Behind the Harness & Sash: Recent Events
It’s been a little while since I parked myself in front of the computer to talk about what I’ve been up to since returning home from Folsom Weekend, which somehow already feels like it happened in another lifetime. As I get ready for the next big dot on the calendar, CLAW Leather Thanksgiving here in Los Angeles, I figured I’d take stock of how this Fall unfolded. It’s been a surprisingly social stretch for me, a whole season of flitting around town with my Mr. CMEN Leather sash slung across my chest like a passport.
Competitions
After work on October 17th, I drove down to the Eagle LA for the Mx. Cruise LA competition. It felt good to be back inside that bar after such a long time, almost like reopening an old book you used to love. I ran into my IML sibling, Mr. San Diego Leather, and one of my favorite bartenders, who I first met serving us dodgeball players at a sports bar in WeHo back in the day. Huge congrats to Kyle Holiday, the new Mx. Cruise LA 2026, and to Vega, this year’s Bootblack. Kyle’s fantasy video pretty much announced their win the second it started. The whole night reminded me how important it is to get out of my apartment, breathe some fresh nightlife air and find myself in new corners of the community.
In November, I finally got to attend the LA Pup competition at the Bullet Bar, which has been my home bar for years. Stepping inside for the first time with my sash felt surreal and pretty meaningful. Familiar faces greeted me with warmth and congratulations. I got to talk about CMEN Summer Gathering in Big Bear, and even had a lovely conversation with a Dom I’ve admired for ages. I’ve long hoped to be one of his rope bunnies, but I didn’t work up the nerve to ask about a collaboration. Maybe this was just the prologue. Rain came down, the ceiling leaked, the room stayed packed and the contestants had the crowd rooting for them from start to finish. Congratulations to Pup King on his well-earned win.
The next day was supposed to be the Mr. Regiment Victory Party, but event burnout hit me right between the eyes. I listened to my body, stayed home, and caught up on life outside leather. A title year comes with plenty of lessons, and knowing when to hit pause is a big one. I’ll meet the new Mr. Regiment soon enough.
Palm Springs Pride
I love Pride festivals. Always have. San Diego Pride has been my favorite for years, something about the energy there just hits me in the chest. But I may have found a new front-runner: Palm Springs Pride.
I couldn’t make it to Palm Springs Leather Pride- I was busy speaking at the Soap Operas in Pop Culture Conference at Bowling Green University, and honestly, that was its own kind of beautiful chaos. So I told myself I’d do the regular Pride the following weekend.
First time attending. Instantly understood the hype. I rolled in on Friday, went to a very memorable event at Club 541 (the kind where you say “IYKYK” and leave it at that), then spent Saturday at a pool party hosted by a former Mr. CMEN Leather. Sunday, I strolled the festival with my sash, caught a bit of the parade, and bumped into friends I didn’t even know were in town. I left on Monday with my tank filled. Sure, I was a little sad I didn’t walk in the parade, but finding your leather family in the wild softens that disappointment real quick, and my feet appreciated the reprieve.
Dandyland & Precinct Leather
Precinct Bar in DTLA used to be part of my weekly rhythm. Thursdays at VPL were a ritual back when my work schedule had more breathing room. I miss that version of my life sometimes. But it felt good to be back when two different events landed on the calendar.
I first heard about Dandyland last year when it’s organizer, a hunk named Patrick, came to Leather Thanksgiving to promote it. I couldn’t make it then, so I was glad the stars aligned this time around. One thing I love about going to Precinct is the Metro ride. Something about taking public transit downtown lets me pretend I’m back in New York, zipping to a gay bar on the subway while the whole city hums around me.
Dandyland had a pajama-party theme, which was a hilarious challenge on a rainy afternoon. I ended up in a Cellblock 13 zipper union suit, sash on top, everything stuffed under a giant raincoat. I bought a great art piece of The Stonewall Inn from Patrick and was introduced to an incredible designer who I’m now chatting with about a potential custom piece for IML. The perks of leaving your apartment, truly.
The Precinct Leather competition was also a standout—starts at 7, ends by 9, which is honestly my love language. The contestants were creative, fearless and wildly inspiring. Wearing this sash has opened up so many pockets of the leather community I wouldn’t have wandered into otherwise, and every event leaves me feeling a little richer and a little more grounded in who I’m becoming. Congrats to Pup Dono and the whole lineup, they really went for it.
A final thought…
This isn’t my preferred style of writing, recaps always feel like the salad course when I want to be serving a full meal, but a lot happened, and I wanted to get it all down. Life outside the title has given me some incredible moments recently too, and I’m reminding myself to slow down enough to appreciate the creativity I get to be part of right now. With the holidays creeping closer, things might ease up and make room for posts with a bit more depth.
Until then, thanks for reading, for caring, for coming along on this odd, wonderful ride. I’m excited for CLAW’s Leather Thanksgiving, an event I’ve attended since the first year they held it in DTLA. It always brings the community together in such a special way, and I’m looking forward to deepening connections with other LA title holders.
With love and gratitude—until next time.
Comments