New Year, Support GEAR

With 2015 upon us, it is that time of the year again for reflection, as well as celebration. While I am not one to obsess about New Year's resolutions, I do like to use the beginning of the new year to take stock of my (leather) life, make new goals and consider how I can help grow as a person - and help grow the fetish leather community.

Just recently, news broke on the closure of Argos, one of Amsterdam's longstanding gay leather bars. It is undoubtedly disappointing to hear this news. However, unfortunately, this is not the first established leather bar to close its door to patrons over the past few years. As one trawls through the internet to read about leather history and the growth - and demise - of leather bars, there is definitely an argument emerging that the cause of the decline in attendance to such bars has something to do with the proliferation of social communication through mobile apps and websites online.

In the 'good old days', before we became 'wired' to each other via our computers, iPads and smart phones, a leatherman would have used leather/fetish bars to go it alone, cruise the bar and darkrooms, and seek out pleasure with other leathermen. However, we have forgotten another important dimension of the leather bar, one that fulfils non-sexual encounters of bonding and camaraderie. Many leathermen, in the past, would have also frequented such bars to socialise, have a drink and chat with other likeminded fetishists (and maybe cruise the bar and darkrooms, too, if the notion took them).  I, personally, don't think this desire, to socialise, has totally dissolved in our increasingly online connected world. (Well, hopefully not, anyway.) The social/sex dichotomy bound up in contemporary leather bars is having consequences on their survival. What is the future of the leather bar, with the rapid growth in connected fetishists through their connected devices? (I don't intend to answer this question. Not now, anyhow. But hopefully it will make you think about how you use - or why you don't avail of - your local leather/fetish bars in your area, or help you consider how we can reinvigorate the role of these bars given the growth of online communication.)

While such new social norms and activities provide some explanation for the drop in numbers, there is another argument that we, the leather community, need to be more proactive and visit our leather/fetish bars more often. Reflecting on the closure of Argos, Leatherscot insists, "stop moaning and get off your ass and do something about it." What we need to do is to get our gear on and get out to our nearest bar. We need to celebrate the fact that these bars are available to us, to wear our gear with pride, as not every city or town is lucky enough to have such bars. Maybe it's time for each of us to make a resolution to support leather in 2015, before more of our leather bars face closure.

This is happening at a time when there is a continued growth in kink within our community. As a relatively young leatherman myself, I do get the sense that there are many other gay men genuinely interested in leather, and more broadly in kink, particularly across the island of Ireland - and beyond (from my conversations through Recon, BLUF, and other gay social networking platforms). Only the other day, did a non-fetish friend of mine message me to say he got a book on leathersex for Christmas; this young man is surely going to be part of the leather brotherhood by the time he finishes the book! We need to encourage these young gay men along to leather/fetish bars, to help grow our community and the 'safe spaces' within which we can get together.

This is why GEAR Ireland is such a welcome addition to the fetish scene in Ireland. The GEAR nights provide a safe and friendly environment that caters for those with a wide range of fetish interests to socialise with other kinksters. It enables serious leathermen and curious outsiders an opportunity to socialise in various degrees of leather attire, and other fetish gear, such as rubber, biker, military, sports, skinhead and work/uniform gear.  GEAR Ireland was established in May 2013 to be a regular social night in Dublin's fetish scene, and is hosted in the basement bar of Fibber Magees. The success of GEAR Ireland can be attributed to the continued efforts of the core team organising the events and those volunteering, as well as the guys who regularly attend, from all across the island of Ireland, and sometimes from further afield.

The great work of GEAR over the past 18 months has culminated with the announcement of the 'Three Kings' 2015 Titleholders' Competition, occurring on Saturday 17 January 2015. As many of us know, or can appreciate, this type of event takes a huge amount of preparation and planning - and thanks have to go to all those involved.

This is a very special event in the fetish scene on the island, which is hosting the first ever Mr Leather Ireland and Mr Rubber Ireland competitions, alongside the second year of Mr GEAR Ireland. Like many other GEAR supporters, I am delighted to hear that the current Mr Leather Europe, Mr Leather Belgium and German Mr Leather will all be joining us on the competition night in January.

GEAR Ireland - and the committed organising team - has certainly put our Celtic fringe nation on the fetish map! However, the success of GEAR can only continue if those who have expressed an interest and attend events regularly continue to come along to their events. The closure of Argos, Europe's first leather bar, is a stark reminder that we can't take our leather bars for granted. They need our support, the support of the leather and fetish community. Let's celebrate them, and make a commitment in 2015 to attend regularly and help grow our fetish community.

We are at a pivotal moment in history in the struggle for securing the survival of fetish/leather bars. It's a time when unity, inclusion and support are paramount.

#SupportLeather in #Leather2015

#SupportGEAR

Leather hugs and best wishes for 2015.

Leathercolt

GEAR Ireland's first birthday celebrations - 17th May 2014

GEAR Ireland - 19th April 2014

GEAR Ireland - Saturday 18th January 2014

GEAR Ireland - Saturday 26th October 2013

GEAR Ireland - Saturday 21 September 2013

GEAR Ireland - 8th June 2013

GEAR Ireland – the fetish frontier for guys into gear

The journey back from Dublin to Belfast was filled with one yarn after another about the night before at the launch of GEAR Ireland. With over 100 guys in gear—mainly leather, which made me as happy as Larry—the atmosphere was welcoming and full of the Irish banter, yet filled with a sense of enthralling anticipation of what sexy leathermen might turn up tonight. 

