Toronto Leather Pride has become one the largest city leather/fetish/kink events in North America. Following the tremendous success of last year’s TLP Educational Series, the “So You Want To Be Kinky???” Educational Group is now seeking qualified individuals interested in presenting workshops, demonstrations, and discussions during the TLP 2012 weekend. Again this year, our educational series will be presented on the Saturday and Sunday of the event weekend.

The “So You Want To Be Kinky???” Educational Group is planning a total of 10 seminars for that weekend. Each seminar must be 45 to 60 minutes in length. Anyone interested in presenting a seminar this year must submit a completed Seminar Proposal Form (Please link here to submit an online form) by no later than June 1st, 2012.

A maximum of 10 proposals will be selected from all those received by the deadline. Should you need to contact us to get more information, please link hereto be directed to the 2bkinky website.

Presenters will receive 1 full package and if they have an assistant they would receive 50% off a package. If 2 seminars are presented then both the presenter and assistant would receive a full package.

Please link here for a complete list of TLP 2012 Official Weekend Events.

We are looking forward to receiving your proposals.

See you in August!!

So You Want To Be Kinky??? Educational Group

(Toronto, ON CA) MLT 2013 / MRT 2013 / BBT 2013 Judging Panels Announced.

Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. (HOTF) proudly announces the contest hosts and judges for the Mr. Leatherman Toronto, Mr. Rubber Toronto and the Bootblack Toronto 2013 competitions to be held during the Toronto Leather Pride Weekend ~ August 09th – 12th, 2012.

This year our competitions will be again held at the Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne Street) with the doors opening at 6:30 pm. Co-hosting the event will be the dynamic duo of Deb Pearce host of Rogers TV’s ”FoQus with Deb Pearce” and Brandon Matheson Executive Co-Producer of Eastern Canada LeatherSIR, Leatherboy competitions.

Leather Ball 18 will follow the TLP Competitions with DJ Nik Red spinning.

Our judges for the Mr. Leatherman Toronto 2013 competition are:

• Master Robért Rochon – MLT Head Judge – Toronto, ON
• Sir Kira – International Ms. Olympus 2011 – Ottawa, ON
• Jason Hendrix – International Mr. Leather 2004 – Chicago, IL
• Jeff Henness – Seattle Leather Grand Dad 2012 – Seattle WA
• Robert Pierre Tomas – Mr. Leatherman Toronto 1997 – Toronto, ON
• Mel Koome – Ms. Leather Cedar’s 2011 – Hamilton, ON
• Ryan Lemesurier – Mr. Leatherman Toronto 2011 – Toronto, ON

Mr. Leatherman Toronto Tally Master – Dwayne Bryk – Mr. Spearhead Ambassador 2012 – Toronto, ON
Please link here to view the complete list of biographies and photographs of the MLT 2013 Judging Panel.

Our Judges for the Mr. Rubber Toronto 2013 competition are:

• Peter Rex – MRT Head Judge – Toronto, ON
• Archean – Ms. Rubber World 2011 – Toronto, ON
• Sir Trooper Long – Great Lakes Bootblack 2009 – Detroit, MI
• Richard Nordin – New England Mr. Rubber 2003 – Boston MA

Mr. Rubber Toronto Tally Master – boy dana Prosser – Atlanta, GA
Please link here to view the complete list of biographies and photographs of the MRT 2013 Judging Panel.

Our judges for the Bootblack Toronto 2013 competition are:

• black aka Ian Turner – BBT Head Judge – Toronto, ON
• Lamalani – International Ms. Leather 2009 – Seattle, WA
• slave-boy jake English – Bootblack Toronto 2011 – Toronto, ON
• Q – International Ms. Bootblack 2008 – San Francisco, CA

Bootblack Toronto Tally Master – bootblack buddy aka Jacques Coetzer – Toronto, ON
Please link here to view the complete list of biographies and photographs of the BBT 2013 Judging Panel.

Partners for the Toronto Leather Pride Weekend so far include:

Platinum Partners:
Recon
Steamworks ~ Official Bathhouse of Toronto Leather Pride.

Presentation Partners for the Toronto Leather Pride Competitions include:
Cruiseline ~ Official Sponsor of the Mr. Rubber Toronto 2013 Competition.
Northbound Leather ~ Official Sponsor of the Mr. Leatherman Toronto 2013 Competition.
Black Eagle Toronto ~ Official Sponsor of the Bootblack Toronto 2013 Competition ~ Home of HOTF/TLP.

Gold Partners:
Praipe
Zipperz/Cellblock – 72 Carlton Street, Toronto, ON

Silver Partners:
O”Grady’s on Church
Mr. S Leather
Woody’s / Sailor
Proud FM ~ Media Partner.
PinkPlay Mags ~ Media Partner.
Goodhandy’s
Fuzion

Bronze Partners:
Inked Kenny Photography
Crews and Tangos
Leather Masters
Please Visit One of Our Fine Partners Today!

You can be part of our event weekend event for only $120. VIP passes, tickets on sale starting March 31, 2012. For specific event details, weekend passes, event tickets and hotel information; please visit our website at www.torontoleatherpride.ca.

