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Leather & Bears & Kink, Oh MY! "Foreplay" for Jersey Pride! |
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by Sherri Rase
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| The Pride Fire Truck - photo by Sherri Rase |
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On May 31, the New Jersey Leather community hosted its third annual "Foreplay" block party. There were about a dozen vendors and, each year, the party gets bigger and better.
For the first year of the party, the NJ Leather community wanted to do a benefit for Jersey Pride, Inc., the group that has produced the statewide Pride celebration on the first Sunday in June for the past 17 years. There are few groups that provide the level of support that the leather community provides and Jersey Pride is proud to work with these experienced community activists. Sal and Dion, perhaps the most visible figures in the NJ leather community, have long been advocates and diplomats in working with several groups statewide.
During that first year, the party stayed strictly on the grounds of The Circuit, Asbury Park's gathering place for leatherfolk. Now, two years later, the party has spilled over into the 2nd Street and Kingsley area to become a Block Party that attracted more than 300 people, to the point where 2nd Street was entirely occupied by the party!
Among the attractions are the glitterati of the NJ Leather Community - many of the recent titleholders like Amanda, Tom, and Chuck as well as our current Mr. NJ Leather, Spanky. Despite the clouds and occasional rain, there was an atmosphere of welcome. The leather people I've met are very willing to answer questions about the lifestyle and you don't need to be a leather devotee to enjoy the party. Each year, the attendance seems to double and, this year, the rain didn't dampen the spirits of the people dancing, mingling and shopping at all.
The vendors at this year's Foreplay carried everything from toys and items useful for leather and kink play. Proceeds from this amazing leather flea market will help provide seed money to produce Foreplay next year.
There was a DJ and live music throughout the day, as well as food, drink and fine fellowship!
A highlight for many, including my inner child, was Mike's 1970's vintage fire truck, which had come all the way from a farm in Gettysburg. There was a lighted display on the side, which Mike had programmed to show, among other things, the Leather Pride flag, the word PRIDE, and a marriage proposal, in anticipation of the day when NJ has full marriage equality.
It's not difficult for you to get to NJ to join us for next year's Foreplay and Leather Pride. Catch the NJ Coast Line to Asbury Park and then a cab to 2nd and Kingsley. Look for me there-I'll be in my motorcycle jacket.
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