NCSF announces the Vi Johnson Liberation Award
The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom recognizes that voices, experiences, and contributions to the community are not homogeneous or a monolith. The NCSF believes that a dedicated award that intentionally honors and celebrates the contributions of Black, Indigenous People of Color and the LGBTQ community is long overdue.
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee is dedicated to honoring, celebrating, and amplifying these voices. We believe Vi Johnson's contribution and leadership curates a legacy to be honored. As an author, activist, and advocate, she exemplifies leadership and vision. Traversing layers of marginalization, social and political stigma, and ideological oppression, she galvanized communities and promoted sexual liberation. This award recognizes those who have and who continue to lead in sexual liberation.
Please review https://ncsfreedom.org/resource-library/ncsf-diversity-and-inclusion/ prior to completing the form. This link will lead you to NCSF’s values, mission, and vision statements. Nominations are open January 15 and close April 15.
Scroll down to see gallery of 25 photos of Vi Johnson, her close friends and her work.
Join the CLAW 22 Faculty
CLAW 22, which will be held at the Westin Cleveland Downtown and the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade the weekend of April 28 - May 1, is seeking presenters for classes and workshops including such topics as ass play, bondage, BDSM, fetish, power dynamics, gear, sex, health, community among others. If you would like to be a CLAW 22 Skills and Education presenter and part of the world's largest curriculum of kinky sex education, please submit your biography and class descriptions using the link at the bottom of this article. Note: There was a deadline of February 3, but that has been extended with no closing date given. Act now.
Approved presenters and co-presenters qualify for a complimentary CLAW Educator Package, a $215 value. Registration instructions will be provided after your class is approved. Oh, and don't forget to reserve your hotel room.
https://clawinfo.org/planning/claw-cleveland-registration/skills-app
LA Leather judges and contestants named
Los Angeles Leather Pride announced the names of the judges for Mr. LA Leather 2022 and they are - head judge Jack Thompson, Ray Tilton, Cody Troy, Erin Marie, Leo Newcomb, Joshua Hernandez, and Dave Rhodes.
The Mr. LA Leather 2022 contest and Legion Dance will be held at Catch One near downtown LA on Saturday night, March 26.
Nine men will vie for the Mr. LA Leather 2022 title. They are: Francisco The Navy Cub, Joe, Angel, Joey Byrne, Colton Stenke, Alan Gabriel, Romyn, Christian Medina and Brandon Bullet.
A fundraiser, Raising Hell for Dark Angel, was held at Eagle LA on Friday, February 18.. A full schedule of events will appear in the March Issue of The Leather Journal.
Want to make a difference in your community? Consider volunteering for LALP 2022 Week.
https://losangelesleatherpride.com/volunteer/
Off Sunset Festival postponed
Producers of the Off Sunset Festival, planned for Sunday, March 27 next to Eagle LA in Los Angeles, CA, has been postponed. New plans are to have the Festival in late summer or early fall. Concerns about health safety during the COVID-19 pandemic were cited as the reason for the postponement. A link with new information will be posted on the Internet soon.
Mr. Chicago Leather 2022 new date
The Mr. Chicago Leather 2022 contest has been moved to April 7-10. International Mr. Leather 2003 John Pendal will make it across the pond to emcee the weekend and Mr. Chicago Leather 2019 and IML 2019 Jack Thompson will be on the judging panel along with Joe ChicagoRubber, Sarah Sloane and Israel Wright.
Due to career changes, the current Mr., Chicago Leather 2020, Butch Romero will be unavailable to compete at International Mr. Leather in May next year, which necessitates that a new MCL titleholder be selected to
represent Chicago's Leather community and contest sponsor Touche.
A weekend package that includes admission to the Saturday night contest, Leather Brunch, drink tickets for cocktail parties, a MCL2022 t-shirt valued at $125 is now available for $75 through
https://www.BrownPaperTickets.com
https://touchechicago.com/mr-chicago-leather-2022
NCSF interview with Dr. Lexx James
By Ruby B. Johnson
NCSF honors Black History Month in this interview with Dr. Lexx James (She|Her|Dr.) talking about her history-making work as an Amazon Best Selling Author, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and sexologist. Dr. Lexx loves LOVE and is especially fond of ensuring Black Love lasts. As the #CouplesClinician, she works to ensure folks build and maintain fulfilling intimate relationships.
