SF Eagle Bar Burglarized 

Intruders gained unauthorized access.
Among the losses were recent bar receipts, employee tips, inventory and equipment. 

San Francisco, CA — On Monday morning (11/18/2024), shortly after midnight, the SF Eagle, a historic and beloved LGBTQ+ establishment, was targeted in a burglary that resulted in significant property damage and the theft of a large sum of cash.

The theft is a heavy blow, not just to the operation of the bar, but to the livelihoods of the staff and the sense of safety. This comes at a particularly challenging time when bar sales slow during the holiday season.

The SF Eagle is working with authorities to investigate the incident and restore the damage as soon as possible. Community support during this challenging time is deeply appreciated. The bar has established a GoFundMe fundraising campaign to help recover its losses. For updates or to support, visit: https://gofund.me/096080f3

Owner Lex Montiel expressed his concern for his staff and the community that calls the SF Eagle home: “Our workers rely on the bar for their livelihood. This burglary affects not only the SF Eagle but also the people who make it a cornerstone of our community.”

The SF Eagle is a proud and active member of San Francisco’s Leather and LGBT communities, and a principal location for small fundraisers. In 2024, the Eagle helped more than 50 queer nonprofits raise over $80,000. With more fundraisers set for the coming weeks, the Eagle hopes a GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/096080f3) will help ensure it can reopen in time to support its community partners.

Despite this setback, Montiel emphasized the bar’s commitment to reopening with improved facilities, ensuring it remains a welcoming space accessible for everyone. The SF Eagle has begun plans to establish improved ADA accessibility throughout the bar, which will continue when it has recovered.

For more information, visit https://sf-eagle.com.

Town Hall Dates Set

The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District exists to represent and support you!

At least twice each year, we hold “Town Halls”, both to share information with our community and to listen to them.

    • Learn what the Cultural District has been doing!
    • Hear our plans for the year to come!
    • Share your experiences of the Cultural District!
    • Give us feedback.  Your opinions matter to us!
    • Enjoy refreshments!
    • Become a member, and receive our new Cultural District Pin!

So mark your calendar now for the Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District Town Halls!

Saturday, January 18
and
Saturday, May 17, 2025
from 2 to 4 pm
at the
Folsom Street Community Center

1286 Folsom Street
in San Francisco

    • Everyone welcome!
    • Free!
    • Remote viewing and participation planned.  Watch this page for details!

It’s SOCKSGiving time!

SOCKSgiving! is the annual fundraiser of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to benefit the SOMA West Community Benefit District.

Each year they collect socks and other outreach supplies to distribute to our unhoused neighbors during the cold winter months.

Donate new socks at participating locations, or purchase suggested supplies here and you can have them shipped directly to the Sisters!

Then celebrate SOCKSgiving in person at Cat Club (1190 Folsom Street) on Wednesday, November 27th!

The Bay Area can get painfully cold this time of year, and our friends living outside and in shelters would be so grateful for the extra support.

Holiday Market 2024

Holiday Market 2024!

Saturday, December 14. 2024
Noon to 5 pm

at SOMArts Cultural Center
934 Brannan Street

Vendors!  Entertainment!  Gear Swap!

Entertainment!  
  • Naughty Santa – photo booth and Kinky Elf Puppies!
    Main Stage – Twisted Windows
    1:00-1:30: Shay Tiziano
    1:30-2:00: DanceHallDyke & Lolo Ramone
    2:00-2:15: Nikita Velour
    2:15-2:45: Dual Demons
    2:45-3:15: Alicia T-Corn & KleineVosje
    3:15-3:30: Nikita Velour
    3:30-4:00: Eliza & Dangerbones
    4:00-4:30: Shay & Angel
    4:30: Costume Contest 

Vendors! 
(More will be joining!)

