BOI Magazine's Leather Issue is Hot, Hot, Hot!

Check out BOI Magazine's Leather issue--you'll be glad you did!

Books: Leatherman: The Legend of Chuck Renslow

A prominent Chicago gay activist and entrepreneur is the subject of an in-depth biography, Leatherman: The Legend of Chuck Renslow, by journalists and authors Tracy Baim and Owen Keehnen.

The book contains more than 300 images, including murals and drawings by Dom "Etienne" Orejudos, posters for International Mr. Leather (IML), and photos from the Gold Coast, Pride Parades, IML contests, physique magazines and more.

Leatherman: The Legend of Chuck Renslow will be available May 10, 2011 on Amazon and at selected bookstores.

A conversation with Brent Heinz of the Ascension Fetish Ball

The Ascension III Fetish Ball takes place tonight at The Underground in Colorado Springs and it promises to be a freaky, fetishistic, and fabulous time. I had a chance to talk to promoter Brent Heinz (pictured), Mr. Leather Colorado 2010-11,  about the event and here's what he had to say.

Drew: Who is Ascension III by, for, and about?
Brent: This event series was designed to pull together people in the kink/fetish scene regardless of gender or sexual orientation and invite those who are learning more about it or maybe just curious. All of the individuals that are providing demonstrations are educators by nature and enjoy being resources for others to ask questions and experience the sensations. Participants are invited to jump in and find out what it feels like to experience some of these sensations if they want.

How kinky will things really get?
Hmmmm.....kinky? Unfortunately due to Colorado decency laws, there are limitations with nudity and penetration, but this event is more of a celebration of sensory feelings, mindsets, and pushing limits. Hopefully participants will be so turned on that they can't help but want to leave the event and get even more down and dirty. Ecstacy is an amazing gift and should be experienced as much as possible.

What is your favorite memory/scene from the previous Ascension Balls?
There is nothing more elating for a promoter than to see hundreds of people laughing, watching, becoming excited, and connecting with each other. I love seeing gay, straight, trans, bi, men, women, and small farm animals co-existing and having a great time. The image that is most burned in my mind from previous Ascension Fetish Balls was the first time we showed a flesh-hook suspension. The guy was suspended over the stage by four hooks about three feet off the ground. He had a huge smile on his face as he was swinging and then grabbed the piercer with his legs and picked her up off the ground as well. The audience went wild ... of course some people were freaked out and went to another area. There is definitely something for everyone, but some things will be seen as too extreme. That's the brilliance of this community.

What if I'm not sure if this event is for me?
There is nothing wrong with stepping out of your comfort zone sometimes. There is a possibility that you won't find something that turns you on, but the potential exists that you will walk away with a motivation to try something new or have a heightened sense of sexual awareness. In case there is any psychological damage from the event, I'm a licensed therapist and may be able to help. Don't worry, I won't use restraints unless you ask for them!

What message do you have for readers of MileHighGayGuy.com?
I am a huge fan of cyber-distribution. Online provides us opportunities to connect with ideas and people that we might not have access to otherwise. I am also a huge advocate for not getting stuck in the online vortex. Get out and connect with someone. If an event or person looks interesting, get out and experience it. Who knows? You might like it....a lot!

Anything else you would like to say?
Our community is full of inspired, talented, and creative people trying to make our environment in Colorado more exciting and vibrant. Please make efforts to support these individuals.

An Interview with Mr. Leather Colorado’s Mike Maez

An Interview with Mr. Leather Colorado’s Mike Maez
by Drew Wilson

Mike Maez is a personal trainer, photographer, and the current executive director of Mr. Leather Colorado foundation and a former Mr. Leather Colorado himself. I was able to get together with him recently to discuss the upcoming Mr. Leather Colorado contest, local leather resources in Denver, and his first piece of leather.

How did you get involved with Mr. Leather Colorado?
I was a title-holder in 2006 and had always had some interest in helping out and when Jaris Thomas stepped aside he handed the duties over to me.


What should readers of MileHighGayGuy know about the foundation?
It’s 501c3 and the titleholder does various things throughout the year to raise funds for charity. We also raise funds for Mr. Leather Colorado to go to International Mr. Leather.

When is the contest?
Actually the contest is during Denver PrideFest weekend.

I understand you are currently looking for applicants.
Yes, anybody who would like to compete is welcome. We’re looking for someone to represent Colorado’s leather community and applications are available at The Crypt, CJ's Leather, and The Denver Eagle.


How would you describe Denver’s leather community?
Denver’s leather community is very diverse and the direction seems to be moving towards an all-inclusive fetish, gear, and leather community.


Do you remember the first time you felt a connection to leather?
I remember the first time I walked into The Crypt and bought some leather. Then I went to CJ's Leather and bought some more. I just felt like I was home.

What was the first piece you bought?
A harness was the first piece I bought. That’s pretty typical. And then once you have your harness you just want more to accessorize with it.

What resources would you recommend for people who are interested in getting involved with, or finding out more about, the local leather community?
To purchase leather, CJ's Leather for sure. Carlos is great about helping people. Something off the rack from The Crypt is great as well.

For going out, I go to The Denver Eagle or the Wrangler. I’m very comfortable in leather at both of those places.


There are also several local leather organizations including Rocky Mountain Leather Alliance, Denver Boys of Leather.


What message do you have for readers of MileHighGayGuy?
The contest is at the Oriental Theater on June 19 . Come on out and do some good for the community. It’s a great way to make friends and an opportunity for someone to serve the community. Dress in leather if you want but everyone is welcome. Come support the community, support the contestants, and enjoy a great show.

