Of all the bars in Atlanta, the one most associated with the leather scene is the Atlanta Eagle. It’s fitting, then, that the bar celebrates its anniversary each year in conjunction with Atlanta Leather Pride, an event that brings together members of the leather community in a celebration of all things leather.

The festivities get under way on Friday, April 11, with a Leather Pride Kickoff (starting at 10 p.m.) featuring demonstrations by Hotlanta Rubber and Gear Club, plus bootblacking by Girl Dale.

Saturday’s events start with an Afternoon Leather BBQ and beer bust at 5 p.m., with a private cocktail reception for Mr. and Ms. Atlanta Eagle contestants and judges at 6:30 p.m. The centerpiece of Atlanta Leather Pride, the Mr. and Ms. Atlanta Eagle Contest, starts at 8 p.m. Following the announcement of Mr. and Ms. Atlanta Eagle, the night shifts into Sweat, the official Mr. and Ms. Atlanta Eagle victory party, with more bootblacking by Girl Dale.

Sunday starts with a Leather Brunch at Roxx on Cheshire Bridge Road, then shifts back to the Eagle for an Atlanta Leather Pride Sunday T-Dance.

Atlanta Leather Pride’s relationship with the Atlanta Eagle is the result of a collaborative effort between the bar and members of the Panther Leather/Levi Club, according to Pup Nitro, who coordinates Atlanta Leather Pride with Sir Alan.

The Mr. and Ms. Atlanta Eagle contest judges consider several key criteria when deciding its winners, and the contest is open to anyone. Categories are Bar Wear, Fetish Wear, and Play Gear. The two winners will each receive an Atlanta Eagle bar tab and a title patch for their leather vest. They will also receive airfare to International Mr. Leather (IML), International Ms. Leather (IMsL), or American Brotherhood Weekend if they go on to compete in those contests.

Last year’s winner of Mr. Atlanta Eagle, Tank, has gone on to win American Leatherboy 2013. He’s just the most recent of Mr. Atlanta Eagle contest winners to go on to claim titles in other contests. Tank will serve as one of this year’s judges, along with Lizzy, Ms. Atlanta Eagle 2013. Additional judges include Thib (First Runner-Up, International Mr. Leather 2013), John Beck (Southern Bears), Northman (Mr. Southeast Rubber 2014), Optimus (Mr. Southeast LeatherFest 2013), and Dana (7 Guardsmen).

Atlanta Leather Pride will be a fun and friendly event, and so much more. As it has over the past three years, it also will serve as a charity fundraiser. This year’s beneficiary organization is the Leather Heart Foundation. The Leather Heart Foundation was established in 2009 to provide charitable assistance in times of financial hardship to individuals of all sexual orientations in the Leather, BDSM, M/s and fetish communities. Funds will be raised throughout the weekend from bar tips, Jell-O shot sales, the Saturday barbeque, and more.

With so much fun and fundraising to be had by all, Atlanta Leather Pride – and the leather and fetish communities — are very inclusive and welcoming to people who might be curious but who might be too shy or inexperienced to dress up and participate, according to Nitro.

 

Atlanta Leather Pride Schedule

4/11     10 p.m.–2 a.m.           Leather Pride Kickoff Fetish Night

            Hotlanta Rubber and Gear Club

4/12     5–7 p.m.                      Afternoon Leather BBQ

            6:30–7:30 p.m.           Contestants and Judges Private Cocktail Reception

            8–9:30 p.m.                Mr. and Ms. Atlanta Eagle Contest

            10 p.m.–3 a.m.           Sweat: Mr. and Ms. Atlanta Eagle 2014 Official Victory Party

4/13     11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.      Leather Brunch

            2:30–6 p.m.                Atlanta Leather Pride Sunday T-Dance