Wow! Can't wait to spring into the New year, the last of the century....there were times we didn't think we'd make it. The horrible 50's where every civil right against gays, minorities from every ilk were violated with immunity. The free love 60's, and the Leather Community, while not yet out into the mainstream consciousness was fostering a brotherhood of old guard values which for better or worse survive today. We danced and overdid it in the 70's and became everyone's "some of my best friends are gay" poster boys.

The 80's were bittersweet , losing so many of our best and brightest yet forming formidable institutions and groups that demanded we have a voice, while we demonstrated our political and financial clout and generally brought an entire minority into the public consciousness as a minority to be reckoned with. The ninety's were fraught with political infighting, biting the hands that fed us, cutting our noses off to spite our faces, growing pains in the countless emerging clubs, organizations and foundations.

The Millennium year is actually 2001 ,so we have a few more hundred days to affect what I'd refer to as a cooling off, healing period. Now is the time to heal the rifts amongst groups and institutions. There are whole new generations of gay men coming out into the Leather Community searching for answers of sexuality, safety, mentors and organizations they can feel comfortable with and belong to and hopefully the lucky ones who will foster leather families of love, endurance and support.

Many of these men will go out for Leather titles to bring back to their communities and raise funds for charitable organizations and dispel rumors and false information that surround the Leather Community. The myth that all title holders have only to be body/face beautiful is still prevalent in our community, but a myth that is dying fast as responsible committed men and women are taking the forefront of activism and presence.

In the past there have been many title holders who have taken the title frivolously and been more of a detriment than an asset, they know who they are and fortunately they eventually fade into oblivion. There are many Leather men and women who have never held a title but have fought honorably at great cost to themselves to forward their community agenda regarding political presence and inclusiveness. Jill Carter, former IMsL, calls them "unsung heroes" as they are, but their communities know them by name and deeds.

Already many contests have been held around the country selecting men and women to represent their communities at International Mr/ Ms. Leather. If you plan to attend these events among the many others around the country prior to the International's, remember that these men and women are not just pretty faces but people of heart and substance who will lead us into a better century for all of us celebrating our "One Common Heartbeat!"

BLACKLINES

by
Cain Berlinger

Its the time of year to reassess and examine the choices that will carry us into the next millennium. It's another year and a whole caseload of new scenarios. There's something about moving into another century that makes you feel just a little more circumspect in the choices that your going to make for the next few hundred days.

1998 saw a lot of turmoil regarding civil rights, sexual rights, redefining situations, strategies ,and some of our most prestigious institutions went through radical change, isolating and gaining new supporters. These changes will affect us into the next century and beyond. This is going to be the time to leave antiquated emotions and ideals behind and grasp the diversity concept that our communities are giving so much attention to.

Hate crimes aren't going to stop until we demand legislation and take action. Hate crimes are not just against gays or minorities but these are crimes against humanity. The only way we are going to implement these changes is by total involvement/commitment, we are no longer going to leave our lives in the hands of Washington and activists no matter how well intentioned. We must all become activists now because our legacy as victims of the 20th century is at stake and the way we are going to march into the 21st century is up to us.

We have the knowledge, numbers and the power, political and socially to make our voices heard. Use your pens, typewriters, computers as bullets into the hearts of those that are pushing their own agenda and using us as scapegoats and sacrificial lambs. It's up to you to make sure that the advances of the 20th century aren't lost and the embarrassments and oppression of the last 100 years is buried under an avalanche of change and personal heroism.

The diversity within our communities isn't just about being a minority but working and recognizing the minorities within the minorities. Nobody is entitled to make the decision about who's got the Blacker sensibilities or who is the better gay magazine/calendar role model or whether or not a skin color dictates a more active sexual prowess than another.

I'd like to think that much of the infighting over the last few years between groups, clubs and minorities was just growing pains. Its time for us to enter the next millennium as grown ups working together. Most important is that we take our anointed leaders and activists to task making sure that it's our agenda they are promoting and not just their own.

Last Thanksgiving I gave thanks for so much besides being with friends and loved ones and having emerged from a bad relationship. The death statistics from AIDS dropped a whopping 47% . It didn't make the loss of so many friends easier but it did make me grateful for the new friends I have made who have a better chance at life.

Recently I've had the honor of sitting on boards and councils with more POC present than ever. As an old man of the Stonewall era, I applaud the changes watching the seeds of 70's activism finally come to full fruition in time for the new millennium.


NIGHTLINES

The leather community is becoming a unique example of where a sexual minority is actually making inroads in the attempt to gain political voice on the regional and national front. I don't believe there is any example in history where the power of a persons sexuality has been translated into political clout and voice, unless you count the hookers convention in Vegas, this here is a serious endeavor.