The build up to GEAR Ireland grew steady over the months preceding its opening night, will guys exchanging positive messages about the excitement generated by the launch of a new, strictly enforced, fetish event on a Saturday night in Dublin.  I even had guys asking me to provide accommodation information. Being the considerate guy that I am, with a passion for all things leather, I tried my best to provide some assistance, albeit I don't know Dublin that well…and I ain’t no travel agent!

When the launch day arrived, my partner and I were running late as usual. The notorious ‘let’s try to get down a bit earlier to explore Dublin’ has never actually happened, as of yet! Even though I buffed the leather we were bringing with us the night before, the day of departure made me reconsider the outfit, so I added, and kept adding, more and more leather ‘bits and pieces’. As you do!

Arriving early evening, we checked into our accommodation and were pleasantly surprised by our home for the night – a self-contained apartment near O'Connell Street. After a quick nosey round, we decided to pop open a bottle of wine and take a well earned rest for a moment in the outside patio courtyard of our apartment. “There’s no corkscrew, damn it! No worries, I'll improvise”, I hear coming from the kitchen. Trust my man; he'll always manage to get a wine bottle open regardless if there’s a corkscrew or not! (if you need any tips on this for future reference, see: Open-a-Wine-Bottle-Without-a-Corkscrew). 

After our early evening drinks it was time to grab a quick bite of food before heading out. Thankfully the Arlington Hotel was nearby, which provided some fuel for us hungry fetishists, washed down with a must have pint of Guinness. Returning to our apartment, it was decision time on what leather gear to wear. 

As one piece came off, another went on. Mmmm, still not sure. Eventually, agreement was reached - I'll wear the chaps (plus jeans), harness, shirt, waistcoat and biker jacket; you should wear the breeches, Sam Browne belt and the other biker jacket. Let’s bring our Muir caps, too, we thought. Walking out of the apartment, as dusk was approaching, the passersby in the street took a second look. Yep, it’s two leathermen hitting Dublin town for the night!

Arriving at GEAR Ireland after only a 5 minute walk in full gear, we decided that it was too hot in the venue to keep all our leathers on – it was time to strip off! After bumping into some old friends from previous nights out in Dublin, we eventually got to the cloakroom. And boy was it filled with bags from all the guys already in the club that had changed on arrival. The number of bags on show is always a good sign that it’s going to be a good night!

It was lovely to meet one of the event organisers at the cloakroom that I had conversed with many times online about promoting the night on the run up to the event. He made us feel very welcome. He even had a little helper to remove my boots, so I could take off my jeans, and remain in my chaps. He was a very serviceable young guy, indeed, helping me to put my boots back on again.

As the night progressed, it was fantastic to catch up with lots of our fetish friends there from all across the island of Ireland. It was great to meet many of the guys we chatted to online before going to GEAR Ireland…and looking even sexier in reality in their leathers! Gear does bring out the best in guys! All that yakking makes a leatheman very thirsty. With the bar being very busy, and on waiting to be served, it gave me ample opportunity for more yakking with guys, exchanging compliments on each other’s gear and sharing stories of kinky play.

While at the bar, one sexy leatherman caught my eye. His harness wrapped around his shoulders accentuating his furry chest, as did his chaps around his lower region. Grrr! It was only polite to introduce myself and compliment a fellow leatherman on his appearance. It is always enjoyable to click with another guy into gear that shares my passion for leather.

With drinks in hand, it was time to return to our friends in the smoking area. The ‘craic’ was mighty, laughter abound. Mobile numbers were swapped and random photos were taken. Then the atmosphere began to become charged with excitement and sexual chemistry, with guys exchanging eye contact and the odd feel and grope as a hottie walked by. At different times, there were even a couple of guys with floggers, who didn't hesitate flogging the exposed arses on show – mine included!

Another fully clad leatherman stood out from the crowd that I had been meaning to speak with all night. His off-duty leather clad police officer like appearance, and masculine and friendly demeanour, drew my attention, just as it did at the BLUFDublin Social last year. We had chatted online many times before, but it was exhilarating to have a more intimate conversation face to face. He is definitely a leatherman I hope to learn many things from. I am hoping he can help me on my journey through leatherland.

Being in the company of likeminded guys that get a similar kick from kink generates a warm sense of camaraderie. However, as the bouncers called for 3:00am close, we had to pile out onto the street. It was time to say farewell to old and new friends, and take stock of what to do next, now that our first successful GEAR Ireland event had just ended. Let’s just say, the chemistry from earlier inside kept eyes interlocking as guys gathered on the pavement outside the club. The leather night was still young; it was time to bring the sexual chemistry back with us to continue the party in our Dublin residence for the night!

I have to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the organisers of GEAR Ireland for all their hard work and planning. It was a brilliant night, and long may it continue. The next GEAR Ireland event is on Saturday 8^th June 2013. Make sure you're geared up and raring to go!