As part of a member-based, not-for-profit corporation/club, Toronto Leather Pride under the banner of Heart of the Flag Federation Inc., (HOTF) is dedicated to producing events that celebrate Leather/Kink/Fetish culture while promoting our community and our city.

HOTF is the proud producer of some of Canada’s largest leather/fetish/kink events. We produce: the Toronto Leather Pride Weekend, which includes Leather Ball, Mr. Leatherman Toronto, Mr. Rubber Toronto and the Bootblack Toronto competitions mid-August. We also produce Toronto Bound in late November, featuring the Toronto Puppy Contest and many diverse events throughout the year.

The net proceeds of our events go to a beneficiary chosen by our titleholders and our board of directors. Our fundraising serves the greater community in Toronto. This year, our charity of choice is The 519 Church Street Community Centre.

Heart of the Flag Federation Inc., which produces Toronto Leather Pride events, adopts and upholds the Province of Ontario policy statement which prohibits discrimination and harassment and protects the right to be free of hate activity based on age, ancestry, citizenship, creed (religion), colour, disability, ethnic origin, family status, gender identity, level of literacy, marital status, place of origin, membership in a union or staff association, political affiliation, race, receipt of public assistance, record of offenses, sex, sexual orientation or any other personal characteristics by or within the organization/club.
For more information, please contact us using the general enquiries email address located on the “Contact Us” page of our club’s website. Please link here to be directed to the Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. website.

Gallery # 2 , Toronto Bound 2011 Pictures

Gallery # 3 , Toronto Bound 2011 Pictures

Here’s the speech everyone is talking about. It’s being heralded as a modern day “I Have a Dream” speech.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the United Nations in Geneva this morning and gave a speech about LGBT human rights in honor of the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Her speech served as a solid statement following the Obama administration’s announcement this morning that it is instructing federal agencies and diplomats to protect and promote LGBT rights internationally.

Secretary Clinton’s Speech to the United Nations on LGBT Human Rights

Beginning in 1947, delegates from six continents devoted themselves to drafting a declaration that would enshrine the fundamental rights and freedoms of people everywhere. In the aftermath of World War II, many nations pressed for a statement of this kind to help ensure that we would prevent future atrocities and protect the inherent humanity and dignity of all people. And so the delegates went to work. They discussed, they wrote, they revisited, revised, rewrote, for thousands of hours. And they incorporated suggestions and revisions from governments, organizations, and individuals around the world.

At three o’clock in the morning on December 10th, 1948, after nearly two years of drafting and one last long night of debate, the president of the UN General Assembly called for a vote on the final text. Forty-eight nations voted in favor; eight abstained; none dissented. And the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted. It proclaims a simple, powerful idea: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. And with the declaration, it was made clear that rights are not conferred by government; they are the birthright of all people. It does not matter what country we live in, who our leaders are, or even who we are. Because we are human, we therefore have rights. And because we have rights, governments are bound to protect them.

In the 63 years since the declaration was adopted, many nations have made great progress in making human rights a human reality. Step by step, barriers that once prevented people from enjoying the full measure of liberty, the full experience of dignity, and the full benefits of humanity have fallen away. In many places, racist laws have been repealed, legal and social practices that relegated women to second-class status have been abolished, the ability of religious minorities to practice their faith freely has been secured.

In most cases, this progress was not easily won. People fought and organized and campaigned in public squares and private spaces to change not only laws, but hearts and minds. And thanks to that work of generations, for millions of individuals whose lives were once narrowed by injustice, they are now able to live more freely and to participate more fully in the political, economic, and social lives of their communities.

Now, there is still, as you all know, much more to be done to secure that commitment, that reality, and progress for all people. Today, I want to talk about the work we have left to do to protect one group of people whose human rights are still denied in too many parts of the world today. In many ways, they are an invisible minority. They are arrested, beaten, terrorized, even executed. Many are treated with contempt and violence by their fellow citizens while authorities empowered to protect them look the other way or, too often, even join in the abuse. They are denied opportunities to work and learn, driven from their homes and countries, and forced to suppress or deny who they are to protect themselves from harm.

I am talking about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, human beings born free and given bestowed equality and dignity, who have a right to claim that, which is now one of the remaining human rights challenges of our time. I speak about this subject knowing that my own country’s record on human rights for gay people is far from perfect. Until 2003, it was still a crime in parts of our country. Many LGBT Americans have endured violence and harassment in their own lives, and for some, including many young people, bullying and exclusion are daily experiences. So we, like all nations, have more work to do to protect human rights at home.

Now, raising this issue, I know, is sensitive for many people and that the obstacles standing in the way of protecting the human rights of LGBT people rest on deeply held personal, political, cultural, and religious beliefs. So I come here before you with respect, understanding, and humility. Even though progress on this front is not easy, we cannot delay acting. So in that spirit, I want to talk about the difficult and important issues we must address together to reach a global consensus that recognizes the human rights of LGBT citizens everywhere.

The first issue goes to the heart of the matter. Some have suggested that gay rights and human rights are separate and distinct; but, in fact, they are one and the same. Now, of course, 60 years ago, the governments that drafted and passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were not thinking about how it applied to the LGBT community. They also weren’t thinking about how it applied to indigenous people or children or people with disabilities or other marginalized groups. Yet in the past 60 years, we have come to recognize that members of these groups are entitled to the full measure of dignity and rights, because, like all people, they share a common humanity.