At The Institute, Dr. Lexx believes Healing Does Happen and works to take care of the relationship between lovers versus the ego of lovers. She also merges education and therapy using her skillset training professionals within and outside human sexuality. In professional development, Dr. Lexx works to support organizations in de-centralizing harmful oppressive practices with their clientele. In classrooms and training, Dr. Lexx utilizes experiential pedagogy coupled with affective-based learning to challenge attitudes and support learners in being able to apply knowledge and skills....
Empire City MC’s 11th Annual Motorcycle Weekend
Last year, Empire City MC said in their monthly newsletter that, after 10 years of travelling to upstate New York for their Motorcycle Weekend they would be going to a new location as of 2022, and they're keeping that promise. Empire City MC’s 11th Annual Motorcycle Weekend will be held May 26-31.
Empire City MC and friends will be riding to a private venue just south of Pittsburgh, PA called The Farm, which is Mike N’s newest party place for bikers. This might sound familiar - because in 2020, Empire City MC did a test weekend there to see how the logistics would play out.
Because the trip is 365 miles (six hours, non-stop), just as with the test trip the Club did in 2020, they'll be stopping half-way for the night both on the way there and back. This will allow people close to Harrisburg to meet up with Empire City MC on Friday morning and join them for the last segment of the trip.
Empire City MC expects to have more information and hopefully a run application. Until then, save these dates, based on leaving from NYC on Thursday, leaving from Harrisburg on Friday, leave from Coal Centre for Harrisburg Monday, and depart Harrisburg for NYC on Tuesday morning.
http://empirecitymc.com/newsletter/2022-02-09%20ECMC%20Rumblings.pdf
Triskelion BDSM Scholarships available
By Sir Ezra Algos
Sanctuary LAX Studios, in association with AskEzra.Info, invites students of the sensual
and sadistic arts to apply for the Triskelion Scholarship. Successful applicants will gain admission to a great number of classes in a wide variety of BDSM topics free of charge.
The Scholarship, which is sponsored for the 2022 year by DomCon.com, Sanctuary LAX Studios and AskEzra.info, is
geared to help the following people in their BDSM journey of discovery and knowledge: lifestyle players, professional or aspiring professional BDSM players, BDSM educators or aspiring educators, university students in programs involving human sexuality or a similar major, professionals in a supportive role to members of the BDSM community such as kink-friendly therapists, and others.
Successful applicants for the 2022 award will have access to a number of classes presented as part of Sanctuary
LAX Studios quarterly BDSM Symposia hosted by Sir Ezra and an assortment of classes hosted by Jenn Masri and
Lostnfound events. Additionally, 2022 awardees will also gain access to classes and events associated with the
biannual conference, DomCon. DomCon is a professional and lifestyle domination convention starting its 19th year held in Los Angeles in August and New Orleans in October.
To apply, fill out the form located at forms.gle/tM8FBLmoNnPXgQ7Y8 on or before April 4. Questions or
supplemental material can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lords of Leather Bal Masque XXXIX
By Mal Kip Hollar
Well y’all, we are down to the wire. On Sunday, February 27, the Mystic Mardi Gras Krewe of the Lords of Leather will present Lords of Leather Bal Masque XXXIX: The Oddball. This is a Tableau that is not to be missed. Don’t miss out on The Premiere Gay Mardi Gras Ball. Ticket sales will close mid-week. John A. Alario Sr. Event Center, 2000 Segnette Blvd., Westwego, LA
https://www.facebook.com/events/1615583318796217/
BHT Foundation grants totaled $521,000
By Rik Newton Treadway
On February 9, the BHT Foundation presented their final grants: $521,000 to 19 recipients. For 45 grant cycles between 1978 and 2022, BHT has awarded exactly 1,200 grants totaling $3,907,973.20 to 215 different groups and organizations.
Find out where the grants were shared at
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Long Islands Ravens 30th Anniversary
The Long Islands Ravens Motorcycle Club will celebrate their 30th Anniversary with a four-course plated dinner on Saturday night, March 19 at NOSH in Hauppauge, NY. The dinner will include live entertainment, dancing, awards and a raffle. The dinner is $60 in advance and the weekend package is $125.
The Long Islands Ravens invite all of their Leather kindred to join us for this great weekend celebrating 30 years of fun and excitement in tradition of welcoming their guests. This is also an AMCC Sanctioned Weekend, hosting the 197th Meeting of the AMCC.
