I have very fond memories of the very first time I attended Folsom Street East back in 2011. I was a curious college student who wanted to explore his sexuality and was giddy with excitement upon discovering an event which celebrated fetish and kink. Unprepared but willing to learn, I made my way to the avenue strip of West 28th Street between 9th and 10th Avenue where a line of bears, leathermen, and chasers was forming. Catching my breath, I walked through and took my first step into this community and brotherhood of men.
I lost my water sports virginity to Logan Stevens, met my ginger mcnugget (Kennedy Carter), and found myself a master that year. I learned a lot about love, even more about myself, and which colors to avoid after a crash course on the hanky and color codes. It came as a sad surprise for a lot of us when this announcement was made last week:
Folsom Street East truly is one of the highlights of my year and it is thoroughly unfortunate that the residential buildings being constructed on that strip are taking it away from us. I think it's important to continue to foster and promote a community that celebrate sex and sexuality. The passing of San Francisco's nudity ban and now the cancellation of this street fair only goes to show that we, as a country, are reverting back to outdated and Puritanical values of centuries passed.
Oh, and did you hear? New York Fleet Week has also been cancelled due to budget cuts and the sequester. I just- I just can't anymore. What is this world coming to that a guy is being stripped of his leather daddy AND sailor privileges for the year? I mean, sure, we still have Broadway Bares, Gay Pride, Bear Week, and a multitude of other events lined up - but these were the heart and core of my year. That's like ordering a cheese burger and only getting two buns, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. I like my meat! Where's my meat?!
In response to such tragic events a few other porn performers and I are collaborating on a series of response videos alla Naked Sword's latest season of Golden Gate, where they challenge the recent nudity ban passed in San Francisco by Supervisor Scott Weiner. We're still working on the script but definitely expect some hot action from us - we're passionate about these things!
Hell hath no fury like a gay man scorned!
You do realize that the SF nudity ban does not cover the Folsom Street Fair.
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