This recognition did not occur all at once. It evolved over time. And as it did, we understood that we were honoring rights that people always had, rather than creating new or special rights for them. Like being a woman, like being a racial, religious, tribal, or ethnic minority, being LGBT does not make you less human. And that is why gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights.

It is violation of human rights when people are beaten or killed because of their sexual orientation, or because they do not conform to cultural norms about how men and women should look or behave. It is a violation of human rights when governments declare it illegal to be gay, or allow those who harm gay people to go unpunished. It is a violation of human rights when lesbian or transgendered women are subjected to so-called corrective rape, or forcibly subjected to hormone treatments, or when people are murdered after public calls for violence toward gays, or when they are forced to flee their nations and seek asylum in other lands to save their lives. And it is a violation of human rights when life-saving care is withheld from people because they are gay, or equal access to justice is denied to people because they are gay, or public spaces are out of bounds to people because they are gay. No matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we are, we are all equally entitled to our human rights and dignity.

The second issue is a question of whether homosexuality arises from a particular part of the world. Some seem to believe it is a Western phenomenon, and therefore people outside the West have grounds to reject it. Well, in reality, gay people are born into and belong to every society in the world. They are all ages, all races, all faiths; they are doctors and teachers, farmers and bankers, soldiers and athletes; and whether we know it, or whether we acknowledge it, they are our family, our friends, and our neighbors.

Being gay is not a Western invention; it is a human reality. And protecting the human rights of all people, gay or straight, is not something that only Western governments do. South Africa’s constitution, written in the aftermath of Apartheid, protects the equality of all citizens, including gay people. In Colombia and Argentina, the rights of gays are also legally protected. In Nepal, the supreme court has ruled that equal rights apply to LGBT citizens. The Government of Mongolia has committed to pursue new legislation that will tackle anti-gay discrimination.

Now, some worry that protecting the human rights of the LGBT community is a luxury that only wealthy nations can afford. But in fact, in all countries, there are costs to not protecting these rights, in both gay and straight lives lost to disease and violence, and the silencing of voices and views that would strengthen communities, in ideas never pursued by entrepreneurs who happen to be gay. Costs are incurred whenever any group is treated as lesser or the other, whether they are women, racial, or religious minorities, or the LGBT. Former President Mogae of Botswana pointed out recently that for as long as LGBT people are kept in the shadows, there cannot be an effective public health program to tackle HIV and AIDS. Well, that holds true for other challenges as well.

The third, and perhaps most challenging, issue arises when people cite religious or cultural values as a reason to violate or not to protect the human rights of LGBT citizens. This is not unlike the justification offered for violent practices towards women like honor killings, widow burning, or female genital mutilation. Some people still defend those practices as part of a cultural tradition. But violence toward women isn’t cultural; it’s criminal. Likewise with slavery, what was once justified as sanctioned by God is now properly reviled as an unconscionable violation of human rights.

In each of these cases, we came to learn that no practice or tradition trumps the human rights that belong to all of us. And this holds true for inflicting violence on LGBT people, criminalizing their status or behavior, expelling them from their families and communities, or tacitly or explicitly accepting their killing.

Of course, it bears noting that rarely are cultural and religious traditions and teachings actually in conflict with the protection of human rights. Indeed, our religion and our culture are sources of compassion and inspiration toward our fellow human beings. It was not only those who’ve justified slavery who leaned on religion, it was also those who sought to abolish it. And let us keep in mind that our commitments to protect the freedom of religion and to defend the dignity of LGBT people emanate from a common source. For many of us, religious belief and practice is a vital source of meaning and identity, and fundamental to who we are as people. And likewise, for most of us, the bonds of love and family that we forge are also vital sources of meaning and identity. And caring for others is an expression of what it means to be fully human. It is because the human experience is universal that human rights are universal and cut across all religions and cultures.

The fourth issue is what history teaches us about how we make progress towards rights for all. Progress starts with honest discussion. Now, there are some who say and believe that all gay people are pedophiles, that homosexuality is a disease that can be caught or cured, or that gays recruit others to become gay. Well, these notions are simply not true. They are also unlikely to disappear if those who promote or accept them are dismissed out of hand rather than invited to share their fears and concerns. No one has ever abandoned a belief because he was forced to do so.

Universal human rights include freedom of expression and freedom of belief, even if our words or beliefs denigrate the humanity of others. Yet, while we are each free to believe whatever we choose, we cannot do whatever we choose, not in a world where we protect the human rights of all.

Reaching understanding of these issues takes more than speech. It does take a conversation. In fact, it takes a constellation of conversations in places big and small. And it takes a willingness to see stark differences in belief as a reason to begin the conversation, not to avoid it.

But progress comes from changes in laws. In many places, including my own country, legal protections have preceded, not followed, broader recognition of rights. Laws have a teaching effect. Laws that discriminate validate other kinds of discrimination. Laws that require equal protections reinforce the moral imperative of equality. And practically speaking, it is often the case that laws must change before fears about change dissipate.

