EDITOR’S NOTE: This article contains subject matter and images that may be offensive to some readers.
The third installment of the Center Long Beach’s revered and popular speaking and performance series, QSpeak 2012, is surely one that will make more than one’s cheeks flush with the screening of Kink Crusaders.
The concept of kinky sexual activity is usually relegated to the stereotypical handcuffs and perhaps a spanking here and there. Some even consider leaving the lights on to be a form of kink. However, Crusaders explores what many in the leather community (or anyone who has ventured to San Francisco’s fetish-staple, the Folsom Street Fair) to be kink vérité.
And far more than handcuffs are involved as this documentary explores the history of the International Mr. Leather competition — from its origins in the first Chicago leather bar in the 1950s to the multi-day event attended by thousands that exists today. The film takes viewers behind the scenes of a competition that has created spaces for masculinities of diverse races, sexual orientations, and gender identities to compete for the coveted title.
“The leather community is often an incredibly misunderstood subculture within and outside the LGBTQ community,” states Porter Gilberg Administrative Director at The Center. “We hope this QSpeak can serve as a bridge between the many cultures and subcultures within the Long Beach LGBTQ and leather communities.”
The exploration of pain versus pleasure, domination versus submission, and control versus a lack of inhibition have all been explored intimately when it comes to sex by artists, writers, philosophers, and pioneers within the sexual revolution. The writings of Marquis de Sade (sadism) and Leopold von Sacher-Masoch (masochism) have been used as artistic and erotic guides in the materializing the concept of S&M and Bondage & Discipline (B&D). Even more fascinating within leather culture remains that fact that not all forms of their behavior have to be directly sexual, but heavily evolve around an erotic aspect, a part the film tries to explore as well.
“I am honored that The Center is screening my documentary as a part of QSpeak,” states Kink Crusaders director Mike Skiff. “I applaud The Center for creating this opportunity for a greater understanding of the continuing contributions made by leather folks to LGBTQ history and culture.”
Immediately following the screening, a panel moderated by The Center’s Administrative Director Porter Gilberg will feature Kink Crusader’s director Mike Skiff, Nikolas Keith (Mr. Long Beach Leather 2012), DonSir (Mr. Long Beach Leather 2007 and featured in Kink Crusaders), and pioneering women’s leather activist Olga (LARAWW). After the panel, guests are invited to join The Center, AMP Org, and QSpeak’s featured guests for a reception featuring some of the leather community’s most popular demonstrations including boot blacking, rope suspension, and flogging.
This QSpeak will take place Friday, July 13, at 7:00 PM at MADhaus, located at 624 Pacifc Avenue. Admission is $10 and the event is for mature audiences only, ages 18+.