This week, we're showcasing two admirable men in very different community subcultures, because we can. Both were featured in our June 13, 2013 issue, and both share a connection to gay erotic liberation.
Filmmaker and poet California native James Broughton (1913-1999) was the subject of the documentary film Big Joy: The Adventures of James Broughton. In our feature, he quotes a poem describing his first night with lover Joel Singer:
"At Beck's Motel on the 7th of April/we went to bed for three days/
disheveled the king size sheets/never changed the Do Not Disturb/
ate only the fruits of discovery/drank semen and laughter and sweat."
Read David Lamble's tribute, with excepts from earlier interviews with Broughton.
Also California-born, Andy Cross rose through the leather community titles and eventually won the International Mr. Leather contest, all while remaining humble, affable, and one of the most popular leathermen of his era (possibly aided by his occasional gogo dancing in a jock strap at The Powerhouse).
In an interview, Cross shared his introduction to the leather/kink community.
"I first came into the scene from a sex story online that took place at the Powerhouse, and after I moved here I found out there really is a Powerhouse bar," said Cross. "I got up the nerve to go with a friend of mine. It was 4 p.m. on a Tuesday! Carlton [now his partner] was bartending. He told me to come back that weekend. I did. I also started going to the Leathermen's Discussion Group meetings."
Andy also shared the inspiration for his attraction to leather (hint: motorcycles are part of it).
Read Scott Brogan's Q&A with Andy Cross.
View and download the issue at www.issuu.com/bayareareporter/docs/june_13_2013.
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