Category Archives: Personal

Folsom Street 2011

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

Somewhere along the way through all the bare chests and scruffy faces the sun had come out and brought warm light to the street fair.  The day had started rainy and chilly and I had regretfully spent the morning covered … Continue reading →

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Where’s a Leatherman to Live?

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

Quick!  Name one of the most arduous tasks in NYC.  That’s right!  Apartment hunting!  And why is that?  Because there are millions of bizarrely laid out apartments filled with all manner of citizens with at least a quirk or five … Continue reading →

Posted in Observations/Lessons, Personal | Tagged | 1 Comment

Bringing Leather to Tea

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

Fire Island: a land of legend, an island of social history…somewhere between fag fantasy and summer paradise reality.  Beautifully sculpted bodies supported by little more than speedos and sunglasses strut up and down the beach in a constant parade of … Continue reading →

Posted in Observations/Lessons, Personal | 1 Comment

Boots In The Night

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

I stand on the subway platform in my boots and leather vest waiting in the heat for the next train headed west.  Two hipster gays across the tracks stare and whisper something to each other as we all mutually check … Continue reading →

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I Now Pronounce You, Man and Man

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

I awoke last Saturday morning to a good-natured and joking proposal of marriage from my boyfriend.  “Did we get the vote?” I mumbled as I blurred into wakefulness.  Yes, we got the vote.  Fags can marry in New York now. … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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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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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! (to me)

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Justin Shaddix

Today I turn 29 years old.  I’m totally stoked to be such a strong prime number age despite the constant reminders that, “this is your last year in your twenties!”. I went out over the weekend to celebrate with some … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal | 4 Comments