Mr. and Ms. New Jersey Leather 2010- Tumultuous Waves of Emotion

Taking a quick hiatus from working on my upcoming reading, *shameful plug), I journeyed to Asbury Park and the Jersey Shore this frigid Nor-Easter weekend to help a friend compete for the title of Ms. New Jersey Leather.

This year was the 10th Anniversary of the contest weekend, and it brought back most of the former titleholders in the NJ Leather Family.

Friday night was the meet and greet at the Empress Hotel, in a bar/club named Paradise.  Sitting practically on the water, it must be a beautiful summer get-a-way, but in  the freezing rain, and wind tunnels, it was anything but.  This year there were three contestants, two for Mr. NJ Leather 2010 and one for Ms. NJ Leather 2010.  The contestant competing for Ms. had to reach 75% of the votes to secure the title, meaning 150 points out of 200.

It was a small crowd on Friday as Tom Savage, Mr. NJ Leather 06 had a special candle ceremony and toast for Caren Cunningham, last yr’s initial Ms. NJ Leather, who sadly passed away only 6 weeks into her title year.  A toast was also given for the memory and legacy of Mr. Marcus Hernandez, whom the community lost just last week.

The big event, Emceed by the always funny and naughty Will  Clark, was Saturday evening, and the folks dared to combat the harsh weather.  The place was filled to the brim.  Funny, though.  During the title roll call, (when titleholders from the past and present are called up on stage *i hate that part, the crowd looked nil lol. Go figure. Almost 80 percent of them were on the stage.  And of course, my name is spoken wrong.  Such is life.

The New Mr. NYC Eagle 2010 was there, Preacher Cassadine, as well as titleholders from around the region.  (There was not Mr. or Ms. NYC Leather, nor is there a Mr. and Ms. Philadelphia Leather currently scheduled, so they say).  Folks ranged from Baltimore and NYC, as well down from Boston.

In the end, the new Mr. NJ Leather 2010 is Mr. D *Damien, and the new Ms. NJ Leather is Morgaine, who scored a possible 180 out of 200 points.

Congrats to the new cast of titleholders from New Jersey, and i wish you luck of your title year journies and beyond.

A mummy in a Leather bar oh my!

The leather tour went great, there wasn’t that big of a turn out but it was more about what we were doing and why.

On Tuesday I heard that Flagg someone who was always a friend to me passed away. And although we didn’t talk every day, when we did he only showed me one face. He left a mark in my life teaching me how to use a single tail but he also left a mark on my ass. With that smile of his he remarked, “you should know how it feels.” Fucking ouch!

Then on Thursday someone dear to Bensonboy passed. So this tour was more of a time to talk about what we learned and to talk to others about them.

 

We walked down Christopher street towards the pier and I stopped in The Leatherman to show Sir Tone my chaps, sweet.  Walking towards the piers on a Friday night there were young men pass out AIDS awarness information and condom. I thought it strange I didn’t get any play but my two male champions did. When we got to the piers Justin talked about how very different it was, before the beautification although some of the old pier could be seen. We then walked over to the Ramrod only to read that it would be closing on Saturday. The new owners are the same owners of the Eagle which we found out is allegedly closing. The Ramrod will be re-opening as The Rock. But that is to be seen. We had a few drinks and even though it was almost 9pm the place was relatively empty and very hot with the doors open and a serious wind coming off the water. 

 

 

After the Ramrod we opted to pass on the Egale since some of our party perfered  to head over to Rawhide. So off we went to our home bar after grabbing a couple of slices of pizza.

 

The Hide as we call it was packed to the gills (woman pun intended). We said hello to Jay manager and bartender for the night who was busy and we gave our drink orders making our way to the back of the bar. And for  a little more history, Rawhide is the oldest leather bar in New York. Upon eventering the bar, as you step up to place your order you’ll be introduced to one of the great and freindly bartenders. Cliff, Mike or Roger and of course there’s Jay. Do take in the look of the joint, there are original Tom of Finland drawings placed around the top of the bar. A motyocylce which hangs over the pool table, a jukebox, and a saprano pinball machine. And just to keep it intersting a little stage with a pole for the strippers. Fun times at Rawhide

   The bar was all decked out for Halloween and the fun began when one of the patrons started to spank, well more like hit the strippers ass. I think he was enjoying it, I know I was. Got to love that man on man action. That was broken up by the bouncer, but there was still some fun to watch if you knew where. Luck for me the days of Hellfire taught me a thing or two, and I spied with my little eye, (or four eyes) a boy wearing a collar and so did someone else who took the opportinity to go over and get it some action. Fun times at Rawhide.

 While you’re there have a drink with the mummy!

Spirits of Leather Bar Tour

Spirit Of Leather

Leather-first NYC the spirits of leather bar tour.

Leather-first NYC is a new leather organization in NY that focuses on the pillars of tradition, community, mentorship and activism. Our first full scale event will be the spirits of leather bar tour. We will meet at 7:30 pm at the Christopher street piers. And journey along West Street paying homage to the leather days of old. While stopping in NYC three current leather bars.

To met new friends, to connect as a community and follow in the traditions of those who came before. The even will take place Friday October 9^th

leather or Levi attire come join us in physically representing that leather is still

alive in NYC.