Folsom Street East 2016

The cigars are tolerable and I guess I am mildly curious about the 'dog thing', but I really don't want to ask. I definitely do not get the rubber body suits at all, but what the hell? And anyway, nobody is asking me. Although I suppose there are a few people who might actually ask “What is a straight Jewish guy from the East Bronx doing surrounded by 5,000 guys in in leather ?” Really?

It is billed as “your friendly neighborhood S&M Street Fair,” and this year despite the cigars and even more of that other stuff that I did not understand, the Folsom Street S&M Street Fair still turned out to be one of the coolest events in my neighborhood. Or probably anyone else's neighborhood. 

I am told the original one started in San Francisco. I like this one better because I can get there by subway. That's the same way many of the celebrants get there.  Think about the memorable subway rides that made for some tourists. Wait'll they get home and tell the folks that all the stories about that Sin City are true!  

So I guess I am a Folsom Street vet: I have shown up for the last dozen or so gatherings, shooting the goings on for several publications. This year I was just there for me to shoot for the fun of it. Scary as some of these folks may seem, this is a genuinely friendly group. They show up there to see and be seen. Just about everyone dresses up. They posture for each other and – with very few exceptions - happily pose for my camera. It is a fun day and a good time is had by all.

Too bad we didn't have stuff like this in the East Bronx when I was growing up. Sure beats the hell out of all those Bar Mitzvas, not to mention my Cousin's wedding. And as always, regards to the Lipshitz Twins!