los angeles leather pride 2014
Building the Bonds of Brotherhood March 23 - 30, 2014
15 YEARS STRONG LALEATHERPRIDE.COM
Los Angeles Leather Pride 2014 15 YEARS STRONG
Jon Wright
“Building the Bonds of Brotherhood” Welcome to LOS ANGELES LEATHER PRIDE 2014! Whether you are a local or a visitor, thank you for helping us celebrate the unique spirit of brotherhood that binds the many leathermen and women, organizations, businesses, past titleholders and contestants together to forge the legendary LA leather community. Just like the ancient Greeks and Romans, whose iconic imagery we salute, we have become a strong, diverse “army of lovers” of all generations, backgrounds and interests and this year, the festivities are dedicated to the “only in LA” aspirations and accomplishments of the LA Band of Brothers. We have worked hard to present a jam-packed week of hot events to spotlight the incredibly dynamic leather scene here in the Los Angeles area. Whether it’s a traditional motorcycle run, a strict dress code formal uniform reception, crazy leather clowns on roller skates or bears on the prowl, there is something for everyone, so get out and enjoy! The week reaches its climax with the 15th ANNUAL Mr. LA LEATHER Contest, held again this year at CIRCUS DISCO on Saturday, March 29. After a year of feeder contests, now it’s time to pick the hot man to represent LA at IML! At the contest, don’t miss the Silent Auction and Vendor Mart in the adjoining Exhibit Hall and stick around for the hottest dance of the year, LEGION. Then on Sunday, we travel down to Long Beach for Sunday Victory Brunch and SOUTHLAND HONORS. We are especially proud that this year we have pledged to contribute the proceeds of the week to three deserving charities: PROJECT ANGEL FOOD, the ONE NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN ARCHIVES and the TOM OF FINLAND FOUNDATION. And we are especially grateful for the many sponsors who have contributed so much to making the event possible. There are far too many to list them all here, but I do need to single out 665 Leathers who contributed the incredible motorcycle leathers for the GRAND PRIZE RAFFLE and Stockroom who are the sponsors of this Program booklet. Thanks to all of you for your support! Lastly, I can’t do enough to express my thanks for the incredibly hard work of dozens of committee members, dedicated volunteers, feeder contest producers, and countless others. This year’s festivities are produced by the LOS ANGELES LEATHER PRIDE COMMITTEE on behalf of the LA LEATHER COALITION, INC. Welcome! Jon Wright Chair LALP 2014 Chair, Los Angeles Leather Coalition
Los Angeles Leather Pride 2014 15 YEARS STRONG
Don Mike
Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2014 Master of Ceremonies Don Mike began his leather journey back in 1999 when he first stepped foot off of a plane from Pittsburgh, PA. Since then he's been in the LA boys of Leather, LA Pups, Avatar (the one with the perverts and not giant smurfs) and in 2010 he was Mr. Sister Leather. He is the past President of the LA Band of Brothers and has recently been granted Sainthood by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and given the name St. Bernard of the Consecrated Canines. Along with his trusty pup, Niko, he is plotting world domination, which won't be much different than it is now except that things will be a little more fun and there will be snacks.
