June 2008 will be a month many of us will remember for years to come. It’s a month of global celebration for equality marking the anniversary of Stonewall. It’s the month that many of our friends became June brides and grooms. Locally, it’s the month members of the leather community met with various organizations and charities to discuss the ever-growing problem of discrimination by the larger GLB communities toward those involved in the world of fetish, and other fringe groups.

For years we have been criticized, chastised and pushed back into the dungeons from whence we came. We have been made scapegoats by those who would rather see us disappear like the crazy distant aunt in the attic than see us as a loving family member. It’s easy for the wannabes to forget it was the people they wish would go back into the closet who opened the closet door for them to come out when they said “no” at Stonewall.

No more shame, no more guilt, no more harassment and, no, we will not be made invisible. Now we – leather folks, drag queens, transgender people and our other brothers and sisters who live on the outside – are saying “no.”

We stood up at Stonewall. We reacted to the AIDS crisis and raised funds and awareness to help all of us. We are the hardest working segment of this “family,” and how dare you say otherwise. Look around: we are everywhere. Oh, you can’t tell who we are unless we have on leather or we’re in drag of some sort? How ignorant you are.

It is ironic the local organizations that have initiated talks with the leather community were estranged from the leather community in the past. It’s no secret, at one time, individuals associated with The San Diego LGBT Community Center viewed the leather community as an embarrassment. I’m not sure whether those people are gone or silent now, but we must give credit to The Center for doing what it was meant to do: bring members of the community together.

It’s The Center that introduced the leather community to the Stonewall Citizens’ Patrol. Through that introduction, our community was able to raise a little more than $1,000 to assist the patrol in its efforts to keep us and our neighborhoods safe while we enjoy the San Diego night life. I also have to give credit to Rich’s, Bourbon Street, UrbanBody Gym and Grey Rose Video for helping us raise that money.

The next few months will be tough, fighting the ballot initiative that may deny us the right to the pursuit of happiness. The issue is much bigger than whether I wear leather, he wears a dress, she now has a penis, or whether you wear flip flops: this fight cannot be won with any of us shoved into a closet. The time has come for mainstream gay culture to knock on OUR door and come into OUR house so that we may welcome you in.

Join us at The Eagle, Pecs, Redwing, L.L. Bear, Backroom Reloaded, Bear Nite at Bacchus House or Sunday at The Hole. Swallow your pride, get to know us and realize you need us just as much as we need you.

See ya’ In the Pit! Write me at inthepitsd@aol.com.