit our website at:
• Blackout Leather Productions:
poohboots@aol.com or www.blackoutleather.org.
• Portland Leather Association:
503-727-3148, pla@pdxleatheralliance.org or
www.pdxleafheralliance.org.
• Rose City Discussion Club: 503-972-1869,
rcdc@teleport.com or www.teleport.com/~rcdc.
• Kidz &. Adultz Together Sharing: kats-
pdx@aol.com or www.geocities.com/katspdx.
• Lulu’s Pervy Playhouse, Women-Only
Play Party: lululist@hotmaii.com or
www.spiretech.com/~awntieAulu.htm.
• Men-Only Play Party:
sphilips@teleport.com.
• Portland Leather Men: frirry@aracnet.com.
• Leather Socials: pdxsaltydg@aol.com
• PDX-ASB: majordomo@agora.rdrop.com
(include subject header “subscribe pdx-asb” to
join e-mail list).
• LeatherPDX: leatherpdx-owncr@
yahoogroups.com (include subject header
“subscribe” to join e-mail list).
be involved in charity fund-raising work
throughout the year. (6-9 p.m. Aug. 11. Embers
Avenue, 110 N .W . Broadway.)
• Mixed, Men-Only and Women-Only Play
Parties: Three different play parties provide a
chance for everyone to engage in S/M and leather
play. (Aug. 11. Locations announced at contest.)
• Mr./Ms. Oregon State Leather Victory
Brunch: Greet the new titleholders at this lav
ish buffet luncheon. Trie $10 cover includes
everything except cocktails. (11 a .m .'l p.m.
Aug. 12. Hobo’s, 120 N .W . Third Ave.)
• Portland Leather Men Poduck Dinner:
Trie finale for Leather Pride Week is this monthly
gathering of leathermen with good food. (5-7 p.m.
Aug. 12. E'mail furry@aracnet.com for location.)
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The reigning
Ms. Oregon
State Leather,
Cyd Athens,
and Mr. Oregon
State Leather,
Charlie Salt
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Tualatin OR 97062
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