Blog – Page 4 – LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District

July 9, 2025

Cultural District in Leather Contingent

The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District was proud to be part of the Leather Contingent of the 2025 Pride Parade. Contingent organizer Robert Makowka reported that this was the group’s largest showing in memory. Thanks to the Color Guard, flag and banner carriers, our five Leather Marshals, contingent monitors, and to all the volunteers and marchers.

Please enjoy these photos. [photographer credit will be added shortly.]

July 7, 2025July 7, 2025

Safety in SOMA

SOMA WEST Has A Safety Patrol!

SOMA West has a dedicated Safety Patrol, with uniformed Safety Ambassadors on bikes patrolling the neighborhood as part of its Clean & Safe Initiatives. These ambassadors provide a highly visible presence and serve as the eyes and ears of the San Francisco Police Department, helping to deter crime and maintain community safety.

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the Safety Ambassadors handle street disorder response, trespass enforcement, alarm response, security escorts, and referrals to human service programs. Their constant presence and close communication with local police help deter panhandling, crime, and vandalism.

For assistance, call 1.888.415.SOMA (7662):

Dial 1 for Service

Dial 2 for Security

Dial 3 to Leave a Message.

Here are a few generic safety suggestions:

Pick up a free safety whistle at bars and other venues around the Cultural District!
- Blow three times if you need assistance. Repeat as needed.
- Blow your whistle when you spot danger.
- If you hear a whistle, move towards the sound. Call 911 if serious. Add your whistle to the sounds if safe to do so.
Narcan and fentanyl test strips provided by the Cultural District are also widely available.
- Please view this Overdose Prevention in Nightlife – Training Video, featuring Kochina Rude
For emergency safety or medical issues, please dial 911.
For non-emergency police matters, please call the SFPD at 415-553-0123.
For outdoor cleanliness issues please use https://sf311.org/ — The Soma West CBD will receive the notification, and get on it ASAP.
For graffiti removal, or other cleanliness- or safety-related services, visit somawestcbd.org/services.
If you are visiting from a location without dedicated bike lanes, be extra alert wherever you see green pavement markings.
Respect pedestrian crosswalk lights and “no pedestrian crossing” signs.
Be respectful and polite to people on the street, but remain alert.
Before you leave with someone you meet in a bar, introduce them to a friend, an event host, a bartender, or the door security staff, and listen to any feedback they may offer about them.
Do not leave your beverage unattended.
Be part of the solution.
Lots of great safety information resides on the SafetyBlows website.
Castro Community on Patrol offers periodic self-defense and other trainings.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have launched an initiative to promote safer hookups, called Safety First, Sexy Second.
Other useful phone numbers;
- City Services and Information; 311
- Southern Police Station: 415-575-6000
- Mobile Crisis Team: 41-970-4000
- Comprehensive Child Crisis: 415-970-3800
- SFMTA Parking Enforcement: 415-553-1200
- SF Animal Control (Emergency Dispatch): 415-554-9400
- Suicide and Crisis Call Line: 988
- SOMA West Community Benefit District Services: 888-415-7662 or service@swcbd.org
See also our Community Safety Resources page.

July 2, 2025July 2, 2025

Give us Feedback on Leather Alley

Thank You for Visiting Leather Alley at SF Pride 2025!

Leather Alley is about visibility. It’s about offering a place for folxs to see themselves, ask questions, and feel the power of chosen family and radical authenticity. This year, you showed us just how vital that space is.

Thank you for being part of it. Whether you came to learn, play, volunteer, or simply witness, you helped make Leather Alley a success.

You can help us make it even better next year! Fill out our Feedback Form!

Visit this page for more info, and a ton of photos!

July 2, 2025July 2, 2025

Leather Alley at SF Pride 2025: Thank You for Showing Up!

We are still glowing from the incredible energy and community presence at this year’s Leather Alley, presented by the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District at SF Pride 2025.

From longtime members of the kink and leather community to first-time visitors who came with curiosity and open hearts, thousands of you showed up, engaged, and helped make this year’s Leather Alley one of the most vibrant yet.

Thanks to our amazing volunteers, demo Tops, and support staff, Leather Alley became a welcoming space to explore kink, connect with the community, and learn about our culture, history, and practices. Together, we created an environment that was open, respectful, and alive with possibility.

Thank you for being part of it. Whether you came to learn, play, volunteer, or simply witness, you helped make Leather Alley a success.

We’re already looking forward to next year. Until then—stay kinky, stay curious, and stay connected.

With gratitude,

Reika Faust (She/Her)
President & Program Associate

LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District

Want to help us make next year even better? Fill out our Feedback Form!

And now, please enjoy these pictures from the event. Photos by Dot.