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
