Leatherfolk, kinksters to assemble at Folsom fair

  • by John Ferrannini, Assistant Editor
  • Wednesday September 25, 2024
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People donned leather attire at last year's Folsom Street Fair. Photo: Steven Underhill
People donned leather attire at last year's Folsom Street Fair. Photo: Steven Underhill

The Folsom Street Fair is returning to San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood Sunday, September 29. The fair, which caters to leather and kink communities the world over, is expecting 200,000 visitors, according to Folsom Street Executive Director Angel Adeyoha.

"We're very excited to see everyone and welcome our annual pilgrimage and our stages are going to be absolute fire this year," Adeyoha, who is queer and nonbinary, told the Bay Area Reporter.

The fair runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is bounded by Howard Street on the north, Harrison Street on the south, Eighth Street on the east and 13th Street on the west.

The 41st annual fair started back in 1984 as Megahood. It was founded as a bulwark against gentrification in SOMA. The leather community was also particularly hard hit at that time, during the early days of the AIDS epidemic. (The Megahood moniker was revived briefly in 2021 when the fair took place in a modified, smaller form due to the COVID pandemic.)

In the 1970s, Folsom Street had been christened the "Miracle Mile" for the long strip of leather bars, SM clubs, and bathhouses that had lined it. Today, only a few vestiges of that explosion of sexual freedom remain, though Robert Goldfarb, a gay man who is the executive director of the Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District, told the B.A.R. he'd like visitors to know that the neighborhood is still a peak destination for leatherfolk and kinksters.

LeatherWalk participants stopped outside Oasis bar on 11th Street during the September 22 kickoff for Leather Week. Photo: Rick Gerharter  

"I think we would like them to know how vibrant the neighborhood is and how it is really a home to the leather community, which it has been since the 1960s," he said. "I think a lot of people don't realize we've been there that long. I think there've been a lot of changes and, with the pandemic, a lot of closures, and I think when they come to SOMA for the fair, they will see how many businesses and how thriving the leather community is here in San Francisco."

District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey, a gay man, is joining the leather district in welcoming people to SOMA, which he represents on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

"I'm proud to support the Folsom Street Fair, a world-renowned event in the heart of my district that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the globe each year," Dorsey stated. "This iconic celebration showcases the dynamic kink and leather communities, and encourages people to embrace new experiences and push beyond their boundaries.

"At the same time, it fosters a powerful sense of inclusivity, uniting individuals from all walks of life, regardless of race, gender, and sexual orientation," he added. "Beyond its cultural significance, the fair is a vital economic engine for San Francisco, driving revenue for local businesses, bars, and hotels. Folsom Street Fair is truly an essential part of our city's identity and prosperity."

Goldfarb said he had fun at the launch of Leather Week with the LeatherWalk and Leather Pride Fest that both took place September 22.

"It was awesome," Goldfarb said. "We had great weather — great turnout for LeatherWalk. We went to a bunch of different businesses, stops at different businesses and bars in the neighborhood. That was a lot of fun."

The members of the philanthropic drag nun group Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were represented at the walk.

"We had Sister Roma with us leading the pack, so it was really a great time and we ended at the Eagle's Leather Pride Fest and that was a lot of fun," Goldfarb said. "They had the street blocked up; there was entertainment and music at Eagle Plaza. The bar was packed; they had a great crowd on the street. It was great to interact with people there, so it was a great kickoff day and we had awesome weather for it."

LeatherWalk participants made their way through the South of Market neighborhood September 22 to kick off Leather Week. Photo: Dave Fong  

Warm weather expected
Good weather is also expected for Sunday's main event, Adeyoha said.

"Cross fingers — low 70s: which is just right," Adeyoha said when asked what the weather is expected to be like. "I was personally putting an extra wish in the bucket for 72."

It's advised for attendees to wear sunscreen; if people do forget before heading out, however, members of the San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club and San Francisco Tsunami Aquatics will be "running sunscreen on you for donations," Adeyoha said, on Folsom at Ninth Street and on Folsom at 12th Street.

Food and the pup play area will be in different locations than in previous years, Adeyoha said. Food will be sold on 12th Street, just south of Folsom, on 10th Street near Howard Street and on 9th Street near Harrison Street.

Also, the pup play area will be on 10th Street, just before Folsom Street.

"Those are kind of the main ones, and we are having all the same activations as last year," Adeyoha said. "We are also adding Truck — the traveling party is doing a pop-up space on 12th [Street] between Isis and Bernice [streets]."

There's a live music stage on 12th Street between Howard and Folsom streets, a bondage stage on 11th Street between Howard and Folsom streets, a wrestling stage on 11th Street between Folsom and Harrison streets, a DJ and go-go stage on 10th Street between Howard and Folsom streets, a drag stage on Ninth Street between Folsom and Harrison streets, and the Playground (focused on women, trans, and nonbinary people) on Ninth Street between Howard and Folsom Streets.

(Formerly known as Venus' Playground, the women and trans area was strongly influenced by Rachele Sullivan, a straight ally and leatherwoman who passed away in 2022. Earlier this summer, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission approved naming a new park at 11th and Natoma streets after Sullivan. It's believed to be the first public park in the U.S. named after a leather leader, as the B.A.R. has reported.)

Other activities at the fair will include Onyx, a BIPOC lounge on Folsom Street between Dore Alley and Ninth Street. The coat check is on Dore, adjacent to the Powerhouse bar, Adeyoha said.

"There will be flags at the opening of the alley so people know where to go. They have more room to spread out and hang your stuff up," Adeyoha said.

Motorcycle parking will be at Dore and Howard, Adeyoha added.

Seven SOMA bars will be serving alcohol outside. These are the Eagle, Oasis, the Foundry, Powerhouse, Azucar Lounge, and two others.

"We're still partnering with the local bars to do a hybrid permit for alcohol sales, which for a multitude of reasons is a better fit and supports our local bars," Adeyoha said. Attendees "can get a drink at the parklet and walk all over the fair with it."

Goldfarb hopes that people interested in the leather community in SOMA will check out the leather district's booth at the event.

"We want everyone to come out and have a great time and enjoy themselves responsibly," he said. Interested attendees "can send us an email at [email protected] — the email address is also on our website and we have our district manager, Cal [Callahan], our volunteer coordinator. He can talk to them and let them know what volunteer opportunities are available. At the moment we're trying to revamp our website and give people more information online about how to engage with the district that is coming soon."

In a Facebook message, Callahan noted more than 200 people attended the LeatherWalk.

He added that fundraising through the walk continues until Sunday, October 13. Money raised supports the cultural district's Leather Legacy Landmarks sidewalk plaque initiative. To read the leather district's recap of the walk and to donate to the plaque project, click here.

The suggested donation for Folsom Street Fair attendees is $15-$20; more information is available at folsomstreet.org.

Updated, 9/26/24: This article has been updated with some more info about last weekend's LeatheraWalk.

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