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…
Tag: Leather history
Illustrated Guide – Gay (and Leather) Semiotics
I like these pictures from Hal Fischer’s 1977 book Gay Semiotics – A Photographic Study of Visual Coding Amongst Homosexual Men, not just for how much things have changed, but also for how much they have stayed the same. Gaydar is an intriguing thing. Probably at some stage all gay men have wondered how it…
The Mysterious Old Guard
I self-identify as a kinkster and, like many others, I have spent a long time reflecting on and questioning my own characteristics and personality, and the desire and longing for a life that (for me) is geographically nearly impossible to achieve. I live in Malaysia, where you don’t see anyone wearing collars or use any…
The 5 Minute Guide to the History and Development of BDSM
The emergence of BDSM subculture, in the form that we’re familiar with today, can be traced back to 1940s’ gay leather communities, which appeared in the United States after World War II. From the 1940s to 1970s, leather bars and bikers’ clubs began to appear in multiple cities in the US, most obviously in Los…
Old School BDSM versus New School BDSM
Laura Antoniou (author of The Marketplace series of books), wrote in an article called “Leather traditions”, “houses” and other myths people try to sell you on: There are no “old leather traditions.” There are behaviors that individuals and small, isolated groups developed as customs (Bob has a new bike! Let’s all pee on it!) and…
Being a Leatherboy is a Lifestyle and a State of Mind
by boydon freeman We all know about Masters and slaves, Tops and bottoms, Doms and subs, but what exactly is a leatherboy? All around the US, leatherboys are participating in clubs, competing in contests, and volunteering for fund-raisers. The boy presence is very much in evidence at leather events. Maybe it would be helpful to…