A few weeks ago Adam Latham and I had a meeting at The Center, whose mission, according to its Web site, is to “… embrace, promote and support our cultural diversity.”

Unfortunately, for years, due to ignorance, lack of understanding and intolerance by those in power, leather people were not community members The Center wanted to embrace, promote or support. Alienation is nothing new for men and women who embrace the joys and understanding of leather sex and S/M. After being ostracized by the general public, our leather forefathers created family in the dungeons and backroom – and we continue to do so today. For years, we have relied on one another and our supporters, and for years we have held onto the belief that as a community we are a force … with or without a brick building.

There are a number of us and we have a lot to give to those who will accept our gifts of support, volunteer work and community. Thanks to a new regime of forward thinkers at The Center we are optimistic that in the near future there will be understanding and compromise so that leather people may enjoy The Center and The Center enjoy us.

The Center has brought us together with the Stonewall Citizens’ Patrol, which was formed to patrol our stomping grounds in response to escalating violent attacks in Hillcrest/North Park. Its funds are limited, so we have committed to provide the patrol with gas gift cards to help offset the cost of fuel for patrol vehicles.

And is there a better way to raise money for a great cause than to eat, drink and be horny with a group of good looking men? No there isn’t!

BigMuscle.com is headed back to San Diego May 31 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Bourbon Street to help us raise funds. It’ll be Backroom Reloaded night, which is the last Saturday of each month. It’s quite simple. YOU MUST BE IN LEATHER OR BARE CHESTED TO ENTER! Don’t show up at the door and try to weasel your way in. We’re aiming for a mood here guys … a sexy mood. Why is there ALWAYS one guy at the door whining about not feeling welcome? If you don’t have leather, just take off your shirt and you will be welcomed with opened arms … I promise.

Now, here’s the good part – the party will have a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres from 9-10 p.m. For those of you who still eat “freedom fries,” hors d’oeuvres are upscale munchies. If you don’t know what “hosted bar” means, ask somebody. Just get there at 9 p.m., make a donation, and eat, drink and be horny with the rest of us.

Speaking of good looking men, UrbanBody Gym will be there to promote the event with beef and schwag (a.k.a. hot guys and free shit). You don’t need a BigMuscle.com profile to attend, but you can create a profile on any of the sites: BigMuscle.com; BigMuscleBears.com; BigMuscleLeather.com; BigMuscleCollege.com and even NormalGay.com – for those who don’t fit into (or don’t want to fit into) a category. We will be there to “verify” your profiles and put a check next to your profile name on the Web site. Every profile member will get a three-month membership to JakeMitchell.com, the new site from Grey Rose Productions. There’s even a rumor Bill and Andy from BigMuscle.com will be there, because they love to show up at these things. The May 31 party is after IML, so save some DNA for the home crowd.

The week before the BigMuscle.com party some of us will be at IML, but the rest of you should plan to attend Bear Night at Bacchus House on May 24. The bears in charge promise a special Memorial Day Weekend event with drink specials and hot, sweaty bears on the dance floor. This Saturday, May 17 is L.L. Bear at Rich’s. The doors open at 9 p.m., the bartenders are sexy and Derek has upped the music. It’s also Armed Forces Day so work that in any way you can!

It’s not too late to swing by Pleasures & Treasures or The Crypt before IML. Make sure you have a chance to roll around on the pavement in whatever you buy so it won’t have that “just bought” look.

There’s only a week before we leave for IML so gotta’ hit the gym.

You can write me at inthepitsd@aol.com. See ya’ In the Pit.