Page 33 - BGS_FETISH-GUYZ 2017 Gay Skins

Issue 1: December 2017

started out as an acknowledgment and love here now though that he left us with, to the scene.”
celebration of our birthday, that has grown and the success of it has just come from WL: “It was a door way into a new
over time to be the highlight of the rubber the community that’s been organically built community and new way of thinking about
calendar. up. We’ve got people traveling in from over communication when it comes to sex, it
15 countries now, it’s kinda ridiculously gives you confidence and a new found
I think you can say we’re a very busy group overwhelming but in a nice humbling way, hobby.”
now as aside from the Rubber weekend, as people know now that Manchester is a TD: “Yeah I’d definitely agree with you
which is made up of 4 club nights being very rubbery city. Its so good as well to see there as it does open up a lot of doors for
Gagged and Dragged, Darkcell, Alert! so many new guys getting into rubber too, forming relationships, as well giving you
and Slick, we also have the markets on it’s become more acceptable now to walk windows on experiences you wouldn’t
the Saturday with the ever popular Porno about in rubber and not be double looked normally encounter. Did you find it
Bingo and raffle prize draw, where you can at, although if people do, now it’s usually daunting?”
win over a grands worth of gear that’s very out of intrigue as you look hot and they WL: “My only Negative would be it is
generously donated by our sponsors, as want to know more. Occasionally people expensive for new comers to rubber leather
every penny we raise goes to local do have a thing with wanting to come and etc. It’s a big step leaping into a massive
charities that are close to our hearts. touch you though sometimes depending on community but well worth the risk. I’ve
Last year we raised £6969 which went where you are, which is double edged, as been involved with the rubbermen though
to the Reach Clinic in Manchester who its nice to get attention, but when it now since 2012 and found my confidence
support people encountering problems with becomes unwanted and disrespectful, go from strength to strength.”
chemsex as they do amazing work yet are usually with girls grabbing you with they’re TD: “So what’s the attraction?”
very underfunded. We don’t just stop there nails, it can be very uncomfortable. I’ve had WL: “Rubber for me is a way of escaping
though, as throughout the year we continue it a few times where I’ve just had to say, the norm of everyday trivia sticking two
to get together and support one another “look by all means and ask away, but don’t fingers up against the haters and saying
like a proper brotherhood. We have pride in touch without being invited” it’s the nature this is how I live my life.”
the summer where we get to march in the of the beast. TD: “And what does it mean to you?”
parade, a chance to shine up for the whole WL: “Being a young rubberman on the
city to see the rubbery love that we have Like I said, I’ve been doing this now for scene means you pioneer to ensure that
here and always get a great response a number of years so my confidence has the next generation will be more inclined to
from the crowds. Plus we have our now grown somewhat so it doesn’t bother me venture into kink without fear or rejection,
infamous seasonal bar crawls that attract like it used too. As societies changed along as from what I found within the kink
over 100 guys to come out 4 times a year. with the scene too. I spoke to Will Leah community is that we are as a whole
We usually start off in the Rem as a who’s one of our younger members to see empathetic, supportive and very
meeting point at 8 and then descend on what its like now starting off on the scene, welcoming. Even outside kink events
mass to the neighbouring unfetishy bars as was interested to see if the hurdles I there is an element of support, that feeling
such as Bar Pop, G.A.Y., OnBar and faced were still present, or whether they of belonging.”
NewYork NewYork before culminating at were just generational barriers that have TD: “Which is as any good community
Eagle and Alert! changed over time. should be right?”
WL: “I guess you could say that about any
Which is really crazy, to think that it all WL: “As a young kinkster initially it can be kind of community but to me manchester
started with a Si organising a social in Via lonely, as I found that more older guys were rubbermen will always be a blessing,
where about 30 guys turned up for drinks after the sexual side rather than the social.” a salvation promised and a sanctuary to
before hitting the village and he is very TD: “See I can relate to that when I first my life.”
sadly missed. There is so much rubbery started out too. Though what attracted you

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