For the last 30 years, the Long Islands Ravens have done their best to be a strong member of the Long Island GLBT community. We live by our creed of "brotherhood, loyalty and pride," They have supported and lent aide, both in man-power and monetarily, to our community friends and organizations. The Ravens' assistance has been important to many, and their friendships have been one of our greatest rewards.
South Plains Leatherfest back in person in March
South Plains Leatherfest and International Master/slave weekend will be held in Dallas, TX, March 10-13 at the DoubleTree by Hilton for the sixth year.
The South Plains Leatherfest schedule includes: Thursday Night Early Bird Mixer, Family Friday Lunch, South Plains Cafe supporting the IM's Travel Fund, Traditional Sunday Brunch and Keynote, MAsT-International Annual General Meeting, Women's Cruise, Transgender Cruise, ONYX Pearls Lustre SW Meet and Greet, TNG Social, South Plains Cruise, 32nd International Master/slave Contest, South Plains Living Room, Newcomers Stickers, Bootblacking, Silent Auction, Play Parties, and South Plains Coffee House.
South Plains Leatherfest is glad to be back as an in-person event, last meeting live was in 2019.
Among the presenters are: Master Jim and slave marsha, Master Trent and slave kelly, Master Skip and slave Rick, Tomo, Master David and slave Brynn, Sir Bear Texas, MAsT Dallas, Sir Lisa, Sir Daddy Daun and slavegirl j, Master Neko and koneko, Master Boromoy and slave amari, Princess Asshole, Wolf, Sir MarKus and Dee, Hardy Haberman, Kane and Kerosene, Team Fluffy, Renegade and lil red
http://www.southplainsleatherfest.com/
Leather Archives' Visiting Scholars Program
The Leather Archives & Museum announced the 2022 LAM Visiting Scholars Program. A stipend of $1,000 will be awarded to one recipient to conduct research using LAM’s unique archival collections. Up to an additional $1,000 of travel reimbursement will also be provided.
The award is available to individuals who are working on a specific project which can be supported by LAM collections. Potential applicants include individuals with academic appointments, graduate students, artists and independent researchers.
LAM seeks projects which will use its collections to create new scholarship related to the history and culture of Leather, fetish, kink and BDSM. LAM welcomes proposals that may include research leading to publication, works of art, and film, and may include public programs or events that share the results of the research.
Applications are due March 11 by 5 PM Central.
https://leatherarchives.org/archives/visiting-scholars-program
Judging contests - I want to know what makes you tick
By Scarlet Sin
Judged many a contest and as I am seeing some threads talking about the topic, I’ll clue in any contestant who ever stands before me on their day on what I want to know.
I want to know what makes you tick.
What drives and motivates you and what your practice of integrity looks like.
No gotcha questions. No overly romanticized Leather history mythology. And no, you needn’t learn my bio or what isn’t on it. I’m not what is important.
No bullshit.
I want to know who you are and know, that in this process, I am human, I am flawed, and I too stood where you stand now. My idea of Leather may not necessarily be yours and that’s okay.
I can appreciate your path, your kink and your identities even if I don’t share them.
I am here to shepherd your success. I expect to grow with you as you grow, learn as you learn, laugh and cry with you every step of the way.
Others may be different, but that’s what you get from me when I judge.
Editor's note: Scarlet Sin is the owner and producer of Ms. Los Angeles Leather.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008996989425
Southwest Leather Conference changes hands
By Master Malik
With great pleasure and forward looking vision, it is slave Cathy's and my privilege to transfer the ownership of Southwest Leather Conference to Dakra of Phoenix, AZ, effective February 1, 2022.
We wish him a great success taking over this project. We thank all our friends from across the country, Canada and overseas, who stood by us during this time by calling, texting, messaging and/or writing to us. We truly appreciate it very much.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989551138285806
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Kick-ass Kinky Fun - Spring Pandemonium April 8-10
By Bear Mike
Kick-ass kinky Fun is returning to the Southwest at Spring Pandemonium, April 8-10, in Albuquerque, NM. New Mexico Leather League’s (NMLL) event started in 2005, will present over 16 classes, evening dungeon play parties, Corazón Leather contest, a variety of vendors, and impromptu parties at the hotel.
