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  • A Touch Of Gay #67: Barracks Bar Phoenix Wins!

    A Touch Of Gay #67: Barracks Bar Phoenix Wins!
    2026/07/12
    New Phoenix leather bar clears major hurdle, STR8 guests in gay spaces, San Diego Pride!Daily Inspiration: False pride always keeps us overly concerned about reputation* Definition: False pride is an inflated ego used to mask deep-seated insecurity.* Defensiveness: Interpreting constructive feedback or differing opinions as personal attacks.* Impression Management: Constantly manipulating how others perceive you to validate your self-worth.* Inability to Apologize: Viewing the admission of faults as a threat to your social standing.True vs. False Pride: According to Psychology Today, pride generally falls into two distinct categories:* False Pride: Driven by fear and internalized shame. It relies on external validation, status, and pretending to be flawless to manipulate others’ opinions.* True Pride: Derived from authentic accomplishments and personal values. It builds self-respect, allows for learning from mistakes, and does not require constant praise from others.Check In:* Abusive Arizona summer heat keeping me inside.* Contemplating fall travels, LA, men’s retreat, Palm Springs Leather.* Vivid dreams of spirits passed.Social: Protecting The Culture Of Our Gay Spaces* Last week’s “Catch of the Week” strikes a chord with Bachelorette and Bridesmaid parties in gay bars.* The larger point is that when visiting gay spaces, non-gay people should recognize they are quests in our house.* If you can’t treat them with respect, don’t go there.Community: Barracks Bar Phoenix Moves Forward* Congratulations to Matthew Moody for clearing a high hurdle of obtaining a liquor license from the Arizona State Liquor Board, to push forward with opening the new Barracks Phoenix leather bar.* The new Barracks Phoenix will be located on 7th Avenue in the Melrose District which is the known Gayborhood in Arizona – dotted with other LGBTQ+ clubs and businesses.* Moody, a local Phoenix leather and kink party promoter has spent years as a popular DJ at regional events a local venues. He was also 2ndt runner up for the IML podium in 2023.* It had been a dream of Matthew for years to open a new leather bar here in Phoenix and his opportunity came when the Barracks Cathedral City closed two years ago. He formed a partnership with Barracks owner Richard “Scott” Murchison to open a new Barracks Bar here in Phoenix.* Unfortunately, the partnership resulted in years of legal battles and hurdles with local community and local government agencies as the Barracks owner brought with him a storied past and lots of baggage from the local government in Cathedral City and several violation allegations California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. As we have come to know, the Barracks Cathedral City had closed down amid clouds of controversies.* Earlier this year the duo came to a realization that to have any hope of success, they had to remove Murchison from the corporate structure to allow the Barracks Phoenix to move forward to get final approvals from both the City of Phoenix and obtain a liquor license.* It was not quite that that simple however as Moody had one remaining foe, Phoenix resident and heir to the Uhaul fortune, Stuart Shoen.* Shoen and his attorney waged a day long show trial at the Arizona State Liquor Board meeting this week calling into question gay culture and gay sex clubs which wandered endlessly into conversations about pornography, hanky codes, wild sex orgies and more.* Shoen throughout the process defended his objections as not being bigoted against gay bars, but against sex clubs – which they accused the Barracks Cathedral City of being. For eight however they however used gay leather culture as a cudgel against approval for Barracks to move forward.* On a number of occasions both in media and at the hearing Shoen voiced concerns about his reputation being harmed in this process, warning the press and others not to defame his character. At one point he stated to a media outlet, “I am not a public figure – I’m a private citizen exercising my legal rights. You should consider that my children may find your article floating around the internet one day. Republishing this kind of thing is not in the public interest, and I take my reputation extremely seriously.”* Once beyond the clown show of complaints about sex clubs, pornography and gay culture in general, the Arizona State Liquor Board eventually approved the application so the Barracks can move forward.* The footnote here is that Moody and the new Phoenix Barracks will be under a microscope with no room for error. Like in all gay spaces we as a community need to respect and support them, and police ourselves in our behaviors there to keep from harming the establishment itself.Event: San Diego Pride Festival– July 18-19th* July 11-19 is Pride Week in San Diego!* The weekend festival event to be held at Balboa Park on July 18-19th.* Big lineup of events all week, a parade, large scale festival and major entertainment headlined...
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    30 分
  • A Touch Of Gay #66: Two Men Walk Into A Bathhouse...