Many in my country thought that President Truman was making a grave error when he ordered the racial desegregation of our military. They argued that it would undermine unit cohesion. And it wasn’t until he went ahead and did it that we saw how it strengthened our social fabric in ways even the supporters of the policy could not foresee. Likewise, some worried in my country that the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” would have a negative effect on our armed forces. Now, the Marine Corps Commandant, who was one of the strongest voices against the repeal, says that his concerns were unfounded and that the Marines have embraced the change.

Finally, progress comes from being willing to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. We need to ask ourselves, “How would it feel if it were a crime to love the person I love? How would it feel to be discriminated against for something about myself that I cannot change?” This challenge applies to all of us as we reflect upon deeply held beliefs, as we work to embrace tolerance and respect for the dignity of all persons, and as we engage humbly with those with whom we disagree in the hope of creating greater understanding.

A fifth and final question is how we do our part to bring the world to embrace human rights for all people including LGBT people. Yes, LGBT people must help lead this effort, as so many of you are. Their knowledge and experiences are invaluable and their courage inspirational. We know the names of brave LGBT activists who have literally given their lives for this cause, and there are many more whose names we will never know. But often those who are denied rights are least empowered to bring about the changes they seek. Acting alone, minorities can never achieve the majorities necessary for political change.

So when any part of humanity is sidelined, the rest of us cannot sit on the sidelines. Every time a barrier to progress has fallen, it has taken a cooperative effort from those on both sides of the barrier. In the fight for women’s rights, the support of men remains crucial. The fight for racial equality has relied on contributions from people of all races. Combating Islamaphobia or anti-Semitism is a task for people of all faiths. And the same is true with this struggle for equality.

Conversely, when we see denials and abuses of human rights and fail to act, that sends the message to those deniers and abusers that they won’t suffer any consequences for their actions, and so they carry on. But when we do act, we send a powerful moral message. Right here in Geneva, the international community acted this year to strengthen a global consensus around the human rights of LGBT people. At the Human Rights Council in March, 85 countries from all regions supported a statement calling for an end to criminalization and violence against people because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

At the following session of the Council in June, South Africa took the lead on a resolution about violence against LGBT people. The delegation from South Africa spoke eloquently about their own experience and struggle for human equality and its indivisibility. When the measure passed, it became the first-ever UN resolution recognizing the human rights of gay people worldwide. In the Organization of American States this year, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights created a unit on the rights of LGBT people, a step toward what we hope will be the creation of a special rapporteur.

Now, we must go further and work here and in every region of the world to galvanize more support for the human rights of the LGBT community. To the leaders of those countries where people are jailed, beaten, or executed for being gay, I ask you to consider this: Leadership, by definition, means being out in front of your people when it is called for. It means standing up for the dignity of all your citizens and persuading your people to do the same. It also means ensuring that all citizens are treated as equals under your laws, because let me be clear – I am not saying that gay people can’t or don’t commit crimes. They can and they do, just like straight people. And when they do, they should be held accountable, but it should never be a crime to be gay.

And to people of all nations, I say supporting human rights is your responsibility too. The lives of gay people are shaped not only by laws, but by the treatment they receive every day from their families, from their neighbors. Eleanor Roosevelt, who did so much to advance human rights worldwide, said that these rights begin in the small places close to home – the streets where people live, the schools they attend, the factories, farms, and offices where they work. These places are your domain. The actions you take, the ideals that you advocate, can determine whether human rights flourish where you are.

And finally, to LGBT men and women worldwide, let me say this: Wherever you live and whatever the circumstances of your life, whether you are connected to a network of support or feel isolated and vulnerable, please know that you are not alone. People around the globe are working hard to support you and to bring an end to the injustices and dangers you face. That is certainly true for my country. And you have an ally in the United States of America and you have millions of friends among the American people.

The Obama Administration defends the human rights of LGBT people as part of our comprehensive human rights policy and as a priority of our foreign policy. In our embassies, our diplomats are raising concerns about specific cases and laws, and working with a range of partners to strengthen human rights protections for all. In Washington, we have created a task force at the State Department to support and coordinate this work. And in the coming months, we will provide every embassy with a toolkit to help improve their efforts. And we have created a program that offers emergency support to defenders of human rights for LGBT people.

This morning, back in Washington, President Obama put into place the first U.S. Government strategy dedicated to combating human rights abuses against LGBT persons abroad. Building on efforts already underway at the State Department and across the government, the President has directed all U.S. Government agencies engaged overseas to combat the criminalization of LGBT status and conduct, to enhance efforts to protect vulnerable LGBT refugees and asylum seekers, to ensure that our foreign assistance promotes the protection of LGBT rights, to enlist international organizations in the fight against discrimination, and to respond swiftly to abuses against LGBT persons.

I am also pleased to announce that we are launching a new Global Equality Fund that will support the work of civil society organizations working on these issues around the world. This fund will help them record facts so they can target their advocacy, learn how to use the law as a tool, manage their budgets, train their staffs, and forge partnerships with women’s organizations and other human rights groups. We have committed more than $3 million to start this fund, and we have hope that others will join us in supporting it.

The women and men who advocate for human rights for the LGBT community in hostile places, some of whom are here today with us, are brave and dedicated, and deserve all the help we can give them. We know the road ahead will not be easy. A great deal of work lies before us. But many of us have seen firsthand how quickly change can come. In our lifetimes, attitudes toward gay people in many places have been transformed. Many people, including myself, have experienced a deepening of our own convictions on this topic over the years, as we have devoted more thought to it, engaged in dialogues and debates, and established personal and professional relationships with people who are gay.