LALP 2014 Special Thanks There is not room enough in this booklet to thank everyone who helped to make LOS ANGELES LEATHER PRIDE 2014 a success and without whom we really could not have made it happen! Thanks first to the CLASS of 2014, 10 incredible men who jumped in to help whenever needed and who are the living, breathing embodiment of BROTHERHOOD, and thanks to the LA BAND OF BROTHERS who have already welcomed the Class into the fraternity and who did so much in so many ways to keep LALP 2014 focused. Thanks to Curtis and Stephanie at 665, Charlie at the EAGLE LA, Michael at BULLET BAR, Adrian and Jessica at ROUGH TRADE, Eddie at STOCKROOM and the staff at THE FIGHT as well as all the rest of our unbelievable sponsors for your financial, in kind and spiritual support from the very beginning. Thanks to Sharp and his group at TOM OF FINLAND FOUNDATION for not only being a Charity Partner but also a sponsor and supporter and thanks to our other charity Partners, ONE NATIONAL ARCHIVES and PROJECT ANGEL FOOD. Thanks to each Feeder Contest Producer and Event Sponsor for making each and every contest leading up to MR, LA LEATHER 2014 and all the events during LA Leather Pride, a spectacular example of brotherhood and of what this community in this City of Angels can accomplish. Thanks to Hunter and Justin for producing the contest and for an incredible after-contest party: LEGION! Thanks to the men and women of all the clubs from PAYASOS LA, BEARS LA, CA B&B, REGIMENT OF THE BLACK & TANS, AVATAR, SANCTUARY, THRESHHOLD, to the SATYRS who worked so hard on the many
events. Thanks to STEVE HARMAN for organizing all the volunteers and thanks to Sean, Rene, Kevin, Diego and John for all their amazing graphics which certainly contributed to the look and feel of this year’s festivities. Thanks to the Board of Directors and Community Partners of the LOS ANGELES LEATHER COALITION who believed in this event and helped it to succeed. Finally, thanks to my special friends, KEVIN CASEY for creating the best digital media campaign the leather community has ever seen, MARLON MORALES who organized the best sponsorship solicitation and management program ever, ROBERT BLACKMON for an outstanding job as head of PR and Media and HOWIE RAMIREZ for all of the encouragement when I thought things would never work. On a sad note, we mark the passing of two of our most cherished members of the community: JAY LAWTON, photographer extraordinaire who brought these events to life in incredible pictures for so many years, and BOB TOMASINO, owner and manager of OIL CAN HARRY’S who touched everyone’ s life in the community with his boundless energy, selfless devotion and wonderful humor. You will be missed. In their honor, the LALC Board has created the JAY LAWTON MEMORIAL PHOTOGRAPHER designation as the official photographer for LA Leather Pride, and has named the Brotherhood Award annually awarded to that contestant selected by that year’s contestants to represent the spirit of brotherhood as the BOB TOMASINO BROTHERHOOD AWARD.
Los Angeles Leather Pride 2014 15 YEARS STRONG
LA LEATHER PRIDE 2014 Executive Committee
Chair – Jon Wright Assistant Chair – Manuel Ramirez Financial – Mark Diamond Contest Producer – Hunter Fox Digital Media (Web/Mobile App/Social Media) – Kevin Casey Public Relations – Robert Blackmon Sponsorship - Marlon Morales Contestant Coordinator – Pup Don Silent Aucton/Vendor Coordinator - Zac Rigo Volunteer Coordinator – Steve Harman Photographer – Robert Green (Jay Lawton Memorial) Program Book Graphic Designer - Rene Ramirez
LA LEATHER PRIDE 2014 Event Hosts & Producers Chariots of Fire – Leather Pride Ride II
Cigar Social @ Eagle LA
Odyssey: The Road to Mr. LA Leather @ Bullet Bar
Tribal Rites: Men’s Play Party @ Sanctuary Studios LAX
- Payasos LA – Leo Iriarte - Saytrs MC – Brent Sweer
- Avatar Club LA – Alan Stroik - Bullet Bar – Michael Lara
Roast of Justin Emerick: Don’t Cry for Me Los Angeles @ Oil Can Harry’s - LA Band of Brothers – Carl Dove
VIP Reception @ TOM House
- LALC – Jon Wright - Tom of Finland Foundation – Sharp
Hades on Wheels @ Moonlight Rollerway - Payasos LA – Leo Iriarte - LALC – Mark Diamond
Prowl and Growl: Dominus Gladitoreum @ Micky’s WeHo - Bears LA – Carl Dove
The Assembly @ Rough Trade
