Happy Hour Anyone?

Leather Protocols

This is courtesy of Leatherati.com

There is a great deal of confusion and mixed signals in our community about "protocols".  The protocolists decry the disappearance of our leather traditions while the loosely defined New Guards insist that new traditions are emerging and we can't be hidebound (so to speak) by the protocols of old.  As usual both sides have merit.  

The leather lifestyle is by nature a radical expression of our sexuality and our personality.  How can you constrain radical into a set of commandments?  At the same time our experience grows from tradition and we avoid being complete outlaws by following a set of personally identified protocols that pave the way for our journey.  

Here are a set of protocols originally set out by Brother Jerry in 2001 and are a pretty good base point to begin either the adoption or discussion of protocols.

No touch without permission

• This is something that is relatively recent in the past few decades, but seems to be wildly accepted across the country.  Respect is given to ALL members of the community 
• Master/Dom/Daddy as well as slave/boy/pet.  No one has the right to touch another without expressed permission.  In the case of a slave/pet it is usually with the permission of his master/owner. 
• It is considered very respectful to ask permission of everyone to touch, even if it is as simple as a hug.  Permission given to touch is not about the person asking the question, it is about the person who is giving permission.  If someone says No, this should not be taken as offense or personal, remember, it is not about YOU (the asker) it is about the person you are wishing to have contact with.
• It is considered very disrespectful to touch without permission especially in scenarios of ass slapping/grabbing when one is going bare-assed, the grabbing or pulling of a boy/slaves collar (it can also be dangerous), harnesses, or of someone's personal belongings (whips, floggers, and even human property). 

Formal and informal introductions

• It is generally accepted to approach everyone on the same plain and show a common respect regardless of their designation in the community. 
• No one can assume a person's status by looks alone, so it is considered appropriate to begin a conversation with everyone, in an open and respectful manner.  If the person is under ownership or control of another, it is either their responsibility to let you know this OR their Master/Owner/Daddy will relay this information to you. 

Addressing a person by a title

• There are two schools of thought when it comes to titles.  The first is that titles are reserved for specific relationships, such as a Master to his slave, a Daddy to his boy, a Sir to his sub.  The titles of their respect are between the people in that relationship.  It is perceived by some in the community to be pretentious to force these self-imposed personal titles onto others who are not in the direct relationship.
• Others feel that if someone introduces himself with a title, it is out of respect that the titles are adhered to when talking and introducing the individual.  These titles can include but are not limited to Master, Daddy, as well as boy, in addition to the person's name.
• In general, these two schools of though may find conflict, but we must all try to find a common ground to work and relate to one another, so use your best judgment when utilizing or not utilizing titles. 
• The bottom line is that no one should take it as a sign of disrespect if one chooses not to use a title when talking with someone who is not in your specific relationship.    

Protocols of dress

Flagging 

• The term flagging in the Leather Community refers to how you wear a particular item of clothing. In general, articles of clothing worn on the left hand side of a person's body gives the impression that you are Dominant, Top, Aggressor, or Active in a relationship or scene.  If worn on the right hand side of the body you are submissive, bottom, or passive in a relationship or scene.  For people who are versatile, often they will flag both left and right.  The articles of clothing these are most often seen in are, but not limited to, arm bands, gauntlets, wrist bands, and hankies.  Hankies come in a WIDE variety of colors and each color and shade signifies a particular interest and or fetish within the Leather Community. Many Leather Bars usually have at least a partial listing of the more common colors and their meaning. 
• Always remember, that just because someone appears to be flagging a particular color hankie or article of clothing on a particular side does NOT necessarily mean he is into what you think. In the modern era, leather to some is just an accessory, so it is always best to clarify a person's interest and not make any assumptions as to a particular meaning.

Equipment

• Often particular pieces of equipment can be attached to a person (but not necessarily worn).  Such items include, but not limited to, floggers, restraints, handcuffs, etc.  As with articles of clothing, if worn on the left it usually means you would like to utilize the equipment on someone, if on the right, it gives the impression you would like the equipment to be used on you. Equipment is personal property and should never be grabbed, or used without permission.

Collars and chains

• Leather collars and or chains are very symbolic within the Leather Community. It is usually an identification of relationship between a Daddy/boy or a Master/slave.  Sometimes it is more specific by the addition of a closed padlock without a key.  Often these articles are worn so that they must be put on and taken off by the one who possesses the key.  As with all protocol this is a generality, because in this day and age, there are many who wear collars or chains as an accessory or even as a piece of fetish wear. So always query someone if you really want to know.

