Learning Leather - By Jason Riggs
STOP AIDS Project

It is no secret that crystal use among gay and bisexual men has been on the rise for some time and is feeding new HIV infections in San Francisco and in other LGBT communities across the nation. 

Many people are initially drawn to crystal because of the prolonged and heightened sexual experience using can give. One recent participant in a STOP AIDS focus group said, "The sex was amazing and I used crystal just once in a while but then I got hooked and couldn't stop. Now I am HIV positive and dealing with an addiction as well."

For decades, leathermen have been teaching each other how to heighten and prolong their sexual experiences through various techniques, without crystal. Another STOP AIDS focus group participant said, "The endorphins I get as a BD/SM top are better than any high I have gotten from the drugs I was taking." Another participant, new to BD/SM practices said, "I was worried that I would never have that feeling of euphoria again that I got with crystal. Now I am able to reach and even move beyond that feeling with SM. And afterward I have a feeling of release and relaxation instead of feeling strung out like I did on crystal."

Another element in the leather community that we can all benefit from learning is their ability to provide mentorship and a large network of long-lasting friendships. A common complaint among newly arriving and newly out gay and bisexual men in San Francisco is the lack of places where they can go to meet others and build their personal community. There are also concerns among gay and bisexual men who have been around the block a few times not having ways to pass on their experience and knowledge.
The leather community has devised several ways to involve and mentor new people coming into the fold. One of those is the return of "LeatherFUCK," created by LEAG (Leather Events Action Group), a group of community members and the STOP AIDS Project in collaboration with Mr. S Leather. LeatherFUCK is a place for those that are curious, those looking for entry into the leather community, those who dabble, novices, and old and new guard leathermen.

LeatherFUCK social events provide tops, bottoms and everyone in between with demonstrations of BD/SM, how to negotiate scenes with your partner(s), how to make tricky knots to tie your guy up, and how to play safe, sane and consensual.

For a good time, involved in LeatherFUCK.