Author: David Hyman

On Wednesday of Dore week, July 26, 2023, The Academy SF will hold an art showcase, reception, and silent auction celebrating the work of renowned photographer Jim Wigler, well-known especially for his work in “Drummer” Magazine.

The exhibit features images from a photo shoot at The Academy’s location during the early 1980s, plus a selection of Jim’s other work featuring gay men of San Francisco during his storied career.

The reception and auction will happen from 6 to 9 pm on July 26, at The Academy SF, 2166 Market Street.  Admission is $10; free for Academy SF members.  Leather attire is welcome.

The proceeds from the auction will benefit the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District in San Francisco, and the Leather Archives & Museum in Chicago.

Pre-register, and learn more about Jim’s life and work, here.

The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District is launching the fourth cohort of its Entrepreneur Training Program, a 9-week program to help leather community folk start and build their businesses.

The program is led by Eddie Tang of Above Consulting, a seasoned San Francisco business consultant, and features Zoom-based group sessions and one-on-one consultations.  At the end of the 9 weeks, participants will present their business plan to a panel of local business leaders, experts, and potential funders.  Those who complete the program will each receive a $500 grant to help with their startup costs.

Two cohorts of this program have now graduated, the third cohort is in progress, and the fourth will began on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

If you wish to apply for this program, please complete this application form.   Click here for full info!

All members of the kink community are invited to join the Leather Contingent and march in the Parade in their proudest gear.

The Leather Contingent is Contingent #116
Marchers should arrive between 9 and 11 am on Sunday, June 25, 2023, on Main Street, between Howard and Mission (“Block N”)

There is still time to sign up to be a volunteer Contingent Monitor: watch the video at:
https://78de4f307d778084d9c3eeb1abc37b19.tinyemails.com/1685752427150/ae81e219daa56c7b17249fce93ac04b6/51cc3e190ddc14d51b3945f33c3dbaa6.html
and register at: https://78de4f307d778084d9c3eeb1abc37b19.tinyemails.com/1685752427150/ae81e219daa56c7b17249fce93ac04b6/51714502f73358ba7aab229b5213c4c8.html

The contingent name to use is: Leather Contingent San Francisco
The contingent code is: SFL107

You can also volunteer to help carry the large Leather Pride Flag, or perhaps the Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District Banner.   Simply arrive between 9 and 11 am on Sunday, June 25, 2023, and look for us, Contingent #116, on Main Street, between Howard and Mission (“Block N”).

This year’s Leather Marshals will be Mark Hankins Jr., Reika Minxie, and Austin James.   

The Leather Contingent for the 2023 pride Parade on June 25 is being organized by Robert Makowka, taking over from Jason Husted who has coordinated it for many years.  For continuing updates, please like and follow the Facebook pages here and here.

After the parade, stop by the Cultural District’s booth at the Festival: We’re  Booth GG64, on Golden Gate Street at the corner of Hyde, near the entrance to Leather Alley.

 

Serge Gay, Jr. has now completed work on the mural on the Heron Street side of Mr. S Leather. Sponsored by the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District, the mural depicts a playful puppy surrounded by his favorite toys, many of which are available inside Mr S.  An official unveiling of the mural will be scheduled in July, after Pride.

Here are some shots of the work in progress.

Serge was also the lead artist on the five-person team that painted the mural “Showtime!” on SF Oasis last year, along with Simón Malvaez, J Manuel Carmona, Christopher McCutcheon, and Elliott C. Nathan. “Showtime!” was also sponsored by the Cultural District in collaboration with Oasis Arts and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. In 2021, the District coordinated with artist Josh Katz to present the Sylvester mural on the Folsom Street side of Oasis.

You can see more of Serge’s work, along with Elliott’s, Manuel’s, Josh’s, and twelve other queer artists’, through Saturday, June 17, at the Pride Popup Art Show at Heron Arts Gallery, right down the street from the mural. You can make an appointment https://bit.ly/PridePopup. The show is a collaboration of the Cultural District and Heron Arts.

Progress Continues (6/15/2023):