Leather Vests

• Leather Vests are very common within the Leather Community. Often you will see pins as well as colorful patches or information on them. 
• Most often, the back of a vest is reserved for two distinct purposes:

1. The identification of one association to a  particular organization or business.  This patch is known as the club's colors and identifies a person to that club or organization. It is considered Leather Courtesy to greet someone wearing colors from out of town by a member of the local club.  Remember, the leather community is a small tight knit group of like minded people. So we must strive to be open and friendly to our fellow tribesmen who may wander into our neck of the woods.
2. The identification of a person who may be holding, or held, a particular title from a contest or an honorary designation. 

• The front of a vest is often covered with pins.  Usually the left side of a vest is reserved for affiliation with specific organizations, runs that one has participated in, events, etc.  They are worn on the left side to show their connection to the person's heart. 
• The right side is often reserved for pins which do not have a particular affiliation such as events you may have not participated in, but have received a pin, a Friendship Pin, etc.
• Vests with club colors are to be worn only by the  member. Allowing another to wear you club vest is considered a violation of the club colors. and is subject to the removal of the club colors.

Friendship Pins

• Pins which are given to an individual, usually by a person affiliated with a club/event/or title holder.  These pins symbolize that a member of a club/organization felt that you merited the honor of wearing their clubs' friendship pin.  One tradition of presenting a Friendship Pin has the giver  placing  the pin on the front of the receiver's  jeans, at the point where the head of his dick (penis) sets in his  jeans.  After that day/evening, the pin is is moved to the vest. 
• Members of a club are encourage to introduce themselves whenever they see their clubs' pin on a person's vest.  A fellow club member gave this person the honor of wearing the club pin and  it is common courtesy to introduce yourself as a member of the club. 
• Receiving a pin is usually considered an honor, therefore it is considered improper etiquette to ask for a friendship pin.  It is an item that is always given as an act of friendship.

Public Leather Etiquette

What follows are some basic etiquette when at a leather bar or event: 

• Never touch without permission (body or equipment). 
• Greet everyone on an equal level of respect regardless of their visual designation, until requested differently. 
• Respect each others opinions. This does not mean you have to accept it, but offer the respect that in turn is afforded to you.  
• Flagging hankies, articles of clothing or equipment on the left gives the impression you are Dominant/Top/Aggressor or Active in a relationship or scene. 
• Flagging hankies, articles of clothing or equipment on the right gives the impression you are submissive/bottom or passive in a relationship or scene.  Mixing the items you flag can be confusing and a sign of personal embarrassment. 
• Never wear cologne.  
• Never wear articles of leather with tennis shoes.  
• Never use female pronouns when referring to men.  
• Never use the terms 'tinkle, potty, pee' or the like when you need to perform a bodily function.  
• Always negotiate in an honest manner before entering a scene with someone. 
• Disclosure of any illnesses is important for the safety of all scenes. 
• The terms Safe Sane and Consensual are often utilized within the Leather Community.  Safe and Sane is defined by the open and honest dialogue between two (or more) consenting adults who come to a common agreement to engage in a scene.  It may not be viewed as safe or sane to others, but these consenting agreements are between individuals and, in general, are not the business of outsiders to the agreement.

By accepting or taking a position in the Leather Community you are holding yourself and others up to a higher standard of mutual Respect, Honor, Loyalty, and Honesty.  These are values that should be practices in all communities, but expected within the Brotherhood of the Leather Tribe.

Most members of the community are more than willing to share their views, thoughts knowledge and education about the Leather Lifestyle.  Individuals who wear club or organization colors are very willing to help a newcomer in his new journey into the Leather Lifestyle.

Original protocol guidelines authored August 21, 2001 by Brother Jerry, now deceased.

Happy Valentines Day

I hope everyone has a good day and doesn't have one like this lady here LOL.... Posts to resume this week!

I am boy quinton and this who i am

"This is a work in progress as my journey as boy quinton"

From the beginning it started with a dream or maybe a fantasy...

In the pre-stages of learning who I am, I've had a few

pleasurable experiences, had some not so pleasant experiences,

and seen some ways of play that intrigued me as well as

some that have intimidated me.

