It’s been a hectic few months. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up to date on here with the comings and goings with what I’ve been up to or musings in general.
A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of attending a masters capping ceremony of one of our communities outstanding citizens. It was a real eye opener for me organizing it from start to finish and I was very pleased as to how it turned out.
A bit of background first. A masters capping ceremony in the leather community is a very serious affair. It is the communities way of recognizing the achievements, contributions and commitment of an individual in their journey. This individual must demonstrate the core principle values of honour, integrity, humility and respect and have demonstrated these over a sustained period of time. It can be viewed as a coming of age or a right of passage that one receives from your community peers and elders. Warlock, to those who know him in our community, is more than deserving of this honour.
We were honoured to have an outstanding leatherman such as Don Bastian come out to present this award to his protege. The fact we managed to keep this as a total surprise to Warlock made it all the more enjoyable for all I think (and the look on his face when it sunk in what was going on was priceless). It was a wonderful ceremony that was serious and touching and had its good humoured moments too and some socializing at the end. Getting 30 leathermen to take off their boots to go on the new carpet in my basement was no mean feat either (nice socks Scott 
).
I will be more than pleased to address him as Sir Warlock in future. A title well deserved.
This experience is part of my own personal journey in this community. I still consider myself a pretty junior leatherperson. I was pleased with the support I had in trying to organize this long overdue honour and it was a very educational and humbling experience for myself.
I’ve spend alot of time trying to figure out where I personally fit into this culture. If you look at some of the early writings on the topic (such as the Leathermans’ handbook I and II) it is primarily a gay underground culture and never shall the two meet (the two being myself as a crossdresser and leather culture as it was defined at that time [Think Bikers and Marlboro Men]). Over time this has evolved. For good or for bad who is to say?
Personally I think the change in leather culture can be traced to the commonality of access to the Internet and, to a much lesser degree, the pop culture acceptance of “kinky folk” as being somewhat “trendy”.
With the Internet the ability to look this kind of stuff up or try and meet people/groups who share your interests has become infinitely easier. You can probably go to any decent size city and with a 10 minute session in an Internet cafe attend your first munch within a week. The way this used to be done was much more underground and harder to get into due to the inherent “clique” nature of such groups. Now anybody can go into an adult store, kit themselves out with the latest leather gear and toys and call themselves whatever name appeals to them (Sir SupderDom To the Known Universe to YOU pal!). This, of course, carries with it it’s own inherent dangers and issues. But I digress, this is another topic for another post at some other time…
I think times are changing and Leather culture has certainly evolved from how it was in the 70s or even the 80s. Warlocks girl pyxy lent me a book by Vince Andrews called the “Leatherboy Handbook” which was an excellent read and, I felt, probably the best up to date explanation of what this culture is all about in the here and now. I’ve added this book on my books list (you can find it here or use the “Book List” tab above) It will change in the future of course and this is one persons opinion (to a large degree I think there is no “right” or “wrong” answer on this topic.. much of it is a state of mind or being even – I feel there is a very strong philosophical element to this).
Anyway, that is some initial musings on the topic. Any comments/observations are more than welcome. I am sure I will post more on this topic sometime in the future.
You did an amazing job with organizing the ceremony and everything. You should be very proud of yourself. I am very proud of you for the way you gave of yourself for someone else’s benefit. What you did for someone else really tells me who you are, and I am honored to have you in my life.
I am proud that you are taking this journey, and I hope the road is full of discovery and magic.
Snooglai!
Good read, but your assessment of the ‘capping ceremony’ thing is wrong. It’s a Don Bastian thing, not a leather thing; this is why you don’t see it happen outside of Alberta. Where’s the honor and humility in turning a significant event between a mentor and his boy into a public showcase?
The perception of what makes a man Leather is totally out of whack if a straight guy who insists on being called “warlock” is seen as a community leader.
David, thanks for taking the time to read my humble posting.
However, I must disagree with your comments. Don Bastian served as his mentor and the capping ceremony is the conduit used for his peers in the community to recognize his contribution and commitment to the community. I’m not sure it’s an “Alberta thing” either as Don has not resided in this province for a number of years.
The honour, humility and other traits he possesses are also part of that package. It was not turned into a public showcase; this was a ceremony conducted in a private residence with an invite list comprising of those whom he considers family.
