BARtab :: Sexuality

Leather Events, July 25 — August 10, 2019

Leather Events, July 25 — August 10, 2019

  • by Race Bannon
  • Jul 24, 2019

Welcome to the second-busiest leather-kink weekend in the Bay Area, where there's always a lot going on for leather and other kinksters.

Pride is about being authentic:  Leather contingent kinks up the annual march

Pride is about being authentic: Leather contingent kinks up the annual march

  • by Race Bannon
  • Jul 2, 2019

LGBTQ people from all walks of life, including us kinksters, walked down Market Street at Sf Pride — joyful, proud and determined to continue to stake our claim to a happy and equal life.

Leather Events, July 5-21, 2019

Leather Events, July 5-21, 2019

  • by Race Bannon
  • Jul 2, 2019

Even after Pride month, there's always a lot going on in the San Francisco Bay Area for leather and other kinksters.

Shared fantasies: Justin Lehmiller on the science of sexual desire

Shared fantasies: Justin Lehmiller on the science of sexual desire

  • by Race Bannon
  • Jun 19, 2019

In this column, I'll share some insights from Justin Lehmiller, an esteemed Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute and author of the book 'Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire.'

Off to the market we go: International Mr. Leather explored

Off to the market we go: International Mr. Leather explored

  • by Race Bannon
  • Jun 5, 2019

Every year for decades men have descended on Chicago over the Memorial Day weekend for an annual leather pilgrimage otherwise known as International Mr. Leather (IML), as did I this past week.

Celebrating women - International Ms. Leather and Bootblack in San Jose

Celebrating women - International Ms. Leather and Bootblack in San Jose

  • by Race Bannon
  • Apr 24, 2019

Over the course of my tenure writing this column, I've received feedback that readers often prefer something other than pure reporting on events. As one gentle critic put it, "I prefer you don't just reword an event's program," and they have a point.

What about the sex? - Combining social and sexual scenes

What about the sex? - Combining social and sexual scenes

  • by Race Bannon
  • Apr 10, 2019

Recently, a young gay man messaged me, stating, "I've tried the leather scene. It's not for me." I asked why. He said, "It's not about sex anymore. It's not even about anything erotic anymore." Was he correct?

Bestie Sexys - Ongoing and missed erotic outlets

Bestie Sexys - Ongoing and missed erotic outlets

  • by Cornelius Washington
  • Apr 3, 2019

Our Bestie winner in Sex celebrate businesses that help you embrace your desires. We want you to embrace, engage with and utilize them while you still can.

Tending the garden: Growing kink communities

Tending the garden: Growing kink communities

  • by Race Bannon
  • Mar 27, 2019

On some level, creating community is a numbers game. The more times you try, the more times you succeed. Sometimes you have to throw lots of stuff against the wall to see what sticks.

Blow Buddies building up for sale

Blow Buddies building up for sale

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Mar 15, 2019

Blow Buddies, a private gay sex club that's operated in South of Market since 1988, could be in danger of closure. The owner is trying to sell the building, which is located at 933 Harrison Street.

Leather Alliance's Mr. SF Leather 2019 & SF Bootblack contests

Leather Alliance's Mr. SF Leather 2019 & SF Bootblack contests

  • by Race Bannon
  • Mar 13, 2019

One of the annual projects of the San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance is producing the Leather Alliance Weekend, which took place February 28 through March 3. The weekend included the San Francisco Bootblack and Mr. San Francisco Leather 2019 contest.

Think like a marketer

Think like a marketer

  • by Race Bannon
  • Feb 27, 2019

Why is it difficult for some to find erotic connections? I've talked to a lot of kinksters about this and a discussion point comes up repeatedly; the role online life has in finding play partners.

Women take the stage - Ms. San Francisco Leather contest at SOMArts

Women take the stage - Ms. San Francisco Leather contest at SOMArts

  • by Race Bannon
  • Feb 13, 2019

One of the biggest annual local gatherings for leatherwomen took place this past Saturday, the Ms. San Francisco Leather contest at SOMArts Cultural Center.

Pass it on - Leather gear and personal legacy

Pass it on - Leather gear and personal legacy

  • by Race Bannon
  • Jan 31, 2019

Leather communities have had a longstanding practice of passing down leathers, gear and treasured objects to others as a way of letting a valued possession experience new life with a new caretaker.