Ramada Plaza is the host hotel with excellent rates through the NMLL website. Classes presented by local and national experts include Electroplay: Toys to Tasers, Wax play, Single tail, Improving BDSM with Passion, Art of the MindFuck, Squirting, Art of CBT, Sensual Bondage, Fun with Sounding, and more. There will be much socializing with Albuquerque’s many and diverse Leather and kink organizations and more coming from around the country. Volunteering is available for reduced rates. NM’s mask mandate has been lifted.
https://nmleatherleague.com/spring-pan/
Tarheel Leather Club raises funds
By Andy Close
Through the generosity of Tarheel Leather Club members, guests, bar patrons, and Chemistry Nightclub we were able to raise $1,340 for the Triad Health Project at their Blackhearts Ball on Saturday night, February 19 at Chemistry Nightclub in Greensboro, NC. As well as sending them back with a wagon full of groceries for their food pantry efforts. This was an incredibly successful event. Thank you to everyone who came out to support this amazing organization.
TLC was founded on April 1, 1990 in Greensboro, NC by nine individuals. Those Founding Members are: Bill C., Kevin D., Nick D., Richard G., Stuart N., Michael P., Henry P., Randy T., and David W.
In 1991, TLC won the Pantheon of Leather Club of the Year award and a member won both the Southeast Regional Man of the Year and Man of the Year awards. In 1993 another of our members won the Southeast Regional award and yet another was awarded Business Person of the Year by The Leather Journal. In 1996 a TLC member was named Regional Leather Person of the Year. Members have held numerous Leather titles including: Mr. Leather Charlotte, Mr. Coastal Carolina Leather, Mr. Carolina Leather, NC Leather (3), Southeast Leather (4), and Southeast Drummer.
https://www.facebook.com/TarheelLeatherClub
Pacific Northwest Leathermen’s Campout
Pacific Northwest Leathermen’s Campout, August 26-28, is a weekend camping retreat held each Fall in the Portland area. Located on a private, secluded 15-acre forested property east of Oregon City, OR, the site is roughly 25 minutes south of Portland International Airport, an hour north of Salem and 45 minutes Southeast of Hillsboro. PNWLC strives to promote education and community-building among all male-identifying persons in the Pacific Northwest area.
This is a clothing-optional event where male-identifying (regardless of gender assigned at birth) persons who are 21-plus years old can explore and enjoy a range of Leather, kink, fetish, BDSM activities and classes. PNWLC's aim is to build strong community bonds through learning, socializing and play between all ages and experience levels. They foster a welcoming, safe, sane, consensual, and sex-positive environment. Body diversity is welcome at this event as men come in all shapes and sizes.
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Roster of Monthly Contributors to The Leather Journal
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https://theleatherjournal.com/news/patrons-of-the-leather-journal
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ONYX Northwest presents Black Brown and Kinky - Black Joy
ONYX Northwest will presents Black Brown and Kinky - Black Joy at the Powerhouse on Saturday, February 26 from 6-9 PM. As Black History Month comes to a close, join ONYX Northwest in celebrating Black Joy and honoring the community leaders who have helped shape the BIPOC Leather scene and continue to pave the way for the next generation of Leather folk and Kinksters. Meet some of these peeps in person, share some drinks and have fun as ONYX Northwest warms you up for your Saturday night shenanigans. Leather looks encouraged, $5 suggested donation at the door.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1350699702067442
Women of Drummer Southwest Regional
By Robi Robinson
Join the Women of Drummer (WOD) at their Southwest Regional in Albuquerque, New Mexico, March 11-13. Events that are free and open to all are the meet and greet at Sidewinders S4200 and ABQ Eagle Friday at 9 PM and the victory brunch on Sunday at Frontier Restaurant, 2400 Central SE at 11 AM. A cross-section of Albuquerque’s Leather community will be out to greet them. Self-identified women-only ticketed events include a Saturday WOD Roundtable in the afternoon followed by a WOD Women's Play Party at a private space proof of vaccinations required.
Register for tickets on their website, where one can also find the 2022 WOD wall calendar.
https://www.womenofdrummer.com/
Science of BDSM starts new study
By Brad Sagarin
In recent years, researchers have focused increasing attention on BDSM, discovering that a substantial minority (or even a majority) of people fantasize about or participate in BDSM and that BDSM activities produce increases in couple bonding and measurable altered states of consciousness. However, no research to date has explored international and cultural differences in BDSM interests and practices.
In a joint effort between the University of Antwerp (Belgium) and Northern Illinois University (USA) we are conducting a study to explore how nationality and culture impact BDSM fantasies and activities, and how BDSM interests are related to other types of sexual fantasies.
