Sir Andy Liu
Mid-Atlantic LeatherSIR 2008

01.31.10 – Is there room for romance in Leather? I can speak from personal experience and tell you the answer is, “Yes, absolutely!” At its extreme, Leather can be rigidly codified; leaving many to wonder how is romance possible. But if you look closer, you’ll see romance in the Rituals that are set, in the Protocols that are adhered to, and in the Respect that is mutually conferred. Ultimately, it is up to the parties involved to negotiate and discuss how much romance is a factor in their individual relationship. But romance is a lot closer in Leather than you may think.

Happy VD! I will leave you to interpret VD as you see fit, but it is that time of year where Hallmark, Godiva, and 1-800-Flowers impose their will and make you spend your hard earned money on items that pull at your heart strings and increase your waist size. But being the hopeless romantic that I am, I would be lying if I said I did not enjoy Valentine’s Day. So whoever you hold dear, go snuggle, flog, sensory deprive, make dinner or reservations for, and make the day (and everyday!) your own.

Since I left you last the events have been fast and furious! Let’s start with Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend 2010 (MAL – www.leatherweekend.com) and the Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2010 Contest. Thrown by the Centaur, MC (www.centaurmc.org and celebrating their 40^th Anniversary!), this event is a favorite on my list! The Centaurs are known for hosting an awesome event, and this year was no different. Even in a bad economy and with cold weather, Leatherfolk from near and far flocked to Washington, DC to celebrate the Title Year of Kip Hollar - Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2009, to see who would be sashed Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2010, and to party all weekend long.

Please note, the events I am writing about here are the ones I personally attended. If I tried to list all the events that were available, this Column (http://www.baltimoregaylife.com/columns/leather/flogger_tales/index.shtml) would be very, very long! The very enjoyable weekend started on Friday, January 15^th with Registration, a Press Conference announcing the Judges and Contestants, a CLAW Nation (www.clawinfo.org) Party at the Green Lantern (www.greenlanterndc.com) hosted by Mr. Ohio Leather 2010 - Jim Delong, and an interesting ride in the boy bus hosted by the DC boys of Leather (www.dcboysofleather.org).  

Saturday saw a BLUF Uniform Party (www.bluf.com) at the Green Lantern (www.greenlanterndc.com), a Press Conference announcing the Judges for International Mr. Leather 2010 (IML – www.imrl.com – see the complete list of Judges there), the always anticipated Leather Cocktails, and a special MAL edition of CODE (www.codedc.com – always a fun time, check it out!)!!

Sunday was brunch, a last chance swing through the Vendor Mart, and the Contest itself!! This year’s field of 6 Contestants included (in no particular order) – Mr. SECC Leather 2009 – Jeff Jarnigan, Mr. Old Dominion Leather 2010 – Allen Peebles, Mr. Connecticut Leather 2010 – James Botelho, Mr. Capital Pride Leather 2009 – Matt Bamford, Mr. Double L Leather 2009 – John Truzzolino, and David Dean – Mr. Pittsburgh Eagle Leather 2009. Interspersed between Jock and Bar Wear and Formal Leather were incredible performances by KENiMATTix (www.kennimattix.com) and Myke Lowe (www.mykelowe.com). When everything was said and done, the scores tallied and with everyone in suspense, Matt Bamford is your new Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2010!! Having been around Matt for over a year and seeing the tremendous job he has done as Mr. Capital Pride Leather 2009, I can only imagine what amazing things this man has in store for all of us as MAL 2010. Congratulations Matt!! And thank you to Kip Hollar for your service as MAL 2009, and to the Centaurs for their wonderful hospitality!

The next weekend on January 22^nd saw a Benefit Show Miss Glamour Girl 2010 – Dannaca Lauder at the Hippo (www.clubhippo.com). Emceed by Catia Lee Love - Miss Gay America 2000, and Josie Foster, a fun time was had by all! Stellar performances by (but not limited to) Miss Gay Maryland America 2009 – Sue Nami, Miss Gay Central Maryland 2010 – Chi Chi Ray Colby, Sabrina White – Miss Gay America 2002, Tatiyanna Voche’ – Miss Gay Maryland 2008, and Tia Chambers ensured everyone’s entertainment.

Speaking of Tia Chambers, some miscreant stole her car, and most if not all of the items that make up Tia were in the trunk. So please help by donating what you can. A collection canister has been setup at the Phoenix (1 West Biddle Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201 – 410.837.3906) benefitting Tia. Please help someone who has done so much for the Community at large. 

Back to this Column, closing out the evening I stopped by the Phoenix (1 West Biddle Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201 – 410.837.3906) for the Klassik Retro+ Dance Party. With DJ John “Applecino” Eaton spinning classic tunes from the 80’s, everyone there danced the night away!

The next night (January 23) saw BLADeaf’s (www.bladeaf.com) Bar Night at the Baltimore Eagle (www.thebaltimoreeagle.com).   A great time was had by all, and the shooters and draft beer was quite enjoyable too! Good friends, good drinks, great times, what more can you ask for? A Run? Sure!