Recently there were three openly admitted Leathermen running for political office. By the time you read this the results will have been in, hopefully increasing the already high number of openly gay politicians. The National Coalition for Sexual freedom is currently embroiled in a debate on the 'indefensibility' of public sex. Like any grass roots organization it is struggling to clarify its political mandate and its representation of the diversity of the community and its ability to be accessible to the entirety of its constituents. Any group with the words 'sexual freedom' in its title that issues a statement of any sexual related instance as being indefensible creates an interesting paradox, or an example of hypocrisy; I'm not sure which.

The planned march on Washington next January to alert and convince our Washington representatives to pass Hate Crime bills/laws that will help prevent any reoccurrence of the Matthew Shepherd affair, a young man whose brutal hate motivated murder has galvanized the gay community as no other incident since the Harvey Milk verdict..

The introduction of the Leather National Anthem and the current controversy surrounding its performance and inception of its attempt at inclusiveness, or lack of, has become a political issue. In fact there isn't a lot that goes on in the leather community that doesn't lend itself to some form of political statement and in some cases creating the very divisiveness that we try to avoid.

Over the years I've been involved in the sexual politics of being a gay man, and then later as a Leather activist. I have taken part in the formation of organizations, sat on boards and in the early Stonewall days attended sit-ins at Universities that would deny us our rights. However in those early days we were all included under the inclusive umbrella simply as 'gay'.. Now we come 'together' under the labels of Lesbian/gay/bi/transgendered/POC, the very listing itself indicates a divisiveness that had not existed openly before. We've come so far that we can label our exclusiveness, actually highlighting our differences.

It is hard to confront our right wing extremists enemies when the 'united' front we present is so often fractured. But the point is, as long as we are at least out there, and trying to adapt change to benefit not just a fraction but the whole of our community, we will overcome the petty differences that oft-times threaten to tear us apart.

BLACKLINES

by
Cain Berlinger

Blacklines

The Internet is a powerful tool that is shaping not only the way we react to the world around us but in some cases dictates the way we interact with those who are different from us. This often happens in the form of chat rooms. The particular chat room in question is the BLKGUYZ4WHTGUYZ room, where the subject is interracial relationships. What's offensive about this room is the way Black men allow themselves to be treated or approached, and the way White men believe they are being complimentary, even flattering to Black men, by presenting as "hot white p***y boy looking for a big black c**k". Essentially treating all Black men in the room, as nothing more than disembodied sex organs. Unfortunately the men I witnessed responded appropriately by broadcasting their size and prowess.

I believe that being totally 'into' Black or White men is a form of racism in itself, but I do believe that there are genuine interracial relationships that go on, but I'm not sure that they are born in these rooms. In the land of Instant messages, I have been approached with such intro lines as "How big is your d**k?" or " I need a big black dominant stud" no hello, no other kind of civil greeting. I feel a bit naive in expecting someone to get to know at least a tiny bit about me before total submission is offered.

It seems that almost every white man in the room assumes that all black men are well endowed. What about those men in the room that aren't super studs but seriously are looking to connect with a white man for whatever reason. What does that environment do to his own sense of worth?. After all the advances made and all the politically correct rhetoric, this room encourages White men to still see us as Mandingos, and we allow it to happen..

It is not a matter so much as White/Black relations but where is the respect for each other? Even if its just sex your after, would that approach work in a bar? Whenever I bring up the topic of simple respect for each other, to open a dialogue, I very often get ragged on not by White guys (who usually remain strangely silent) but by black men who tell me not to take it seriously and shut up. Most of the support I get comes in the form of discrete Instant message by Black and White men alike.

Years ago Richard Pryor took his trip to Africa seriously enough that he dropped the 'N' word from his comedy routines. Meanwhile the general public refused to take his conversion seriously, and as a result we still use the 'N' word amongst each other, and wonder why White men often fail to see the seriousness of the word, since we ourselves don't seem to take it seriously.

Sure its just a chat room, of men wanting to be with other men, but the respect for each other has to start somewhere. In the new international cyberspace, isn't it time for a new attitude?

e-mail Writercain@aol.com


NIGHTLINES
Folsom Street Fair Review
October 1, 1998

September in San Francisco brought the Leather season to a boil with the celebration of Leather Pride week, highlighted by the infamous and incredibly well attended (every place was jammed packed) Folsom Street Fair. Picture IML weekend over seven days!

Of course the main centerpiece of the week was the presentation of the 20th International Mr. Drummer contest, second only to International Mr. Leather held in Chicago.

There were parties and celebrations in every part of the city. The Folsom Street fair brought out all the good, the bad, and even a few uglies. Like our Halsted St. Fair (Chicago) there were various states of dress and undress. Although the weather didn't cooperate by dropping rain on the celebrants, but that hardly dampered the festivities, or its participants from carrying on high.