The study is completely anonymous and takes about 25-30 minutes to complete. The questions will be about yourself, your interests, and your experiences. The survey will be open until the end of February, 2022.
If you would like to participate, please follow this link:
https://uantwerpen.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bvCM7jZiTGZAkU6
Fist Fest 25th Anniversary
Fist Fest is celebrating their 25th Anniversary with three events planned for the year beginning with Spring Ffling at Metropolis in Augusta, GA the weekend of April 28-30. All events are at Metropolis. Next is Ffull Moon over July 21-23 followed by October Ffist Ffest the weekend of October 6-8. Go to the Fist Fest link below for hotel information.
Fist Fest started as an annual weekend in Palm Springs to a bi-coastal, three-weekend-a-year ffling. Founder Larry S. said, "It has been a privilege to have known so many brilliant men, and to have introduced so many to the sacred world of fisting."
And so it was with a sense of duty that in February of 2021, a 501(c)(7), non-profit, membership-based social fraternity was formed to take the reins of the event, ensuring that it live well into the future.
https://www.facebook.com/therealfistfest
Derek "Kalel" Rojas
By Rik Newton Treadway
Derek "Kalel" Rojas' sunrise was on June 14, 1971 - and his sunset on January 31, 2022. He is survived by his beloved and devoted husband Eric Gangloff and many friends and family. He was born in Alabama as Broderick, and raised in Maryland. He went by many names: Derick, Derek, BoyD, and Superboy. He recently changed his name to Kalel, the Krypton name of his favorite hero, Superman. He performed under the name Shawnese Galloway, and recently as Cheyenne Elle.
He was devoted to community service. He held many titles including Miss Gay Baltimore America; Mr. Baltimore Eagle, Pennsylvania Drummerboy; Mid-Atlantic Drummer Boy; placing first alternate at International Drummerboy in 2000 and Maryland Leatherboy. He had been a bartender in various LGBTQIA places around Baltimore for the last few decades. He was most proud of life with his husband Daddy Eric over the past 13 years. He so-enjoyed the life they had built on their Aquasco, Maryland farm.
On February 5, the Highwaymen TNT held a celebration of life for Derek in Washington DC, and on February 6 the Baltimore community held a candlelight celebration of this icon.
We will forever miss him and hearing "Woo Whoo!" Fly with the wind, Super Boy.
The family encourages donations to his favorite charity B and Dee's Baltimore Love, which can be found at https://bdeebaltimorelove.org
Doug Harris
Doug Harris of Atlanta, GA passed away on February 21. He was born on May 24, 1952. Doug Harris, also known as Papa Doug, has passed on to the Leather Gods in the sky.
Master Doug came to Atlanta, GA from Columbia, SC in the late 80s. Doug opened the Sanctuary of a Dark Angel in Atlanta in 1993 and created his magic from there. He loved people and always welcomed them into his home. He asked people he cared for to put a picture up on the living room wall and he called it the family portrait and he really meant that.
Doug was the recipient of the 1999 Pantheon of Leather President's Award ans received many other regional and local honors. He may be remembered most is his kind heart and open soul. There wasn’t a person he met that didn’t fall in love with him.
Master Doug suffered a stroke in 2006. He made a recovery with partial atrophy and still led a fulfilled life for 15 more years, attending events, going to the Eagle and socializing with friends and family.
Karen Klaas, August 14, 1958 January 15, 2022
Rik Newton-Treadway
Karen Klaas, “Ma’am Karen,” or Violet Stewart-DeSade age 63, Chesapeake, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday January 15, 2022 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Born August 14, 1958, in Julesburg, Colorado, Karen is survived by her husband Lewis Simon and life partner Bumper, many friends and family.
In 1999 she met and, then a year later, married Lewis Simon on November 11, 2000. Karen later met Bumper in 2013, who quickly became part of her little Wacky Trio. They shared a special bond that was deep on so many levels. She was so proud of her family and what they built.
Karen volunteered with Free Mom Hugs, TAP Virginia (Transgender Assistance Program), Treasurer for the Leather Heart Foundation, Treasurer for Virginia Lather Women United, co-founder and co-leader of Crossroads and co-producer for Mx Virginia.
A celebration of Life took place on Saturday January 29. The family encourages donations be made to TAP Virginia, an organization dear to her heart at
Fetish Week London in July
After two years of having to postpone the UK’s flagship event it is great to announce one of the tentpoles of the gay fetish circuit calendar, the hopeful return of Fetish Week London, July 9-17.