This evolution is evident in many places. To highlight one example, the Delhi High Court decriminalized homosexuality in India two years ago, writing, and I quote, “If there is one tenet that can be said to be an underlying theme of the Indian constitution, it is inclusiveness.” There is little doubt in my mind that support for LGBT human rights will continue to climb. Because for many young people, this is simple: All people deserve to be treated with dignity and have their human rights respected, no matter who they are or whom they love.

There is a phrase that people in the United States invoke when urging others to support human rights: “Be on the right side of history.” The story of the United States is the story of a nation that has repeatedly grappled with intolerance and inequality. We fought a brutal civil war over slavery. People from coast to coast joined in campaigns to recognize the rights of women, indigenous peoples, racial minorities, children, people with disabilities, immigrants, workers, and on and on. And the march toward equality and justice has continued. Those who advocate for expanding the circle of human rights were and are on the right side of history, and history honors them. Those who tried to constrict human rights were wrong, and history reflects that as well.

I know that the thoughts I’ve shared today involve questions on which opinions are still evolving. As it has happened so many times before, opinion will converge once again with the truth, the immutable truth, that all persons are created free and equal in dignity and rights. We are called once more to make real the words of the Universal Declaration. Let us answer that call. Let us be on the right side of history, for our people, our nations, and future generations, whose lives will be shaped by the work we do today. I come before you with great hope and confidence that no matter how long the road ahead, we will travel it successfully together. Thank you very much.

The Board of Governors of the Leather Hall of Fame (LHOF) is pleased to announce the 2012 inductees: Guy Baldwin, Sam Steward and Irving Klaw.

Guy Baldwin is a Los Angeles-based psychotherapist, author, activist and educator specializing in issues of particular relevance to the BDSM and leather communities, and more generally in issues relating to non-hetero-normative practices. He won International Mr. Leather in 1989. He is co-founder of an internet-based professional referral resource, the KAP list, now administered by the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom. He continues to teach at various lifestyle events across the U.S. and Canada.

Sam Steward (1909–1993) was an academic, novelist, historian and tattoo artist born in July of 1909. Steward maintained a card index he called his “Stud File” which documented a detailed account of his sexual experiences in vivid and often very funny detail. In the 1940’s and 50’s, he worked extensively with famed sex researcher Alfred Kinsey as an unofficial collaborator. As tattoo artist Phil Sparrow he mentored both Cliff Raven and Don Ed Hardy. He wrote several books of BDSM fiction under the name Phil Andros.

Irving Klaw (1911-1966) was one of the principal publishers of heterosexual BDSM erotica from the late 1940s to 1964. Klaw produced photographs, cartoons, films, and digest-sized booklets with bondage, fetish, and female domination themes. He drew from the expertise of members of the early heterosexual kink subculture to create materials that he sold, primarily through mail-order, and also purchased work from a variety of talented artists such as John Coutts, Gene Bilbrew and Eric Stanton. He was subject to periodic harassment from law enforcement agencies and congressional inquiries dating from 1950, and in 1964 was convicted on 65 obscenity counts which, although the conviction was later reversed on appeal in 1965, led Klaw to cease publication of kink materials. The family business that he founded continues today (moviestarnews.com).

LHOF was formed to honor and preserve the legacy of the extraordinary men and women who have significantly impacted and shaped the history of the Leather/BDSM communities worldwide since 1950. Nominations can be made by anyone in the community, and the three inductees are selected by LHOF Board of Governors. The previous inductees are Tom of Finland, Chuck Renslow, John Coutts, Tony DeBlase, The Satyrs MC, Frank Olson/Don Morrison, The Eulenspiegel Society, Leonard Burtman and Bob Milne. Learn more about all the inductees at the Leather Archives & Museum or at www.leatherhalloffame.com.

The Leather Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies and Brunch will be held at CLAW 11 at the Carnegie Ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn in Cleveland, OH on Sunday, April 29 2012 at 12 pm. We invite all leather people to join us to celebrate and honor the lives and accomplishments of these great inductees. Find out more and order your tickets now at www.clawinfo.org.

(Toronto, ON CA) – HOTFF Inc. Community Awards Recipients Announced.
The Board of Directors of Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. (HOTFF Inc.) are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2011 Community Awards.

Every community needs to recognize the achievements of its members. Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. is proud to continue the tradition started by MLTC Inc. by presenting annual awards recognizing outstanding contributions of leatherfolk to the Leather/Fetish/Kink Community and the greater sexual minority’s community.

The Board of Directors of Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. represented by Master Jack Pearce and Victoria Windsor announced the recipients during the very successful first edition of Toronto Bound weekend at the Barn Nightclub during the formal award ceremony on Saturday, November 26, 2011.

The 2011 recipients included:

Courtlan Forsey Award
This award honours an individual or business in the leather/Kink/Fetish community that has worked for the betterment of Toronto’s sexual minority’s community. The recipients were former MLTC Inc. Executive Producer David Adkin and Northbound Leather’s Enza Silano.