It was a Leather Journalists dream, for practically every title holder past and present were in attendance, along with regional activists from every part of the country, journalists from every major magazine and newspaper., and even a few porn stars we've grown intimate with over the years. All were on hand to meet the International Drummer Contestants and to participate in the traditional basket auction which raised $10,000 for the IMrD travel fund.

In a stunning upset, Atlanta's favorite son, Mr. Southeast Drummer, Tom Stice, came in a close second to France's Mr. European Drummer, thirty one year old Herve' Bernard, the second foreigner to win the title since Clive Platman of Australia won the title in 1990. Second runner up title went to Ray Tilton, Mr. California Drummer. Among the celebrated judges was our own Chuck Renslow. The fantasies were excellently executed and very funny. Think we'll see a fantasy category added to IML next year, Sir? Just asking.

International Drummer boy title went to Ryan Goldner, Mid-Atlantic Drummer boy. Speeches by outgoing title holders Jeff Adler and Dan Hughes were funny, poignant, a tad political but well received by many. We wish them both well in their future service to the community.

As always, kudos to Brian Dawson and Queen Cougar who entertained us with as many wardrobe changes as they did quips, emceeing the event to its long and surprising conclusion. An emissary from Mayor Willie Browns office, proclaimed Sept. 26 as Mr. Drummer Day. IML Tony Mills gave a rousing speech that brought the audience to its feet in a long standing ovation.

Needless to say many of the movers and shakers of the leather Community were present especially notables like Pantheon's most recent Lifetime Achievement winner, Vern Stewart taking pictures and adding his own special 'astute' commentary on the weeks events and its participants.

Leather women take note of the special grace in the appearances of Megan Dejaarlis, current International Ms. leather (who signed for the deaf during The Eagle's Last Supper roast to honor the outgoing title holders), former IMsL's Gennelle Moore, Jill Carter and former Ms NLA, Stacey. With these extraordinary women on board can an International Ms. Drummer be far behind?

BLACKLINES

by
Cain Berlinger

October 01, 1998

In 1977 working a hotel desk in San Francisco, I recommended bars to White, Black and senior gay visitors, only to have the seniors and Black visitors tell me they were not allowed entry for either lack of several pieces of ID or the establishment in question was full. Their White counterparts returned to tell me what a great time they had at the same aforementioned bars. In the 70's and 80's, places like the Ice Palace in New York, bars and bathhouses all over the country practiced selective entry by color and/or attractiveness.

I remembers arriving at a popular disco with several White friends and being the only one carded and my feeling of ostracism represented by all White images in our gay media. We are in the middle of social change uniting to battle adevastating plague, Black men winning titles, becoming editors, best selling writers and gay activists demanding and getting change.

Many who came of age in the 90's still find examples of racism in every aspect of gay life.. I don't say racism doesn't exist but maybe not with such deliberate intent. Advances made by activists of color have actively encouraged social and media change to reflect our diverse community, and outwardly scolding establishments that practice inadvertent methods of discrimination.

When you're the only black face in a bar, wait for another brother to enter, and another, before running out the door screaming that its a racist establishment. because you are the only POC there..

In New York , The Eagle, Leather bar has been harassing Black customers by demanding that they (not equally guilty White customers) buy a drink or leave the establishment.

As a former bar owner I took great offense to anyone who enjoyed my bar, its amenities and social atmosphere without contributing to its maintenance,so I can also see the bar owners side.. The owner, however explained that guests of a nearby welfare hotel entered the bar, not buy drinks but drink the leftovers of other patrons. They were mostly POC, so naturally POC would be targeted for harassment.

While this is unacceptable, the bar owner could establish a one drink minimum at the door or charge the price of one beer for admission rather than spend time with city officials discussing possible closure, rather than cease the harassment.. These exaggerated claims can be settled without the cry of racism and the establishment of bad policy that offends everyone.

I've seen hard core racism at work, as well as its changes and efforts made, to see the situation with age old eyes "You call that racism? I'll tell you about racism. In my day..." .. Everywhere there exists some form of racism, but before we react, maybe we ought to examine the whole picture before we make sure that its not just bad business sense. ..


SEPTEMBER NIGHTLINES & BLACKLINES

by
Cain Berlinger

I hate Labor Day weekends! Like the movie 'Multiplicity', I wish I could've split myself into several people just to attend all the events that occurred around the country on this celebrated weekend. As an active member of several clubs and organizations of the leather community I want and need to be every- where and of course that's just not possible.

For those of us who have a bit of cash left after the Gay Games in Amsterdam, (Special note: Several of our American leather women joined with the Dutch Leather women to create an awesome leather space at the Amsterdam bar The Melkweg, to educate and promote the health safe sane aspects of the leather community, introducing novice females to dress, fetish and BDSM play in a safe all women's environment. Kudos to our Leather female ambassadors!)

