LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District

The Third Annual Bearrison Street Fair will be held on Harrison Street at 11th Street, on Saturday, October 14, 2023, from noon to 6 pm

Bearrison — a collaboration between the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and the Bears of San Francisco — is an inclusive event for all members of the adult LGBTI+ community, promoting body positivity for all and building a more supportive, welcoming, and inclusive bear scene by representing a diverse arena of cultures.

The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District was proud to have been a Presenting Sponsor of the Fair for the last two years, and we plan to be a Sponsor again this year.

The organizers are reaching out to recruit volunteers, offering special perks like t-shirts, Hospitality HQ access, NEFT VIP Bear Garden access, and an opportunity to earn money for the non-profit or charity of your choice!  Learn more and sign up to volunteer here.  

Admission to the event is free, but you will definitely want to get a VIP ticket!  Buy in advance and save!

This is a special alert for San Francisco small business owners, from the Office of Economic & Workforce Development:

This past fiscal year, SF Shines had a big impact, funding 293 businesses and investing over $1.3 million.

The Office of Economic & Workforce Development is now beginning the process of designing the next iteration of these grant programs, intending to relaunch SF Shines in January 2024. In order to focus on that process, the final deadline for both the SF Shines Construction Grant and the SF Shines Design Services Grant is 11:59 pm on Friday September 29.

• Get free drawings and design services from a licensed architect or logo and signage design from a graphic designer. Apply here.
• Get up to $5,000 in funding to complete construction projects and purchase new equipment.  Apply here.
• Small business owners can get reimbursed for accessibility inspections or for making your business more accessible. Apply here.

Many paws make light work!

Bearrison Street Fair is looking for over 150 volunteers for this fun event on Saturday, October 14, 2023,  on Harrison Street at 11th Street. 

Bearrison promotes body positivity for all and builds a more supportive, welcoming, and inclusive bear scene.  The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District is proud to be a Presenting Sponsor of the Fair.

The theme this year is Under the Big Tops!  Full info is here.

Shift sign ups are available now so please sign up today, here.

Volunteers get perks like a free T-Shirt, access to the Hospitality HQ (which includes food, drinks, private toilets, and exclusive backstage access), and access to the NEFT VIP Bear Garden.  Plus every shift completed will earn money towards a non-profit or charity of your choice, so you are not only helping pull off an amazing event, but you are also supporting your community financially.

[SPECIAL NOTE:  David H. is looking for volunteers to dress as woodland creatures or wood nymphs, and act as hosts in the “Bear Wood” VIP area.  Please contact him directly for more info.]

And if for some reason you cannot volunteer…. be sure to attend!
Buy your VIP pass ticket now and save!

An estimated 125 members of the Leather, kink and queer communities gathered at City Hall on Sunday morning for LeatherWalk 2023.

We walked together to celebrate leather, kink, family and community — all while raising funds for the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District.

This year’s top fundraiser was Reika Faust, and she will receive the coveted 2023 LeatherWalk Kinky Boot Award.

The walk began at SF City Hall, where we were welcomed by District Six Supervisor Matt Dorsey.  We proceeded down and across Market Street  and through SOMA, with refreshment, entertainment and shopping stops at Oasis, Hole in the Wall, Powerhouse, Azúcar Lounge, the Folsom Street Community Center, Leather Etc., Mr. S Leather, Lone Star Saloon, and SF Eagle.

We walked the length of the Ringold Leather History Walk, and paused for the Blessing of the Leathers by Faithful & Fabulous Minister John Brett at the Ringold Leather History Monument.

The Walk arrived at Eagle Plaza in time to join the Leather Pride Fest, to be welcomed by Mayor London Breed, and to participate in the celebratory raising of the Leather Pride Flag, heralding the beginning of 2023’s Leather Week.

Here are a few pictures from the Walk and the Festival.

Welcome to Leather Fest (video by Norm Lynde)

Raising the Leather Flag (video by Huggybear)

A full gallery of pictures by Dave Fong can be found here.

An additional gallery of pictures, by Fire Dragon Photography, can be found here.