Historically leather clubs host large events for milestone anniversaries. Unfortunately, the pandemic derailed lots of plans. As a result, over the weekend of February 24th to 26th the Pennsmen held their 46th anniversary weekend at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This fun-filled gathering included lots of cocktail parties, instructional classes, and the 200th meeting of the Atlantic Motorcycle Coordinating Council, an umbrella organization for many of the leather clubs in the New England and Mid-Atlantic area.
I arrived early and had time to run over to the Brownstone Lounge, the home bar of the Pennsmen, for happy hour. You can find the Pennsmen at this friendly bar on the first Saturday of each month. After a few beverages, I was ready to return to the hotel for the opening cocktail party hosted by New York’s Empire City Motorcycle Club.
The Pennsmen made sure that no one got bored on Saturday. They scheduled a full day of activities. Some at the same time. After a buffet brunch, the Philadelphians presented eye-opener cocktails. The morning concluded with the AMCC meeting. In the afternoon, MX Maryland Leather 2023 Finn gave an outstanding presentation on violet wands and electrical play with much attention to safety and aftercare.
Daddypup Tripp discussed knives and sensations and Mr. New Jersey Leather 2015 Thomas Fincannon demonstrated rope bondage and suspension, with lots of knot tying hands-on instruction. There was also a pet mosh. The Potomac MC, who showed that they really know how to throw a cocktail party during MAL, did it again with a mid-afternoon cocktail party completed with sturdy plastic cups printed with the club’s logo and specialty cocktails like the “George Santos.” (I did not trust the ingredients list!)
Afternoon sessions included Pennsmen Brian with sounds and catheters, ShipMate Sir Angelo and Pennsmen Luke with impact play, Command MC’s Mark with electro-stimulations, and Potomac MC’s Justin with watersports. (I got excited when I walked into the watersports class and saw Justin with a table full of bottled water behind him. Unfortunately, it was only a discussion group.)
On Saturday night a formal leather banquet was held with pre-dinner cocktails sponsored by AMCC Treasurer Paul Rose and after dinner cocktails hosted by the Long Island Ravens, who made the extra effort of rearranging the event space and dimming the lighting. (At my age that always helps!)
There was also a play space suite with dungeon equipment available all weekend, bootblacks on duty, and representatives from Alder Health Services offering STI testing and information. After Sunday’s brunch the weekend ended, but the happy memories will last much longer. Congratulations to the Pennsmen on their 45 + 1 anniversary. (Math is hard!) The last few years saw several leather clubs close up shop. The Pennsmen are going strong and better than ever. It was a historic weekend and a real milestone.
Author Profile
- Rodney is originally from Hagerstown, Maryland and for many years has lived in Baltimore. In April 2017, Rodney was sworn in for his 10th year as the President of the ShipMates Club of Baltimore. He has been involved in the leather community for many years, but often denies that he sold Jell-O shots at The Last Supper. He has been writing THE LEATHER LINE for the BALTIMORE OUTLOUD newspaper (Baltimoreoutloud.com.) for over fourteen years. He has produced the Mr. & Ms. Baltimore Eagle Contest and the Maryland LeatherSIR/Leatherboy Contest. In 2001 he was proud to serve as Maryland Mr. Drummer 2001. Rodney also does stand-up comedy and in 2013 was thrilled to perform at Philadelphia Leather Pride Night. He has been nominated multiple times for a Pantheon of Leather Award, was selected Leather Man of the Year in 2013 by COMMAND M.C. and by the Baltimore Leather Association of the Deaf in 2006. The 11th annual 12 Days of Christmas benefit show was dedicated to Rodney and his partner Sir Steve. He has been twice selected as ShipMate of the Year. He has judged Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2015, Atlantic States LeatherSIR / Leatherboy and recently judged Mr. Eagle NYC 2018. He is delighted to be able to bring news of his beloved leather community to his readers every issue.
