LEATHER CONTINGENT
SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE PARADE
2008
Thank you for your interest in the Leather Contingent for the San Francisco Bay Area. The Leather Contingent consists of individuals and groups from the Leather and Kink Communities and their supporters from the Bay Area and further afield.
The Leather Contingent is one of the largest contingents in the San Francisco Pride Parade.
2008 PHOTOSTo view photos of this year's Leather Contingent activities - Meet and Greet, Leather Uniform Ball, Parade Assembly and participation in the Pride Parade - visit:
SITE DIRECTORY:Click on the title to go to that item.
SAN FRANCISCO LEATHER CONTINGENT LEADERSHIPAndrew "Bootdog" Johnson has been the Coordinator of the San Francisco Leather Contingent for 2008. He is also the current Mr. International Bootblack 2008.
Jay Hemphill and Michael Holeman will return as Chairmen of the Leather Contingent for 2009.
See Part 2 of Bootdog's announcement below.
NEWS FROM THE COORDINATORPART 1:
Hello, all.
Well, SF Pride is now done for another year, and I have something to say:
THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who helped with the Leather Contingent.
Thanks to Brett Brockschmidt, our Road Captain, who got the motorcycles organized both prior to and on the day of the Parade. Thanks to my monitor captains: Biff, who managed to drum up wheel monitors without resorting to threats (which I still think would have been a workable strategy), Daddy Tom, who apparently has a sixth sense for when I'm about to totally blank on something and shows up and supplies that information immediately, Desmond, who completed tasks faster than I asked them to be done (and was willing to put himself in front of the KRON4 cameras), and Rob, who got up early to help me load up the Sound Truck (and didn't once scream, "You're going to kill us all!" as we attempted to maneuver our way to the assembly spot) and then managed to keep the motorcycles in order (which is like herding big, loud, two-wheeled cats). Without those four monitors, I'd still be standing on Beale Street saying, "OK, wait! OK, wait!" I'd also like to give a shout-out to Beth Downey, who had to bow out of the Monitor Captain position because of an injury. Hope you're back on your feet soon, Beth!
Thanks to our wheel and contingent monitors; they're too numerous to name, but without them, we'd never have been allowed out onto the parade route. Thanks also to the 80 (!) people who went through monitor training to make sure we had enough monitors.
Thanks to our vehicle participants, Dave Rhodes (who graciously shared his ride with Peter Fiske and George Wong), the Citadel, SF Leather Daddy XXV Glen Tanking and Leather Daddy's boy XXV Angle Dunkelberger. Big love to our drivers, Larry Barao (who let us use his car), Bill Holt and Ray Middling (who also provided the use of their car), Jay Hemphill and Michael Holeman (who drove that tank of a sound truck), Phil Derby from the Citadel, and Snatch, who drove the SF Leather Daddy and Daddy's boy truck.
As well, thank you to our color guard, the California Boots and Breeches Corps; let me tell you, it's fun to watch them walking ahead of you. Big hugs to our FABULOUS Leather Marshals, Cleo Dubois and Warren Williams, our DJ, DJ Petey, and our Master of Ceremonies, Mark Paladini. Thanks also to Ron Balos, Mr. SF Leather, Gary Iriza, International Mr. Leather, and all of the LA Leather Titleholders who made the Sound Truck festive (and hot). Special thanks to James Riggins, Mr. LA Leather Bear, for helping with the Folsom Street Fair banner.
Also, huge huge massive thanks to Kelly Rivera Hart, who had other commitments the day of the Fair, but was absolutely an invaluable resource and help in the days leading up to the Parade. As well, Jay and Michael provided so much information when I was getting things started earlier this year.
Finally, big thanks to David Shorey and Rob Callbeck for helping to put together the decorations for the Sound Truck. Huge massive thanks for Master Erik for designing and doing the finish painting on the decorations. They were FABULOUS!
Finally, big big massive enormous thanks to my roommate and best friend Noral Kuhlmann, who put up with so much angst and bullshit these past few months and didn't smother me with a pillow (and he should have!) That's what a true friend is.
It was an amazing day, and without everyone's help, it would never have been quite as amazing. I am humbled and I am in everyone's debt.
Puppy sleep now!
PART 2As you know, this was my first year coordinating the Leather Contingent, and I had a great time.
Unfortunately, as you probably also know, I have the little issue of an International title that will likely be taking up my time for the next eleven months. I wish there were some way I could do this all again, but it simply isn't possible.
However, I have spoken to Jay Hemphill and Michael Holeman, and they have graciously offered to resume their positions as Chairmen of the Leather Contingent.
I am glad to know that the Contingent is in such capable and experienced hands.
Thanks Jay and Michael!
Cheers!
Andrew
aka Bootdog
Coordinator, SF Pride Parade Leather ContingentMy contact information:
Email: bootdog@gmail.com
ON LINE DISCUSSION GROUPPlease click on the link below to join our Parade Discussion Group, if you haven't already! In between meetings we can talk about subjects regarding the parade, Leather Contingent, etc.
DYKES ON BIKESEmail address for Dykes On Bikes: secretarysfwmc@aol.com
LINKS
LOOKING AT PAST PARADES !
Photos from the 2007 Parade and Leather Alley
Photos from the 2006 Parade and Leather Alley
Photos from the 2005 Parade and Leather Alley
Sorry... no photos are available from 2002