Francis Robichaud Award

The Francis Robichaud Award is presented to an individual in Toronto’s Community who has consistently made significant contributions to Toronto’s greater sexual minority’s community. The recipient was well-known community activist Anna Willats.

David Galbraith Award

The David Galbraith Award is given to an individual from the Greater Toronto Area and beyond who has made an outstanding contribution to bootblacking, or to a member of the leather community who has made outstanding effort in the face of serious difficulties or challenges. The recipient was Carlos Fileti of the Black Eagle Toronto.

Craig Rose Award

The Craig Rose Award is given annually to a person who is thirty years of age or younger and has inspired others, shows great promise or has made significant contributions to Toronto’s sexual minority’s community. The recipient was Ryan Lemesurier, Mr. Leatherman Toronto 2011.

Claude Brazeau Award

The Claude Brazeau Award is given to an individual volunteer of HOTFF Inc., who has made lasting contributions to our club, events and community and is this year’s “Volunteer of the Year”. This year’s recipient was Robert Jeyes, community and Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. volunteer.

The award ceremony also recognised the Canadian recipients of the Pantheon of Leather Awards handed out in Los Angeles last August.

The recipients included:

Alex Wisniowski – The International Award;
Spearhead LDSC Toronto – Large Event of the Year;
Master Tony Palazzo – Canadian Regional Award; and
Nancy Iwrin – Community Choice Woman Award.

The formal award ceremony also included an amazing key note address from noted speaker and long-time leatherman; Master Mike Zuhl.

Other weekend events included a Welcome Party at the Black Eagle Toronto; Educational Kink and bootblacking workshops and presentations at Goodhandy’s, Crews and Tangos and the Black Eagle; Just Dance event at The Barn Nightclub; Toronto’s famous Leather Brunch at O’Grady’s on Church; Play Parties at Oasis Aqualounge and Spa Excess and a Farewell Party at the Black Eagle.

Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. now starts planning for the Toronto Leather Pride weekend which will be held on the weekend of August 10-12, 2012.

Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. (HOTFF) is a member based, not-for-profit Corporation dedicated to producing events that celebrate Leather/Kink/Fetish culture while promoting the sexual minority’s community and our city.

All of our fundraising serves the community at large and Toronto’s sexual minority’s community in particular. Each year the net proceeds of our events go to a beneficiary chosen by our titleholders.

Our charity of choice for 2011 – 2012 is The 519 Church Street Community Centre.

HOTFF Inc. is the proud producer of some of Canada’s largest leather events. We produce: Toronto Leather Pride, Toronto Bound, Leather Ball and the Mr. Leatherman Toronto, Mr. Rubber Toronto and the Bootblack Toronto competitions and many diverse events throughout the year.

In addition, HOTF / TLP hosts scores of fundraisers, bar nights and educational workshops throughout the community, including many where we welcome out-of-town community groups.

Our event weekends attract men, women and trans people from all over North America, Europe and beyond.

For more information or for general enquiries, please contact us using email system located on the “Contact Us” page of our club’s website. Please link here to be directed to the Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. website. HOTF is the membership club that produces the Toronto Leather Pride and Toronto Bound weekends.

(Toronto, ON CA) – Claude Brazeau Award (HOTF / TLP Volunteer of the Year) Nominations Announced.

The Board of Directors of Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. (HOTFF Inc.) is pleased to announce the nominations for the 2011 Claude Brazeau Award.

Every community needs to recognize the achievements of its members. HOTFF Inc. / Toronto Leather Pride (TLP) is proud to continue the tradition started by MLTC Inc. by presenting annual awards recognizing outstanding contributions of leatherfolk to the Leather/Fetish/Kink Community and the greater sexual minority’s community.

The Claude Brazeau Award is given to an individual volunteer of HOTF / TLP who has made lasting contributions to our club and events and will be this year’s “Volunteer of the Year”.

Past recipients include:

2010 Robert Pierre Tomas
2009 Dan Falkenham
2008 Cheryl Fulcher
2007 Peter Rex
2006 Wayne Mitchell
2005 Chris Ramsay
2004 John Brodhagen
2003 Gerry Geroux
2002 Tom Polarbear

This year the Board of Directors of Heart of the Flag Federation Inc., in a direct effort to bring a more democratic process to the selection of all the community award recipients has selected five nominees for consideration for each of the HOTFF / TLP Community awards for which the Heart of the Flag Federation membership will vote upon.

The awards, including the HOTF / TLP Volunteer of the Year Award, will be handed out at a special presentation during the Toronto Bound 2011 Weekend, November 25 -27, 2011.

The nominees for the Claude Brazeau Award are:

• Joseph Deogracias
• Fenn
• Nancy Irwin
• Robert Jeyes
• Dwight Skeates

Congratulations to all our nominees!

Toronto Leather Pride (TLP) under the banner of Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. (HOTFF) is a member-based, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to producing events that celebrate Leather/Kink/Fetish culture while promoting the sexual minority’s community and our city.

All of our fundraising serves the community at large and Toronto’s sexual minority’s community in particular. Each year the net proceeds of our events go to a beneficiary chosen by our titleholders.

Our charity of choice for 2011 – 2012 is The 519 Church Street Community Centre.

