Page 28 - BGS_FETISH-GUYZ 2017 Gay Skins

Issue 1: December 2017

PROFILE: JOSHI

Tell us a little about
yourself... besides those I had
I’m Joshi, I’m currently spoken to online or
a photographer living in passing.
just a stone throw
away from the beloved What is your experience
city of Manchester, of being a young person
working primarily with within the kink
members of the local community?
fetish community, My experience as a young
although I also work person within the kink and
on solo projects and fetish community is that
client-given briefs there is a brotherhood
from time to time. when you start to get to
I regularly take know one and another;
photos for Manchester learning from having
Leathermen at their worked with people of all
pre-alert socials different creed, it is never
and other events an easy first step getting
throughout the year. into a new space or a new
crowd. I was quite cautious
When did you first at first because I was
get involved in the effectively a kink and
fetish community? fetish virgin coming from
I first got involved with the more metalhead and
the fetish community alternative scene, where
back in late 2014 it’s not too uncommon but
when I first heard you don’t always see the
of the Manchester darker, leathery side of it
Leathermen, having all apart from the guys in
already started to leather jeans once in a
build a small while. I think young people
collection of leather are still a little deterred
I had sourced from from going into the fetish
vintage shops, eBay community because it’s
finds and word of like a second coming out
mouth. and the absolute thought
can be daunting when you’re a newbie!
What was your first item of fetish gear? ‘I think young
I believe my first item of purchased fetish Is there much being done to
gear would have been a second-hand pair people are still address this?
of leather jeans I had bought from Afflecks I think some of the fetish groups within the
back when I had a waistline. I wouldn’t a little deterred UK have been engaging more with their
necessarily say it was necessarily fetish. from going into younger audience, such as the rubber
Truth be told, I would say the harness community, which has shown it has a
I bought from Honour in 2014 was far the fetish broad appeal. Groups like Manchester
more fetish, a simple classic bulldog Leathermen,Manchester Rubbermen and
harness that I wore on several occasions, community other national groups have shown they are
mostly non-kink. supportive of the more curious types,
because it’s like aiding them in their journey. I’ll give you
What was your initial experience of an example - earlier this year, in
entering the fetish and kink community? a second coming collaboration with the LGBT Foundation,
I think my first impression was that I felt a the Manchester Leathermen embarked
little underdressed being the newcomer to out and the on facilitating workshops around the culture
the group - I hadn’t spoiled out on much of BDSM and wider sub-topics within.
gear at the time, having only my jeans, a absolute thought This has seen more young people like
harness and some old biker/cowboy boots can be daunting myself attending because it’s promoted as
I got from the vintage shop. I think my initial a safe, non-judgemental environment and
experience was made a little more daunting when you’re a it’s a way of learning new skills whilst also
at the time because it was in Rembrandt being supported by a dedicated group of
and I didn’t know anyone at the time newbie!’ like-minded individuals.

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