INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the GLOBAL LEATHER VILLAGE

In the past, communication and dissemination of information regarding the safe, sane and consensual practices of the Leather world were done primarily through fliers, pamphlets, magazines and organizations. However, with the advent of the computer and the rise of the Internet, we now have an opportunity to reach around the world and acknowledge a true community.

Towards this aim, LeatherWeb and the Global Leather Village were organized. Currently, the Village is composed of seven parts in three separate divisions (some of which are developing or planned expansion areas):

• News
  "The Leather News Bureau". This section will be devoted to listing and arranging items of general interest to the Leather community. This includes monitoring important legal, social and community issues that may affect Leather citizens in the U.S. and around the world. Presently the item of severe concern is the anti smut legislation now under consideration in the US Congress. Take your stand. Get involved NOW - not after the fact!

• Education
  At LeatherWeb we believe in and practice the motto "Safe, Sane and Consensual" (even if you 'consent' to default; everything that happens to you in your life is your responsibility). In the Education section of the Village we offer not only information on safe Leather practices, but also news on workshops, information guides and organizations. This is the primary "How-To" section of the LeatherWeb.

• Town Council
  In any village, decisions are made by consensus of the inhabitants. In the Town Council area we ask for feedback, present issues for discussion, and offer visitors a chance to help improve the Village. In the past, Leather practice and protocol were handed down from elder to sibling. In recent times this tradition has been interrupted with the advent of HIV which has resulted in the loss of a major portion of an entire generation. Today we have a culture of villagers over 40 and another under 30 of age with a vast frontier in between. LeatherWeb and its Town Council hope to apply new technologies with traditional practices to re-connect the exchange between the elders and the new generation. The wise word from the Tribal Council is "Learn the ways before you change our ways".

• Marketplace
  Organized by areas of interest (we call them "walkways"), the marketplace will offer businesses a chance to provide their wares to an interested audience. Many parts of the Village will be interlinked to the Marketplace as well.

• Calendar
  Where to go, what to do... have we got something for you! In the initial stages, the calendar will publish only Los Angeles and major International events, but we expect to quickly provide coverage in all major global regions where the Leather Village resides. (In fact we are looking for representatives to join us in this evolution - leave us your message in the Town Council section.)

• Dungeon/Personals
  Arranged by region, type (play or stay - permanent) and fetish, the dungeon is a place for finding the 'actual' reality of this virtual Village. There are separate classifieds for each of the three levels of the Village: Gay/Bi; Lesbian/Bi; and Heterosexual. We acknowledge that in some parts of the world there are those who do not delineate between heterosexual and homosexual practices.

• Caverns/Fetish
  For those whose primary interest is fetish, this section is devoted to News, Information, Publications, Gear, Organizations, Events and contacts (you can select here by choosing MATES from the CLASSIFIEDS to find the partner of choice) for every erotic activity we can imagine or you can suggest.

We're also interested in what you'd like to see, so give us your input on what you'd like on the LeatherWeb.

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