Introducing
Wicked Leather
by Jim Lawson
Going beyond the basic terminology and competition leather events, workshops and circuit parties, and into the minds of those brave enough to identify, establish and expand their sexual limits and explore the world and subcultures of fantasy, fetish, kink, raunch, roleplay and domination.
The general opinion of the Leather and BDSM culture is tainted with taboo misconceptions and a very strong negative social stigma is often associated with it. We use these terms interchangeably and most people affiliated with the leather culture both practice a style of dress and have some interest in various parts of BDSM, however, not all leather lovers are into BDSM (Bondage/Discipline, Dominance/Submission, Sado/Masochism, also referred to as S&M). It is just one of many sub-interests or specialties associated with the sexual freedom philosophy of this community.
Knowledge is Power
The gay male BDSM culture grew from the post WWII biker culture. Many men returning from World War II were given surplus motorcycles and leather jackets. A camaraderie or closeness was formed in the military by these men and a sort of brotherhood was established and they sought to preserve this after they moved back into a civilian society. The masculinity of the military uniforms also played a role in early establishment of this culture. The first leather gay bars where club houses for these members of the biker community that later opened to the public.
A bit of controversy exists among members within the leather community. One group believes that the wearing of leather attire and other gear associated with BDSM is a uniform for those practicing BDSM, discouraging personal creativity and variety in dress. The costs of participating in many leather events is discouraging for low-income individuals. There are also those concerned with animal rights, since most of these garments come from animal hides.
However, it can be said that most leather is a by-product of the food industry and the animals are not slaughtered merely for the hides. For more information on the history behind the leather/BDSM culture from it’s beginnings please visit:
Personalizing your experience
You don’t have to travel to Chicago to IML or attend around the globe workshops to begin exploring your interest in leather/BDSM. There are organizations in almost every city. If you are just not into the social scene or prefer to play a little more discreet or low-key, the Internet hosts literally thousands of sites for your viewing pleasure and anything you could possibly want to reference is at your fingertips. However, these events do provide a practical and often erotic setting and they allow you to experience this camaraderie or brotherhood first hand; you can benefit from the knowledge of others. You can utilize the Internet to meet other like-minded individuals right in your own community or you can even form your own interest group.
Whether you are a single player or partnered and just looking to revive or strengthen and enhance your sexual bond between you and your partner(s) by exploring beyond your current knowledge and boundaries of your sexuality, regardless of the level you are beginning at, your sexual exploration and growth can help balance other areas of your life and can as long as a couple maintains a trust barrier, benefit the relationship dramatically from your experiences together.
Another great source for exploring your sexual interests is the Adult Bookstores. They too have a negative stigma attached, but they truly can be great sources for sexual educational materials and props to enhance and assist you in making your roleplay fantasies a reality. Many qualified therapists who are treating couples for sexually dysfunctional relationships recommend pornography as a viable tool for improving the intimacy within these relationships. The best approach to dealing with these stigmas or negative associations is to make the following affirmation: It is my life and my body. I have every right to explore my sexuality and exercise my right to explore and expand my personal limits as long as I am not jeopardizing any other individual’s safety and my fantasies are not emotionally or physically harming anyone and they are consensual acts.
Do you have a secret fantasy or fetish? Does your curiosity keep coming back to one thing in particular or does one sexual fantasy keep rerunning in your head? If you are partnered the first step would be to discuss these interests and fantasies with your partner. Take a look into the area of kink together. Discuss what turns you on as you view a porno or read about your specialty or sex in general together. If you are single look for sexual partners that you can trust and if you are a beginner, maybe someone with a little more knowledge in the same specifics of interests would be helpful. Someone trustworthy and experienced to be your mentor or teacher (or perhaps your Master, Daddy or Sir if your fantasy is a submissive role). Depending on your level of interest, there are also workshops and actual qualified trainers and you can schedule training sessions based on your level and expand from there.
Next week we will probe into the "Old School" leather philosophies and compare them to modern and growing trends within the Leather Lifestyle.
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