From learning the ropes of this lifestyle, I have seen the good,

some of the bad and have managed to experience the part-timers

and game players of this way of life. They don't understand

this lifestyle the way that I understand this lifestyle.

For me I don't just see this as someone who dresses up, someone

who says they're part of this community because of the "fun" part

of this lifestyle. For me I see this community as a lifestyle in

a whole. In my soul I know who I am, in my heart it says to follow

this journey of who you really are, and my mind says it is ready 

to adapt to this lifestyle of who I really am.

My journey will not be a walk in the park....

It will take lots of hard work, as well as discipline,

trust, courage determination and obedience.

As I move forward to this lifestyle, I look forward to

learning the history of this community, look forward to

becoming a better person. I have goals of exploring my

limits as well as learning the protocols and understanding

that a Dominants needs come before my own and lastly,

I look forward to serving a SIR as boy quinton.

I am boy quinton. I am a leatherboy.... and I am part of

a community and lifestyle that is about brotherhood,

loyalty, respect and family.

Woof! A bear poem

By boy Quinton as StudKub (my bear community alter-ego)


They say when this type comes out they closet,
they are coming out of the second closet.

This brotherhood is tough like a lumberjack,
Solid like the animal counter-part

This type may come in all shapes and sizes
This type may be labeled as a cub, an otter,
labeled as an ursophile as well as a chub.

Other labels that define us are red bear,
grizzly or hirsute bear, leather bear, 
muscle bear, daddy bear, polar, pocket and panda bear.

Our sister counterpart who can be called 
the bear fag hag is called Goldilocks.

Some of the terminology that you may find in bear
brotherhood are Woof, Grr, and chaser.

Even though when the term bear is spoken, a real bear
can usually be identified as a man with self-acceptance
in hirsuteness and/or their build.

At the end of the day, we live, breathe and speak the colors
of brown, tan, white, gray and black. 

We are bears, wolves, cubs, otters, and ursophiles...

We are the Bear Community.

Black, Blue & Red

By boy Quinton

For some people leather is something that they wear,

for others it is just a lifestyle or a way or life,

to those that associate things like bondage & discipline,

S&M, or dominance and submission don't understand

that it is more than that.

The colors of black, blue, red & white represents

a culture that is more than just wearing garments.

Vests, chaps, boots, and harnesses make the man or woman.

But what makes the Leather Woman, SIR or LeatherDaddy or Master

is the knowledge of what it all stands for that

makes the man or woman, the boy, the SIR, the Leather Master.

Even though wearing black leather clothing maybe an

erotic fashion for some, for the others they love to

expresses heightened masculinity or the appropriation

of sexual power, love of motorcycles and independence,

and/or engagement in sexual kink or leather fetishism.

They love the interaction of dominance between the

dominant and submissive.

Leather is more than a piece of clothing...

Leather is a lifestyle...

How To Masturbate for Men By Cory Silverberg

Masturbation is considered by many to be the cornerstone of sexual health. Most men believe that they already know everything about their own genitals and sexual response. It’s all out there, boys will be boys, etc. But just because you know how your tools work, doesn’t mean you can build the Eiffel Tower. In fact most men experience a fraction of their full erotic and orgasmic potential. Read on for simple and fun tips on how to masturbate for men.

Time Required: Male masturbation doesn't have to always be a "quick affair". Take your time and enjoy.

Here's How:

   1. Make time for more than a quickie.

      Most guys first learn to masturbate in secret and furtive ways. They do it quickly and need to figure out what to do with the evidence afterward. This can create a powerful pattern of masturbating quickly, without paying attention to where your sexual arousal can take you. To start exploring something different, make sure you have some extended time and privacy for yourself, where you aren’t trying to finish quick before someone interrupts.

   2. Turn off the porn (just for a while) and tune into your body.

      Not everyone likes porn, but a lot of guys do, and while porn can be great, it also takes you out of your body a bit with the fantasy. This can distract you from what’s actually happening in your body. You don’t need to throw the porn away, but for a few times, masturbate without porn, and objectify yourself for a change!

   3. Do a…dry…run through.

      Bad pun aside, it’s a good idea to try the above suggestions, and then just masturbate as you normally would. As you do this pay attention:

          * Changes in your breathing: Does it become shallow and quick, slower and deeper?

          * Changes in your body: is there tension in some places, and relaxation in others? Is this the same every time you masturbate?

