As many people who read this column know, much of what I do is commentary rather than reporting. However, one of the other uses I try leverage this column for is to encourage people to attend some of the many wonderful events and venues of interest to leatherfolk and kinksters who live in or visit the Bay Area. I try to err on the side of promotion of events rather than reporting on them afterward because I feel that gets more people to these events and does the most good in terms of fostering a more vibrant and connected community of like-minded people. But I do on occasion report on certain events as well. So this column is indeed a mixed bag of focus, but that's just how I roll.
My column this week is about event promotion, and the event I'm highlighting here is the upcoming Fourth Annual Leather Cruise hosted by the Golden Gate Guards (www.ggguards.org) and BLUF (www.bluf.com). The Leather Cruise will take place on San Francisco Bay on Saturday, September 20, 2014, starting at Pier 3 Hornblower Landing in San Francisco.
Golden Gate Guards was originally founded in 1976 as the Imperial Guards of San Francisco. At that time the club served as an unofficial liaison between the Imperial Courts and the Leather-Levi community. In late 1986 they became an independent organization known as the Golden Gate Guards.
BLUF, which is an acronym for "Breeches, Leather and Uniform Fan club," started in October of 1997 as a simple website for men into full leather uniforms and has since grown into a worldwide organization with members in dozens of countries around the world.
The late afternoon cruise around San Francisco Bay takes place the day before Folsom Street Fair. The cruise will travel under the Bay Bridge to pass Angel Island and Treasure Island. Going north, passengers will cruise near Sausalito and take a turn around Alcatraz Island. From there, the cruise moves west to the Golden Gate Bridge for a chance to see the bridge and the city of San Francisco at sundown. As the cruise comes to an end passengers will see the Bay Bridge Lights as they dock again at Pier 3.
The Golden Gate Guards will be selling drink tickets on board for the full, no-host bar to fulfill any passenger needs for cocktails and drinks, and there will also be a late afternoon buffet.
There will be music provided for those who want to dance and all attendees will receive a commemorative pin, sailor cap, and lei. A souvenir photo will be taken on the dock and provided during the cruise also.
I asked a couple of guys who have attended the cruise in the past for their impressions.
Joel Evans offered this. "The cruise was a big success. Kudos to the Golden Gate Guards for bringing the tribe together for an afternoon on the bay - one of Northern California's greatest features, but which so many of us rarely take advantage of. We had crystalline weather conditions last year, which made the whole bay sparkle as it got dark. We met leathermen from around the world who were taking advantage of this alternative activity. Nothing wrong with hanging out at the Eagle all afternoon, but this is really unique to the Bay Area. Glad that the Guard is doing it again. And really glad they're benefiting Openhouse as their chosen charity."
Local leatherman Lexx King had this impression. "This was a great activity to do with our leather tribe during the high holy days of Folsom week. Any cruise around the beautiful Bay is awesome, but to do it with a boat of hot-looking men and women all geared up and decked out, many of whom are our closest friends and family, is truly an amazing experience. It is always nice that there is food and a bar available to celebrate the moment. Beautiful views, great company and an overall a great experience."
Net proceeds from this event benefit Openhouse (openhouse-sf.org). Openhouse is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that enables San Francisco Bay Area LGBT seniors to overcome the unique challenges they face as they age by providing housing, direct services and community programs. As a result, they have reduced isolation and empowered LGBT seniors to improve their overall health, well-being and economic security. Openhouse has also always been open and welcoming of the leather and kinky among us. They sure are a great choice as the beneficiary for this fundraising cruise.
Leather or uniform attire is expected to keep the atmosphere as leather and kink as possible. The cost of the cruise is $75.00 per person. To purchase tickets for the Leather Cruise, go to the Golden Gate Guards site at www.ggguards.org
Since this week's column is about promoting future events, check out the calendar that accompanies this column. You'll see a wide assortment of leather and kink events you can attend, many of which are part of the leather week leading up to Folsom Street Fair.
