There have always been problems in the leather community. I’m not talking about persons making inappropriate comments on social media or even pictures of leather titleholders dressed in t-shirts, preppie shorts, sneakers, and leather sashes. I like to look on the positive side of things. I’m talking about the problem of having so many leather events going on at the same time that I can’t get to them all. That’s a good problem to have.

My last two columns were devoted entirely to two recent leather contests. I feel the need to bring you up to date on other events that have gone on or are coming up soon.

While I was in New York judging the Mr. Eagle NYC 2018 contest over the weekend of October 6th to 8th, two outstanding members of Maryland’s leather community were at the Leather Archives & Museum in Chicago attending American Brotherhood Weekend and bringing home the ABW titles. Congratulations to Ms. Capital Pride Leather 2009 and a member of the Highwaymen TNT Jackie Thompson who was selected American Leatherwoman 2017 and Leatherman of Color 2011 and a member of Onyx, Rod McCoy, who brought home the American Leatherman 2017 sash. I can proudly say that I have known these two for a long time and I was thrilled when I heard the results of the 28th annual American Brotherhood Weekend.

On that same October weekend back in Baltimore a new contest was held at the Baltimore Eagle. Mr. Leather Bear Dallas 2017 Jacques “boy Giant” Daniels was selected International Mr. Leather Bear 2018. I hope that this is the start of another great event in the Baltimore area.

The next contest on my calendar is the annual Mr. Maryland Leather contest hosted by COMMAND MC. The contest which started in 1991 will selected Maryland’s representative to next year’s International Mr. Leather Contest (IML) in Chicago. The Mr. Maryland Leather 2018 Contest will be held on Saturday, November 4th starting at 2 pm at the Baltimore Eagle and this year’s Mistress of Ceremonies will be International Ms. Leather 2016 Lascivious Jane. The contest is just one part of a whole weekend of events in Baltimore. Visit Commandmc.org for tickets and a full schedule.

Washington, DC, will be selecting their IML represented on Saturday, November 18th at 8 pm at the DC Eagle. This is always a great contest. The Mr. DC Eagle 2018 Contest is just one part of the bar’s 46th anniversary weekend celebration. There is also the popular Eagle Wings gear auction for charity scheduled for Friday, November 17th and a victory cookout on Sunday. See the DC Eagle’s website or Facebook page for all the details.

One of our area’s recently sashed leather titleholders will be hosting a bar night on Friday, November 10th starting at 9 pm. Join Mid-Atlantic Leather Woman 2018 Amy “Foxxy” Phillips at the Baltimore Eagle for a fundraiser benefiting the MAL-W travel fund and the Leather Heart Foundation. There will be Jell-O shots, raffles, drink specials, and more. Come out and support. You will have a great time with the Mid-Atlantic Leather Woman titleholders.

Before I tell you about some Christmas holiday events, let’s not skip my favorite holiday: Halloween! Making plans for a fun Halloween was easy this year. The Centaur MC, ShipMates Club of Baltimore, Potomac MC, and Three Rivers Leather Club of Pittsburgh will be jointly hosting “Centaur Samhain” on Saturday, October 28th at the Baltimore Eagle. This bar night and Halloween costume contest will have it all – even $2,500 in prizes for best costumes. You will find both tricks and treats at the Baltimore Eagle. A $10 cover starts at 8 pm. See you at the Baltimore Eagle on October 28th.

Speaking of the ShipMates, on October 21st the ShipMates kicked off their annual Daddy Christmas benefit with a bar night at Grand Central. Tickets are now available at the cost of $1 for their famous wagon of cheer raffle. This year’s Daddy Christmas charity is the Baltimore Transgender Alliance. Daddy Christmas 2017 will be held on Saturday, December 2nd at Grand Central. There will be a silent auction, Jell-O shots, pictures with Santa, and more. The party starts at 9 pm. Come join the ShipMates and start your December with a party for a good cause.

Baltimore’s other long-running holiday tradition will be held on Saturday, December 9th as the 19th annual “12 Days of Christmas” show kicks off at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum Heights, Maryland. This year’s theme is “Naughty, Nice & Nasty” so there should be something for everybody. Doors open at noon. Hooker and boys have selected the Leather Heart Foundation, Project Real, AIDS Action Baltimore, and Hagerstown Hopes as the 2017 charities. Details can be found on Facebook. Make your reservations fast. Reserved tables sell out quickly, if they haven’t already.

Also on December 9th is the Leatherman of Color 2018 Contest at the DC Eagle. The contest starts at 7:30. Details can be found on Facebook.

These are just a few of the leather events coming up soon in our area. We are fortunate to have so many events going on. No one can do it all. I’m going to miss the Mid-Atlantic Leather Women on November 10th because I will be in Portland, Maine for “Sail Away 35.” That weekend celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Harbor Masters leather club. I’m sorry to miss this bar night because the Mid-Atlantic Leather Women are fantastic. I need your help. Show up for the ladies in leather at the Baltimore Eagle on November 10th. I can’t do it all myself.