          * How does it feel just before you have an orgasm?

          * How does it feel as you orgasm, and immediately post-orgasm? 

   4. Time to switch it up.

      Men learn early in their lives the most effective way to get themselves off. And most never waver from the utilitarian approach to self love. But sex is less like a well oiled machine, and more like a chaotic food fair, where there is an endless selection of ways to satisfy your appetites. So it’s time to throw a wrench in the works and shake up your routine. Try any combination of the following suggestions:

   5. Does your left hand know what your right hand is doing?

      Do you always use the same one hand to masturbate? Most guys do. If you’re among them, start with the simple tip of switching hands. It can feel strange at first, the rhythm might be off, it’s almost like sex with someone new for the first time. Enjoy the newness, and see if a new hand can teach an old hand some tricks.

   6. Experiment with positions.

      If you aren’t an experimental type, it’s time to start. If you’re used to masturbating lying down on your back, try sitting up. If you normally sit in a chair, try standing, or kneeling. As with all these changes, this might feel ridiculous at first, and you’ll probably go back to old faithful, but see what masturbation feels like in different positions, and notice if it brings with it any new sensations.

   7. Get your hips moving.

      The way your body moves when you masturbate is probably very different from the way it moves when you’re having sex with someone else. Many men don’t move at all when they masturbate. Try to move your hips when you masturbate, simulating the thrusting of intercourse. Notice how moving your hips in different ways can bring you closer to, and at times take you farther away from, the point of orgasm.

   8. Use different hand strokes.

      Most men learn early on that a vigorous stroke does the trick. This intense up and down stimulation usually ends in a good orgasm. But there are dozens of other strokes that each bring with them different sensations, and different orgasms. Roll your penis in between your hands, moving your hands up and down your shaft. Try using long twisting strokes instead of just up and down. Experiment with different movements, pressures, and speeds.

   9. Explore your shaft.

      While most of the nerve endings on the penis are at the head, and specifically the frenulum, many men will have spots on their shaft that are unusually sensitive. Try putting one hand at the base of your penis and press it towards your body while experimenting with different hand strokes along the shaft of your penis. Treat this like a treasure hunt, and try to feel the difference between one side and the other, between stimulation near the base and up near the tip.

  10. Reach around, yourself.

      For many men the balls (testicles) are a very sensitive area that responds well to feelings of touch and pressure. Take your forefinger and thumb and make them in a circle at the top of your scrotum. Gently tug on your scrotum as your masturbating. This is both a way to prevent you from ejaculating and a way to extend sexual feelings in your body. Experiment with other kinds of touch including tickling, scratching, and rubbing.

  11. Check out the neighborhood.

      While the penis and scrotum tend to be the epicenter of masturbatory attention, if you’re looking to open things up a bit, be sure to take a tour of some other nearby areas. The perineum, the area between the scrotum and anus, is very sensitive to pressure and massage, and rubbing it provides external prostate stimulation. Speaking of which, don’t be afraid to explore the anus, both externally and by using a finger for penetration.

  12. Bring it all together.

      Not everything you try is going to do it for you, but the idea behind the above tips is to try lots of different things, and then incorporate whatever you like into the ways you regularly masturbate. Maybe it’s a different stroke, or position, or breathing technique. Obviously there is no one, correct way to masturbate, and even if you’ve got something that works for you, consider the fact that there could be more out there if you experiment with it.

Tips:

   1. Another myth about male masturbation is that you shouldn’t use anything other than you hand. While your hand might be doing the trick, adding some accessories can make the stimulation even more intense, and inspire more creativity with yourself, and with partners.

   2. Get a good quality personal lubricant . If it’s only for masturbation you can use something that’s oil based without worrying about condom compatibility. Oil based products are better because they won’t dry up.

   3. Add a sex toy into the mix. It might be a vibrator, a dildo, or a cock ring (if you’ve never tried one I recommend trying one on your own before you use it with a partner). Sex toys can add a completely new kind of stimulation, and accentuate the manual stimulation your doing.

Effects of Masturbation

Surprisingly little research attention has been paid to the specific effects of masturbation. The history of masturbation is littered with moral condemnation and scientific inaccuracies regarding its negative effects but thankfully there finally seems to be medical agreement that masturbation is a healthy form of sexual expression, and one with more positive than negative effects.

