I was in Berlin for Folsom Europe a couple of weeks ago, and one of the side events was an exhibition of artwork by contemporary artists inspired by Tom of Finland (along with several pieces of ToF work). Folsom Europe is, in itself, a living, breathing performance of Tom of Finland influences. Stand on any…
Category: Leather
The Empowerment of a Leather Event
It has been about a week since i returned from Berlin, reignited from attending Folsom Europe. Day-to-day in my life (in Malaysia) i have an intricate set of inner coping mechanisms which help me navigate the oppressive regime and social attitudes in my country. my soul and consciousness has been imprisoned by Malaysia’s indoctrination, but…
Clique Schisms
The crisis consists precisely in the fact that the old is dying and the new cannot be born Antonio Gramsci – Selections from the Prison Notebooks i’ve been clicking around recently looking for a sense of subcultural belonging. One of my favourite podcasts is nosafeword, and i stumbled across an episode called “Clique Schisms”. Sparky…
Scene Etiquette and Leather Protocol: A Few Notes on High Protocol & In Closing (6/6)
by Ambrosio Part 1: General Principles Part 2: More Specific Guidelines Part 3: Cruising with Class Part 4: Play Parties Part 5: Flagging, Symbols and Rituals HIGH PROTOCOL IN PERSPECTIVE i can’t get all involved in what is ‘protocol’ and what is not… good grief, relationships are hard enough… i frankly just prefer to please…
Scene Etiquette and Leather Protocol: Flagging, Symbols and Rituals (5/6)
by Ambrosio Part 1: General Principles Part 2: More Specific Guidelines Part 3: Cruising with Class Part 4: Play Parties Part 6: A Few Notes on High Protocol & In Closing FLAGGING NOT FLOGGING Flagging refers to non-verbal signals that serve as very specific cues in the scene. Most of them originated from the Gay…
Scene Etiquette and Leather Protocol: Play Parties (4/6)
by Ambrosio Part 1: General Principles Part 2: More Specific Guidelines Part 3: Cruising with Class Part 5: Flagging, Symbols and Rituals Part 6: A Few Notes on High Protocol & In Closing THREE TYPES OF PARTIES Play parties — or dungeon parties — are parties where people in the Leather and BDSM scene can…
Scene Etiquette and Leather Protocol: Cruising with Class (3/6)
by Ambrosio Part 1: General Principles Part 2: More Specific Guidelines Part 4: Play Parties Part 5: Flagging, Symbols and Rituals Part 6: A Few Notes on High Protocol & In Closing EXPECTATIONS OF SEX BDSM is not always about sex. BDSM is not synonymous with swinging, swapping, or Polyamory — although it’s possible for…
Being Old Guard Leather in a Modern World – The Constructivist Approach
We’re often prompted to label everything, even thinks that resist labeling. So, how do i categorise my own BDSM dynamic? Is it old guard or new guard? The way i see it is as a constructivist approach in practicing M/s dynamics. Does actual BDSM fantasy – like the one described by Gengoroh Tagame comics, or…
Scene Etiquette and Leather Protocol: More Specific Guidelines (2/6)
by Ambrosio Part 1: General Principles Part 3: Cruising with Class Part 4: Play Parties Part 5: Flagging, Symbols and Rituals Part 6: A Few Notes on High Protocol & In Closing SOCIALIZING & NETWORKING Socializing takes place at munches, general meetings, runs, and parties. Munches are semi-public gatherings of BDSM enthusiasts for the purpose…
Illustrated Guide – Hanky Codes (2)
This gorgeous poster of the Gay Leatherman’s Hanky Codes was months of research and work by Ben Bear, and he has released it as a free high-res download in two formats (a 2′ x 3′ poster or as 5 tabloid sized panels) on his Ace of Spades PDX website. This month’s poster coincides with Oregon…