Interesting thought from a friend last night: if leather clubs are dying, why fight to save them? Is it not just nature running its course?

I don’t agree personally, but I could understand why someone would think that. I’m planning to have a coffee with them to argue the case in favour of keeping the club alive.

@mountee Because valuable doesn't mean profitable.

I would really love to have an actual leather/kink/gear club in Ottawa. But how much money would I spend there? I don't drink much, and because I'm working two jobs and prefer playing privately, I don't have a lot of time to go out.

But I value a social space where I can be myself. A fundamental part of me is kinky, and it's how I navigate the world. It's how I experience love.

@mountee A place where I can be free to be myself? Where others can be free to explore themselves? That's so important! Especially in our increasingly-atomized world.

We don't expect libraries to turn a profit because the value of a book exceeds what people who need it are able and willing to pay. I think leather bars are the same way.

And while I don't expect taxes to subsidize a leather bar, I will fight to keep them.

@DammitMooMoon I love this energy! I want to be fair to my friend and clarify that the context was comparing the “traditional” leather club model to the more modern “event organizer” model.

From the point of view of an average event attendee they might feel similar, but to me as a member there’s a massive difference. I’m planning to try to win him over to my point of view 😁

@DammitMooMoon Funny you should mention Ottawa, one of our board members just moved there and they’re hosting an event soon. Saturday, December 13th, 9 PM at T’s Pub during gear night.

@mountee Is that @BoiMorgan ?

And I'm hoping to go out on the 13th! But I might have family obligations, sadly.

@DammitMooMoon nope. Although that wouldn’t surprise me 😆 it’s Xavier Thrace, our Person-of-Spearhead, who is passing on the title to one Mike Laframboise during said event. It’s neat that we’ll have this inter-city connection going on!

@mountee Haha, good to know! I'm not sure if I've met Xavier. I guess, if I can go on the 13th, I'll meet them!

I'm also happy that BLUF is taking off in Ottawa even though that's not my personal style.

@DammitMooMoon BLUF seems to be doing well in Toronto too! They’re co-organizing a whole leather week here in Toronto on the first week of January.