Still many of us believe the masturbation myths we are raised with, which makes it worthwhile to learn the truth about the effects of masturbation on the body and the mind.

Masturbation can increase self-knowledge:

Sex educators don’t call masturbation the cornerstone of sexual health for nothing. Masturbation is the first, safest, and best way to get to know how your sexual body works. You can learn what turns you on and what doesn’t. You can learn how to give yourself sexual pleasure in a hurry, or when you’ve got nothing but time. As an educational tool, masturbation is better than any textbook, video or website you’ll ever read (that includes this one!).

Masturbation can lead to self-discovery:

Even if you know how to get the job done, masturbatorally speaking, your capacity to feel sexual pleasure is limitless and masturbation is a great way to find new functions for familiar parts. Often when we’re having sex with a partner we might be too self-conscious, shy, or otherwise distracted to pay close attention to what’s happening in our own body. Masturbation, when you’re doing it by yourself, allows you to focus on the subtlety of your own sexual response , and possibly discover things you hadn’t previously realized were part of your sexuality.

Masturbation is nature’s sleep aid:

While thinking about sex might keep you up at night having it, including masturbation, is a great way to deal with insomnia. In a 2000 study of U.S. women, 32% said that in the past three months they masturbated as a way to fall asleep. Whether it’s because of the hormones and endorphins released following orgasm, the benefits of clearing your head, or the mini cardio workout, masturbation that ends in orgasm is a great way to get to sleep without pills, television, or counting sheep.

Masturbation provides pain relief:

Whether you’re experiencing temporary or chronic pain from sore joints, headaches, menstrual cramps, or other causes, masturbation and orgasm can, in some cases, provide natural pain relief. While we don’t know exactly why, research has documented arousal and orgasm resulting in reduced pain thresholds. It’s worth pointing out that for some conditions (like migraine headaches ) orgasm can either reduce the pain or increase it.

Masturbation is a great stress reliever:

Several studies have documented the relaxation effects of masturbation induced orgasm. Aside from the physical benefits, masturbation, when you’re doing it right, is all about “you time” and taking time to focus on yourself is a great way to break up the stress of a busy life. Particularly when used with sexual fantasy, masturbation can be a great escape, a way to let off some steam, and while masturbation alone might not be enough to deal with all the stress in your life, it’s a healthy, free, and non-pharmaceutical tool right at your fingertips (or other body part or sex toy, as the case may be).

Masturbation may offer cancer prevention:

Two recent studies found a link between the number of times a man ejaculates and the likelihood of getting prostate cancer. The prostate gland produces and stores seminal fluid and the fluid can build up in the prostate if a man goes a long time without ejaculating. This build up isn’t always a problem, but in the studies men who ejaculate more were less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Another researcher has proposed a theory that orgasm may offer some protective effect against breast cancer via oxytocin released at orgasm.

Sources:

   1. Cornog, M. The Big Book of Masturbation San Francisco: Down There Press, 2003.

   2. Komisaruk, B., Beyer-Flores, C., and Whipple, B. The Science of Orgasm Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006. 

Masturbation Quiz

Test your knowledge of masturbation: http://sexuality.about.com/library/Quizzes/masturbation_quiz/bl_masturbation_quiz.htm

Bronson and Roman... and friends

By

• Walter Romero

On our recent shoot for our upcoming Bear movie starring hot Pantheon Bear Roman Wright and newcomer Bronson Gates, we got these shots of Roman and Bronson with some of their... um... friends.

According to Roman, his duck travels with him where ever he goes, presumably not always into bed because I'm sure his tricks might find that a bit odd.  Or hot.  And odd.  However, Bronson thought nothing of sharing his bed with Roman and his duck.

Then for good measure, the owner of the apartment we were shooting in suggested his vibrating Scooby Doo (what goes on there, we DO NOT want to know) and his bear-buddy, CB Junior, join the naughty escapades in his bed.  A sort of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice moment except with three bears, a duck and a vibrating talking dog. 

Odd goings-on at these shoots sometimes.

But really, we think you're going to thoroughly enjoy watching this scene in which beefy, furry, muscle-bear Bronson gets P-P-Pounded (and we mean POUNDED) by Roman's big black bear cock.  It was really quite a turn on to see in person and we bet you'll like it a lot too.

Look for it in October.
 

October can't come soon enough... I'm ready for some new pictures of hot bear Roman and some pics of Bronson Gates ASAP

Race of the Santas