This past Sunday the annual Leather Week frenzy that leads up to the centerpiece event, Folsom Street Fair, began with the 26th annual LeatherWalk. I participated again this year and it's always amazing to see so many people coming together for this longstanding fundraising event.
A large crowd first gathered at the 440 Castro bar and then later in front of the Castro Theater to kick off the walk with a short opening ceremony.
After walking from the Castro down Market Street to South of Market with stops along the way at Oasis, Powerhouse, Mr. S Leather, The Stud, and The Lone Star Saloon, the walk concluded at the SF Eagle.
This year's walk raised $15,420, benefitting the nonprofits Positive Resource Center and Folsom Street Events.
I love it when an event can be as fun as LeatherWalk and still raise much needed funds for various organizations in our LGBTQ and kink communities. So, Leather Week is off to a great start.
But LeatherWalk was just the beginning of what continues to be an ever-growing annual set of events and happenings for all stripes of kink folk.
Let me mention a few events you should possibly add to your calendar, but make sure to check out the full calendar that accompanies this column for more ideas.
Also, this year, the official program for Folsom Street Fair was produced by the publishers of The Fight, based in Los Angeles, and it's a gorgeous issue. You can find copies of it at various San Francisco locations.
Brenden Shucart, Editor of The Fight's Folsom Street Fair Guide, expressed his gratitude and excitement working with on the guide.
"I know I speak for everyone at The Fight when I say what a deep honor it is to be even a small part of helping to make the Folsom Street Fair a reality. The focus Folsom Street Events puts on promoting self-expression and sexual liberation combined with supporting some of our most important nonprofit institutions in the LGBTQ and BDSM communities is remarkable and worthy of praise and support."
If you can't find the official program in printed form, you can access it online at The Fight Magazine's website at www.thefightmag.com.
Whether you get a printed copy or access the guide online, I recommend you check out the guide's calendar for all the things happening this week. You'll also see a great map of the Fair so you'll know where everything is on Sunday.
Of course, you'll always be able to attend any of the official happenings produced by Folsom Street Events. Saturday night dance until the early hours at the iconic Magnitude. Sunday is the truly big show, Folsom Street Fair itself. After the Fair, you can continue to dance at Deviants: Adult Arcade. You can find more information on the organization's website at www.folsomstreetevents.org.
Leatherfolk and kinksters of all persuasions proudly walked in this year's 26th annual LeatherWalk. photo: Rich Stadtmiller
Last year Folsom Street Events donated more than $323,000 to local and national charities working in public health, human services, the arts, and more. When you pay an entry donation at the Fair or attend any of their events, you're contributing to a large sum of money that goes directly to helping people and communities. You can have fun and do good all at the same time.
Apart from the official Fair-related events, a plethora of places to go and things to do awaits.
Want to play? You can attend play parties at Blow Buddies, 442 Natoma or the one hosted by The 15 Association at SF Catalyst.
Want to shop? Well, there are dozens of vendors who will be selling their wares at the Fair on Sunday, but you can also visit Mr. S Leather either Friday or Saturday for their infamous in-store parties where you can socialize with lots of sexy people while perusing the erotic clothing and gear for sale.
Want to dance? In addition to Magnitude and Deviants, there's the Recon, Br�t, Bearracuda, New Breed, Aftershock and Real Bad dance parties.
Kink twinks at 2016's
Folsom Street Fair.
photo: Steven Underhill
Want to hang out and socialize in a bar? The Powerhouse, SF Eagle, The Lone Star Saloon, and The Edge are all hosting special events. There's also an event honoring the historic Fe-Be's bar.
Want to cruise the San Francisco Bay? There are two different leather cruises on the Bay being offered.
Wants to see a fun show? Check out the Baloney Does Folsom and Mother shows at Oasis.
Want to hang out with a group fostering diversity and more kink inclusion for people of color? Hang out at Onyx Invades Folsom at the Powerhouse.
Again, check out both the calendar that accompanies this column and the one included in the official Folsom Street Fair Guide. Between the two you have a whole lot of choices for things to do during this amazing week when San Francisco celebrates everything leather and kink.
Have fun. Be kind to each other. And let's once again show the world that San Francisco is still one of the kinkiest and most fun cities in the world.
Race Bannon is a local author, blogger and activist. You can reach him on his website, www.bannon.com