- California B&B Corps - Steve Harman, Robert Green - The Regiment of the Black and Tans – Rex Bailey - BLUF
- Maximus Cigar – DJ & Joe - Eagle LA – Charlie Matula
- Avatar Club Los Angeles – Alan Stroik
PSLOD: Turning Up the Heat Afternoon Beer Bust @ Bullet Bar - PSLOD – Skip Mlaker - Bullet Bar – Michael Lara
15th Annual Mr. LA Leather Contest, Silent Auction, & Vendor Mart @ Circus Disco
- Hunter Fox – Contest Producer - Robert Blackmon – Writer - Lip Service Productions: Dean Ogren & George Hester – Stage Direction - Pup Don Mike – Emcee - Tallymasters - Carlos Dievez and Michael Van Horne LEGION @ Circus Disco - Justin David & Hunter Fox Presents
Victory Brunch & 11th Annual Southland Honors Awards @ Pistons
- Kevin Casey – Producer - Layne Sanden – Catering - Jasun Mark – Awards Host - Robert Stace – Pistons Bar
Los Angeles Leather Pride 2014 15 YEARS STRONG
LA LEATHER PRIDE 2014 Sponsors SENATOR LEVEL 665
EAGLE LA ROUGH TRADE THE BULLET STOCKROOM THE FIGHT
TRIBUNE LEVEL MR. S LEGION THE CRYPT
CENTURIONS
AVATAR BEARS LA FOLSOM STREET EVENTS PISTONS BAR TOM OF FINLAND FOUNDATION MOTORBOOT PHOTOGRAPHY LEATHER JOURNAL PALM SPRINGS LEATHER ORDER OF THE DESERT RENE RAMIREZ (RE)BRANDING DESIGN OFF SUNSET STREET FESTIVAL NASTY KINK PIGS CHRISTOPHER STREET WEST AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION SATYRS OIL CAN HARRY’S BAR
GLADIATORS
SLAMMER THRESHHOLD LA BAND OF BROTHERS DADDY DON’S TAX SERVICE KEVIN AUGUST GRAPHICS STUDIO SPLATTER THE COSTUME HOUSE
THE LA30
Los Angeles Leather Pride 2014 15 YEARS STRONG
The LA30 The Los Angeles Leather Coalition wishes to recognize and thank those who made extraordinary leadership commitments to secure the future of LA Leather Pride, a milestone achievement. The following individuals are the trailblazers of The LA30, the Founder's Legion:
LA THE LA30
Jim Neuman - Leadership Gift Doug Beardslee and Andrew Bassi Dr. Lawrence Burden and William Terrell Randy Carmenaty in Memory of Bob Tomasino Kevin C. and Brian D. Carlos Dievez and Tom Mathie Steve Ganzell Mike Gerle Steve Harman Charlie Matula and Hunter Fox Marlon Morales Jon Wright and Eric Womack
The LALC has established The LA30 Program in order to identify supporters of LA's leather community willing to make a commitment on an annual basis in order to assure the ongoing financial stability for the Coalition and LA Leather Pride. To add your name to The LA30 Golden Legion or Legion Fellow for 2015, please visit www.laleatherpride.com/la30 or email sponsorship@ laleatherpride.com or call (213) 359-1454.
LOS ANGELES LEATHER PRIDE 2014 Schedule of Events SUN MARCH 23, 2014
Chariots of Fire- Leather Ride II (Motorcycle Run through the streets of LA) Sponsor: Payasos/ Satyrs 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Odyssey: The Road to Mr LA Leather (Meet the Contestants/ Number Draw) Venue: The Bullet Sponsor: Avatar 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
TUES MARCH 25, 2014
Roast of Justin Emmerick: Don’t Cry for Me Los Angeles Venue: Oil Can Harry’s Sponsor: LABB/ LALC 9:00 pm- 11:30 pm
WEDS MARCH 26, 2014 VIP Reception Venue: Tom of Finland House Sponsor: ToFF/ LALC 5:00 pm- 7:30 pm Hades on Wheels (Leather/ Fetish Rollerskating) Venue: Moonlight Roller Rink Sponsor: Payasos LA 7:30 pm
THUR MARCH 27, 2014 Prowl and Growl: Dominus Gladitoreum (Leather invades WeHo!) Venue: Micky’s WeHo Sponsor: Bears LA 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
FRI MARCH 28, 2014
The Assembly (The largest Uniform Party on the West Coast) Venue: Rough Trade Parking Lot 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm Cigar Social Venue: Eagle LA Sponsors: Eagle LA; Maximus 9:00 pm – 2:00 am Tribal Rites: Men’s Play Party Venue: Sanctuary LAX Sponsor: Avatar 10:00 pm – 2:00 am
SAT MARCH 29, 2014
PSLOD Turning Up the Heat Afternoon Beer Bust Venue: Bullet Bar Sponsors: Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm 15th Annual Mr. LA Leather Contest, Silent Auction, Vendor Mart and LEGION Victory Dance Venue: Circus Disco Contest: Doors at 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm LEGION: 10:00 pm – 4:00 am
SUN MARCH 30, 2014
Victory Brunch/Southland Honors Venue: Pistons Sponsor: LALC 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
LALEATHERPRIDE.COM or get the LA LEATHER PRIDE PHONE APP!
