First Atlanta Leather Pride weekend aims to bring community together

Break out your leather chaps and vests as the first Atlanta Leather Pride brings numerous leather/BDSM/fetish organizations together for a weekend of parties and camaraderie.

“All the different clubs and organizations have their own events and we wanted to have one large event, to bring all of us together, and say it’s the community’s event,” says Pup Nitro, a co-producer of the event with Daddy Alan Penrod.

In the Southeast and Atlanta, several leather/BDSM/fetish clubs and groups thrive and “range the gamut,” Nitro says. “No matter which niche you fit into you have an organization to belong to.”

Nitro acknowledges some people may be intimidated by a leather event, but he assures that all are welcome.

“You get that mentality anytime you’re going into a new environment — whether it’s a country and western bar or a leather bar. There’s that fear of the unknown. Our community really tries to welcome everyone in,” he says. “And when people do come in they have a ball.”

The Black & Blue Ball is slated for Friday, April 10, at the Atlanta Eagle. There will be different BDSM/fetish demonstrations at the party, but “nothing over the top,” Nitro says.

And people will also have the opportunity to discuss and ask questions about the demonstrations, which include several female presenters.

Participants are coming from as far away as Canada, Los Angeles, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale and Washington, D.C.

“This is an all inclusive event, regardless of anyone’s gender or sexuality,” he says.

Leather ‘family’

Special guests include Jeffrey Payne, International Mr. Leather 2009, and Alex Lindsey, American Leatherman 2009, who will be judges in the Mr. Atlanta Eagle contest.
Also judging will be Isatiable Amazon, the only woman on the panel, who is the producer of Southeast Olympus Leather and was named 2007 Ms. Southeast Olympus Leather.

“I think it shows growth for the Atlanta community and the Southeast,” she says of Atlanta’s first Leather Pride weekend. Insatiable Amazon travels throughout the Southeast teaching on topics from communication in relationships to fisting. “Everything from mild to wild. I love it,” she says.

Penrod, reigning Mr. Atlanta Eagle and second runner up in the 2009 International Mr. Leather Contest, says building community is how he chose to spend his time serving the leather community as the title holder. The 2009 Mr. Atlanta Eagle Contest was the first since 2002. “Our leather community has its highs and lows … but we’re a very friendly and compassionate group of people,” Penrod says. “We understand the sense of family and always being there for each other.”

Photo: Daddy Alan Penrod. (By BULLmanX)