FRICTION: A Night Of Aural Pleasures An Immersive Evening Where Sound, Fetish, Music & More Intertwine

All proceeds benefit the Leather Archives & Museum! Drink tickets will be available to purchase at the door.

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We are 3 weeks away from our FRICTION: A Night of Aural Pleasures fundraiser!
🖤 Saturday, May 9th at 7pm

an immersive evening where sound, fetish, and music intertwine.

This isn’t a gala — it’s an experience.
Dress as you desire. Listen closely.

Black woman on her elbows with her wrists tied with white rope. Text: [To deny our fantasies because they are too complicated, too painful, or too perverse, to erase their presence or censor their articulation in public life, constitutes a particular kind of insidious violence that threatens to undermine our ability to explore the contours of our psychic lives, and the imaginary possibilities of the social worlds in which we exist.]

Quote from by Queer Sociality and Other Sexual Fantasies by Juana María Rodríguez (In GLQ Vol 17 No 2-3, 2011). Photo from Tied Vol 1 No 1 (1997).

Kopreski died on April 18, 2006 of AIDS. Did you know John? Mail or email photos and memories of John to the LA&M to help preserve his memory in the community archives. 🖤

Round metal pin with design of bound hands holding ends of the rope.

John Kopreski was involved in the Gay Male S/M Activists and the New York Bondage Club. He moved to Florida where he was a bartender at Chaps and the Stud. Kopreski founded the South Florida Bondage Club and designed the club's logo. He competed in the first Mr. Florida Leather contest.

Five people on a truck bed with large speakers and a large statue of a leather hat. One white mask wearing jeans and a leather vest holding a rainbow flag and one Black person wearing a chain harness and leather shorts holding a sign.

Photo of a leather pride float at Boston Pride, from the Entre Nous files of Scott Erickson's collection at the LA&M. #LeatherPride

McMahan died of AIDS on April 17, 1995. Contact the LA&M to learn how to archive your photos and memories of Matt. 🖤

[Matthew Corbie McMahan ended his fifteen-year fight against AIDS the morning of April 17, 1995. Matt was an embodiment of the ideal that family by choice is a stronger bond than family by blood. He was an adopted child, chosen by his mother and father, who reared him the best they knew how. Always a wild child, Matt got in trouble several times in his teens, but he always recovered and learned the lessons these things taught. As he got older, Matt tried to teach others the lessons he had learned in life, trying to help them get through without the problems he had encountered. When he learned of his disease, he immediately began preaching safer sex to everyone who would listen. Matt was very fond of pointing at himself and saying, "Don't end up like me, play safe." Born and raised in San Diego, California, Matt had also lived in New York and Amsterdam before choosing a husband and moving to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, Matt founded Bullock Leather and Accessories, co-produced the Southern California Masters and Slaves Contest for two years, and gave time and energy to several AIDS organization. Matt also spent countless hours on a very personal, one-to-one outreach to members of the Los Angeles Leather Community. Never one to hold in his emotions or opinions, the people whose lives he touched either loved him or hated him; there was seldom anything in between. Matt did all of these things with no desire for recognition; all he ever wanted was a little love. In February 1995, Matt was recognized with three nominations for The Pantheon of Leather Awards: Man of the Year, Business Person of the Year, and Business of the Year. When he learned of these nominations, Matt's face glowed as he said, "I'll never win, but it's a fucking honor just to be nominated." In the end, Matt got the love he wanted so badly. He never realized just how many people he had touched in his life, but his lover, Bob Fifield, did. Matthew will be sorely missed by the people he chose as family

Matt McMahan was was the owner of Bullock Leather and Accessories. He coproduced the Southern California M/s Contest and worked with several AIDS organizations.

