Globalaza

Gay Pride Madrid
29-11-2008
Gay Pride in Madrid is massive! It is loud, colorful, energetic and, at the same time, welcoming! The Spanish do it right! The huge crowds are there to party, not to judge, not to protest, not to divide or hope that things were different. They are there to fill the streets with pride, happiness, to drink and dance.

Groups of boys and (many many girls) break out in spontaneous drum processions in and around Chueca and along Gran Via (the main avenue through downtown). The streets, sidewalks, tapas bars, stores, and bars are full of partyers. The drum beats fill the air and everyone participates. It was wonderful! Similar to the Fiesta de la Calle San Sebastian in San Juan, Puerto Rico (held in January each year), and many other Latin parties. Think a mini-Carnival!

Gay men and Lesbians mix seemlessly with the straights in Spain. During the Pride Parade and festival, you saw little grandmas, grandpas and children not batting an eye at the muscle daddies, twinks, jocks, drag queens, leather men, and shirtless studs kissing and showing affection on the streets as if it was as common as a rainbow after a spring rain. Amazingly open and comfortable.

Unfortunately, the dates for Madrid Pride always seem to be a mystery. Unlike other major cities, the dates are inconsistent, especially if you try to plan your airfare and hotel reservations for it. It appears to alternate between several dates (so it doesn't conflict with Barcelona). Be patient and continue to look for a consensus on the exact dates. But whatever you do: Don't miss Madrid Pride!

Platja Des Cavallet
29-11-2008
One of the best gay beaches in the world. This clothing optional beach has sexy men from all over the world, of all types (mainly sexy Europeans, a few Americans, and South Americans), shapes and sizes.

It is easy to spend the entire day (or several days) enjoying the sun and beautiful sand on this amazing beach. In the summer, the shear number of gorgeous men walking au naturale on the beach is pure heaven.

The beach is accessible only by car from most areas on Ibiza. There are buses that can take you from Dalt Villa (or the area just at the bottom of the fort walls, which is as far as buses can go). The bus ride is about 40 minutes, so prepare. By car, you will have to pay about 5EUR to park (maybe more) and then you must walk about 10-15 minutes along the beach before you get to the gay area, signified by a huge rainbow flag waiving in the wind. The trek is generally worth the labor.

There is a small beach shop (managed by one of the sexiest Brazillians Globalaza has ever seen) for tiny beach shorts, soranges, beach shoes, and towels. About 40EUR will get you a decent speedo. Not that you will really need it since the beach has fewer clothed men than anywhere else. There is also a covered bar/cafe that is good for bottled water, sandwiches, pitchers of fruity drinks, and sliced melon. It is expensive but who comes to Ibiza to be cheap?

The dunes at the far end of the beach are for boys to do what boys do. It can be fun to "hunt and peck" or "hide and seek." It can get pretty wild and often it is likely that you may have an audience. But, you are on vacation, so don't be shy. Enjoy!

There are a few bathrooms behind the cafe, but they are not very clean, so be sure to where shoes. You can also rent umbrellas for when the sun gets to be too much. Or take a dip in the ocean.

Cavellet compares well with the gay beach at Canary Islands, Haulover Beach near Miami, or the gay beach in Toronto... but better. Don't miss it.

Up Soap
29-11-2008
Up Soap (or just simply "Soap") is the most popular "pre-out" in Dalt Vila, Ibiza (or Eivissa, for the most knowledgeble and locals). The indoors is pretty small and not much to speak of, other than some interesting lighting and paintings on the walls. Outside, in the court area is where most people assemble after dinner (which can be very late, say about 11 p.m.). This is the place to join friends for a few decent cocktails and plan your partying for the rest of the night.

It is up a winding stone stairwell, and can be difficult to find if you don't know EXACTLY where it is. It is inside Dalt Villa but against on of the outer walls of the old fort.

There are two outdoor levels, with two different bar areas, but essentially the same place.

The boys there run the range from club kids, to muscle daddies, to just about everything in between. Nearby, you can pick up chemical entertainment to keep the night going into the day. Ask a local.

Most of the clubs and their promoters will make visits to pass out invitations to their nights party (for either free or reduced admission). Be sure to be ready to go because sometimes they will ask you to accompany them for pre-clubbing entertainment.

