OREGON S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE
-I
august
events •
5.20 11
31
aOORN
Leather Pleasure
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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.