HOTF/TLP is the proud producer of some of Canada’s largest leather events. We produce: Toronto Leather Pride, Toronto Bound, Leather Ball and the Mr. Leatherman Toronto, Mr. Rubber Toronto and the Bootblack Toronto competitions and many diverse events throughout the year.

In addition, TLP hosts scores of fundraisers, bar nights and educational workshops throughout the community, including many where we welcome out-of-town community groups.

Our event weekends attract men, women and trans persons from all over North America, Europe and beyond.

For more information regarding Heart of the Flag Federation Inc., or Toronto Leather Pride, please contact us using email system located on the “Contact Us” page of our club’s website. Please link here to be directed to the Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. website. HOTF is the membership club that produces the Toronto Leather Pride and Toronto Bound weekends.

New TLP Titleholders Announced

Alex Canning, Mr. Woody’s / Priape, is the new Mr. Leatherman Toronto, Tarna, Firkin Bootblack is the new Bootblack Toronto and Gary Major is the new Mr. Rubber Toronto. The competitions were held on Sat., Aug. 13, at the Phoenix Concert Theatre.

Alex Canning. 35, was raised in a traditional working-class family with two sisters, and very supportive parents. He is a proud father of four beautiful children, who focuses his parenting around important lessons like self-respect and respect for others, leading by example through community involvement.

Alex’s involvement in the leather community started two years ago when he attended “Puppy Night” at The Black Eagle. He was instantly hooked, and leather has been his second skin ever since.

Photo: Rich Stadtmiller

He now assumes the role as Toronto’s 21st leather ambassador in 2012 and succeeds the amicable and handsome Ryan Lemesurier, MLT 2011.

First runner-up for the MLT 2012 title went to Tyler Austin, Mr. Crews and Tangos Leather. Tyler Austin was also awarded the first ever MLT Brotherhood award. Second runner-up was awarded to Nathan Grey, Mr. Northbound Leather. Also competing were: Matt Gibson, Mr. Remington’s, Bryan Reid, Mr. Steamworks and Jeremy Feist, Mr. Goodhandy’s.

Tarna, Firkin Bootblack took the title of Bootblack Toronto 2012 and succeeds slave-boy jake, BBT 2011, who went on to win first runner up at the International Mr. Bootblack 2011 contest in Chicago earlier this year.

Tarna is a queer feminine switch who has spent the bulk of her adult life actively exploring as much of what falls under the enormous leather umbrella as she can, within the pan-sexual, queer and leather communities. It was during these explorations that she stumbled upon what has become her greatest passion: bootblacking. She can often be found running amok in Toronto, gleefully working on the latest pair of boots to land in her lap.

First held in 2001, the Bootblack Toronto Competition has grown to be one of the most prestigious in North America. Also competing for the Bootblack Toronto 2012 title was first runner-up Shane, Northbound Leather Bootblack, and second runner-up Brian ‘Sandman’ Denyer, AIDS Committee of Toronto Bootblack, who was also awarded the BBT 2012 Fellowship Award.

TLP welcomed the Mr. Rubber Toronto 2012 Contest this year produced by Glam Productions and Heart of the Flag Federation. The new Mr. Rubber Toronto is Gary Major.

Gary Major, 39, was born in Toronto and although he has not lived here his entire life he has always called this city his home. And over the last two years he has truly found his place in the fetish community. Having spent most of his life in the dark, it took a life changing event to open his eyes to his true self; that of a kinky rubber boy. Although relatively new to the scene, he has become well know and recognizable as “that tattooed guy with the bumpy chest” and who is very honoured to call many people in the kink community his friends.

Also competing for the Mr. Rubber Toronto 2012 title was Ken Hunter from Toronto.

TLP takes the business of judging our competitions very seriously. We have built on the established a longstanding tradition of building solid, experienced, judging panels started by MLTC Inc. that includes both international, and Canadian judges. The goal is to give TLP contestants a quality of judging equal to the International competitions where the new Mr. Leatherman Toronto, Bootblack Toronto and Mr. Rubber Toronto will eventually compete.

Each year, the judging panels for the MLT, BBT and MRT Competitions have the difficult responsibility of scoring a field of strong contestants.

The judging panel for MLT/MRT 2012 consisted of:

• members of the local community: Peter Kincheloe, TLP Senor Head Judge; Master Robert Rochon, MLT/MRT Head Judge; Fenn, Mr. International Rubber 2010; Laurence Heath, MLF 2008; Dee, Community Judge; and Sir Rolf Raven, Mr. Leather Cedars 2011;
• from the national leather community: Calgary’s Johnathon Finlayson, Western Canada LeatherSIR 2009; and
• from the international community: Cowboi Jen (Philadelphia), Mid-Atlantic Leather Woman 2009.

HOTFF/TLP member Tria served as MLT Tally Master and Rich Nordin, New England Mr. Rubber 2003, served as MRT Tally Master.

The judging panel for BBT 2012 consisted of:

HOTFF/TLP member Penny Gyokeres, Ms. Black Eagle 2001, served as BBT tally-master.

The dynamic duo of Steve Martin, MLT 2007, and Peter Rex, Mr. Steamworks 2007, emceed the competition at the Phoenix Concert Theatre on Sat., Aug 13th.