Los Angeles Leather Pride 2014 15 YEARS STRONG
LA LEATHER PRIDE 2014 Charity Partners We are proud to announce that the LALC Board of Directors has selected the following Los Angeles based worthy organizations to receive the net proceeds from LOS ANGELES LEATHER PRIDE 2014:
PROJECT ANGEL FOOD
Project Angel Food's mission is to nourish the body and spirit of men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. From our kitchen, Project Angel Food staff and volunteers cook and deliver free and nutritious meals prepared with love. We act out of a sense of urgency because hunger and illness do not wait. www.angelfood.org
ONE NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN ARCHIVES
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives is the oldest active LGBTQ organization in the United States and the largest repository of LGBTQ materials in the world. Founded in 1952, ONE archives currently houses over two million archival items including periodicals, books, film, video and audio recordings, photographs, artworks, organizational records and personal papers. www.onearchives.org
TOM OF FINLAND FOUNDATION
In 1984, the non-profit Tom of Finland Foundation was established by Durk Dehner and his friend Touko Laaksonen a.k.a. Tom of Finland. As Tom had established worldwide recognition as the master of homo-erotic art, the Foundation's original purpose was to preserve his vast catalog of work. Several years later the scope was widened to offer a safe haven for all erotic art in response to rampant discrimination against art that portrayed sexual behavior or generated a sexual response. Today the Foundation continues in its efforts of educating the public as to the cultural merits of erotic art and in promoting healthier, more tolerant attitudes about sexuality. www.tomoffinlandfoundation.org
Los Angeles Leather Pride 2014 15 YEARS STRONG
A WORD FROM JUSTIN EMERICK
Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2013 “Give us a look of defeat, Justin,” implored the editor of Fight magazine. “Really?” I ask. “Yeah, it’s like game over.” I’m not sure if I gave the look they wanted, but surely I don’t look haggard. The title year for LA is not exactly short. Like other regional leather titles from around the globe, Mr. Los Angeles Leather you have to win a feeder title first. And if you haven’t noticed, the feeder contests get earlier and earlier in the year. This year we have 10 contestants who are already well into their title year(s). While representing the community for over a year and half, first as Mr. Regiment, and then Mr. LA Leather, there is a lot that I have experienced. I have travelled more than I ever thought I would, had “leather by the pool,” and am trying to make LA a little more “Friendly.” The great thing about representing LA in leather is that you get a taste of everything that our fetish community has to offer.
Justin Emerick
Being Mr. LA Leather opened doors and planted seeds to choose the avenue I would like to follow. We have a big community in Los Angeles and we like to try out very distinct events and fetishes. I don’t think it is common to have kinky clowns throw parties with indulgent nuns. One lesson that I take away from my experience being Mr. LA Leather is letting go of all fear. Fear of whether I am too kinky or not enough. Fear that I have too little experience. Fear that I fail my friends and community. The reality is that no one ever said no. No matter what I did with the title, where I went, there was always the support for what I wanted to do. I always was asked what do you have to do as Mr. LA Leather? The truth is that as long as you don’t disgrace the title, you really are free to do what you like. There are a lot of opinions on what makes a leather titleholder, but no one can ever dictate to you what to do with the title. That is the joy of winning Mr. LA Leather and I encourage this class and every class after this to follow this advice. Everyone wants to see you succeed and you will receive the support. I want to extend a special thanks to the Regiment of the Black and Tans, to Avatar and the Payasos. And most of all to my loving partner, Kersu, who let me take this adventure.
SUPPORTING COMMUNITY, COMRADERY AND BROTHERHOOD. BEARSLA.ORG
Los Angeles Leather Pride 2014 15 YEARS STRONG
MR. LOS ANGELES LEATHER 2014 Contestants
Derek Paul
Mr. Sanctuary Leather 2014
Nick Oliver
Mr. Christopher Street West Leather 2014
Doug Graf
Mr. Pistons Leather
Matthew Mullens Mr. Bullet Leather
Eric Paul Leue
Eagle Mr. LA Leather
Los Angeles Leather Pride 2014 15 YEARS STRONG
MR. LOS ANGELES LEATHER 2014 Contestants
Gabriel Green
Mr. LA Leather Bear 2014
Xavier Espejo Mr. So Cal Leather
Andy Covarrubias
Mr. Regiment 2014
Jordan Frink
Mr. Sister Leather 2014
Bobby Allen
Mr. Oil Can Harry's Leather
Los Angeles Leather Pride 2014 15 YEARS STRONG
MR. LOS ANGELES LEATHER 2014 Judges JUSTIN EMMERICK
Justin Emmerick is Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2013. Prior to becoming Mr. LA Leather, he was Mr. Regiment 2013, the 5th Mr. Regiment in a row winning the LA title. After finding the leather community doing an exhibit on Los Angeles’s LGBT history, he became involved in Avatar and Payasos-LA, a latino clown fetish group who’s motto is “Creating a Better Tomorrow.” He is currently preparing for the AIDS lifecycle ride from San Francisco to LA with the Payasos.
