The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District’s leadership is deeply pained by the racist violence which continues in this country.

We stand in solidarity with Black and Brown people and their allies worldwide who are peacefully expressing their outrage at racism, injustice, and abuse of police power.

We stand in solidarity with the protesters engaged in powerful actions to demand justice, accountability, and systemic change.

Only by standing together will it be possible to put an end to the senseless brutality we have witnessed for too long.

The Leather and LGBTQ communities have a long history of collective strength in times of crisis and now we invoke that strength to call for freedom and fairness for all oppressed communities.

We call on the entire community to work together to dismantle ingrained systems of inequality wherever they are found.  It will be a long journey to the end of institutionalized racism, but our community will act with strength, purpose, and solidarity until we see that day.

Black Lives Matter!

Community members have encouraged contributions to some of the organizations listed below.  Although the Cultural District has not reviewed these suggestions, and cannot specifically endorse them, we do urge our community to support the hard work of achieving safety, freedom, and fairness for all oppressed communities.

• • National Bail Fund Network
  • Bay Area Anti- Repression Committee Bail Fund
  • San Francisco’s Transgender District
  • Anti Police-Terror Project
  • The Bail Project™ National Revolving Bail Fund 
  • Protest & COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund for Community Bail & Bond Funds 
  • Minnesota Freedom Fund 
  • Transgender Gender-Variant & Intersex Justice Project – Black Trans Cultural Center
  • Center for Black Equity

Readings and Other Resources:

• • How To Put Anti-Racism Into Practice
  • Anti Racist Cumbria
  • Do Black Lives Matter in kink and leather communities?
  • Tools For Fighting Racism In The Leather Community
  • Website Planet: List of Black-Owned Businesses
  • Gender, Sexuality, Intersectionality and Racism

CSAP

The San Francisco Arts Commission wants YOU to help shape how funds will go towards helping address needs in the arts community. Click here to take survey.

On December 9th, the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District held our second annual Holiday Market at the SOMArts Center. 

We were thrilled to host more than 30 local queer vendors, selling artwork, leather gear, candles, t-shirts and so much more.  We had captivating performances provided by Twisted Windows, showcasing the skills of talented rope suspensions in a variety of acts.  We were honored with a delightful performance by Alotta Boutté, who tantalized our audience with an “Oogie Mash.”  We hosted two speed friending rounds with PsychoKitty which encouraged new connections from our patrons.  

Some of Our Vendors:

Nyxa

Throughout the course of our day, we had 300 patrons exploring our engaging space, taking pictures with Naughty Santas (Dandy, Pony, and Jingles!) and pup elves (courtesy of the Service Pups of San Francisco).  Photographers Jovon, Gloria from Fire Dragon Photography, and Dave Fong captured our moments throughout the day.  We also had a shuttle from SF Love Tours who carted our patrons from our holiday market to partnering businesses in SOMA!

Eight more galleries of pictures from the event can be viewed here,
courtesy of Fire Dragon Photo.
To download, use code 8217.
For more Fire Dragon photographs, visit them on the Web, Facebook, Instagram, or Fetlife.

All of this would not have been possible without the volunteers who donated their time to create a festive environment.  We want to take a moment to thank all of our volunteers.  Our set-up crew HuggyBear, Stephen, Sean and Doug – our vendors appreciated all of your hard work with helping them with their merchandise!  Our greeters that welcomed folx from the streets into our shared space: Stan, Sean, Guy, Stephen, Ray, Katlin and Steve!  The individuals who managed our Gear Swap and helped raise money for the district – Alecia, David and HuggyBear!  And special shout out to the pup elves Duo, Techxie, and Krypto. Kudos too to the staff of SOMArts Cultural Center – both Alexes, Sean, Evan, and Jesus – who are amazing to work with.

It is with sincere and grateful hearts that we say thank you and can’t wait to see what next year’s Holiday Market will hold!

Please view this video:

Overdose Prevention in Nightlife – Training Video

(See also Cultural District Sponsors Narcon Training)