I also fail to see what his sexuality has to do with this in addition to what handle he chooses to go by. For the record he does not mind being called by his real name but as I did not ask permission to use it in my blog when I wrote it so I used his handle. It’s not relevant in either case. He is seen as a community leader by what he has done for the community and the example he has set for others by his actions. Clearly you do not know the man.
David,
I feel your sense of Leather is totally out of whack if you are judging someone simply on who he fucks and his nickname.
You do not have to recognize his cap, no one will try to make you call him by any title.
Personally I think that all great moments in our lives are better shared with those we call family.
Re: I’m not sure it’s an “Alberta thing” either as Don has not resided in this province for a number of years.
Talk to anybody who was in the Fire Island, Chicago, SF or anywhere else where leather was ‘happening’ in the 70s and 80s, and they will have no idea what a capping ceremony is or why it would be done. It’s something that Don Bastian decided to implement locally as a means to expand his vision of a pan-sexual leather community; that doesn’t make it a bad thing (personally I think that it’s akin to doing an intense limit-expanding scene in public – something that should be experienced and shared in private between the two people involved; although that’s just my opinion), but it isn’t a part of leather in a larger sense. A localized ‘anomaly’ that is borrowed from the straight D/s world, rather than something which is ‘legitimately’ Leather.
Being from Calgary, I have plenty of reservations about Don Bastian’s credibility as a quality Leatherman, though, so that should be taken into consideration in regards to any unjustified venom.
Personally, if I should ever earn a cap, I would want a more traditional 1-on-1 experience.
Best wishes, and thanks again for sharing the experience
Calgary Leather Boy; thanks for taking the time to read my posting.
I agree that Leather in the 70s and 80s was different to what is happening today. I actually alluded to this in my posting above by suggesting that Leather culture as it existed in that time period (as outlined in the Leatherman’s handbooks I and II) has evolved into what we are discussing and debating now.
I am aware of 2 other capping ceremonies that have happened in the last couple of years, both with high profile gay leathermen and both in a public setting (one at Lupercalia and one in Calgary but I can’t remember the event). I know Don Bastian had nothing to do with the one in Edmonton (I can’t be 100% sure about the one in Calgary as I was not present). Personally I think it’s a nice touch. If in your circle or community a 1 on 1 ceremony is more appropriate then by all means go for it. Don was this individuals mentor and was the appropriate person to lead the ceremony in this case. I realize he is a bit of a flashpoint in the Calgary community but his relationship and mentors role was with Warlock and the ceremony was for Warlock, not Don Bastian, not myself nor anyone else.
I am not sure how you can say whether or not something is ‘legitmately’ leather or not; I would not feel comfortable making that call. If, as you say, it’s a local anomaly then I think it’s a damn good tradition for those who are worthy. There were around 30 leatherfolk present and many of them were well respected senior members of their communities (and yes some were from Calgary!), were they *ALL* wrong to attend? We’re in the 21st century now and Leather reaches a much wider variety of people than it did 30 or 40 years ago. It’s continually evolving and that is a natural thing. Some of the old traditions (such as starting from the bottom) are less common now amongst others. Whether this is a good or a bad thing who is to say as I have mixed feelings about many of these issues.
Regardless of the ‘flavour’ or ‘traditions’ you would like your Leather to have we are all brothers/sisters in this and should show each other that respect regarding whether or not a ceremony like this happens and perhaps sit back and look at the larger picture of why it happened. Gay/Straight, Male/Female – I think this should make no difference whatsoever; it’s just not relevant in this day and age. Who is it we are trying to honour and recognize and why? This is not a bad thing surely? Your format for a ceremony sounds just as meaningful and powerful as the one I witnessed. They are both good and should probably be tailored for the individuals involved.
David & cgylthrboy – it’s funny that you both comment that it’s an “Alberta thing” and a “Don Bastian thing”; a quick google shows that it is common to many leather communities, and dates back as far as the 70s and 80s.
I’m not Leather, but it seems to me like you may be mistaken in your comments.
el.
I was witness to Mike Anderson receiving his cap from his mentor Barry Gaglardi at the Calgary Eagle during the Mr. Calgary Leather contest. I thought it was a very touching moment between the mentor and student and I was honoured to be there.
