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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 5, 2011)
OREGON S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE -I august events • 5.20 11 31 aOORN Leather Pleasure TaTTDO.PIBRCING.dBWBLHV Ffÿjfoun Fneah Aparaphilia has what you need to m ake OLP 2011 a whipping good time with U4Ì As Oregon Leather Pride Week 2011 looms, legions of leather fetishists are gear ing up, so to speak, to put their best boots forward. It’s serendipitous, then, that leather lobbyist Bruce Parrott timed the opening of his new Northeast shop Aparaphilia with this month’s influx of kink, BDSM and oth erwise lace-loving community members. Open since May, Aparaphilia (8232 NE Fremont St.) is Portland’s newest go-to shop for quality leather and fetish apparel in a charming boutique setting. Parrott re ports that while business is building slowly, feedback from the community and the neighborhood has been nothing but posi tive. He did his homework before making the move to Portland from Las Vegas to open the store and seems to have a leg up on the competition—especially since his closest rival is in San Francisco. “There’s no sense in going into competi tion with someone who’s already estab lished,” Parrott explains. “I saw what was here. I spoke with the Leather Alliance to get a feel for what was wanted. My main thing is quality.” Parrott focuses on a variety of media out side of leather, including rubber, latex and neoprene goods like bibs, restraints and cor sets. Soon he’ll add PVC items from Ger many and England. Notably, Aparaphilia carries the Guangzhou line of restraints and handcuffs, which are relatively rare in this country. The store also expects invisible lock collars that are custom-made in Germany, and currently unavailable in the States. Thus far, Parrott estimates his business has generated equal interest from the LG- BTQ_community as the straight, a patron age he’s trying to foster. “Leather has become as much a fashion statement as it has a lifestyle,” Parrott says. “There’s quite a large straight fetish com munity and so I want to serve them as well. I find that straight money’s just as green as gay money.” Parrott encourages special orders, as he’s not able to carry every size and color of each product in his small shop. From leather sling frames capable of holding 625 pounds to a currently untouched leather straight jacket inventory, Aparaphilia is home to whatever sexiness suits you. “I’m surprised no one is interested in straight jackets here!” Parrott adds. Here’s hoping that takes off soon. 503.292.7060 17swBV+kHwy Aparaphilia (8232 N E Frem ont St.) is open fr o m noon to 8 p.m . Tues.-Sat. a n d noon to 5 p. m. Sun. For more information, call 5 0 3 -2 5 4 - 7283, v isit aparaphilia.com or search , 503.232.6222 m 2535 SE Bekncnt St aDORNBODVaRT “ A paraphilia on Facebook. ” Time To Play A rundown of OLP 2011 events for the uninitiated and the uber-fan Are you a leather novice? A seasoned vet eran? Either way, Oregon Leather Pride 2011 has something for everyone. OLP co-chair “more serious classes,” geared toward the more experienced player. Ben Brown Jr. suggests an option for every “comfort level.” Kinky W om en’s Welcoming Munch W hipper-Snappers First Strike Party Fri., Aug. 5 ,2-4 p.m. The Conservatory, 5224 SE Foster Tues., Aug. 9,7-9 p.m., Weird Bar, 3701 SE Division St. Portland Leather Men Potluck event “where you will literally meet, connect and network with just about every type of kinkster or fetishist in the area. Very wel coming, relaxed and easily the single favorite event overall.” Everybody PLAy Party! Sat., Aug. 13, 8 p.m .-l a.m., TA Event Center, 300 NE Multnomah An annual Portland Leather Alliance event for OLP, the PLAy Party allows at This young adult group for ages 18-30 tendees to be a part of a BDSM scene. DMs holds monthly events that mentor and en (Dungeon Masters) will be available to an courage BDSM activities in a “safe, sane and Both events offer a chance for self-identi swer questions and direct participants to educational manner,” Brown Jr. says. Both fied men or women to meet in a social atmo scenes of interest. Tickets for the event are individuals new to the community and more sphere, but in a more intimate one than the available at various locations and events seasoned pros are welcome. barbecue (see below), and mark an opportu during Leather Pride; visit the OLP website nity for groups to shares events, news and for more information. JM otherwise catch up with each other. Sunday School Sat., Aug. 13,4-6 p.m., Location available by emailing tuckerwaltei<®gm ail.com 0 Sun., Aug. 7,10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The Conservatory, 5224 SE Foster Leather Family BBQ The annual Bad Girls event is open to all genders, and offers training classes. This year’s topics will include blood play, razor play and edge play. Brown Jr. calls these Thurs., Aug. 11,6 p.m.-dusk Overlook Park, N. Fremont and Interstate “I would recommend this to anyone new to the scene,” says Brown Jr., calling it an O regon L e a t h e r P r id e 2011 takes place A ugust 5 -1 4 a t various locations throughout Portland. For a complete schedule o f events, times, admission inform ation a n d more, v isit oregonleatherpride.org, search in the “N otes“sec tion on the “Oregon Leatherpride“ Facebook page, or turn to O ut & A bout on pp. 21-24. Thanks to the Dept, of Justice, WE A RE CLOSED. Stop th e Federal G overnm ent's a tta c k s on m edical m arijuan a p atien ts. T h a n k You C an n ab is.