AARON DUKE
Originally from Dallas, American Leatherman 2013, Aaron Duke moved to San Diego, CA in December 2011 and shortly after that he won Mr. San Diego Leather 2012. Aaron supports mental health advocacy and the San Diego Fetish Brotherhood. He has a busy career as an interior designer. He is proud to spend the weekend participating in the Los Angeles Leather Pride Weekend.
ANDY CROSS
Andy Cross is IML 2013, Mr. Powerhouse Leather 2013 & Mr. SF Leather 2013. Born in Santa Maria, CA, he moved to San Francisco 11 years ago. Although interested in leather from childhood, his adult introduction to the leather community began with the Powerhouse bar on Folsom Street and in 2011, he was selected as a Bare Chest Calendar man for the 2012 Bare Chest Calendar. He has worked with the San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance, Mr. S Leather, AIDS Emergency Fund, Folsom Street Events and other national and community organizations.
LARRY GOLUBSKI
Larry Golubski, Mr. Long Beach Leather, 2005 and First Runner-up at IML 2006 resides in Long Beach with his husband. Currently the owner of his own contracting/home improvement business, Larry has been devoted to many causes near and dear to him. A long time advocate for gay and human rights, Larry directed homeless clothing drives in Long Beach, is a past president of the Long Beach AIDS Foundation, CLAW emcee and volunteer and mentor to many in the leather community. He was awarded the 2006 Most Supportive Individual from the LALC and the 2009 Donald Snow Memorial Award from the LB Lambda Democratic Club.
Los Angeles Leather Pride 2014 15 YEARS STRONG
MR. LOS ANGELES LEATHER 2014 Judges SKIP MLAKER
Skip is no stranger to the leather community and is a certified Motorcycle / Leather Club joiner. He became a member of the Centaur Motorcycle Club of Washington DC, 23 years ago, and is a past president and co-chair of Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend. As a former Mr. DC Eagle and top four IML participant, he moved to Palm Springs in 2008 to live the California dream and is now the President of the Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert who are proud to produce Palm Springs Leather Pride Weekend every year. Skip is honored to be on the judging panel for Mr. Los Angeles Leather.
SLAVE PUG
Slave Pug is a heterosexual leatherwoman who identifies as a slave, pup, boy, and masochist. She is the founder and producer of the Southern California Leather Gathering (SCLG), an annual picnic event that brings together bdsm and leather folk of all genders and orientations. Over the years Pug has been actively engaged in a variety of leather and bdsm organizations and has served as an instructor for the APEX/Butchmanns Experience Academy. She is a noted author and lecturer on BDSM and pup topics.
DR. TONY MILLS, MD
Tony Mills grew up in SC and studied medicine at Duke University. s. Living in San Francisco in the 1980’s led him to focus on HIV and Hepatitis and today he leads one of the largest clinical research centers in Southern California focusing on men’s health and infectious disease. His leather career began with his work with the Tom of Finland Foundation. Representing the Ramrod in Fort Lauderdale, he won Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather in 1998 and was named IML that same year. He has lived and practiced in LA for the past 15 years and takes care of many of Southern California’s toughest leathermen! He is happily partnered.
LALEATHERPRIDE.COM
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The management and staff of PISTONS BAR are proud to represent the leather community in Long Beach as the sponsor of the Mr. Pistons Leather contest. Good luck to all the contestants and come on down to PISTONS BAR for the LA Leather Victory Brunch and 11th Annual Southland Honors Awards on Sunday March 30, 2014
O lym' pus, n. 1. mythological mountain in northern Greece, home of the gods, 2. hot, fun, sizzling kinky fetish fantasies on stage; 3. Leathermen, Leatherwomen, BDSM/Fetishfolk; 4. Not-to-be-missed under any circumstances; 5. raw sexual energy
International Mr. and Ms Olympus Leather 2014 Contest May 15-18 — Hilton LAX Find out more atTheLeatherJournal.com Get your Olympus tickets, register for DomCon: LA, reserve your room, at the Hilton LAX at DomConLA.com
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rene ramirez* (re)branding design 818.631.6861
rene@reneramirez.com
*graphic designer for the 2013 and 2014 la leather pride program book