    A Touch Of Gay #66: Two Men Walk Into A Bathhouse...
    2026/07/05
    Landmark Supreme Court rulings, Mr Rough Trade Gear Leather 2026, checking your intentions at the bathhouse door.Daily Inspiration: We do not bend ourselves into a pretzel to get others to like us* Pressure to belong, fit in, avoid rejection can trigger us to betray our own ideals* The more we shape and edit ourselves for others, we lose our own self identity* Being ourselves, loving ourselves is truly being freeCheck In:* Catching up with old friends at camping weekend* Feeling isolated with work at home job, summer heat keeps me in* “I’m worrying less about how I look in photos than how I look in X-Rays and MRIs”Shitshow 2026: Supreme Court Wins And LosesLOSS: Supreme court upholds state rights to ban transgender women and girls from sports.* The decision hands Republican-led states a major victory in their campaign to restrict transgender students’ participation in school sports.* Justice Thomas: “Men and boys with gender dysphoria are not women or girls, even if they believe that they are.”* The legal fight by those on the side of bans was never only about who gets to run a race or join a team - it’s about whether transgender people can be carved out of public life by category.WIN: Transgender troops win major ruling in their fight against Trump’s military ban* A federal judge last week certified a class of transgender service members and prospective troops challenging the Trump administration’s ban on military service in Talbott v. Trump.* Ruling expands one of the country’s most consequential transgender rights cases beyond the individual plaintiffs and setting it on a path toward trial next year.* Judge Ana Reyes’s order means the case can move beyond the named plaintiffs into a class action for transgender service members fighting to stay in uniform.* Future trial date, January 4th, 2027WIN: Supreme Court rules against Trump in birthright citizenship case* The Supreme Court has struck down president Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship.* In a 6-3 decision, the justices upheld a 150-year-old precedent giving automatic American citizenship to babies born in the US.* In his concurring opinion, Kavanaugh laid out a potential legislative path for Congress to pursue changes to birthright citizenship.Social: Checking Yourself On Intentions* Two gay men walk into a bathhouse. Same place. Completely different reasons.* One is trying to outrun something. Anxious. Lonely. Hoping this makes the feeling stop.* One is just living. He’s good. He showed up because he wanted to.* Same room. Same night. Two completely different worlds.* When you’re regulating, you’re constantly scanning for rejection. You’re not present. You’re in your head.* When you’re full, you’re just there. Connection. Enjoyment. Pleasure for what it actually is.* You don’t get free by getting better and numbing. You get free when pleasure becomes something you enjoy, not something you need.* That’s the difference. That’s the work.* Next time, pause before you walk in. Ask yourself: Am I here because I want to be, or because I need to be?* Relief or freedom. Which one are you in right now?* Insta @gaycoachjoeyEvent: Mr Rough Trade Gear Leather 2026 – 7/30-8/2 – Los Angeles, CA* Rough Trade Gear LA is holding their Mr. Rough Trade Gear Leather 2026 contest, with applications now open for contestants.* Esteemed guest judges will be on hand to name the winner during a weekend packed with events at Rough Trade Gear and our longtime friends, The Eagle LA.* Thursday, July 30th: Mr. Rough Trade Gear Leather Meet & Greet at The Eagle LA* Friday, July 31st: Cocktails / Bar Crawl staring at Rough Trade Gear* Saturday, August 1st: Contestant Interviews at Rough Trade Gear* Saturday, August 1st: The Mr. Rough Trade Gear Leather Contest at Rough Trade Gear* Sunday, August 2nd: Mr. Rough Trade Gear Leather 2026 Victory Party at The Eagle LA.* https://www.facebook.com/rough.tradegearCatch Of The Week: Gay Establishment Signs* Hunters Palm Springs sign informing public about the fact they are a gay establishment and putting people on notice they are guests.Please drop your comments on YouTube or email them to daddysam@atouchofgay.com* Website: atouchofgay.com* Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky: atouchofgaypod* Audio Podcast drops on all major platforms every Sunday* YouTube Podcast drops a day early on Saturday* Our Podcast plays on GayPHX.com streaming radio every Monday at 10:00am This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit atouchofgay.substack.com
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    31 分
  • A Touch Of Gay #65: Keep Building Utopia

    A Touch Of Gay #65: Keep Building Utopia
    2026/06/28

    We Must Keep Moving Forward No Matter What

    Check In:

    * Camping weekend with the chosen family

    * SLATE EV pickup truck pre-order

    From “Surviving Anti-LGBT Politics Part 10”: Keep Building Utopia

    “During the darkest days of the AIDS crisis, we buried our friends in the morning, we protested in the afternoon, and we danced all night. The dance kept us in the fight because it was the dance we were fighting for. It didn’t look like we were going to win then and we did. It doesn’t feel like we’re going to win now but we could. Keep fighting, keep dancing.” -Dan Savage

    We Must Keep Moving Forward No Matter What

    For many of us there has always been a fight. For most of us there will be a fight ahead. We must have something worth fighting for, a win in our days worth the blood, sweat and tears. In the fight we must never forget to keep building our lives as we have always wanted them to be. We must not lose ourselves in the fight.

