LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District

LAVENDER TALKS: BODY POSITIVITY IN KINK CULTURE

This Thursday at 2:00 p.m., join the Commonwealth Club for the latest in their Lavender Talks series, presented with San Francisco Pride and exploring a wide range of topics of interest to the LGBTQ world. 

In this program, they will explore the role the “kink” subculture plays in the larger LGBTQ community.  The discussion will cover body positivity, inclusion and exclusion, and different attitudes toward desire. How do issues of age discrimination, conforming and nonconforming presentation, racism and more get addressed by and within the kink subculture? There might be some surprising answers, as we look at the state of the kink in the age of pandemic, economic crisis, and racial justice.

Participants will include local kink community leaders:

• Beth “Bicoastal” Hunt, Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District Manager Emeritus; Lifelong Artist/Performer
• Danny Thanh Nguyen, Writer; Lambda Literary + Ragdale Foundation + Kundiman Fellow; Columnist, Recon
• Bianca Spencer, Ms. Rubber San Francisco 2020; Co-Founder, The Unruly Social Club; Former Chairwoman, Lesbian Sex Mafia

It will be moderated by

• Michelle Meow, Producer and Host, “The Michelle Meow Show,” KBCW TV and TuneIn; Member, Commonwealth Club Board of Governors.

This event is online-only; register to receive a link to the live stream program. Registration ends 1 hour before program begins.

This is a free program; please consider making a donation during registration to support their online program production.  

Full information can be found here.  

Register here

Are you ready to take your BDSM and kink to the next level? Learn from the pros in our kink + BDSM workshop series, which we call “Little Shop of Whores”.  The first in the series, curated by Maxine Holloway, is called “Practicing Anti-Racism in Kink and BDSM Play Negotiations”.  The program will be led by Professional Dominatrix, erotic performing artist, and kink and BDSM educator, Mistress Vivienne Vai, and it is set for Thursday, September 24th, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.  The series is free, although donations to our class facilitators during the class are welcome and encouraged. More details and pre-registration link are here.  

Looking for the “Leather District Kinky Carnaval”?  You’ve found it.

We call it
The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District’s
“Keep SOMA Kinky” Arcade
featuring our first-ever
Fetish Runway

But that is kind of long, I guess.  Whatever.  Read all about it here.

It’s just our part of the amazing, virtual Folsom Street Fair, hosted by Margaret Cho and streaming worldwide on Sunday, September 27, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.   (To donate, text Folsom2020 to 345345.)

An important announcement has been provided to us, regarding the opening of additional businesses and activities in San Francisco, including indoor gyms, salons, and tourist hotels.  There are strict safety protocols in place; both business owners and customers are urged to familiarize themselves with these rules:

San Francisco:  Requirements for Activities Reopening Today (9/14/2020)

In other COVID-19 news:

There has been a lot posted recently about sex and COVID-19.  We have added some interesting articles, with various perspectives, to our COVID-19 Links page.  You can find these resources here.

Of particularly timely interest, the City of San Francisco has prepared a flyer of information about Air Quality and COVID-19.

Although we will continue to maintain our page of information about businesses open in our Cultural District, the SOMA West Community Benefit District is now offering a very comprehensive list of dining options in the entire SOMA West area, here.   Whether for takeout or socially-distanced outdoor dining, please do patronize these businesses as often as possible, and help our neighborhood to survive these challenging times.  Thanks!

For the Cultural District’s full list of COVID-19-related links, click here.

To celebrate San Francisco’s Leather Week (September 20-27, 2020), the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District is pleased to have created a window display at the Walgreens on Castro Street at 18th.

« ‹ 1 of 9 › »

Our thanks to Daniel Huggybear, Bernie Alter, and David Hyman, as well as to Walgreens and Our Town SF, for making this possible.

If you just learned about San Francisco’s LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District…. Welcome!

Please explore below for information about the Cultural District.  If you are not already receiving email from us, please click here to be kept informed about our meetings and activities.

This is a great time to become a full Voting Member of the Cultural District!  Click here to get started!  And, during the current COVID-19 crisis, anyone whose income or living situation has been impacted by it is eligible to receive the low-income dues waiver, regardless of other circumstances.  Your free membership is good for one year.

We are actively seeking community input on ways to preserve the arts & culture of our special South of Market neighborhood.  We invite you to submit your own ideas, suggestions, and thoughts on these topics:

Arts and Culture Survey

For more information on Arts and Culture in the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District, please click here.    

