LEATHER/FETISH
OF
ALL
BROTHERS IN LEATHER
NEW YORK
NEWSLETTER
JUNE
Its Spring and the fresh scent of rawhide is in the air! Well, we
are still reeling from a pretty impressive Mr. Leather NY weekend. Many
people of color were seen and were involved in the contest. Julio T. of
Men of Discipline and Darrell Perry of B.I.L. were two of the seven judges
of the contest. Three men of color competed, two of whom placed first and
second runner-up. Latino men, Paul Zinser placed second and Frank Quesada
placed first. Duncan Johnson, an African-American man, did not place but
made a powerful impression on all who attended. Joe Gallagher, of GMSMA,
formerly of Men of Discipline, deservedly became Mr. Leather NY 1996 that
evening.
- The past year has been an essential one in the establishment of Brothers
In Leather. B.I.L. has had many varied events, the response to which has
been very supportive and instiring. And most importantly, we now have a new
VoiceMail number: (212) 330-9187 Our address remains the same:
B.I.L., GPO Box 1035, New York, NY 10116.
Our Mailing List, the most important factor in BI.L.'s existence,
continues to grow with interested leathermen of color and their friends and
lovers. It now has about 300 names and counting!
The night B.I.L. hosted at "Pork" at the Lure was the one
that "put us on the map." The packed bar was treated to live art production
by comic illustrator They were intrigued by cuttings performed
on Kobi by master piercer Mark Seitchik.They were riveted by
the ritualistic hammering of Don Perry'shands onto a woodblock by
Peter. This was followed by Peter dripping hot wax onto Don on stage,
as he danced rhythmically (and unfettered) in an ecstatic trance. Amazing!
B.I.L. is diversifying our activities, moving from purely social into the
sexual realm.
- Volunteers! We need Security people, Bartenders, Envelope Stuffers,
etc for our June events. Help, Bond, Cruise, Work it! Call Kobi (212)
228-7156.
- CORE MEMBERSHIP EXPANSION. Brothers in Leather's Core Group is expanding.
It now numbers four, we'd like it to expand to five or six. The Core group
is responsible for building and maintaining the mailing list, general outreach
to men of color, gathering volunteers and manning events, planning of BIL's
activities, deciding on policy and the direction of BIL. Friendliness and
the ability to work in a team is of paramount importance. Representing
BIL to charities, committee meetings, and functions will also be necessary.Raise
your Leather profile! Only Men of Color will be considered. Call Darrell,
(212) 714-0596, or Caesar (914) 376-0727.
- Hocutt-Ferguson Fund. The Gay Male S/M Activists have a fund called
the Hocutt-Ferguson People With AIDS Assistance Fund. It provides direct
financial assistance to people with AIDS in the Leather community. These
cash grants help meet pressing needs like medical bills, rent, food, or
other basic living expenses. No income or resource verification is requested,
no tedious paperwork to complete. The names of applicants and recipients
and amounts granted are kept in the strictest confidence. GMSMA raises
money for the fund through special events and through direct appeals to
their membership. If you can make a donation, send a check made out to
GMSMA/Hocutt-Ferguson Fund to GMSMA, 332 Bleecker Street, D-23, NY, NY
10014. If you want info about receiving a grant, call (212) 727-9878, leave
a message, or write to GMSMA at the address above; please enclose a phone
number.
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