    Continue reaching for your dreams, knowing these trying times will cement them deep in your foundations of life. Take new opportunities to educate yourself, learn new skills, try new things – build your better self. Come out on the other side of these times with a stronger passion, skill set, purpose and direction.

    Keep building community. Build new alliances and friendships with the people we meet in the battles, share your passions and your energies with them. Join in the celebrations, the fights, and the communion of your brothers and sisters. Welcome new friends into these circles and give them the support they need too. We all need each other now more than ever.

    Never stop creating beauty and celebrating our culture. We are beautiful people who express our color and vibrancy in ways many on this earth wish they could. It’s our superpower, and the one many of those who oppose us are most afraid of. Art, culture, color and celebration of life is why we are who we are. Full speed ahead.

    Be who you are without shame or apology. Our beauty and capacity to love is the thing that makes us special. We need to be visible, vibrant, colorful and joyous. Our example of a good life is the one we must never hide, edit down, discount or put in the closet. Be seen, be heard, you are good.

    We deserve our place on this earth and in the fabric of society. We are worthy of equality, love, respect, freedom, and our place at the table of life. In this fight, keep your eyes on the main goal of your life and never top building toward your utopia.

    Please drop your comments on YouTube or email them to daddysam@atouchofgay.com

    * Website: atouchofgay.com

    * Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky: atouchofgaypod

    * Audio Podcast drops on all major platforms every Sunday

    * YouTube Podcast drops a day early on Saturday

    * Our Podcast plays on GayPHX.com streaming radio every Monday at 10:00am



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit atouchofgay.substack.com
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    16 分
  • A Touch Of Gay #64: Top 5 Reasons Cruising Is Making A Comeback

    A Touch Of Gay #64: Top 5 Reasons Cruising Is Making A Comeback
    2026/06/21

    Why gay cruising is back, taking our pride back from the MAGA and the corporations.

    Daily Inspiration: Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” — Toni Morrison

    Social: Five Reasons Cruising Is Back – Leo Herrera

    Leo Herrera’s book “Analog Cruising”, a romantic ode to our sacred history and rite of cruising for sex outlines the top seasons cruising is back. We are in a sexual revolution, act accordingly.

    * Apps keep getting shittier

    * Weapons against disease

    * A new appreciation for IRL

    * A love for our history

    * Daddies Daddies Daddies

    Website: https://iftheylived.myshopify.com/

    Instagram @herreraimages

    Pride Month: Will the corporations come back after MAGA?

    * Who the fuck cares! They are not our friends. They dumped us when the going got tough. We should not be seeking their money or their validation in the future.

    * We need to self fund and self organize. We have the capability to raise money within our own community, support our local organizations, and create our own opportunities.

    * We need to get back to our roots of protest and advocacy. Pride is about power, about unity, about progress, and about advocacy. It was never meant to be a circuit party.

    Pride Month: California county rejects Pride with Traditional Nuclear Family Month

    * On Tuesday, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted 3 to 2 in favor of the resolution, which defines the nuclear family as “consisting of one husband, one wife,” along with children, as “God’s design.”

    * The resolution was introduced by Chairman of the Board Garry Bredefeld, who announced the plan on June 6, the same day as the Fresno Pride Parade.

    * This resolution is modeled after similar measures in Republican-led states, including Indiana, Tennessee and Alabama, that celebrate the “traditional” nuclear family in June, despite the month long being associated with LGBTQ+ pride celebrations.

    * More at

    https://www.sfgate.com

    Event: Cumunion Summer

    * Cumunion sex parties all over the world, all the time

    * We are in a sexual revolution, act accordingly.

    * https://www.cumunion.com/

    Please drop your comments on YouTube or email them to daddysam@atouchofgay.com

    * Website: atouchofgay.com

    * Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky: atouchofgaypod

    * Audio Podcast drops on all major platforms every Sunday

    * YouTube Podcast drops a day early on Saturday

    * Our Podcast plays on GayPHX.com streaming radio every Monday at 10:00am



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit atouchofgay.substack.com
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    22 分
  • A Touch Of Gay #63: Sobriety During Pride Month, Remembering Regina

    A Touch Of Gay #63: Sobriety During Pride Month, Remembering Regina
    2026/06/14

    We remember dear friend Regina Wells (Regina Gazelle), navigating Pride Month sober, and July’s Up Your Alley event in San Francisco.