B’s Tiny Ds
BDSM Glass Art and Craftshttps://bdsmglassart.etsy.com/
Breathe Toyshttps://www.breathetoys.com
ByrdBeakshttps://www.byrdbeaks.com/
CAFE CON FLORES
Curiohttps://curioncurious.etsy.com/
Euclid Manorhttp://www.hiddenfunction.design
FAVE
Femmmeowhttps://www.shopfemmmeow.com/
Fire Dragon Photography: https://firedragonphoto.com
FTBS Media LLChttps://filthystudios.com
GOOCH Photographyhttps://photosbygooch.com/
Jetpack Arthttps://www.jetpackart.com/
Lucifire Candle CoHttps://Lucifirecandleco.MyShopify.com
Luke Andahazyhttps://www.lukeandahazy.com
Oscar Graves Arthttps://oscarzamoragraves.com
MICAM ART
Michael Marcus Arthttps://mikemarcusart.com
Mischief Manor Makershttps://www.etsy.com/shop/MischiefManorMakers
Rhea Adri Arthttp://rheaadri.com
Rouse Relational Wellnesshttps://www.rousetherapy.com
Sabine Etc: https://sabine.fyi/
SKIN ON SKINShttp://www.skinonskins.com
The House of Cherrellehttps://triggerhappytoy.com/

Vendors: Apply here!

GEAR SWAP! 

  • Buy at great prices!
  • Sell on consignment or Donate items for us to sell!
    • Sell items to raise cash and give a new kinky life to items you no longer use!
    • Drop off your items, we do all the work.
    • Donations of items are accepted that we will sell to support the District.
  • Gear Swap info here
And After the Holiday Market: 
    • Return to this page for links to other great SOMA events on 12/14/2024!
Watch this page for updates or follow the event on Facebook!

This is a smoke-free event.
However, there are designated smoking areas outside of SOMArts.

WHO’S GOING?

Find out who else is going and join the chat with Plura!
https://heyplura.com/…/leather-and-lgbtq-cultural…

This event is underwritten by a generous grant from Success Centers!


Timely Reminders

The next online meeting of the Communications Committee will be Thursday, November 14, from 6 to 7 pm.  Communications Committee Zoom linkFacebook page. Contact the committee chair.


The next meeting of the Land Use Committee Meeting is set for Tuesday, November 19, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Land Use Committee Meeting Zoom Link. Facebook page.  Contact the committee chair.


The next meeting of the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District Board of Directors will be Wednesday, November 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. This is our Annual Meeting, and will welcome our newly-elected Board Members and new President.  As always, all are welcome to attend, and time is reserved for public comment.  ASL interpretation provided if requested ten days in advance. To participate, use the Board of Directors Meeting Zoom link, or call 1-408-638-0968 and use Meeting ID: 847 8906 0820 and Passcode: 972086.  Facebook page.  Draft agenda (coming soon).  Minutes of past Board meetings. Please contact manager@sflcd.org if you have questions.


The next meeting of the Arts and Culture Committee is scheduled for Thursday, November 21, from 6 to 7 pm.  Arts and Culture Committee Facebook page. Zoom link.   Please contact the Committee chair to get on the mailing list for this Committee, or for more info!


The next meeting of the Diversity & Membership Committee will be on Thursday, December 5Diversity & Membership Committee Zoom link.  Contact the Committee chair to get on the mailing list for this Committee, or for more info!


The Fundraising Committee meets as needed.  Please contact the Fundraising Committee chair to get on the mailing list for this Committee, or for more info!


A Governance and Legislation Committee meeting will be scheduled when needed. Please contact the Governance and Legislation Committee chair to sign up, or for more info!


We send out a newsletter each month, right before our Board Meeting.  Do you get it?
If not, view a recent newsletter, then sign up to get it monthly.


Speaking of newsletters, the SOMA West Community Benefit District does a great one, highlighting events — both social and political — affecting our part of the City.  Subscribe to the SOMA West Community Benefit District newsletter.


San Francisco has ten Cultural Districts, each supporting a unique aspect of the City’s cultural mosaic You can learn about the San Francisco Cultural Districts Program, and subscribe to a Cultural Districts newsletter, published quarterly by the Mayor’s Office of Housing & Community Development.


We keep adding links to our Resource Guide page.  Use it!


Threats to our South of Market businesses and institutions can arise quickly, and may require a quick community response.  SOMA Action network sign-up link.


If you have not yet seen it, please read our Statement of Solidarity, and consider what you personally can do to fight racism, injustice, and abuse of police power.


