The Betty Pages sprung out of some conversations Betty Desire a local drag queen and I were having in a gay bar. These editorials may be out of context now and were written for a local audience in the Bellingham area. but I am sure readers everywhere can make some sense of parts of them.

Back to School: History Lesson

October 2005

This month Bellingham Leathermen present an excellent opportunity to learn some big lessons as we begin a new school year. They have put together en excellent program on leather history bringing in three of my heros in the leather community. All three of these men have mentored me on one way or another. Not only are they leaders in Gay Leather, but really set a standard for sex positive culture as a whole.

No matter how into leather you are you should go, the Leather community has a rich history which influences all of sex positive culture. A lot of the reasons why a community does what it does is a result of how it came to be and this program will give you insights into your community and how it works and why. It is also an excellent opportunity to see how the rights and freedoms you have today were won. To find your way there check out the information at the bottom of this column.

That said I wanted to talk a bit about history. History is really important for any community. It has a vital role in creation and continuing a groups existence. However, it has its limitations.

A column or two ago I talked about the difference between lutefisk and lefse in my swedish heritage. And a community having to choose which traditions to keep and which to let slide by. Well understanding why you have a tradition or how it came to be is a big step in that choice. Sometimes a tradition grows because you had some outside force creating it. The outside force may be long gone, but the tradition remains. Now with out a clear grasp of your history it is hard to decide how and when to evaluate that tradition. Ignorance of why its there may invite disaster if it is discarded to soon, or its misuse inside a community.

A lot of the traditions in the Gay Leather Community were born out of necessity. Safety, security, and freedom were often at stake and those customs grew in that environment. So a clear grasp of how and when they arrived is important for everyone who interacts with them.

Now on the same hand history can be abused. In some circles a dedication to history can be too zealous. I have watched many organizations, groups and communities resist changes that had to happen in the interest of history. Usually when this happens it is because someone's status or perceived status is threatened. The quick "go to" defense is history and tradition. Whenever you hear an irrational history defense in your group, look around to see whose status is challenged by a change. This may be your route to seeing a change facilitated.

So if at all possible go to the event below. Learn a portion of why our community is the way it is, and say hi to some of my heroes.

Bellingham Leather Men and The Pride Foundation Present:

The Northwest Leather men History SymposiumÊ on Saturday October 15Th at the Healthy Connections Building ,1220 N Forest, Bellingham, WA. (next to the Bellingham COOP) the Bellingham Coop has asked that we park on the street which is free on the weekends, 12pm until 5pm,* $10.00 recommended donation *(FREE to Members of any Leather Organization in the Pacific NW)

Please Join some of the most celebrated leather men in the Pacific Northwest.

Mr Andy Mangels : Curator of the Oregon Leather History Project,Publisher of In Uniform magazine, Mr Oregon , Judge, Lecturer, and Present or at numerous nation and international leather functions.

Mr Aubrey Hart Sparks: Columnist for the Seattle Gay News, Radio Host of " Aubrey's Playroom", Author, Mr Seattle Leather 1994, Judge, Lecturer, and Presenter at numerous nation and international leather functions.

Mr Don Bastion: Author " Chainmale 3SM", Columnist for International Leather Men, 1991 NW Drummer,Ê Founding Member of NLA: Calgary Chapter Judge, Lecturer, and Presenter numerous international and national leather functions.

Please HelpÊ Bellingham Leather Men and the Pride Foundation in welcoming these gentlemen to Bellingham by attending a Spaghetti Feed at Rumor's Cabaret 1119 Railroad Ave after the event only $5.00 (Recommended Donation)Ê For more more information concerning the event you can contact President of BLM Rick Ruben at werebear100@yahoo.com or by phone at (360) 332-8708