This month, San Diego will celebrate its version of Pride. After last month’s rant (www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=12502) we’ll just take a look this week at what’s going on around town and hope that at some point during the festivities we can all take a moment to remember why we’re celebrating.

The San Diego Leatherboys have been going strong for a few years now and have a good reason to be proud. This visionary group of boys – male, female and other – has defied the odds by avoiding issues that have ripped apart other local and national leather organizations. Boy, girl and TNG (The Next Generation) groups are going strong in this age of leather-dom, proving once again that the world is run from the bottom up. This Saturday, the San Diego Leatherboys will host a birthday party for the reigning Mr. San Diego Eagle, Mr. Mike. The festivities begin at 9 p.m. at The Eagle. Mr. Mike is deserving of all of our attendance and well wishes.

The boys will be selling raffle tickets to benefit the Stonewall Citizens’ Patrol. Consider carpooling to the bars and parties, and give Stonewall Citizens’ Patrol the money you would have spent on gas. While you’re at it, sign up to volunteer.

I’m thinking the San Diego Leatherboys could do a wicked game of pin the tail on the donkey, Twister, or maybe throw in a piñata at some point.

Right around the corner from The Eagle, Big Tom will be presenting the second “FRESH” event at Bacchus House. Big Tom is continuing to bring DJs to San Diego so we have a different beat to dance to. This month’s FRESH DJ is Mark Bisson from Long Beach and apparently he has quite a following. He uses various styles of music including house, disco, tribal and progressive. To top it off … he’s HOT! For some reason the hotter the DJ, the better the music sounds.

The word online is that The Brass Rail in Hillcrest is trying to get into the thick of things. Of course the source of that information is a hot guy on BigMuscle.com – who am I to dispute a hot guy online?

The actual kickoff will be Pride Sunday but my source says we should go this Sunday to check it out. Could we possibly add another bar to our Sunday route, which already includes The Hole, Redwing and Pecs? I wish I could remember his screen name …

Saturday of Pride Weekend is L.L. Bear at Rich’s. Before you start with the L.L. Bear whining, take a deep breath and try to have a little Pride.

Yes, I know your complaints about the music, and the twinks and girly girls invading our space, but we can all get along since, after all, it’s Pride weekend. Rich’s is featuring world renowned DJ Brett Henrichsen, and if we want more guest DJs in San Diego we have to show up when they’re here.

I feel a rant coming on so we’ll just move right along to the end of the month. Set your calendars for July 26 so you don’t miss a special edition of Backroom Reloaded at Bourbon Street. Look for details in my next column but be ready to get dirty.

We had some “sneakers-in” at the last event, but you manly men can take care of that problem yourselves. Haven’t you guys heard of the power of leather intimidation? Try it. Next time someone comes into our space without leather or with a shirt on, just stare them down until they leave. No Kumbaya. No inclusiveness. No explanation. We want our space. Period!

That being said, see ya’In the Pit! Write me at inthepitsd@aol.com