Thorsten Mid-December 2020 we received the sad news that Svein Skeid passed away aged 70 in Oslo shortly after experiencing a heart attack. A recognized activist in the gay and BDSM scene, Svein fought tirelessly to eradicate the psychiatric diagnoses associated with fetishism and BDSM. BDSM (short for: Bondage & Discipline, Dominance & Submission, Sadism & …
Read moreIn memory of leather pioneer Svein Skeid (1950-2020)
The “Thoughts in an exceptional time” about Corona, which I wrote in spring during the first lockdown, began with the words: “ The Corona crisis hit me like heavy whip lashes on the back.” Now before the turn of the year 2020/21 lashes hit me again – even more violently, apparently incessantly. This virus does …
A look at the past shows which fashion-inspirations borrowed from history still influence our leather fetishism today. One of the tasks of fashion has always been the art and desire to please, to attract and to seduce with special emphasis on all charms. At a drag ball in Graz I was dressed in tails and …
Especially in our leather and fetish community and the large variety of sexual practices, it is important to act safely and consciously. People living with HIV with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV sexually. Therefore: Do you know your HIV status? Click on the photo to start the video! #checkit – A campaign of …
The leather scene created an independent culture within the queer subculture, in which leather lovers can act undisturbed and according to own rules without granting insight to others. Leather – this word evokes especially in gay context more associations than for other people. Leather fetish means a high sexual-erotic affinity for the material leather; it is …
Why are many of us afraid of not meeting the so-called standards of our society? Who does define those standards at all and where do prejudices and taboos come from, which we don’t want to break/shall not break? May it lead to a possible exclusion from the social community, to which we belong, if we …
While gays used hanky codes in the past to recognize each other, there are now numerous dating apps to find a partner for various needs. You get to know each other nowhere better than in real life, but the prevailing pandemic is forcing us to meet even more digitally. In conversations I often notice that …
The famous novel “Venus in Furs” by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was published 150 years ago, is about fetish addictions and his most well-known and at the same time most controversial work, strongly inspired by his own life. Nowadays, Sacher-Masoch is seen as a pioneer of the new erotic literature, because he stood up against prejudice …
Numerous honors and exhibitions on the occasion of the 100th birthday of Touko Laaksonen, better known as Tom of Finland, mark the year 2020. The MSC (short for Motor-Sport-Club) Finland Tom’s Club, for example, unveiled a plaque in front of his former house in August in Helsinki. Galerie Judin in Berlin-Schöneberg opened an exhibition on …
Vegan has become chic and a prevailing megatrend. Besides numerous other animal alternatives, we are more and more faced with so-called “vegan leather”. After all, leather is always an animal by-product and the connection with the adjective vegan is misleading for consumers. As a matter of fact, meat consumption is declining in many countries and …
Read moreFeel good in leather despite the current vegan hype