During the Toronto Leather Pride competitions the John Stephen Bassett Leather Pride Award was presented to noted leather event photographer, image historian and key note speaker, Rich Stadtmiller of San Francisco, California. The Bassett Award is presented on an annual basis to an individual or organization in the local, national or international leather community who has contributed significantly to the development of Leather Pride and/or Life Time Achievement.

Spanning four days, the TLP 2011 inaugural weekend started with Salute roast event at Crews and Tangos, which celebrated the outgoing title team on Thurs., Aug. 11, and ended with the Late Night Cigar Party at the Toronto Black Eagle on Sun, Aug. 14. Weekend participants also enjoyed Leather Ball 17 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre on Saturday night after the competitions, the Toronto Leather Pride Day Party at Zipperz/Cellblock on Sunday afternoon, and a series of leather/kink workshops given by experienced and respected members of the local, national and international leather community.

The weekend also included a peaceful demonstration, as members of Toronto’s sexual minority’s community protested against their exclusion from the newly re-vamped, family friendly, Church Street Village Fair.

Protesters gathered at 3:33pm on the patio of Zipperz/Cellblock and paraded up Church Street with Leather Pride Flags in hand, while the small crowds at the fair showing their support, cheered them on for what was known to its participants as “Toronto 333” (named for the meeting time of the protest).

This historical protest marks the first time in Toronto’s history that the Leather/Fetish/Kink community, as an organized group, has ever participated in such a demonstration within their own city.

Toronto Leather Pride (TLP) under the banner of Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. (HOTF) is a member based, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to producing events that celebrate Leather/Kink/Fetish culture while promoting the sexual minority’s community and our city.

All of our fundraising serves the community at large and Toronto’s sexual minority’s community in particular. Each year the net proceeds of our events go to a beneficiary chosen by our titleholders.

Our charity of choice for 2011 – 2012 is The 519 Church Street Community Centre.

HOTF/TLP is the proud producer of some of Canada’s largest leather events. We produce: Toronto Leather Pride, Toronto Bound, Leather Ball and the Mr. Leatherman Toronto, Mr. Rubber Toronto and the Bootblack Toronto competitions and many diverse events throughout the year.

In addition, TLP hosts scores of fundraisers, bar nights and educational workshops throughout the community, including many where we welcome out-of-town community groups.

Our event weekends attract men, women and trans persons from all over North America, Europe and beyond.

(Toronto, ON CA) HOTFF Inc. creates a new Toronto Leather Pride Community Award honouring youth.

The Board of Directors of Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. (HOTF Inc.) / Toronto Leather Pride (TLP) are pleased to announce the establishment of the Craig Rose Award.

The Craig Rose Award has been created to honour the memory of a fine young person from our community, and partial inspiration for the Toronto Leather Pride weekend, who suddenly passed away in January of 2011. This award will be given annually to a person thirty years of age or younger who has inspired others, shows great promise or has made significant contributions to the sexual minority’s community of Toronto.

Master Jack Pearce, President of HOTFF Inc. / TLP, who will formally announce the creation of the award at the Toronto Leather Pride Competitions at the Phoenix Concert Hall on Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 7pm, had this to say about Rose:

“Craig Rose was fine young man whose life sadly ended far too early. Craig was a part of our community for some time and made a lasting positive impression on all that knew him. His living example of personal responsibility, commitment to his community and the inspiration to others made him the obvious choice to honour in this way. It is because of people like Craig Rose that there is a heart on the Leather Pride flag.”

This award joins the ranks of our other distinguished TLP Community Awards started by MLTC Inc. The difference this year is that the HOTFF Board of Directors, in an effort to make the choice of the recipients more democratic, have selected nominees that the members of Heart of the Flag Federation will vote upon.

Most of the TLP Community Award nominees will be announced during the Toronto Leather Pride Day Celebration Party at Zipperz/Cellblock on Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 3:00pm with the exception of the Claude Brazeau Award, (TLP Volunteer of the Year) in which nominees will be announced in late October.

This award will be presented each November along with the Courtlan Forsey, Francis Robichaud, Claude Brazeau and David Galbraith awards during the Toronto Bound Weekend 2011 Weekend (November 25-27) during a formal ceremony.

The other exception will be the John Stephen Bassett Leather Pride Award, in which nominees will be announced to the general public at a later date. This award will be the only award handed out during the MLT, BBT and MRT 2012 contests at the Phoenix on Saturday night of the TLP Weekend.

Toronto Leather Pride under the banner of Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. is a member based, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to producing events that celebrate Leather/Kink/Fetish culture while promoting the LGBTTIQ community and city.

All of our fundraising serves the community at large and Toronto’s sexual minority’s community in particular. Each year the net proceeds of our events go to a beneficiary chosen by our titleholders.

This year our charity of choice is The 519 Church Street Community Centre.

HOTF/TLP is the proud producer of some of Canada’s largest leather events. We produce: Toronto Leather Pride, Toronto Bound, Leather Ball and the Mr. Leatherman Toronto, Mr. Rubber Toronto and the Bootblack Toronto competitions and many diverse events throughout the year.

In addition, TLP hosts scores of fundraisers, bar nights and educational workshops throughout the community, including many where we welcome out-of-town community groups.

Our event weekends attract men, women and trans persons from all over North America, Europe and beyond.