The music at Soap also runs the range, from techno to lounge to hardcore house. It is not too loud, considering it is surrounded by other restaurants down and around the winding paths. But it is pretty good music to get you in the mood.

All the locals (and Brits who spend weeks of the summer there) know about Soap and are likely to tell you to meet there before going out to the clubs that are accessible by car, scooter or taxi.

Folsom Street Fair
23-11-2008
The Folsom Street fair is the main event during a full weekend of activities. The fair takes place on -- you guessed it -- Folsom Street in "South of Market Street" (SOMA) area of San Francisco. The fair is actually from about 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, but there are plenty of parties to attend from Thursday through Monday following the fair.

Booths: The major porn studios have booths set up every few meters to take pictures with the actors selling DVDs, signing autographs, or distributors selling sex devices of all kinds or other GLBT community information. There was "Naked Twister" and a few other demonstrations such as how to paddle and/or whip, use a harness and that sort of thing. The booths are in the middle of the street and visitors walk up and down VERY crowded streets on both sides. There are places to buy beer ($7) or mixed drinks ($10) and some food. There can be long lines for the mobile bathrooms and bars along the route only allow patrons to use the facilities, so be prepared.

Music: There is music along a couple of side streets. In fact, there is pretty much an outdoor circuit party on one of the main cross streets. Unfortunately, the music was a bad mix of 90's trance and awful techno. The DJ didn't know what he was doing and sadly I don't think the crowd cared one bit.

The main parties on Friday and Saturday before the fair are Magnitude on Saturday and Real Bad on Sunday, nearby after the fair. The tickets to Real Bad are annoyingly difficult to get: you have to go online a certain number of days ahead of time; one of the party's "sponsors" must reserve a ticket for you; after a short period of a week or so, you can only get a ticket from retailers (such as the leather store in the Folsom Street area and a few others). It just seems like a big hassle but the party is worth it. Plan ahead or you will be stuck outside hours before the party waiting for the very few tickets sold at the door. I hope they change the method so that it becomes a first come first serve process like most other parties of this nature. The tickets are expensive too. Plan to spend $60-$80 per ticket, more at the door.

Before the parties you can get pumped at the local Gold's Gym nearby [there is also a Gold's in the Castro]. Many of the porn stars who attend the fair and night events workout there. $15-$20 daily guest pass.

Magnitude is a bit simpler to get into, although the $80 ticket price is not cheap. The party itself is fun and similar to other mega-club parties you have been to -- just that most of the party-goers are in leather gear (chaps, jocks, harnesses, or less). This year was at a new location. There was an entire darkroom area on the lower level that has just as large as the main floor. Plenty of hideaways and corners to get close. There was even a sling or two to keep the party going. Oddly, the sling was used more by women there than men. But it was still fun. The crowd dwindles about 5 or 6 a.m.

San Francisco, being one of the gayest cities in America, has plenty of bars and clubs to visit while there. The End Up (which has seen better days and used to host the Raging Stallion party) is a nearby option, as well as Blow Buddies, which is essentially a large darkroom. There are plenty of bars and restaurants along Folsom Street to enjoy as well. That part of town is up-and-coming (parts are run down while many blocks are fantastic) but it is NOT the Castro as many people would assume. It is near downtown, so if you are visiting JUST for Folsom, a downtown hotel may be a better option than one in or near The Castro. Walking to the fair in your leather harness and assless chaps may get a look or two but no one harrasses you.

Unfortunately, the fair has gotten quite commercial in that many (way too many) of the spectators are just there out of curiosity, not as part of the leather/levi/bear community. A lot of straight girls poking and giggling. It can be a bore.

I think the straight gawkers far out-numbered the participants who dressed for the occasion and were truly interested beyond the novelty of the leather community. The music street had more of a die-hard gay/leather group, although since it was less crowded, many people stood and chatted to get away from the massive crowds.

Folsom Street Fair is a must for serious leather/daddy types and those who love them. Be prepared to mix with often annoying straight onlookers. Plan ahead for the parties that are well worth it.