    Daily Inspiration: Accept no one’s definition of your life, define yourself – Harvey Fierstein

    * We were all programmed to some level by family and society to fit a mold

    * Parents, church, friends, work, school and media all tell us who we should be

    * Unsubscribe from all of that

    Check In:

    * Crazy season events

    * New high quality microphones

    Social: Remembering Regina

    * Regina Gazelle/Wells

    Health: Sobriety during Pride Month

    * Social pressure to be elevated

    * Pride doesn’t have to be about bars and clubs

    * Seek out sober friends, groups, and events.

    * If you’re in nightlife while in recovery:

    * Be honest about your triggers.

    * Go slowly.

    * Find ways to be useful instead of just there.

    * Keep a drink in your hand—it reduces pressure more than you’d think.

    * Sobriety doesn’t have to mean never going out again but it does mean learning when to leave.

    Event: Up Your Alley Fair – San Francisco – July 26th, 2026

    * Dore Alley is a heavily authentic, sex-positive environment featuring rubber, sportswear, heavy leather, and BDSM gear. Legal nudity is permitted within the event footprint.

    * Streets are lined with dozens of adult vendors, multiple sound stages with live DJs, go-go dancers, and kink performance areas.

    * The main Sunday fair is accompanied by a massive weekend of related LGBTQ+ nightlife parties, leather events, and club takeovers running from Friday through Monday.

    * https://www.folsomstreet.org/up-your-alley

    Please drop your comments on YouTube or email them to daddysam@atouchofgay.com

    * Website: atouchofgay.com

    * Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky: atouchofgaypod

    * Audio Podcast drops on all major platforms every Sunday

    * YouTube Podcast drops a day early on Saturday

    * Our Podcast plays on GayPHX.com streaming radio every Monday at 10:00am



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit atouchofgay.substack.com
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    24 分
  • A Touch Of Gay #62: Pride That Fucks Shit Up

    A Touch Of Gay #62: Pride That Fucks Shit Up
    2026/06/07

    Sparkling takes on Pride month including wisdom from Brian Hettler, upcoming Atlanta Leather Pride weekend in July.

    Daily Inspiration: Pride is good

    * Definition: Pride is a primary emotion characterized by a sense of security with one’s identity, performance, and/or accomplishments.

    * It is sometimes considered the opposite of shame.

    * Depending on the context, pride may be viewed as either a virtue or a vice.

    * Typically, pride arises from praise, independent self-reflection, or a fulfilled feeling of belonging.

    Check In: Weathering the shit show

    * Disassociating from the white noise of social wars, trying to focus on what’s in front of me.

    The Pride That Fucks Shit Up – Brian Hettler

    Happy Pride. Not the corporate Pride. Not the sanitized Pride. Not the Pride that fits neatly into a sponsorship deck or sits politely on a panel discussion while everyone nods at each other and pretends they aren’t terrified of being disliked.

    I mean loud Pride. The inconvenient Pride. The Pride that shows up wearing six pounds of leather, glitter in places glitter was never meant to go, and enough confidence to make a room full of strangers uncomfortable.

    The Pride that fucks shits up.

    Wear the thing. Sing the song. Dance badly. Start the fundraiser. Ask for the five dollars. Get on the microphone. Wave the flag. Make the sign. Thrown the party. Build the organization. Join the board. Volunteer for the shift. Tell the truth. Love your people loudly. Be embarrassingly enthusiastic about making the world better.

    Instagram @midasheart

    Event: Atlanta Leather Pride – July 24-25 – Atlanta Eagle

    * Traditional leather contest weekend at historic Atlanta Eagle.

    * Applications are currently open for those interested in entering

    * A a focused celebration of leather culture and community standards.

    * https://atlantaeagle.com/events/atlanta-leather-pride-2026/

    Please drop your comments on YouTube or email them to daddysam@atouchofgay.com

    * Website: atouchofgay.com

    * Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky: atouchofgaypod

    * Audio Podcast drops on all major platforms every Sunday

    * YouTube Podcast drops a day early on Saturday

    * Our Podcast plays on GayPHX.com streaming radio every Monday at 10:00am



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit atouchofgay.substack.com
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    16 分
  • A Touch Of Gay #61: IMLBB Wrap Up, Pride Month Begins

    A Touch Of Gay #61: IMLBB Wrap Up, Pride Month Begins
    2026/05/31

    We congratulate winners of IMLBB 2026, encourage support of local pride celebrations, and more!