“David & cgylthrboy – it’s funny that you both comment that it’s an “Alberta thing” and a “Don Bastian thing”; a quick google shows that it is common to many leather communities, and dates back as far as the 70s and 80s.”
When I google “bdsm capping ceremony” everything that comes up is about a straight D/s top getting capped. It doesn’t happen in Leather anywhere else. Everything else related, from master’s cap to leather capping ceremony doesn’t return anything related to what we’re talking about. So whatever you’re googling to get this result would be appreciated. Personally, I rely on face-to-face conversations with men who were active in NY, DC, Philly, Chicago, and SF in the 70s and 80s.
Even the information about the capping ceremony being a ‘Don Bastian’ thing comes directly from one of the men who brought Leather to this area, along with Donny.
“I am aware of 2 other capping ceremonies that have happened in the last couple of years, both with high profile gay leathermen and both in a public setting (one at Lupercalia and one in Calgary but I can’t remember the event). I know Don Bastian had nothing to do with the one in Edmonton (I can’t be 100% sure about the one in Calgary as I was not present). Personally I think it’s a nice touch.”
The one in Calgary was Mike Anderson, who is straight. If I recall correctly from Lupercalia, I was told that guy was straight as well.
It’s irrelevant whether Don Bastian has anything to do with these events now, the fact of the matter is that he, Barry Gagliardi, and Ken Nadeskin were directly responsible for bringing Leather to Alberta. In order to attract a pansexual crowd to 3SM and their events after CLUB folded, Don started implementing elements from the straight D/s community and called it ‘Leather’. (Why would anybody be able to call him when they had no way of knowing any better?) Now with the advent of the internet and ability for people to connect with a wider range of people, it’s easier for people to see for themselves just how convoluted the idea of Leather has become in this province.
While I feel it is very important to be aware of the history and respect the traditions of Leather, if we are to keep everything the same as it was in 70s and 80s we could not have this conversation as there was no internet back then. In fact I believe that it was not right to discuss Leather outside of the bars and other gatherings of Leathermen.
The fact of the matter remains that the people who have known Warlock for a long time, including the man who was his mentor, felt that he deserved recognition for everything he has done in the past 20 years. These people feel he is worthy of the title of Master. This was not a self appointed title as we see too often.
This is obviously not the idea of Leather for some and for others it is the opitome of Leather.
At Lupercalia 2007 a cap was presented to Sir Scott who is very much gay, or at least that is what his husband thinks.
Calgary Leather Boy
I have to agree with Jim that much is owed to the history and traditions of which you speak. Leather has evolved and will continue to do so. If you read Vince Andrew’s Leatherboys Handbook his take on it is that it is much more encompassing now than it used to be (including the pansexual crowd). I am pretty sure Don Bastian has nothing to do with his views but I think they share alot in common in what they are saying. You don’t have to agree with his assessment of course but it’s certainly a view that is not uncommon.
My posting here describes my personal journey, observations and thoughts on the matter. I enjoy comments posted to my observations and like to hear alternative points of view and you’ve made yours clear and I respect that. I don’t necessarily agree with it but I appreciate you have taken the time to make it.
Bottom line from this posting is that the ceremony was performed for a man in our community who deserved it. Whether people view it as true Leather or some twisted Alberta version of it is neither here nor there. The people who attended and the enthusiasm with which the news was received demonstrates how highly this person is regarded and it was the right thing to do. If capping ceremonies are an Alberta thing then I think it’s an awesome tradition we’ve started and I hope it catches on elsewhere as it is a wonderful way to recognize people for their achievements and what they are about and what they have contributed. I think it’s important to ensure this does not get watered down and you are having them every weekend.
My thoughts.
“In fact I believe that it was not right to discuss Leather outside of the bars and other gatherings of Leathermen.”
I’m inclined to agree with you… I look forward to continuing these kinds of discussions at the Eagle; I’m usually behind the bar on most weekends.
Cheers, and best wishes to you all.
Donna, your writings are lovely and I’m very interested in the capping ceremony that you put together. Did you have any resources that you used as a guide for the ceremony?
If you would email me privately, I’d really appreciate it. You can reach me at divinity@clubfemsoutheastflorida.com
Thank you so much
Divinity~
Head Mistress
Club FEM Southeast Florida