Traditions, old & new
Leather
Published 03/11/2010
by Scott Brogan
leather@ebar.com

The 15 Association celebrated its 30th anniversary on Feb. 27 with a dinner and silent auction at the Parc55 Hotel, attended by 105 members and guests. Several awards were given out, including SF Leather Daddy Peter Fiske being named Chairman Emeritus. Fiske is the last of the original club founders as the club continues its tradition of being a safe place to meet and experience BDSM. The club is also notable as the longest continuously running BDSM organization on the West Coast, boasting 150 current members. The club has sponsored a monthly play party every month, with the exception of two 6-month periods, all these 30 years. What does the number 15 mean? Some joke that it represents the number of total tops in San Francisco. Others say it's the number of bottoms, but we all know that's a low estimate! In reality, it's the number of voting members. And if you think it's a club of old guys sitting around in leather chaps, think again! The club consists of sexy guys of all ages, shapes, and fetishes. If you're looking for a hot time with hot men, this is the club to join.

Another tradition continued this past weekend when the Mr. SF Leather 2010 contest was held at the Hotel Whitcomb. This year the contest was spread out over two nights, as part of the 2010 Leather Alliance "Leather Bound" Weekend. The first night featured a buffet dinner and the presentation of the SF Bay Area Leather Alliance community awards, interspersed with the presentation of the contestant's fantasies. Contestants Lance Holman (Mr. Powerhouse Leather 2010), Robbie Leonard (Mr. Powerhouse Leather 2010 runner-up) and Stefanos Tiziano (Mr. SF Citadel Leather) presented a variety of steamy role-play/fetish fantasies to the horny delight of the packed ballroom. The fantasy portion is new to the Mr. SF Leather contest, harking back to the days of the Drummer and Drummer's boy contests. The judges were Mr. SF Leather 2009 Brandon Clark, International Mr. Leather (IML) 2009 Jeffrey Payne, SF Leather Daddy's boy XXIV dirk burns, Daddy Sal Hopkins, and IML 1992 Jeff Tucker. Donna Sachet and Lenny Broberg provided their sparkling repartee as emcees for both evenings.

The late BAR columnist and leather icon Marcus Hernandez was honored with an empty chair at the judges table (Marcus was head judge of the contest for years), and a new award has been created in his name to honor those who do an exemplary job in promoting the leather community. Named "The Mr. Marcus Community Promotion Award," its first recipi

SF Leather Daddy XXII Doug Mezzacapo and SF Leather Daddy's boy XXII Jorge Vieto at the 15 Association 30th anniversary dinner. Photo: Scott Brogan
ent is the very deserving Rich Stadtmiller, who is tireless in his constant photo documentation of every event and function at www.richtrove.com.
In the categories of "Interview," "Cruise/Bar Attire," "Pecs and Personality – Jock/Fetish Attire," and "Formal Leather Attire" (with a 90-second speech), all three contestants proved themselves worthy of winning the title. In the end, only one person can win, and after Brandon Clark gave his eloquent and thoughtful step-down speech, Robbie Leonard was named Second Runner-up, Stefanos Tiziano was named First Runner-up, and Lance Holman became Mr. San Francisco Leather 2010. Holman continues a long tradition by becoming the eighth Mr. Powerhouse in the past 12 years to win Mr. SF Leather. For the record, the previous men who have also won both titles were: Brandon Clark, Ron Balos, Dodger Allen, Troy Anicete, Houston Davenport, Lance Gear, and Stephan Edwards. Holman's prize package is impressive: a $1,000 gift certificate from Mr. S Leather, a $500 gift certificate from Leather Etc., two VIP tickets to Magnitude and Crisco Disco, and a travel fund including airfare to and hotel accommodations in Chicago this May, where Holman will compete for the title of International Mr. Leather.

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A new tradition began on March 3 when porn star Michael Brandon emceed the new Edge Renegade contest at The Edge Bar in the Castro. Paul Montwillo won this first of several feeders for the upcoming Renegade 2010 contest premiering in April. Montwillo will be joined by Mr. Hayes Valley Leather Gary Rhoades and whoever wins the upcoming Deviant contest at Truck this Wednesday, plus several other yet-to-be-named Renegade contestants. Go to www.therenegadecity.com for more info.

The Bare Chest Calendar contests have continued over the past few weeks, with Jeremy Sanders, Stephen Taylor, JR Gabbard, and Adolfo Echeverry moving on to the finals. Go to www.barechest.org for more info.

Congratulations to Tetrry Laupp for winning the title of Mr. Missouri Leather 2010. He'll compete at IML in May.

Finally, please note that if you would like to have your events listed in the weekly calendar, be sure to email leather@ebar.com well in advance so we can ensure your info gets listed. Thank you!

Coming up in leather & kink
Thurs., March 11: Underwear Party at The Powerhouse (Dore & Folsom) at 10 p.m. $100 prize for winner. $5 cover benefits PAWS. Go to www.powerhouse-sf.com for details.

Fri., March 12: Lick It at The Powerhouse (Dore & Folsom) 10 p.m. Hosted by Mr. SF Leather Lance Holman, Ms. V at the bootblack stand, prizes and giveaways and lickable go-go dancers. $5 cover benefits Stop AIDS Project and the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund. Go to www.powerhouse-sf.com for details.

Sat., March 13: Ms. San Diego Leather contest at Rich's (1051 University) in San Diego. 6:30 p.m. Go to www.mssandiegoleather.net for details.

Sat., March 13: Hell Hole Fisting Party. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Door closes at Midnight. $25 admission. Free clothes check. For an invitation, go to www.HellHoleSF.com.

Sun., March 14: Society of Janus Presents: The Emotional Aspects of BDSM Play with Angela di Tenebre, SF Citadel (1277 Mission St.), 8-10 p.m., $5 members, $15 others. Go to www.sfcitadel.org for details.

Sun., March 14: Lucky in Leather featuring the annual Fist the Leprechaun presented by Alameda County Leather Corps at The World Famous Turf Club (22519 Main St., Hayward), 3:30-7:30 p.m. Benefiting the Tri-City Health Center's Men Together Project. Go to www.acleather.org for details.

Sun., March 14: Castrobear presents Sunday Furry Sunday at 440 Castro, 4-10 p.m. Go to www.castrobear.com for details.

Mon., March 15: SF D/s Discussion Group, SF Citadel (1277 Mission St.), 7:30-9:30 p.m., $5-$15. Go to www.sfcitadel.org for details.

Tues., March 16: Boot and High Heel Worship with Utah Rox, SF Citadel (1277 Mission St.), 8-10 p.m., $20. Go to www.sfcitadel.org for details.

Wed., March 17: Play Day at Edges, Santa Clara, 2-8 pm, $10 members, $20 guests. Go to www.edges.biz for details.

Wed., March 17: Bare Bear - a night at the baths at The Water Garden, San Jose, 6-10 p.m. Go to www.TheWaterGarden.com for details.