Do you have what it takes to be the next Mr. Leather Colorado?

The 30th annual Mr. Leather Colorado Contest will be held this year during Pride Weekend, June 18-19 and the Mr. Leather Colorado Foundation is now taking applications for contestants.

The next Mr. Leather Colorado should be a man who can build on 30 years of Colorado Leather History and set the stage for the next 30. If you think you are that man, or know someone who is, contact Mike Maez for more details and an application.

It's time for Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend 2010

Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend 2010 is here and MetroWeekly speaks with 17 members of the Leather Community to find out what makes their lives in leather so rich, rewarding and fulfilling.

David Leroy Souza: 1953-2009

Just shy of 56, Denver's Leroy Souza died on August 23 of cardiac arrest/stroke.

He was wearing full dress leathers and it appeared he planned to head out for the evening.

Leroy moved to Denver in the late 1970s and worked as a stripper in clubs along Colfax Avenue.

He developed a career tailoring and designing fetish leathers, and eventually opened D/S Custom Leathers at Broadway & 21st — long before anyone imagined a baseball park and gentrification - but was probably best known as an outrageous and mercurial fixture at the Denver Triangle where he was part of the staff from 1980–1999.

A Memorial Birthday Party honoring Leroy will be held at The Compound on Saturday, October 10 from 5-8 p.m.

Over the past four decades, Leroy amassed a huge inventory of leather goods, in addition to the stock from his business and a mountain of leather garments, cuffs, collars, harnesses and “fetish accessories” will be available for purchase (cash only, please). Funds raised will be used to settle the closing his estate, as well as to benefit Horizon House and Chesney-Kleinjohn Housing, Inc.

Leather is ...

Memorial Day is big in the leather community - what with International Mr. Leather in Chicago and all - and PlanetOut has an interesting article examining what leather is all about.

Colorado has a thriving leather community of its own and if you want to find out more about it you can check out the following links:

CJ's Leather
Colorado Leathermen
Denver Wrangler
Denver Eagle
Mr. Leather Colorado
Denver Boys of Leather
Labryinth Denver

International Mr. Leather Kick Off Party at the Denver Eagle this Saturday

This Saturday, May 2nd is the International Mr. Leather Kick Off Party hosted by Mr. Leather Colorado 2009, Chris Newell (the guy with the plaque below) at the Denver Eagle.

The Eagle and Mr. Newell invite you to:

Dust off your gear and come down this Saturday. DJ Mandi Lix will be on hand spinning out dirty tracks and some nasty boys will be performing demos and dancing for your viewing pleasure.

For all you sports fans or sports gear pigs, we have a Ryan Smyth autographed Avalanche jersey that will be up for silent auction to raise money for Mr. Leather Colorado travel fund.

It is going to be a great party so get on down the Eagle this Saturday, party and events will ignite at 10 p.m.

Mr. San Francisco Leather this weekend

San Francisco's finest vie for the title of Mr. San Francisco Leather this weekend.

LA Leather Weekend

Starting with HARD TRIBE V Warehouse Party on Friday, March 27, Folsom Street Events is set to invade Los Angeles for LA Leather Week and ready to give you a dose of fetish fun. Tattoo Chris presents Jack Chang (Pig, Berlin) in his first LA DJ appearance for hot ‘n’ sweaty dancing in the main room and plenty of dirty action in the back room. Visit www.tattoochris.com for details and tickets.

On Saturday, March 28, Folsom Street Events joins LALC for one of the biggest leather contests of the year, Mr. LA Leather. Being held at Passive Arts, 10914 South La Cienega Boulevard in Inglewood, ticket information is available at www.mrlaleather.com.

And, finally, don’t forget to swing by MJ’s bar in Silver Lake for a hot after-party! SCREW and NAKED join forces with Folsom Street Events for a filthy party with Nick Piston ( www.mjsbar.com ) on Saturday night. Leather and latex attire is strongly encouraged –
underwear only on the dance floor. Who doesn’t like to drink in his underwear? I know I do.

Get on down to the west coast for LA Leather weekend, and mark your calendars now for Up Your Alley weekend (July 25 and 26) and San Francisco Leather Week (September 20 – 27).

Mr. Leather Colorado 2009

The Mr. Leather Colorado 2009 contest was held this past weekend at the Wrangler and five great contestants were in the running for the title.

This year's guys were Richard Manning, Roby Frank, Dallas Norton, Rick Linkletter, and Chris Newell.

The winner was Chris Newell.

"I'm really excited, flattered and nervous," Newell told me after being announced Mr. Leather Colorado 2009. "I'm fairly new to leather so it's quite an honor to have won."

Jaris Thomas and Carlos of CJ's Leather are the co-producers of Mr. Leather Colorado 2009.

"We're elated at the turnout this year and thrilled with the caliber of all of our contestents," said Carlos.

Obama's inauguration will be the gayest ever ...

... even with Rick Warren, thanks to the Centaur Motorcycle Club and the 25th annual Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend.

And if you want some gay motorcycle fun right here in Colorado check out the Rocky Mountaineers.




Having celebrated their 40th Anniversary in 2008, the Rocky Mountaineers are Colorado's oldest gay organization.

Dig this pic from 1981.

How cool is that?

They throw an awesome event, The Golden Fleece Run, every year and I'm hoping this 2009 will finally be the year I'm gonna be able to go and check it out.