    Daily Inspiration: Brotherhood has no dress code

    * There is no hard code to be included in the leather or any LGBTQ+ community

    * Communities are a living, breathing, and evolving body that is never constant

    * Change happens whether you participation in it or not – doesn’t need your permission

    Check In: After IMLBB 2026

    * Event drop from elation, sexual energy, and inspiration

    * Bringing spirit and inspiration of event to daily life

    * No title needed to support your communities

    Congratulations to IMLBB Winners

    * Honey Davenport – Mr. Palm Springs Leather

    * Sgt Alex – Mr Cincinatti Leather

    * Denzel Belin - Mr. Twin Cities Leather 2026

    * Atlas Rose - Route 66 Bootblack 2025

    * Jimmy Basset - Northeast Drummer Bootblack 2017

    * Pup Verde - Texas Bootblack

    Pride Month: Support your local community

    * June is Pride Month across the nation

    * Pride events and organizations struggling

    * Support events wherever possible

    * Pride events calendar on our website: https://atouchofgay.com/events/

    Event: Big Bear Romp – August 13-16 – Big Bear, CA

    * Mountains of Men & Mischief at Big Bear Lake, CA

    * The Lodge at Big Bear Lake

    * Thursday to Sunday with events, pools, parties, contests and vendors

    * Passes available and hotel reservations open now

    * https://www.bigbearromp.com/

    Please drop your comments on YouTube or email them to daddysam@atouchofgay.com

    * Website: atouchofgay.com

    * Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky: atouchofgaypod

    * Audio Podcast drops on all major platforms every Sunday

    * YouTube Podcast drops a day early on Saturday

    * Our Podcast plays on GayPHX.com streaming radio every Monday at 10:00am



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit atouchofgay.substack.com
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    19 分
  • A Touch Of Gay #60: Top 10 Survival Tips For IMLBB

    A Touch Of Gay #60: Top 10 Survival Tips For IMLBB
    2026/05/21

    Years of lived experience bring Top 10 strategies for a best possible experience at International Mr. Leather & Boot Black in Chicago - and any other large scale leather, fetish, and kink event.

    Top 10 Tips For The Best Experience at IMLBB (and other big LFK events)

    Stay at the headquarters hotel

    * Best proximity and convenience to events, people, the action

    * Often costs more but saves time and money on transportation

    Research the local area

    * Public transportation

    * Local restaurants and stores

    * Pharmacy and medical

    Have your normal diet of water, coffee, snacks for your room

    * Hit the grocery store after your arrive for daily staples

    * Your normal foods will better regulate your digestive system

    * Save expense of restaurants, bodegas, and gift shops

    Pack medications, grooming supplies, and sex stuff

    * Your normal daily medications, supplements

    * Incidentals like pain killers, digestive response, lip balm

    * Shaving, nail filing, hand sanitizer

    Plan your lube and sexual supplies strategy

    * Bring what you can travel with on a plane

    * Vendor mart can assist with some items like lube, brown bottles, and more

    * Clean out supplies like douche products and shower nozzles

    Pack a variety of clothing and gear items

    * Plan for both cold and warm weather

    * Plan for a variety of occasions and events

    * Plan budget for vendor mart

    Be open minded to new experiences or kinks

    * Allow yourself to experience new things and learn new ideas

    * Take in event workshops / educational opportunities

    * Don’t yuck anyone’s yum

    Plan your itinerary menu but be open to changing it up

    * You cannot do it all, so choose events honestly to what you will best enjoy

    * Let go of FOMO and enjoy the present moments

    * Leave the cruising apps turned off and cruise face to face

    * Allow new opportunities to lead you

    Relax and allow yourself a nap or rest

    * Remove yourself from the high energy environment occasionally

    * Make time for a nap, quiet time or meditations

    * Leave the premises and get off the treadmill to decompress

    Avoid over indulging with alcohol or drugs

    * Pace yourself and avoid overdoing it with alcohol

    * Avoid hard drugs all together

    * Recovery meetings on site

    Please drop your comments on YouTube or email them to daddysam@atouchofgay.com

    * Website: atouchofgay.com

    * Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky: atouchofgaypod

    * Audio Podcast drops on all major platforms every Sunday

    * YouTube Podcast drops a day early on Saturday

    * Our Podcast plays on GayPHX.com streaming radio every Monday at 10:00am



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit atouchofgay.substack.com
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    24 分