There are the home front events like the two week long Inferno gathering of Club Hellfire, MAFIA's renowned gathering, and of course my first time at the famed Southern Decadence gathering in New Orleans, where the temperature and activity reaches a fever pitch that eclipses the hetero dominated Mardi Gras and a new Mr. Louisiana leather is selected.

San Francisco's Folsom Street Fair, which is the Leather Community's Mecca in September, gives us a new International Mr. Drummer. Heralding the end of another hot summer always puts the leather Community in the forefront of fundraising events and weekend parties, networking with our community leaders and forming lasting friendships literally around the world. It's easy to lose sight of the political agendas, losses, challenges and successes. Petty grievances about the appliance of the new, much ballyhooed Leather Anthem still raises controversy that keeps the Internet a viable communication tool among those of us who can't be everywhere, all the time.

Which is one of the reasons I am glad to pass along this information broadcasted across the e mails concerning a new congressional bill, HR 4282 being presented to the house Committee on the Judiciary that would make it illegal to possess, transfer or transport law enforcement badges, either authentic or counterfeit, with citizens subject to a fine and jail time, making criminals out of millions of fetishists, collectors and hobbyists who may use these badges either in bars, uniform gatherings and even in their homes. The full text of this bill is available at http://www.bairdco.com/hr4282draft.htm.

The National Coalition for sexual freedom is a fairly new organization that has taken the forefront in educating the public further about safe sane consensual practices among the leather/fetish community. In the last few months since its formation NCSF has received widespread support from such organizations as the National Leather Association, the Crucible, an SM club in Washington, with sizable donations to help achieve their goals. Is there any reason these two organizations shouldn't be pooling their resources? For more information on NCSF and how you can be a part of this exciting new organization , please contact Susan Wright at (718) 383-3318. e-mail Writercain @aol.com.


BLACKLINES

by
Cain Berlinger

SEPTEMBER BLACKLINES

Mufasa, ONYX founder, tied the knot with his significant other,, in a private ceremony August 22 attended by friends, and well wishers. We wish them success and happiness. ONYX will be celebrating their anniversary, Blackout begins Oct. 9-11 at the Cellblock including a welcome reception/registration, eagle pit party, a Saturday afternoon brunch, demos, as well as gender specific after-hour play parties. There will be an awards dinner, cocktail party culminating in the infamous Blackout Benefit dance. The ONYX calendar features some of the hottest men of color in our community photographed by Israel Wright and Bill Doan. The calendar features the gay communities hottest Black male icons including former Mr. Drummer and GBM editor Graylin Thornton, Mufasa, twin hunks Wayne and Duane Nesbit (Mr. Rodeo Rider '98 and Mr. Gay Rodeo Assoc.), Mr. Baltimore Eagle's Ky Fitzgerald, Mr Vulcan Rubber '96 Rich Villagarcia, Mid American Leatherman '98 , Leflore, just to name a few in this 14 month calendar For more information on the calendar ($12.95) and the Blackout weekend e-mail: onyxmail@aol.com or call 312.329.6141

Remarks by Nation of Islam spokesperson Khalid Abdul Muhammad, one of the organizers of the Million youth march scheduled this month in New York City has prompted several Black Gay Organizations to reconsider marching under their gay club banners. Khalid's urging of South Africans to "kill faggots and Lesbians" "has left an understandably bitter taste in the mouths of gay organizers who believe that their presence under a gay banner would not be welcome. Amid charges of inaccessible organizers and the lack of major youth leadership or input into the march, as well as city opposition, has made participation in the youth march questionable.

Kevin Macruder executive director of Gay Men of African Descent has expressed his concern as well as the Audre Lourdes project. Gay men from all over the country were expected to attend the march, but with so many problems on the home front many leaders have opted to consider holding similar gatherings in their own regions.

The Human rights Campaign is stepping up itsefforts to be more inclusive of all gays by encouraging POC to participate in its scholarship programs for attending the $250 a plate annual meeting in Washington the month of September, through scholarships and volunteering time to the organization. In 1997 President Clinton was the keynote speaker, this year Al Gore and Maya Angelou are scheduled to speak. Elizabeth Birch, HRC's executive director announced the HRC's intention to include a more diverse representation of the gay community in its outreach work including transgendered people.

Ms. Birch points out"... that diversity alone isn't the point. The point is to have the best minds, skills and talent bought to bear on this movement....". HRC has shown a deep commitment to POC by working with the Congressional Black Caucus and other civil rights organizations,and supporting issues important to people of color such as affirmative action and AIDS related issues such as needle exchange programs.

e-mail Writercain@aol.com