The last installment of In the Pit generated more responses than any of the other columns I have written – even more than my tyrannical rant on guys who wear flip flops to leather bars and sex clubs, or my experience with the gay sellout bitch from the PBS radio show I did with Nicole a few years ago.

Before I go on, please let me say Nicole is not the sellout bitch I’m referring to. Unfortunately, some of you got hung up on my use of the term “leader” although the article had more to do with San Diego leather people airing their dirty leather laundry all over the leather world.

Keep the BS in San Diego, settle it and put on the happy leather face for visitors. If China can make the entire world see them in a different light in just two weeks, why can’t San Diego?

The current Ms San Diego Leather, Donna “Lady of Light” is one of our better leather ambassadors. I had the pleasure of observing Donna at the Leather Leadership Conference in San Francisco a few weeks after she won her title, and she knows how to portray us in a positive light. Donna will be hosting Friday Flogging at The San Diego Eagle (3140 North Park Way) tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 19. Friday Flogging is a social event that is open to all genders and is a great environment for beginners or those curious to meet more experienced players. There’s no charge, no expectations and no attitude.

At this point everyone should know about AIDS Walk San Diego on Sunday, Sept. 28. There are countless leather people participating who could use sponsors. This year’s list of funding recipients includes some of the past beneficiaries of San Diego Leather Pride such as Mama’s Kitchen, Special Delivery San Diego and Stepping Stone. We’ve all been affected by HIV/AIDS in one way or another so this one should be a no-brainer. If you can’t participate in the walk then donate to someone who can. If you don’t know anyone who is walking then write me and I’ll hook you up. If you can’t donate, then volunteer. If you can’t volunteer then help get the word out. If you can’t do any of these things then check out the AIDS Walk San Diego Web site, www.aidswalksd.org, and hopefully you’ll be inspired to get involved. You can always call Jim Ginelli at The San Diego LGBT Community Center because I’m sure he can use a few more sponsors.

AIDS Walk San Diego is the same weekend as the Folsom Street Fair so if you’re going to be in San Francisco that weekend don’t forget to connect with whomever you’re sponsoring for the walk before you leave.

Sunday, Sept. 28 will be the 25th anniversary of the Folsom Street Fair which is the world’s largest leather event. I’ll be there with some San Diego buddies and an estimated 400,000 other people in attendance covering 13 city blocks. Leather Pride flags are already up on Market Street and Folsom Street and an exhibit of cultural artifacts from 25 years of the fair will be presented at the Gay & Lesbian Historical Society.

I’ll have a full report on the fair and the misdeeds of the San Diegans who attended in my next column. Until then, enjoy your own backyard when you can and keep it clean. See ya’ In the Pit. Write me at inthepitsd@aol.com.