Person wearing a leather eye cover and mouth cover. Text: [The sexologist Kinsey has created a 0-6 scale in which people are rated as to their homo/heterosexuality. I think of myself as off the scale. To me, the Kinsey scale has as much relevance as if everyone were evaluated on a spectrum of whether they were more attracted to people with brown eyes or green/blue eyes. Gender is just not what I care about or even really notice in a sexual partner. ... I can relate more easily to people who are not primarily gender-erotic, but who are what is commonly referred to as fetishistic. At a gut level, I can imagine what it might be to be erotically attracted to frilly lingerie or leather or the smell of the sea. The clearest way for me to understand lesbians and straight women is to accept them as fetishists. From my viewpoint straight women are male-gender-fetishists and lesbians are female-gender-fetishists who are so culturally supported in their sexual attractions that most of the time they hardly understand my different reality.]

Quote from Some Thoughts on Bisexuality by Jane Litwoman (Lesbian Contraditions, Winter 1990, quoted in Bi Any Other Name ed. Lani Ka'ahumanu and Loraine Hutchins, 1991). Photo from Bondage Abuse Vol 1 No 1 (1975).

Curtis died on April 17, 2000. Did you know Curtis? Contact the LA&M to learn how to archive your photos and memories of him. 🖤

Curtis Atkinson, also known by his artis's name William Stevens, was perhaps best known in the Los Angeles Leather community for his creations while working at Wayne's Leather Rack in the early 1990s including the white sailor's outfit worn by Wayne to a number of events and The Leather Journal banner. He died at his home due to sudden heart failure on April 17th. He was born December 6, 1951. His paintings and sculptures were shown at the Tom of Finland Erotic Art Festival in 1998 and 1999. His largest painting, as well as sculptures and other works were sold. Encouraged by the response, he was busy planning a number of other works [cuts off]

Curtis Atkinson aka William Stevens was leatherman, artist, and costumer who worked for cruise lines, theme parks, and casinos.

Close up of a green eye, person wearing a leather hood. Headline text: the national magazine about men. S&M 1976. Liz smith talks to erlichman. Antonio’s portfolio. Poppers do they kill.

Cover of Blueboy Magazine Vol VIII, from the LA&M collections

Quinn died at the age of 33 in early 2023. Email photos and memories of Quinn the LA&M to preserve his memory in the community archives. 🖤

Quinn is a bald white person with a butterfly tshirt, makeup and an earring standing in front of a colorful bedroom collage wall. He has a wild card neck tattoo.

Quinn River Kent, aka boy River, was titled SouthEast LeatherFest Boy 2013. Quinn participated in charitable events, taught classes, and bootblacked at leather events.

Stockton died of AIDS on April 14, 1986. Did you know Eric? Donate photos and memories of him to the LA&M to help preserve his legacy in the community archive. 🖤

Eric is a thin white man wearing a leather chest harness collar pants and vest. Text: In memoriam Eric Stockton 1949-1986. (This photo of Eric was taken by Michael Sussholtz at the 1985 Mr. Leather New York Contest, in which Eric, representing the Spike, received an honorable mention. He was also one of the men auctioned off at GMSMA's fifth anniversary party. He had been diagnosed with ARC [AIDS related complex] more than a year earlier, but seemed to be in perfect health. In April he contracted pneumocystis pneumonia and died very suddenly on April 14. He is much missed.)]

Eric Stockton was a leatherman and member of the Gay Male S/M Activists in New York. He competed in the 1985 Mr. Leather New York contest.

Scott died on April 14, 2023. Contact the LA&M to learn how to archive your photos and memories of Scott. 🖤

Robert is white, large framed and has short white hair.

Robert Todd Fulton, aka Scott Morris, was a DJ, model, club manager, community organizer and activist. He was a founder of San Francisco Fetish Factory, Fort Lauderdale Gay Business Association, the Gay Leathermen's Group, and CumUnion.