February 12-13, 2010 will be BLADeaf’s (www.bladeaf.com) Annual Run in conjunction this year with GLAD-E (www.deafqueer.net/glade). The theme of the weekend is “What is our Future? A New Beginning” and will consist of workshops (I am giving one!) and 7 Contests (I am Tally!)! We’ll have Mr. & Ms. Baltimore Deaf Leather 2010, Baltimore Deaf Leatherboy 2010, Baltimore Deaf Bear/cub 2010, and the Mr. & Ms. GLAD-E 2010 Pageants!! So go to www.bladeaf.com for all the details, schedules, pricing, and applications if you fall into any of the above Titles!

I would like to officially welcome shutterpup (www.shutterpup.com) as an ongoing Photographer to Baltimore Gay Life. You can see some of his work from the B-Scene MAL 2010 page from the last issue, and some of the photos this week as well. Welcome shutterpup!

 In other news, our Mid-Atlantic Community Bootblack 2009 – Brandon Riley just had his appendix taken out. Greetings and well-wishes may be sent to bootblackbrandon@gmail.com. I hear he likes rubber chickens from Spencer’s (www.spencersonline.com) that go, “Bgawk!”

So, please look at the Calendar of Upcoming Events, and I hope to see all of you soon, in Leather, out and about, and having an awesome time. With all of that, be kind to yourselves, each other, and practice random acts of kindness!! 

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Every Sunday – WOOF! Philly / LAID – (www.laidsaturdays.com or www.woofphilly.com) – 1416 Chancellor St – Philadelphia, PA – 5PM to 2AM - $5.00

02/06/10 – The Liberty Bears of Philadelphia (www.libertybears.net) Red Hot Bears Valentines Social – Bike Stop (www.thebikestop.com) – Philadelphia, PA – 7PM to 10PM

02/06/10 – CODE DC (www.codedc.com) – EFN Lounge (www.efnlounge.com) – Washington, DC – 9PM to 3AM

02/12/10 – Miss Gay Baltimore 2010 – the Hippo (www.clubhippo.com) – Baltimore, MD – 10PM to ? - $7.00

02/12/10 – 02/13/10 – BLADeaf / GLAD-E Run (www.bladeaf.com) including Mr. & Ms. Baltimore Deaf Leather / Leatherboy / Bear / Cub Contests – Baltimore, MD – check website for times and venues

02/13/10 – Scarlett’s Bake Sale – DC Eagle (www.dceagle.com) – Washington, DC – Time and Details TBA

02/20/10 – The ShipMates Club of Baltimore (www.shipmatesclub.com) Bar Night – Baltimore Eagle (www.thebaltimoreeagle.com) – Baltimore, MD – 9PM to ?

02/26/10 – DC boys of Leather (www.dcboysofleather.org) Bar Night – DC Eagle (www.dceagle.com) – Washington, DC – 9PM to ?

02/20/10 – The ShipMates Club of Baltimore (www.shipmatesclub.com) Bar Night – Baltimore Eagle (www.thebaltimoreeagle.com) – Baltimore, MD – 9PM to ?
02/21/10 – Miss Gay Maryland America Bull Roast Benefit – VFW Hall – 8123 Harford Rd – Parkville, MD – 1PM to 6PM - $35.00

02/21/10 – 5^th Annual Chili Cook-Off to Benefit the Center in Asbury Park (www.leathernjonline.com) – Georgie’s Bar (www.georgiesbar.com) – Asbury Park, NJ – 2PM to 6PM - $5.00 – go to www.leathernjonline.com if you want to enter your chili!

02/27/10 – C.O.M.M.A.ND., M.C. (www.commandmc.org) Bar Night – Baltimore Eagle (www.thebaltimoreeagle.com) – Baltimore, MD – 9PM to ?

02/27/10 – Mr. Club XS Leather 2010 Contest (www.clubxsyork.com) – Club XS (www.clubxsyork.com) – York, PA – 8PM to ?

03/26/10 – 03/28/10 – C.L.A.P (Chesapeake Leather Awareness Pride) – Mid-Atlantic LeatherSIR / Leatherboy / Leather Woman / Community Bootblack 2010 Contests + Black & Blue Ball + Kinky Karnival – go to www.hookerandboys.org for details and an application!!

04/15/10 – 04/18/10 – International Ms. Leather 2010 (IMsL – www.imsl.org) – San Francisco, CA – Go to www.imsl.org for details, volunteering, times and venue

04/22/10 – 04/25/10 – Cleveland Leather Awareness Pride (CLAW – www.clawinfo.org) – Cleveland, OH – check website for Registration info, Volunteer Shifts, time and venues

05/28/10 – 05/31/10 – International Mr. Leather 2010 – (IML – www.imrl.com) – Chicago, IL – check website for details, time and venues