Rink Around My Rosies

You know what you need when life gets you down? Leathermen at the Roller Rink.

An event like that promises to cure whatever ails you. It was totally worth leaving behind the protective bubble of San Francisco to go “frontiering” in Redwood City at Rainbow Skate, and it happened on the same day President Obama did a little frontiering of his own, staking out brave new territory for a leader of the free world by publicly “affirming” his belief in the right to gay marriage.

We celebrated in true only-in-San-Francisco style, at a quaint roller rink with a wooden floor and no frills, save for a private party of the city’s most respected leathermen, including my hero Race Bannon and a sizeable representation of staff from Mr. S LeatherLeather culture is found in all lifestyles, but among gay men it refers to practices and styles of dress organized around hedonism and eroticism ("kink"). One way this culture consciously distinguishes itself from mainstream sexual cultures is through a specifically homoerotic aesthetic that draws from post-World War II biker culture as well as military and police uniform. Leathermen art, such as Tom of Finland, represents the hypermasculine ideal. Literature like The Leatherman’s Handbook speaks to the culture and the code. The International Mister Leather organization speaks to the community. and Folsom Street Events.

The retro soundtrack was provided by DJ DAMnation, none other than Folsom Street Events’ executive director, Demetri Moshoyannis. One of the smoothest skaters on the rink, looking super-sexy in his bedazzled FAGGOT tank topCan be used as a noun or a verb to describe someone who is dominant in a partnership, in a sexual relationship, or in life in general (See “Bottom”). , was Folsom Street Events’ development and projects manager Mitchell Koonce.

The community was out in force, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect to stop taking life and ourselves so damn seriously. It had been a week of controversy in Fagbook land, with a lot of negative chatter about the new Folsom Street Fair poster. What better way to escape the ridiculousness of comments about underrepresentation and a lack of diversity aimed at a poster in which no fewer than 23 people fill the frame?

Thank goodness for Race, who articulately silenced the critics: “Wow. Furry, smooth, younger, older, men, women, FTMFemale to male transsexual., full-figured, gay, lesbian, het, drag queenA gay man. Can be used interchangeably as a term of endearment or as a derogatory term, depending on context. Often used in conjunction with a modifier, which can range from merely descriptive (LeatherLeather culture is found in all lifestyles, but among gay men it refers to practices and styles of dress organized around hedonism and eroticism ("kink"). One way this culture consciously distinguishes itself from mainstream sexual cultures is through a specifically homoerotic aesthetic that draws from post-World War II biker culture as well as military and police uniform. Leathermen art, such as Tom of Finland, represents the hypermasculine ideal. Literature like The Leatherman’s Handbook speaks to the culture and the code. The International Mister Leather organization speaks to the community. Queen, Draq Queen, Theater Queen) to derisive (bitchy queen, fussy queen, messy queen). Also can be used as an adjective, i.e. “He’s so queeny,” and often refers to a particularly effeminate gay man (See “NellyAn adjective used to describe a girly gay man (see “FemmeRefers to a swishy, fussy queen (See “Flaming Queen”).”).”). , sister, Caucasian, Black, Latin…and still not diverse enough? … I know why some people just throw their hands up and give up trying…”
Trying to reverse skate without falling over was much more enjoyable, and it put everything in proper perspective. When did everything that used to be such filthy fun get so stupid serious? Can’t we all just get along? Can’t we put aside our hate and just appreciate?

Well, in our legwarmers and our leathers, with pigtails and dog masks and kneepads, we did all get along, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve had such pure and innocent fun. There was no alcohol on site, no EMTs removing people from the premises, and absolutely no shit-talking, except for when we collectively cheered the historic moment of Obama’s affirmation. Now ain’t that some shit?

In the most unlikely of places — and on roller skates! — we remembered what life is all about. Just like the simpler disco days gone by, we came together for a little peace, love and happiness, and I’m grateful to Andy Scheer for organizing such a delightful departure from the beaten leatherLeather culture is found in all lifestyles, but among gay men it refers to practices and styles of dress organized around hedonism and eroticism ("kink"). One way this culture consciously distinguishes itself from mainstream sexual cultures is through a specifically homoerotic aesthetic that draws from post-World War II biker culture as well as military and police uniform. Leathermen art, such as Tom of Finland, represents the hypermasculine ideal. Literature like The Leatherman’s Handbook speaks to the culture and the code. The International Mister Leather organization speaks to the community. path. It was a perfect warmup (antidote?) to the most serious leatherLeather culture is found in all lifestyles, but among gay men it refers to practices and styles of dress organized around hedonism and eroticism ("kink"). One way this culture consciously distinguishes itself from mainstream sexual cultures is through a specifically homoerotic aesthetic that draws from post-World War II biker culture as well as military and police uniform. Leathermen art, such as Tom of Finland, represents the hypermasculine ideal. Literature like The Leatherman’s Handbook speaks to the culture and the code. The International Mister Leather organization speaks to the community. event of all at month’s end, International Mister LeatherLeather culture is found in all lifestyles, but among gay men it refers to practices and styles of dress organized around hedonism and eroticism ("kink"). One way this culture consciously distinguishes itself from mainstream sexual cultures is through a specifically homoerotic aesthetic that draws from post-World War II biker culture as well as military and police uniform. Leathermen art, such as Tom of Finland, represents the hypermasculine ideal. Literature like The Leatherman’s Handbook speaks to the culture and the code. The International Mister Leather organization speaks to the community. in Chicago.

My face hurt from smiling as I packed up the skates I hadn’t worn in decades, and for a few hours I had truly taken leave from my cares and troubles. Now that’s the way to BRING IT!

This entry was posted on Friday, May 11th, 2012 at 12:00 pm. It is filed under Articles, Bring It! and tagged with Demetri Moshoyannis, Folsom Street Events, Folsom Street Fair, International Mister Leather, Leathermen, Mr. S L, Obama, Race Bannon. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.