Go from mild to wild in three easy steps!

By Kevin Cazares

Several stereotypes come to mind when gay men imagine the leather community: Glenn Hughes from the Village People, Tom of Finland bikers and that signature kinky float in Gay Pride parades. When gay men encounter these stereotypes, they feel a range of emotions—from appeal to bawdy humor. But these images rarely tell the whole story. Often, men have no idea where to turn to for knowledge. While many may hit the Internet looking for resources, these men fail to realize that their local communities—at least as far as Los Angeles is concerned—are filled with experts in everything leather: from leather clothing to the bar scene to the kinkier bedroom elements. With this in mind, we hit the streets, talking to local leathermen, to bring our readers these three steps to the leather life.

Step 1: Suit Up!

Let’s start with your leather look. While there are several options, including Mr. S Leather & Fetters USA and Rough Trade, we hit up 665, where Waiyde Palmer talked to us about what it’s like to work at “the Cadillac of leather clothing in the world.”

“Anyone [who] wears our clothing is basically our walking billboard. So we want them to look their best and have it fit the best,” Palmer said. “So we’re not afraid to do everything custom: pick out the leather, the sizing and measure everything just like a fine tailor. We make all our leather goods by hand. You can buy off the rack or custom made.” Men new to the leather community or interested in exploring leather may find the idea alluring but daunting. “We pride ourselves on being able to answer people’s questions frankly, honestly and without making them feel ashamed or embarrassed,” Palmer added. “Nobody begins to explore this part of their sexuality knowing all the information and so you have to rely on each other to fill in the blanks.”

When asked if the leather lifestyle was becoming more mainstream Palmer said that the underground leather community is long gone. “There is no shock value to leather anymore. What continues to be underground is people’s fear of sexuality, fear of what it means about them as a human being when they discover that they like certain aspects of fetish and leather life. Leather is not ‘just’ about sex; it’s about community.”

Step 2: Do Your Homework

For those wanting to learn more, there is Avatar’s Leather Lab. Daddy Don, a member of Avatar since 2000, agreed to speak to us on the condition that we not print his real name. “Avatar is set up as a leather organization of men that is there to promote the education of safe, sane, consensual sex, and that’s been our policy. In addition, we do a lot of charity work,” Don explained.

“Whenever there are meetings or any events, I always try and go up and introduce myself and try to say hi to new people,” he continued. “The nice thing about Avatar is everybody has different levels in each kind of fetish and they can teach each other and make [one another] aware. One of the nice things we’re doing this year (the 25th anniversary of Avatar) is offering a course for anyone who would like to come, without any payment, for a sampling of the different fetishes.”

The benefits of an organization like Avatar are two-fold. On the one hand, Leather Lab teaches, in a hands-on fashion, BDSM technique, with a focus on safety and skill building. In addition to cock-and-ball torture and the much-maligned subject of fisting, basic courses include rope bondage and flogging.
The other benefit is that Avatar helps bring people together in a patient, inviting atmosphere, without judgment. “A wonderful benefit to Avatar members is the loving brotherhood that is built between the leathermen. It may be a leather club, but it’s men supporting each other physically, emotionally and spiritually,” Don said. “I also think the advantage is spreading the information. We lost a generation because of AIDS that would have been mentors. And now, with the classes, we’re offering a way for people to learn, whether they would like this fetish or that one, but to look at it and say, ‘OK, I like this’ and allow them to attend [more] classes and decide. It’s important for people to learn something by doing it themselves. And that’s why the hands-on classes are so important. You can watch a demo with somebody demonstrating a fetish, but without actually doing it, you haven't mastered the fetish.”

Step 3: Pound the Pavement

Now that you’re well-versed in such subjects as cock-and-ball torture and fisting, you’re ready to mingle. The primary venues for the leather community to come together to meet, make merry and revel are the bars. One of those bars is the Eagle L.A., known for 22 years as the Gauntlett II. (“II” because it was the second location to bear the name.)

“We have a public space where anyone is welcome to enjoy and experience their leather,” said Hunter Fox, manager of the Eagle. “A safe, welcoming place, where people know they can come and have a good time, meet hot men and, by the same token, meet a diverse group that you’re not going to come across at your average bar.” Various nonprofit organizations often have fundraisers and silent auctions at the Eagle. Fox also produces charity events both for the bar as well as his own charities of choice—like last year’s Fallen Fire Fighters of Los Angeles fundraiser. Recently the Eagle was host to a celebrity pie-toss fundraiser benefiting the Los Angeles Leather Coalition. “Another huge way we support the leather community is that we hold leather contests. We have our own leather contest, the Eagle L.A. Mr. Leather, usually kicking off leather season,” Fox added.

The Eagle typifies the warm, friendly, community-oriented atmosphere that is prevalent with the bars and businesses of the leather community. “We are not exclusive by any means whatsoever. Anybody is welcome,” Fox said. “I hope that people feel that when they come here. I do have an agenda, this is a leather bar and that’s my primary goal ... as long as I keep people welcome, without having to exclude anybody.

“But I think it also depends on a person’s willingness because I’ve had people come in whose interest was piqued in leather, but they weren’t sure. A person in particular came to the Eagle—he was very shy at first, but somewhat confident about himself—and became a regular and the next thing you know, he became our titleholder. I’m proud to have him as our Eagle L.A. Mr. Leather. He’s a good representative for us and a good role model. I came out in the leather community, the leather community brought me up, showed me what it was about to be a man and to give back to the community.”

When asked what advice he would have for men new to the leather scene Fox had this final bit of wisdom to offer: “Have an open mind, ask lots of questions and don’t be afraid. If you see something that interests you and someone doing it—maybe not while they’re doing it, [but] when you have a chance—go ahead and ask them about it.”

The Details

665
8722 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood
(310) 854-7276
www.665leather.com

Avatar
c/o
MCC of the Valley
5730 Cahuenga Blvd.
North Hollywood
(818) 563-4626
www.avatarla.org

Bullet
10522 Burbank Blvd.
North Hollywood
(818) 762-8890

Eagle L.A.
4219 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles
(323) 669-9472
www.eaglela.com

Faultline
4216 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles
(323) 660-0889
www.faultlinebar.com

Mr. S Leather & Fetters USA
4232 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles
(323) 663-7765
www.mr-s-leather.com

Pistons
2020 E. Artesia Blvd.
Long Beach
(562) 422-1928
www.pistonsbar.com

Rough Trade
3915 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles
(323) 660-7956

Suggested Reading

The Master’s Manual: A Handbook of Erotic Dominance by Jack Rinella and Joseph W. Bean

The Leatherman’s Handbook by Larry Townsend

Web Resources

www.theleatherjournal.com