And speaking of Folsom Street Fair, check out my next column where I write about that iconic event in detail.
Race Bannon is a local author, blogger and activist. You can reach him through his website, www.bannon.com.
Leather Events, September 4 - 21, 2014
There's always a lot going on in the San Francisco Bay Area for leather and other kinksters.
Thu 4
RubbDown 2015 Volunteer Committee Meet @ Bulldog Tattoo
Rubber is for everyone and that's why we are inviting anyone, male or female, who loves it to be part of the RubbDown event. 2275 Market St., 7:30pm. www.rmsf.org
Fri 5
SCCLA Bar Schmooz @ Renegades Bar
Informal social where friends, prospective members and anyone else who wants to relax, laugh, talk and hang out with like minded people. 501 W. Taylor St., San Jose, 9pm.
Sober Kink Together @ Castro Country Club
Officially a CMA meeting, but open to all Anonymous 12-step Fellowship members. 4058 18th St., 9:30pm.
Sat 6
Flagging in the Park @ AIDS Memorial Grove
Not specifically a leather/kink event, but lots of kinky folks attend. Golden Gate Park, 1pm. www.flaggercentral.com/tag/flagging-in-the-park
Kontrol @ SF Eagle
Leather, gear or fetishwear required for back patio entrance. 398 12th St., 9pm. www.sf-eagle.com
Sun 7
Naked Boys Reading @ Shelton Theater
Five smart, sexy guys read great literature - naked! - to raise money for AIDS Emergency Fund. 533 Sutter St., 7:30pm. www.nakedboysreadingsf.wordpress.com
Wed 10
Golden Shower Buddies @ Blow Buddies
A men's water sports night, Golden Shower Buddies. $15 with membership, 933 Harrison St., 8pm. www.blowbuddies.com
Fri 12
Sober Kink Together @ Castro Country Club
Officially a CMA meeting, but open to all Anonymous 12-step Fellowship members. 4058 18th St., 9:30pm.
Sat 13
Alden Spafford Progressive Dinner @ SOMA
Progressive dinner held annually in memory of Alden Spafford. Limited $15 tickets available, 5-9pm. www.leatheralliance.org
Animals at the Powerhouse @ Powerhouse
the Boys of Bearlesque San Francisco are back for their monthly night of fun and debauchery. 1347 Folsom St., 6-9pm. www.powerhousebar.com
Sun 14
LeatherWalk 2014 @ Harvey Milk Plaza
Route begins at the Harvey Milk Plaza with a short rally and entertainment and includes stops at some of San Francisco's favorite watering holes, ends with a beer bust dance party at the SF Eagle. Noon. www.leatherwalk.org
SCCLA: Trash or Treasure? @ Renegades Bar
A kink friendly flea market, kinky stuff, non-kinky stuff, collectibles, clothing, costuming stuff. Renegades Bar, 501 W. Taylor St., San Jose, Noon-5pm. www.sccleather.org
Mon 15
Boot Fest @ Eros
Help inaugurate and bless the new bootblack stand at Eros and raise funds for International Mr. Bootblack Scout's Travel Fund. 2051 Market St., 6pm.
Tue 16
Screening of Beyond Vanilla Documentary @ Renegades Bar, San Jose
With interviews, demonstrations and a good dose of how-to instruction, this documentary covers the gamut of fetishes and SM practices. 501 W. Taylor St., San Jose, 7:30-10pm.
