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Small Business Grants Offered from SF Shines

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.
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Bearrison Needs Volunteers

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!

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LeatherWalk Launches LeatherWeek

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

LeatherWalk 2023 gathering at Oasis, photo by Dave Fong.

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.

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Leather Week 2023 Events

We are now in the heart of San Francisco’s 2023 Leather Week, which traditionally begins with LeatherWalk and climaxes with the Folsom Street Fair.

This year Leather Week is packed with parties, programs and other activities that celebrate our queer and kinky lives.  Here is an overview of some of these joyous events, with links to more information:

Items in red are produced by the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District.
Items in bold are free admission.  Donations or purchases welcome.

This list does not include many regular kinky weekly or monthly events (such as those listed here), nor some outside the San Francisco South of Market area.

Be sure to check out Andymatic’s Folsom Street Fair Party Guide for lots more information about the parties, and the spirit, of Leather Week.  Our thanks to Andy, and to Race Bannon for the info he shares on Race’s Bar.