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Soldiers shipping out of Fort Mason. It was also during World War II that a new military policy was implemented for the first time: the discharging of any personnel who were gay. In contrast to the theatrical styles of femininity used by drag queens, leathermen developed and eroticized a distinctively masculine appearance and deportment.

They sought each other out for heightened sexual experiences that included bondage, role-playing, and fetishes. Having been isolated, stigmatized and criminalized for their sexual desires, they upheld community-building and the pursuit of pleasure as the organizing principles of their lives.

By the s, San Francisco leathermen had begun to create an elaborate all-male social world that came to include hundreds of bars, bathhouses, motorcycle runs, fraternal organizations, and other venues and events. Many of these institutions were centered around Folsom Street in the South of Market.

In addition to providing places to build community and to meet potential sexual partners, the bars and bathouses were often the only venues where leathermen could showcase their photography, murals, and other art that portrayed their lives and experiences. Inhe began to draft an historical map of the neighborhood that he kept at the bar.

Paul Johnson of Off Ramp Leathers and artist Mike Caffee have been among the many friends and bar patrons who have generously shared their memories and memorabilia with Guevara. Guevara soon realized that the material he was amassing could more easily be accommodated in the format of a game than a map. The board is lamenated and fits easily on the bar.

Processing process…

The project is a work-in-progress, and Guevara continues to develop the game as his research proceeds. While he is considering other formats — including a publication, an online version, and an app for mobile phones — Guevara has been especially gratified that the game is played in the bar.

As he commented to me. This is a chance to acknowledge them and the time that people spent in creating their community. Where is it now? Where is it going? The gameboard. Leave a comment. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Email Address:. Sign me up!

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