Author Archives: Justin Shaddix

Relationship Status Poll Results

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

What are the relationship statuses of my readers?  Amuse yourself with the colorful pie chart below to see.  These are the results of 85 people reporting their relationship dynamic from May 4, 2011 to May 11, 2011 after the post … Continue reading →

Posted in Observations/Lessons | 1 Comment

It Gets Better. But why wait?!

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

Most of us are familiar with the inspirational campaign, “It Gets Better”, that has been created to encourage gay youth to keep on pushing forward and embracing who they are because ONE DAY things will be better for them.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal | Leave a comment

It’s Complicated

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

I remember when Facebook first made its appearance back when I was in college and users had the option of listing their relationship status as “single”, “dating”, or the catch-all, somewhat enigmatic “it’s complicated”.  At the time through my conservative … Continue reading →

Posted in Observations/Lessons | 3 Comments

The Deceptive Damage of Progress

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

Once when walking with a friend through the increasingly sketchy streets on the way to the Eagle for his first visit there, my friend glanced around at the rundown buildings and empty lots and remarked, “It’s rather…remote over here.” Situated … Continue reading →

Posted in Observations/Lessons, The Eagle | 1 Comment

CHOMP and The Case for Wearing Gear

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

Last weekend I attended the second annual CHOMP dinner, a leather benefit for NYC’s LGBT Center’s HIV Services.  This event organized by Team Eagle, a brave group of kinky folks who do a 3 day, 275 mile ride from Boston … Continue reading →

Posted in Observations/Lessons, The Eagle | 1 Comment

Are you one of THOSE people…?

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

The other night I was at a bar in the East Village wearing my boots and leather suspenders and a young woman sitting nearby asked, “are you one of those people into leather??” She had been discussing the recent Black … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal | 1 Comment

If you can’t love yourself…

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

If there’s one thing we could all benefit from it’s a healthy dose of self-confidence. I know, some of you big Doms out there are thinking, “Heh, I’ve got all the confidence I need.  I’m a handsome stud with muscles … Continue reading →

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Guide for a Typical CODE Night

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

Recently it has come to my attention that my readership has been expanding to include folks not in the leather scene, straights, and grandmas.  These readers are very interested in what goes on in the leather community and have been … Continue reading →

Posted in The Eagle | 4 Comments

Interviewing Mr. Eagle (2008)

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

Here is the second installment of my “Interviewing Mr. Eagle” series.  Today’s title holder is Peter Schwatrz, Mr Eagle 2008, NY native and partner to Rick Weber.  Peter is like an uncle to me and has been a big part … Continue reading →

Posted in Men of the City | 1 Comment

Backstage at Mr. SF Leather

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

A drag queen, a leather cop, and a boy walk together down the sidewalk each with their own unique posture and gait: she is elegant and smooth, he is strong and assured, and the boy struggles with the weight of … Continue reading →

Posted in Observations/Lessons, Personal | 3 Comments