Wed 17
Leathermen's Discussion Group @ SF LGBT Community Center
History of Folsom Street Fair with Gayle Rubin, a guided tour through the past of the world's largest leather event with Gayle Rubin, the world's foremost historian of San Francisco leather. 1800 Market St., 7:30pm. www.sfldg.org
Handball Academy Program @ Center for Sex & Culture
Everything you've always wanted to know about fisting, but were afraid to ask, with Larry Shockey. 349 Mission St., 7:30pm. www.handballacademy.org
Leather/Naked Buddies @ Blow Buddies
Official play space for Folsom Street Fair, gear or nudity required. $15 with membership, 933 Harrison St., 8pm. www.blowbuddies.com
Thu 18
Leather & Feathers @ Temple SF
AIDS Emergency Fund's annual gala paying tribute to their supporters in the kink and drag communities. 540 Howard St., 7pm. www.aef-sf.org
BLUF San Francisco Folsom Dinner @ Don Ramon's Mexican Restaurant
Dinner for men into leather, gear and uniforms. 225 11th St., 6pm no host bar, 7:30pm buffet, $30 cash at door, reserve seats by emailing to [email protected].
Play Party @ Blow Buddies
Official play space for Folsom Street Fair, gear and nudity welcome. $15 with membership, 933 Harrison St., 8pm. www.blowbuddies.com
Fri 19
Bay Area boys of Leather: Boy Friday @ SF Eagle
Bay Area boys of Leather monthly cocktail social. 398 12th St., 7pm. www.bayareaboysofleather.org
Gear Buddies @ Blow Buddies
Official play space for Folsom Street Fair, gear and nudity welcome. $15 with membership, 933 Harrison St., 8pm. www.blowbuddies.com
This Aint No Disco @ SF Citadel
A men's BDSM play party. 181 Eddy St., 8pm, request invitation at www.the15sf.org
Folsom Fetish Friday @ Powerhouse
Kick of your Folsom weekend with a night of fetish, beats and sweat. 1347 Folsom St., 9pm. www.powerhousebar.com
Sober Kink Together @ Castro Country Club
Officially a CMA meeting, but open to all Anonymous 12-step Fellowship members. 4058 18th St., 9:30pm.
Haus of Stiel @ Beatbox
Folsom weekend dance party. 314 11th St., 10pm. www.beatboxsf.com
Sat 20
Kink Salon @ Powerhouse
Erotic open mic and show benefiting LeatherWalk 2015, AIDS Emergency Fund and Breast Cancer Emergency Fund. 1347 Folsom St., 2pm. www.powerhousebar.com
Cigarmen, Pipemen and Bootmen Gathering @ SF Eagle
Bay Area Cigar Buddies and HotBoots get together at the SF Eagle for a free no-agenda gathering. 398 12th St., 3pm. www.sf-eagle.com
4th Annual Leather Cruise @ Pier 3 The Embarcadero
Golden Gate Guards and BLUF host the Fourth Annual Leather Cruise on San Francisco Bay. $75, 4:30pm. www.ggguards.org
VICE: Folsom 2014 Rubber Party @ Powerhouse
Rubber Men of San Francisco host your chance to let the rubber pig inside loose. 1347 Folsom St., 5pm. www.rmsf.org
Golden Shower Buddies @ Blow Buddies
A men's water sports night at the Official Play Space for Folsom Street Fair, gear and nudity welcome. $15 with membership, 933 Harrison St., 8pm. www.blowbuddies.com
Magnitude @ Treasure Island
Official Saturday night dance event for Folsom Street Fair, see website for ticket information, 9pm. www.folsomstreetevents.org
Sun 21
After Shock @ City Nights
Dance your ass off all night until the sun comes up on Folsom Street Fair, see website for ticket information, 715 Harrison St., 4am. www.thediscosf.com
Folsom Street Fair @ SOMA
The world's largest leather and fetish event. Folsom Street between 8th and 13th, 11am. www.folsomstreetevents.org
Play Party @ Blow Buddies
Official play space for Folsom Street Fair, gear and nudity welcome. $15 with membership, 933 Harrison St., 8pm. www.blowbuddies.com
Deviants @ Mezzanine
Official Sunday night dance event for Folsom Street Fair, see website for ticket information, 6pm. www.folsomstreetevents.org