Every once in a while an event happens that makes people talk about the possibility that the leather community in San Francisco is dying. Last Sunday – which was the 16th annual Leather Walk and my fifth time participating since moving here almost six years ago – was one such event. The crowd was noticeably smaller and many speculated about the cause. Was this another sign everyone is looking for to signal the death of our leather community here in San Francisco? I say that nothing could be further from the truth. Let's take a look at what is happening with the leather scene, our bars, and also Folsom Street Fair, and then you can decide for yourself. I think that with just a little change in perspective you might just see that things in our community are actually pretty darn awesome for the leather and kink scene in San Francisco.
In our local scene, there have been some new but exciting things the last few years. Thorn's Instigator magazine burst on the scene over four years ago to excite and entice and give a voice to the younger fetish players and it's still going strong, pushing our comfort zones and provoking us with each new issue. Our own Carlton Paul from the Powerhouse has continually pushed the envelope with his thought-provoking column "Sling It" that appears in Gloss magazine. I have to admit it makes me giggle with delight to read Mr. Paul's essays on all manner of kinky topics wrapped in his southern charm. Mr. S Leather moved into a new larger store South of Market on 8th Street and continues to be one of the main go-to places for gear. Off Ramp Leathers is still rocking, too, with new designs and custom pieces that rock. Kink.com has moved into the old Armory space to expand its operations amid some fanfare but now has settled down to the business at hand, so to speak. The last two years we have seen an increase in the number and size of porn company booths and sponsorships at Folsom Street. Some have even started releasing their fetish films to coincide with Leather Week, as well as producing more fetish titles to meet demand. The list goes on and on of new and exciting things happening locally, all pointing to what I see as an increase in growth and in the leather/fetish scene.
The bar scene in San Francisco is alive and well, I'm happy to report. Yes, we lost some, but overall I think those we have now are stronger and more dedicated to giving us what we want. The Powerhouse and its always-accommodating staff celebrate a 10-year anniversary this week. 440 Castro (formerly known as Daddy's), after a remodel and some upgrades, is still hosting leather themed charity events. The Edge, with its famously strong cocktails, is rocking it still. The Eagle continues to pack in the hotties, like this past Sunday for the post-Leather Walk party and SOMA Bare Chest Calendar auction. A new neighborhood bar and grill, Truck, opened on Folsom at 15th recently, giving us another space to hang with friends and share libations while munching on some great eats. And numerous other bars are alive and well, snatching back the days and nights from the Internet.
Folsom Street Fair has continued to grow in so many ways. Last year the event surpassed its goal of raising $300,000 for local charities and is on track to do even better this year. The fair had its first women's play space, Venus' Playground, last year and that continues this year as well. In a somewhat political stance, Folsom Street Events has chosen to honor "San Francisco values" this year instead of honoring any one individual. This is in response to some in political circles attacking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi by saying that she would "impose these values on the rest of the U.S." For the organizers of Folsom to step up and have a voice in the political arena is cause for kudos and celebration, and I think sets the stage for the shape of things to come.
So yes, the Leather Walk had less actual folks walking this year than last. But it still raised more money than in previous years and the spirit of those attending was huge. At the end of the walk, the Eagle was packed as always with hot and horny guys and gals ready to cruise and hang out. It seems that some of our older traditions and events are slowing down a bit. But don't despair. It is really just a sign that we as a community are evolving and changing. I believe that we as a community are becoming more united within our diversity, continuing to learn and grow through education and the creation of new traditions and above all, creating new spaces in which to celebrate our freedom of sexual expression. Have an awesome Folsom and as the late Omar Moseley used to say, "Life is a journey, not a destination." See you guys at the fair.
A San Francisco and Castro resident since 2001, Julian Marshburn is Mr. San Francisco Leather 2004 and Mr. Daddy's Leather 2004.