The next meeting of the Board of the Friends of Eagle Plaza is scheduled for Wednesday, November 13 or December 11, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.  You can be added to the “Friends of Eagle Plaza” mailing list.  You can make a donation to the Friends of Eagle Plaza. You can like and follow them on Facebook.  You can learn more about the Plaza’s design, construction and stewardship on the Friends of Eagle Plaza website, or you can write to info@eagleplaza.org.

LeatherWalk 2024 Launches Leather Week

Kinksters massed at SF City Hall on Sunday, September 22, 2024, and proudly paraded through SOMA for LeatherWalk!

The walk is over, though donations are still accepted!

LeatherWalk 2024 gathered on the steps of City Hall. Photo credit: Jovon Bright.
LeatherWalk 2024 gathered on the steps of City Hall. Photo credit: Jovon Bright.

The Walk started with greetings by Cultural District President Reika Faust, and a warm welcome by District Six Supervisor Matt Dorsey.

LeatherWalk 2024 in progress. Photo credit: Jovon Bright.
LeatherWalk 2024 in progress. Photo credit: Jovon Bright.

Each walker received a free LeatherWalk 2024 pin as they lined up behind the color guard flags.  Several local organizations organized fundraising teams for the Walk (including The 15, The Gauntlet, BLUF SF, the Yellow and Black Group, and the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District) and carried their banners in front of their members and supporters.

The Walk stepped out promptly at 11:30 am. SFPD officers stopped traffic, and volunteers helped keep everyone safe, as Walkers proceeded to the Walk’s first Stop, Oasis.

LeatherWalk 2024 gathered in front of the Oasis. Photo credit: Jovon Bright.
LeatherWalk 2024 gathered in front of the Oasis. Photo credit: Jovon Bright.

After a pause for libations and a massive group photo, the Walk continued down Folsom to Stop #2, where some Walkers visited the Hole in the Wall or Powerhouse, while others stepped across to Azúcar Lounge for edible refreshments.  Stop #3 was Leather Etc., where Walkers received discounts on gear of all kinds.  At Stop #4, Mr. S Leather, several authors and contributors signed copies of their new book, “Kink Is”.

LeatherWalk 2024 turns from Folsom onto 8th Street. Photo credit: Dave Fong.
LeatherWalk 2024 turns from Folsom onto 8th Street. Photo credit: Dave Fong.

After that, volunteers stopped traffic to allow walkers to proceed safely to Ringold Alley, where John Brett, Minister for the SF Night Ministry, offered words of inspiration and a “Blessing of the Leathers”.  Then it was on to Stop #5, the Lone Star Saloon, for more camaraderie and cocktails.

The Walkers then regrouped and strode the final leg of the Walk, to the SF Eagle’s Leather Pride Fest which closed Harrison street from 11th to 13th Street.

The raising of the Leather Pride Flag, announcing the start of San Francisco's Leather Week 2024. Photo credit: Jovon Bright.
The raising of the Leather Pride Flag, announcing the start of San Francisco’s Leather Week 2024. Photo credit: Jovon Bright.

At 3 pm, the huge Leather Pride Flag was ceremoniously raised above Eagle Plaza, officially heralding the start of Leather Week.  Partying in the street continued until 7 pm. Many leather/kink festivities continued throughout South of Market and all of San Francisco, right through the Folsom Street Fair the following Sunday.

We estimate that roughly 200 Walkers enjoyed LeatherWalk 2024.  Kink pride  was visible in the District, and our LeatherWalk tradition was joyously preserved.

Fundraising for LeatherWalk continues until Sunday, October 13, to give fundraisers the opportunity to reach their goals. Proceeds from LeatherWalk directly support our Leather Legacy Landmarks sidewalk plaques initiative to install plaques at 77 iconic and sometimes raucous SOMA locations, honoring places that began serving our community in the 1960s.

Donors have contributed more than $13,000 towards our $22,000 goal of funding the installation of the first 17 plaques, all on Folsom Street. There is still time for your support get us over the top! Please making a meaningful donation today at www.leatherwalk.org. Support your favorite walker!

Please visit this page for galleries of photos and videos from the event.

And please join us in extending thanks to the many individuals and groups – including our generous donors, the participating bars and businesses, the many volunteers, and the specialists at Do Good Stuff, – who deserve thanks for making LeatherWalk 2024 such a grand success.

You can continue to make donations to the Leather Legacy Landmarks initiative here.