The next meeting of the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District Board of Directors will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 from  6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

As always, all are welcome to attend, and time is reserved for public comment.  ASL interpretation provided if requested ten days in advance.

Please note the meeting time, and contact manager@sflcd.org if you have questions.   The proposed agenda can be viewed here.

The city of San Francisco needs volunteers to help deliver meals, deliver medications, connect with elderly residents, and all sorts of help for our community. Info is at https://sf.gov/be-emergency-volunteer

Remember:  You can text “COVID19SF” to 888-777 to receive official updates on how San Franciscans can best cope with the COVID-19 crisis.

If you have not yet seen it, please read our Statement of Solidarity, and consider what you personally can do to fight racism, injustice, and abuse of police power.

SF Catalyst is expanding to better serve leather, queer, and kink organizations and individuals!  But it will need your help. Find more details and donate to ensure SF Catalyst remains a thriving community space here.

The next online meeting of the Arts and Culture Committee is set for Thursday, September 24, 2020, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Info at Facebook post.  Join with Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89554242702 or call 1 408 638 0968 and use Meeting ID: 895 5424 2702.

Another in the ONYX Southwest “Detention Table Talks” series is set for this coming Saturday, September 19, 2020 from 11 AM to 1 PM, on the topic “Leather Fashion, Iconography & Uniforms”.

For more info about the SEEDING RECIPROCITY – Community Training Program, please click here.

NOTE:  DEADLINE EXTENDED.  Additional Orientation set for Saturday, 9/19/2020.

Thanks for attending our Town Hall!

If you missed it, OR if you did not get a chance to give input on all the topics you care about, please use our
Community Input form !

This meeting was a key step in the creation of our District’s Cultural History, Housing and Economic Sustainability Strategies (CHHESS) report, which will guide our organization’s efforts — and help shape San Francisco city policy and priorities — for the next 3 to 5 years.

The Town Hall included this presentation about our CHHESS report by Julia Sabory, from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD):

The meeting also included breakouts session, with focus groups on the following topics:

Historic Preservation
Preserve and develop cultural and historic buildings, businesses, organizations, traditions, arts, events, & district aesthetics.

Tenant Protections
Protect tenants from displacement and promote affordable housing & homeownership.

Arts & Culture
Attract and support artists and cultural enterprises.

Economic & Workforce Development
Promote jobs, tourism and economic opportunities that stabilize the district’s economy.

Land Use
Create City regulations, tools and programs that support businesses & industries that advance the cultural district.

Cultural Competency
Promote culturally and appropriate City Services, policies, and narratives.

The SOMA West Community Benefit District is hosting a Community Forum with City Leaders and Stakeholders on August 26, 2020, at 11:00 a.m.

You can download the full invitation and details here.  Or go ahead and register for the free event here.

After a comprehensive and competitive search, the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Cal Callahan has been selected as the new District Manager.  Mr. Callahan is a nonprofit professional with more than 20 years’ experience who has been instrumental in the growth of the Positive Resource Center’s Bare Chest Calendar.  Cal is the former Director of Community Engagement for the Positive Resource Center (PRC) and was chosen for this position for his many connections in the SOMA area and his commitment to successful fund-raising efforts and volunteer coordination. He also previously served at the AIDS Emergency Fund and the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund.

Mr. Callahan replaces Beth Hunt who resigned to move to the East Coast to be closer to family.  The Board thanks Beth for all her hard work and networking as the Cultural District’s first District Manager.  She worked tirelessly to network with the community, represent the District at city meetings, and implement our founding systems and procedures.  The Board wishes her all the best in her new endeavors.

Mr. Callahan is a 37 year Bay Area resident, who is known for networking, building organizations, innovative fundraising, creative event planning, leadership skills, broadening diversity, and community relations. He takes a key position at the world’s first cultural district to focus on the leather and LGBTQ communities.

“We are thrilled to name a new District Manager with such deep community connections and experience who will help lead our organization on a path to being a cultural hub in SOMA,” said Bob Goldfarb, President of the Cultural District.  “We cast a wide net in our search and believe that Cal’s management and fundraising skills will play an essential role as we work toward our goal of establishing a permanent community center in SOMA.  His connections to diverse communities will increase our organization’s diversity both internally and to the constituents we serve.”

