|
|
|
erotica  fictiongallerylifestyles fetishbdsmqueer/bi/transswingersfeatures news briefsarticlessexy spreadseros bits sound offtriviasexfessionsreviewsevents sf archiveslondon archiveslos angeles archivesnew york archiveslas vegas archivesinternational calendareros photo classified ads about eros ezine daily cartoon select different zine:
|
This year, The LALC (Los Angeles Leather Coalition) took a major step, transforming the event from a one night contest to a four-day extravaganza, which expanded to include the Southland Honors (a traditional formal leather awards ceremony and reception), a seminar series, various dungeon dance parties, fetish vendor mart, and a StreetFest emceed by Jim J. Bullock and Will Clarke, with rock bands, dance pavilion, beer gardens and over 20 leather and fetish-oriented vendors. The new addition of the Leather Lifestyle Seminar Series attracted crowds who listened to such presentation topics as Connecting with Others Outside of Bars, Switching Top and Bottom Roles, and Incorporating Spirituality in Leathersex. The Southland Honors, modeled after Pantheon Awards, recognized several individuals and organizations for their contributions and work in the So. California leather community. On Sunday afternoon, thousands of people from the leather community filled LAL StreetFest Silver Lake. It was a hot day, so the men were cruising the StreetFest half naked. The dungeon dance parties were produced by Tattoo Chris, Instigator Magazine and CastroBear. The crowds grooving and grinding while fetish performance artists bound, trussed and suspended the succulent, sculpted bodies. ErosZine was the first to ask this year's winner for an interview. ErosZine: How long have you been involved in the leather community?  Marc Watrel: I entered my first leather bar when I was 16 years old. I was raised in central New Jersey, but on trips to New York City with my family, I noticed the large leather contingent that hung out on West Street. When I was allowed to go to Manhattan by myself, I made a beeline for the Village. I met several men who offered me some mentorship in the year-and-a-half before I left for college. These were my earliest SM experiences and some of my most vivid.I've since been active in the GLBT community in both New York and Los Angeles for 20 years. I've volunteered at GMHC, APLA, Fairpac, and Outfest. I'm a founding board member of The Empire State Pride Agenda, the largest GLBT statewide political action committee in the country. I've also hosted events and raised funds for Being Alive, Shanti and The Long Beach AIDS Food Store, as part of Leather Positive, a weekly event at The Faultline. EZ: Have you competed before? MW: 2004 was the first year I competed for any leather title. I first won Faultline Mr. Leather in January, which is one of nine feeder contests for Mr. LA Leather. I'd been thinking about entering one of the various contest for years, but the timing was never right until now. EZ: I love the look of those heavy studded leather banners. Did you feel like Miss America? Or is it all just too macho to feel like a beauty pageant? MW: Believe it or not, the majority of points earned are for your interview and speech. Yes, you have to look good in leather. And you better have the confidence to walk on stage in about four ounces of leather and three strategically placed snaps. But do I feel like Miss America? Only when I talk about world peace. EZ: Did you have to do any campaigning? MW: You don't really campaign for these titles, but it's important to let people in the community know you're serious about the title and the attendant responsibilities. In the past, many guys were eager for the title, but not willing to give their time and effort. Some, after winning a title, disappeared altogether until it was time to step down the following year. There are a lot of fundraising responsibilities that have to be met, as well as taking time to represent LA at other events during the year. You have to let people know you're willing to make that commitment before you step on stage. EZ: What is your workout regimen? MW: My workout is four days on, two days off. I work each body part once a cycle as well as doing abs every day. I do cardio at the end of every workout. After IML (International Mr. Leather) in May, I'll be back in the pool training for the swimming competition at the Gay Games 2006 in Chicago. I also row whenever I have the chance, and I just started boxing lessons last week. EZ: Are you looking forward to the big Chicago event? What does your competition look like?  MW: I'm honored to be representing the LA leather community at IML and can't wait to meet the other contestants. I've already been chatting with many of the guys online, and they seem like a great bunch of men. I'm looking forward to meeting them in person.EZ: What other leather/BDSM/fetish events do you attend? MW: I attend Avatar demonstrations once a month and play parties whenever I'm able. EZ: Sorry to sound like a centerfold quiz, but, what are your turn-ons? Turn-offs? MW: Turn-ons? The leather community has a motto: Trust, Honor, Respect. A man who whole-heartedly follows that motto is a major turn-on. The first physical attribute I check out in a prospective playmate is his eyes. A man's eyes are the window to his soul, so they say. Clichéd, I know, but so true. I also value creativity in a man. An explorer, physically and spiritually. Turn offs: dishonesty, above all else. Lastly, men who chew gum. EZ: What are your favorite activities? MW: Leather, boots, BDSM, roleplay, ws, cbt, electricity, outdoor sex and tattoos are at the top of my fetish list. I read two or three books a week, varying from non-fiction to obtuse cutting-edge fiction. I also am a old movie fanatic. And I putter around the garden. EZ: You'll be representing LA in Chicago. How do you feel you best represent LA? MW: It's been a humbling experience to have been selected to represent the LA Leather community. They're an amazing bunch of men and women whose passion and devotion have surpassed anything I've ever seen in GLBT community. Their unwavering support of me indicates that they've seen some of these traits in myself and I hope that I don't disappoint them. The leather community has been my true home since I first came out in the larger GLBT community. I hope I'm able to communicate to those who are leather wired, but not yet out to it, the sense of fraternity, brotherhood, and decency that pervades the leather community. It's a daunting task, but I believe I'm able to rise to this challenge.
|
|
|
 |
|