International Mr Leather
22-11-2008
IML is one of the biggest, if not THE biggest, leather festival and competition. It is not a parade but has a pageant to crown the new Internal Mr. Leather for the year. It is a competition for who is the most representative of the Leather community, although most people go for the exhibits, host hotel activities, and associated parties.

It is always Memorial Weekend in Chicago each year and is well attended by leather daddies, cubs, pups, bears and their admirers.

The host hotel has changed through the years. That is where most of the action happens, so if you have a chance to go, book your room early. It fills up fast. Keep in mind that most of the entire hotel will be full, but not ALL of the rooms will be used for IML activities, so you may see some bewildered, amused or frightened MidWesterners in the hotel too, clutching tightly to their children.

The gay community in Chicago welcomes the Leather community so many of the surrounding bars and clubs will have events that are too loud, too big, or too bold to have at the host hotel. Boystown will have many events or drink specials to attract the bear/leather/levi community. While in Boystown (along Halstead Street) check out Manhole, Sidetrack or for a sauna bathhouse experience, the best "Steamworks" is in the gayborhood too. Several porn studios catering to rough daddy types such as Raging Stallion, Titan, and Hot House have promotions, sponsorships or events at surrounding bars/clubs. Be on the lookout for invitations and gayguides that list all of the weeks activities.

During IML, the Chicago Eagle (which is NOT in the gayborhood "Boystown" but WAY up in a different part of town) is also a lot of fun and perfect for the IML clientele with a darkroom and a video area. In the past, the host hotel has provided a shuttle to take IML guests to the bear/leather bar locations north of Boystown, but it is not clear whether that is every year.

IML is the entire weekend with events from Thursday through the closing party on Sunday. The main dancing event has been at Chicago's famous "House of Blues" but the location for the party (as with the host hotel) can change from year to year.

The exhibits in the host hotel are for examination or purchase of just about any and every type of leather, bondage or fetish gear you can imagine. Many are small distributors (or designers) alongside major national and international labels. From cock rings and hankerchiefs, to electro shock anal stimulators, to rubber catsuits and body armor: it can be found there and purchased with credit cards. As an added bonus, most major porn studios have booths for their stars to take photos with fans and sell the latest DVDs and give away free promotion material.

IML is similar to SanFrancisco's Folsom Street Fair as far as the commercial aspect of it. It is similar to NYC's Black Party, Montreal's Black and Blue Ball, Washington, DC's Mid-Atlantic Leather, or NYC's Folsom East in the parties, clientele and activities and is certainly one of the main annual events of the bear/leather community.

Intothetank
22-11-2008
"The Tank" is not for the timid. It is a fetish party but really it is several things at once: first, the entire place is one huge darkroom, but with well lit areas and a bar, and video area. Second, it is a dance club with a decent dj and a dancefloor.

For 35EUR (which is pretty steep), you essentially enter a dark space where as the night continues, fewer and fewer clothes are visible or necessary.

If the price doesn't keep out undesirables, the very strict dress-code will. You cannot enter with "regular" clothes. It MUST be either a uniform, rubber, leather or nothing at all. Globalaza, being a creature of the world, decided that "less is best" and entered "au natural." You undress and check your clothes at a small booth after you pay the entrance fee. They will NOT accept jeans (denim) -- you can't even check it in -- so don't go there in it or you may find yourself needing a taxi to go home, change and return.

The place gets crowded as the hours wear on. Men from every continent (from Colombia, South Africa, Germany, US and Japan) were present and having more than enough fun. You had leather daddies, fetish boys, twinks, jocks, expats, locals, tourists, and everything in between. Be warned, with such intensity things can get a bit messy. They allow you to wear just about any shoes (if you are naked or in uniform) so be sure to wear shoes that have a good grip and you don't mind getting dirty. As you could imagine, it can get very slippery.

In the rear, there is a bed area (similar to military barracks) for more lateral encounters. The mattresses are covered in rubber (and a very smart idea). There is an area that has what looks like cargo netting to hold on to, and to provide the illusion of privacy. You can wash up at multiple incredibly tiny (and not so clean) bathrooms which are darker than the club itself.

Peak times are from 1a.m. at 6 a.m., so rest up. If you like your clubs rough, aggressively sexy, with no pretense or inhibition, this one has just what you want and worth every cent. The best night of my entire visit to Spain!