Mr. Callahan began working for the Cultural District at the beginning of August, 2020.  Community members have been quick to express their support. Jack Thompson, International Mr. Leather 2019, the first trans POC to win that title and a founding father of ONYX Northwest, said, “Without needing to know anything about me, Cal showed me kindness and support. He shows it to everyone around him. I am so happy for him to be able to show that same kindness and support to the entire community as District Manager for the Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District. I couldn’t think of anyone better suited for this position.”  Jon Ojinaga, Owner of Azucar Lounge said, “When Azucar Lounge opened 9 years ago, Cal came to welcome us to the neighborhood and has been a big supporter of local business. We’ve worked together on a large variety of events and I look forward to continuing our collaborations. Demetri Moshoyannis, Managing Director of Individual Giving at GMHC and formerly Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships at PRC, said, “He’s a great community organizer, an amazing listener, and an even better project manager! I’m sure he’ll do great things on behalf of the Leather & LGBTQ District and the Western SoMa neighborhood.”

Do you miss your favorite bars in SOMA? Do you miss seeing those familiar faces and sharing some time together?

Well, look no more! The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District is now hosting a virtual happy hour every Monday at 6 pm!

Every happy hour session we will feature one of your favorite SOMA bars and their staff/bartenders.

The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District is pleased to present another edition of our bi-weekly online event for persons 18+ only:

An Erotic Storytelling Hour!
Come hear some erotic, sexy, and funny stories and more
from selected writers of our community!
Tuesday, September 29, 2020, from 8 to 9 p.m.
Join via Zoom 
Or call 1 408 638 0968 US
and enter meeting ID: 856 5465 2578 and password: 007266
Be 18+

Hosted by:
Sumiko Saulson

Missed our September 1 Storytelling hour?  View it here!

Want to be a reader for a future event? Contact: manager@sflcd.org.

If you enjoy listening, please become a member of the Cultural District: https://join.sflcd.org 

The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District’s leadership is deeply pained by the racist violence which continues in this country.

We stand in solidarity with Black and Brown people and their allies worldwide who are peacefully expressing their outrage at racism, injustice, and abuse of police power.

We stand in solidarity with the protesters engaged in powerful actions to demand justice, accountability, and systemic change.

Only by standing together will it be possible to put an end to the senseless brutality we have witnessed for too long.

The Leather and LGBTQ communities have a long history of collective strength in times of crisis and now we invoke that strength to call for freedom and fairness for all oppressed communities.

We call on the entire community to work together to dismantle ingrained systems of inequality wherever they are found.  It will be a long journey to the end of institutionalized racism, but our community will act with strength, purpose, and solidarity until we see that day.

Black Lives Matter.

Community members have encouraged contributions to some of the organizations listed below.  Although the Cultural District has not reviewed these suggestions, and cannot specifically endorse them, we do urge our community to support the hard work of achieving safety, freedom and fairness for all oppressed communities.

• • National Bail Fund Network
  • Bay Area Anti- Repression Committee Bail Fund
  • People’s Breakfast Oakland
  • San Francisco’s Transgender District Fund
  • Anti Police-Terror Project
  • The Bail Project™ National Revolving Bail Fund 
  • Protest & COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund for Community Bail & Bond Funds 
  • Minnesota Freedom Fund 
  • Reclaim The Block
  • Black Visions Collective
  • Transgender Gender-Variant & Intersex Justice Project
  • Center for Black Equity

Other Lists of Resources:

• • SF Queer Nightlife Fund
  • Northstar Health Collective

At our Diversity / Membership Committee meeeting on 4/2/2020, it was agreed that, during the current COVID-19 crisis, anyone whose income or living situation has been impacted by it is eligible to receive the low-income dues waiver, regardless of other circumstances.  Your free membership is good through December, 2020.

That makes this an excellent time for you to head to our Membership Signup Page.  Members get to vote on Directors at the annual elections in August, and vote on critical matters presented at Special Membership Meetings.  Of course, anyone is welcome to attend and speak at our monthly Directors meetings and Committee meetings.  (Meeting dates and time, and online meeting log-in information can be found on our Calendar.)

If you can afford to pay the full annual membership dues of $15 per year, we hope you will do so, to help cover our administrative costs and to show your support for the Cultural District’s work.  But the important thing is for you to be a member, to add your voice to ours when we discuss community needs and priorities with project developers and city leaders.  

So join today.  And if you do happen to be stuck at home with nothing to do, feel free to explore this Web site — there’s lots of interesting stuff here!