Latham died on April 14, 2000. Obit from Phalia May/Jun 2000. Did you know Basil? Contact the LA&M to learn how to archive your photos and memories of him. 🖤

Basil Latham died at his home April 14th, 2000, following a brief illness. He was in his 71st year. In accordance with his wishes, there was no fuss, no funeral, no memorial. He was buired in Mt. Pleasant, April 17th. One of the original Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Basil was always a strong Spearhead supporter. A former member of The Lanyards, Basil joined Spearhead in 1994. Originally from Nova Scotia, he was always volunteering and worked tirelessly and very cheerfully at every event. At Round-Up, Basil could be found working in the kitchen at all hours. And he really loved his food. Or sincer sympathies are extended to Jim Lynx, Basil's partner of 34 years.

Basil Latham was an original member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in Toronto, former member of The Lanyards, and member of Spearhead Toronto. Basil was an active volunteer and cook for Spearhead events.

Billy died of AIDS on April 12, 1993. Mail or email photos and memories of Billy to the LA&M to help preserve his legacy in the community archives. 🖤

Billy is a young Black man wearing leather studded underwear, arm cuffs, and a chain necklace and leather cap. He is walking down a runway in a bar with high ceilings.

Billy Jefferson co-founded the National Leather Association in 1986 and served on the board of the Northwest AIDS Foundation. He was titled Seattle Mr. Leather 1986.

Photo of Ethel from PFIQ No 15. Ethel died in early 1982. Share photos and memories of Ethel with the LA&M to help preserve her legacy in the community archive. 🖤

Ethel is a white woman with a restricted waist, large earrings, hair in a curled updo and gauze shirt over a black dress.

Happy birthday, Ethel! Ethel Granger was a famous body modification practitioner from Petersborough, England.

Eleven people of color, mostly Black leather community members, wearing gear and sashes. Group shot in front of San Francisco Bay Area leather alliance banner.

Photo from San Francisco Pride 2018, from Rich Stadtmiller's collection at the LA&M. #LeatherCommunity #Pride

Wood died of AIDS on April 11, 1986. Contact the LA&M to learn how to archive your photos and memories of Roy. 🖤

In memoriam. Roy F. Wood, short story writer, novelist, and critic, died from complications of AIDS on April 11, 1986 in Athens, Georgia, his longtime home. His stories for Drummer included "The Perfect Man" (Drummer 68) and "The Conquering Strength" (Drummer 74). His tale "The Stranger at My Door" appeared in Drummer Daddies. Reviewing Wood's highly acclaimed collection fo short stories, Restless Rednecks: Gay Tales of a Changing South, in Drummer 87, Aaron Travis wrote, "Roy F. Wood is the voice of the rural recluse, the gay loner, the Southern insider. The men in his stories...]

Roy Wood was a gay writer, critic, and contributor to Drummer magazine. Donations to the Gay Men's Health Crisis were collected in his memory.

As showing a bunch of cocked with text advertising the event, Cupcake Wars 2026, benefitting Broadway Youth Center. Sunday April 12th at 5pm.

Join Trident tomorrow, Sunday, after the cigar social for Cupcake Wars! Cigar Social 1-4pm and cupcakes at 5!

Blonde woman with arms wrapped in leather above her head. Text: [But because they are unable to see or feel or understand SM eroticism and how much of a turn-on dominance/submission themes can be to SM people, some jump to the conclusion that such people are either sick or immoral or probably both, and quite incapable of rationally making decisions for themselves. But if you do not allow each person to make decisions for themselves - wherever they happen to be at any moment, you are not only engaged in dominating another person or group and thus into an S role, but you're on a bad trip besides, because it is without consent; and this is true whether control be exercised by calling the cops, exerting economic pressure, stigmatizing the people involved, by ridicule or whatever.]

Quote from Go West, Young Woman! by Pat Bond (published in Prometheus in the late 1970s). Photo from Hogtie Vol 3 No 9 (1970s).

Photo of Jan by Efrain J. Gonzalez, from his collection at the LA&M. Jan died in early 2006. Contact the LA&M to learn how to archive your photos and memories of Jan. 🖤