Page 5 - BGS_FETISH-GUYZ 2017 Gay Skins

Issue 1: December 2017

THE GAY SKIN SCENE 2017

by David Henry

ne thing you can trust the LGBT Over the years skin groups in other parts
community to do well, it’s our of the country have had differences when
Otendency to label each other and it comes to supporting each other and
even form tribes. Each with distinct working together. But that is now changing,
identities and quite often seem to contradict and we’re joining forces and getting our act
the stereotypes most accept as the reality. together. Wearing whatever we want
to wear! But boots are a must!
Maybe that sexual liberation has created
an opportunity to be whoever you chose to You can’t have helped but notice the rapid
be? Wearing whatever you want to wear, growth of distinct tribes in their own right as
doing who and whatever you dare. of late - and it’s not always about sex, sex,
sex either. The Bears, Pups and Rubber
As you can imagine, the label “gay crowds are flourishing. Their organisers
skinhead” is one some people find either have worked hard
confusing, contradictory or difficult to to get to encourage lambs to their flocks.
their heads around.
Younger or less confident guys can find
Maybe you’re one of those people? the lack of visible people their own age
You might even be curious to learn what intimidating especially when it come to
this whole gay skin thing is about? from or who you love. There are even anything fetish. It can be daunting if you
communities in places such Indonesia, don’t have the right gear, fearing you might
Like many other youth subcultures that who - just like gay Skinhead groups, simply not fit in, the unintentional cliques and
emerged during the last century, the appreciate the music, being part of some- simply not knowing anyone. This is also a
Skinhead movement emerged in the 1960’s thing, meeting people, wearing the gear, little true of the Leather scene to be fair,
as a rebellion against the mainstream. shaving their heads and getting booted. although that’s historically been a
Created by a convergence of cultural younger crowd.
influences from newly arrived colonial Skinheads who happen-to-be gay are
migrants such as Jamaican “rude boys”. often invisible and can face multiple One benefit of our skin events is the ability
Rooted in Ska, Reggae and Northern Soul challenges. Yes we have our kinks like to lots of options to mix and match with
music and an appreciation for new fashions everyone else, yet it can be difficult for a your other interests – be it skinhead gear,
- Harrington jackets, Polo Shirts, Boots, group to get a foot in the door of the leather, rubber or uniform. Pups in
Braces and “radical” haircuts. ever-revolving, increasingly commercial particular have been welcome and a part of
“gay scene” where suitable spaces to meet gay skin scenes for a long time.
During times of political and social are becoming scarce.
upheaval in later decades, a minority of But steady on, the boots are a must!
Skinheads found themselves drawn to
extremism and street crime, and the well
behaved majority were handed an image
problem that’s been hard to shift.

The vast majority of Skinheads are decent
accepting people, despite a history of
being vilified or villains. As long as we’ve
been around, there has always been Gay
Skinheads, Black and Asian Skinheads,
and Skinhead Girls.In the 1970’s Traditional
Skins (trads) along with bands, musicians
and civil rights activists established
“S.H.A.R.P” (Skinheads Against Racial
Prejudice) - as a global response to stomp
out any racism, sexism and homophobia,
but also to educate others what it’s
really about.

BBC Four recently aired Director DJ Donn
Letts film “The Story of Skinhead” (audio
is on iPlayer) which covers the often lost
history of how Skinheads came to be born
here in England. It’s not about where your

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