FWL as it is known is the main event of the year run by the British-based, internationally popular, gay fetish hook-up and lifestyle site, Recon.
Fetish Week London boasts a full eight-day schedule across all London’s many gay fetish venues linking with all the City's biggest brands, venues and promoters. Traditionally, there is a Sunday night opening multi-fetish event followed by individual tribe socials, retailer events, dinners, fetish film screenings, sportswear, rubber, bear, Leather and puppy parties, and endless other happenings across the metropolis. It all leads to a massive Saturday night dance and cruising party followed by some fun horny Sunday action too. Traditionally, Fetish Week starts the day after London Pride where three-million bemused supporters will have descended. London Pride has not fixed its date after moving it to September.
https://alphatribe.com/fetishweek-london-2020-is-back/
Washington State Leather Pride Week postponed again
The Washington State Leather Pride Week's 40th Anniversary and Washington State Mr., Ms and Mx Leather, and Bootblack Contest and events have once again been postponed due to Covid-19, the dates for 2023 are March 24-26 and include an opening meet and greet at The Cuff Complex, The Washington State Leather contests and Sunday Victory Brunch with the announcing of the recipients of the Leather Emerald Awards. There usually are several other unofficial events running peripheral to Washington State Leather Pride.
In 1983 five men gathered and competed in the first Washington State Leatherman contest. That competition was sponsored by and held at the J&L Saloon. At that time the contest was called the Washington State Leatherman and the winner went on to compete in the Pacific Northwest Mr. Leather Contest along with titleholders from Oregon and British Columbia, who would then go onto the International Mr. Leather competition in Chicago. That night, Mark Sauer was named the first Washington State Leatherman.
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Dave Rhodes Hump Day Mailing List
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A Blast From The Past - Centaur MC's Olympia Run
Back in "the day," Centaur Motorcycle Club held a biannual run named Olympia at a posh campground about an hour outside Philadelphia. The photo above is from 2000. Around that time, Delta International a men's BDSM weekend named Delta, filled in the odd-numbered years. After the Centaurs discontinued Olympia, Delta began to use the campground every year.
In 1971, the first Olympia run, following the classical Greek theme, was just a small gathering and took place after only a year’s existence for the club.
Olympia grew from its humble tented beginnings, attended by some 25 or 30 eager bikers, through sometimes irregular intervals to its present shape and size, settling at an event that attracted about 300 people to a campground, with cabins, in Pennsylvania every two years on Labor Day weekend.
Photo supplied by Centaur MC.
https://centaurmc.org/history/
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Viola Johnson Photo Gallery
The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom recognizes that voices, experiences, and contributions to the community are not homogeneous or a monolith. The NCSF believes that a dedicated award that intentionally honors and celebrates the contributions of Black, Indigenous People of Color and the LGBTQ community is long overdue.
I have known Vi from the mid 1980s, a couple years before The Leather Journal came into being. There was a Leather Club Roundtable which met in my Hollywood apartment once per month. Vi represented one of the women's clubs. We had no idea of the power that was in that small abode. Race Bannon, Vi Johnson and Dave Rhodes - all three were recipients of the NGLTBQ Task Force's Creating Change Leather Leadership Award. To ice that cake, we did have meetings at Race and Guy Baldwin's place in The Valley. Guy is also a recipient of that honor.
Vila Johnson has been busy ever since, never slowing down for a moment. Her effort with the Carter/Johnson Leather Library will be her greatest legacy. A visit to the Leather Library, now in Indiana, could give one the opportunity to sit while Vi takes listeners on a history magic carpet ride. She has a way of captivating an audience which few have. The Leather Library also goes on he road with stops at major Leather conferences.
Vi is also a published writer with the book To Love, To Obey, To Serve among her feathers in that cap.
Viola has received two Pantheon of Leather Awards including 2000 Woman of the Year and 1995 Lifetime Achievement Award.
The photos below capture some of Vi's Leather life. She does not know, at this time of publishing about this story and gallery - it is a surprise and she will be sent the first message of it. Here's to Vi Johnson..
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The Leather Journal was founded in May, 1987. The Leather community was hungry for news magazine that covered clubs, organizations and events. TLJ has successfully met that need for 34 years. We have adapted to change more than once and when the Internet came about we were there by adding www.TheLeatherJournal.com