For over three years, SF Catalyst has provided a social and educational space to the SF bay area kink community. Now, SF Catalyst has taken a leap of faith and signed a lease, expanding Catalyst into the rest of the property located behind the existing play space.

This will allow easy wheelchair access to the main space, expand maximum capacity, create additional event space, and provide a secure outdoor area. Once permitted to reopen, SF Catalyst will be able to provide the community with options to hold two or more events simultaneously and to provide meeting space for more smaller groups than it can currently accommodate. They will also be able to host cigar socials and other outdoor community activities.

As an entirely volunteer-run venue, operating as part of the non-profit SF Bay Area Leather Alliance, Catalyst will need the community’s support to make it happen, and ijdeed to survive through the difficult times we are now in.

You can help make sure that SF Catalyst is there for us then, by making a monthly donation now, through their Patreon campaign.  For full info and to make your donations, please visit www.patreon.com/sfcatalyst.

For more info about SF Catalyst, visit www.sfcatalyst.org.

Hi.  Thanks for your interest in the “LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District”, created by the City of San Francisco to honor, support, and protect the unique and special culture that has flourished in the South of Market area.

We encourage anyone with an interest in the leather or kink community to learn about this project, and participate however they can.

There are lots of ways to get informed and involved:

• Read this brief introduction.
• View our original (2018) brochure, or our new (September 2019) color brochure.
• Visit our “About us” page.
• Become a Member of the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District – or at least get on our mailing list – to be notified of meetings and other events, join a committee, or volunteer your skills.
• Attend our Town Hall, on August 25 at 6:00 pm.  This is a very important opportunity for you to help shape the future of the Cultural District for years to come.  Full info about the Town Hall can be found here or on the Facebook event.
• Attend one of our semi-annual  Membership Meetings.
• Attend (as a guest) one of our monthly Board Meetings.
• Consider joining one of our important Committees, including the Arts and Culture Committee, the Communications Committee, The Governance Committee, the Land Use Committee, or the Diversity and Membership Committee.   
• Read the Resolution as approved by the Board of Supervisors, and signed by the Mayor on May 9, 2018, here.
• Read the Vision and Mission Statements for the Cultural District here.
• Read our full organizational Bylaws, here.
• See a list of our current Board of Directors, here.
• View a map of the Cultural District here.
• Check out our calendar of Cultural District meetings and events, here.
• Like and follow the SF LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District on Facebook.  
• Join our Group on Fetlife.
• Follow @sfleatherdist on Twitter or Instagram.  
• Write to our group’s elected President, Robert Goldfarb, using the email address president@SFLCD.org or more generally to info@SFLCD.org.  

Let’s see what we can do to make this happen, and make it happen right!

We are happy to invite you to become a full Voting Member of the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District.

Become a Member
Please click here to become a full Voting Member of the Cultural District.

Why Become a Member?

Join the Mailing List 
Please click here if you just want to get on our mailing list.

View your information on file
If you are already on our mailing list, you may click here to view and edit the information we have about you (including Committee memberships).   We will send you an email with a link to your data.

To pay your annual membership dues with a credit card or e-check, click here.

If you wish to make a credit card or echeck donation to assist the Cultural District, click here.

NOTES:

• Anyone is welcome to attend and speak at our monthly Directors meetings.  Only Voting Members get to vote for Directors at the annual elections in August, or vote on critical matters presented at Special Membership Meetings.
• Membership dues are $15 per calendar year, and are intended only to cover our basic administrative costs.  Anyone who cannot afford the $15/year membership dues — or anyone whose income has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis — can receive a Low-income Dues Waiver, but they must still agree with the Vision and Mission of the Cultural District, and meet other requirements.
• Our finances are handled by our fiscal sponsor, SOMArts.  When you make a dues payment or donation, they will ask for your address and billing information, but they do NOT share all of that with us.  Please provide your LCD name and email address (if different) as a comment with your payment, to make sure we know it is coming from you.
• We will send you an email confirming your official membership once we have verified your eligibility and confirmed receipt of your dues (or eligibility for dues waiver).  This is a manual process, so please be patient.  As always, if you have questions for us, use the contact phone number or email address shown on the right side of this page.
• Do you not use email?  Do you and your partner share an email address?  Do you have some other special situation?  Do you want to support us as a business or organization?  Please give us a call – our contact info is on the right side of this page.
• Thanks!