So we developed what became known as motorcycle runs. We had to avoid at allĬosts the McCarthy red hunt (the homosexual/communism witch hunt betweenġ947-57).
Password and these passwords changed frequently. You had to know someone in theĬommunity in order to attend. Originally meetings were in private venues, usually The T-room, get a cup of coffee, playing the saxophone or mandolin areĬode words were also required to get into private venues and Words were used to gain access to bars and to social events. Keys/hankies worn on the right indicated you were a bottom orĬode words were used to communicate between individuals. So, Keys/ hankies worn on the left side indicated you were a Top orĭominant. Originally the West Coast was left = dominant and right = Keys and hankies worn on the right or left side referred to asįlagging. Was a sign you were looking for a sex partner (cruising). The bottom button of a pair of 501 Levi jeans was unbuttoned, which Along with this,ĭuring the daytime it was 501 Levi jeans and a white shirt. Now there is a color for every type of fetish. Originally there were only about three toįive colors. TheĬolor of the hanky denoted what type of sexual play you are into and Keys tucked insideīandana hankies tucked into the left or right back pocket. You were looking for someone to play and have sex. That men-on-men sex was illegal everywhere. Perversion and perversion was viewed as part of the communist McCarthy era was happening and leather men were considered an extreme The Leather community was extremely secretive. You relied on the Dominant to make sure you were kept safe (mentoring It was rough play with no safe words, no boundaries. Leather is all about sex, heavy man on man. Individuals were passed around from mentor to mentor for training andĪnd sex was a must. Submissive learning from the more dominant members of the community. When you came into theĬommunity, you mentored with someone and you started your journey as a No effeminate men were allowed (and back then effeminate men could beĬonsidered masculine by today's standards). To receive an invite you had to be masculine because The community was inclusive to itself and exclusive To become involved in the Leather community, one had to be invited In 1961 The Tool Box opened in San Francisco. Then in 1960 the Gold Coast opened inĬhicago. Renamed in 1959) the Argos in Amsterdam, Netherlands opened. York, the Cinema in Los Angeles and Febes in San Francisco. In the mid-1950's there was the Silver Dollar in New The earliest leather bars opened in the mid-50's and earlyĦ0's. This formulated the Gay Leather subculture as we know it today. Wild One in 1953 the community embraced the leather biker subculture. Military with military protocols and rules. This is a community of masculine gay men, which was based on the Los Angeles and later to large cities of the Great Lakes area like These men migrated to biggerĬities on the east and west coasts such as New York, San Francisco, and That they had created during the service. Military men returning from the war, they wanted to continue their bonds Originally began after WWII between the years 1942-1948.
The gay Leather community that everyone has come to know and see
MLA style: "In honor of LGBT history month: Gay Leather History." The Free Library.