This is the last chance offer of the BLUF banner for London Pride.

Today is Monday June 22nd ... on Wednesday June 24th the banner will be unstitched to detach the 2 S&M Pride flags on either side. Unless someone says they want it, or want to use it for London Pride 2009.

Over 65 people have read the original request, and only two have answered the poll, and only one person has said they are prepared to take the banner if others too will march alongside....

It seems a shame as it cost quite a lot to make, and was very successful the year it was used... but I guess BLUF in London has moved in other directions.....

Sadly BLUF members dont appear to want to march at London Pride...

Due to lack of demand for the BLUF banner, it has now been disposed of.. and only the 2 SMflags remain.

I guess there will be more Bluf members in Ikea than in Leather for London Pride....

BRING IN THE CHINTZ!!!!!!!!!

I think it is sad to see the BLUF banner go and I am surprised that there was not more support from local lads. I know I live on the south coast and probably have no excuse not to have volunteered my services, but I suffer from ill health (recently diagnosed) and cannot make any plans more than 24 hours in advance. However, I am not making an excuse but I would say that I no longer have the same feelings towards London Pride as I did in the 80's. During that period, I was happy to walk under the Backstreet banner with John Edwards and the other leather lads but once the Pride event became heavily commercialised, I decided it was no longer for me - I saw it as something far removed from its original roots and the original meaning for Gay Pride.
One day, I hope London Pride will come to mean something more and then the BLUF banner can be hoisted once more to reflect the pride of those who march with it, if not in person then in spirit!

sorry to hear you are unwell.....

I understand that many years ago, John Edwards had a reputation as a fine host and innovator (if that is the word) of leather bars in London.. Sadly now so few people go to Backstreet if it isnt a BLUF night as they object to his behaviour and lack of charity.

I was very much a regular there, and was always in a group of 12 - 15 on a friday and saturday... sadly, I was the last one of the group to stop going, having supported the bar with free bar work, provision and preparation at home of free bar snacks to visitors to the bar when I worked there, provision of over 100 coat hangers for the cloakroom, and finally if I and another hadnt spent a lot of time reassuring John Edwards that BLUF wouldnt spoil his image and reputation..... Backstreet wouldn't have had BLUF in the first place...

He treats his punters like shit, unless he wants something from them, and then treats them like shit again once he has got what he wants....

His lack of respect for his customers is evident in the filthy toilets, the dirty boots hanging from the ceiling, the lack of fizz in the mixers and the greasy mirrors... The carpeted benches at the back are full of bugs, (scabes and the like), and all the time I worked there either behind the bar or collecting glasses, not once was there powder for the dishwasher, and rarely was there hot water!!

I always drank JD there hoping it had some disinfectant qualities.

Still, BLUF organisers are happy being treated to this environment, thankfully BLUF guys are protected by layers of leather and perhaps the smell of fine cowhide does cover the stench from the toilets!!

Would anyone now march with John Edwards??? If so it makes it more sad that the BLUF banner is no more....

Those are my final words on the subject, and I would expect our new webmaster to protect his (BLUF) interests and edit this reasonably soon or face the real John Edwards!

I am a bit saddened and surprised that the BLUF banner has been taken to pieces and nobody felt he wanted it and carry the 'official flag' for BLUF. As an early member of BLUF (June 1998) I always felt very privilleged to be a part of this unique and select group of men, and the social events were quiet special, In time, and with BLUF growing, things seem to have 'softened' a bit - it's not a criticism, it's a simple fact - it is much harder to organise things for a larger group, and with more members a greater diversity. In consequence, and also generally speaking, it appears that everywhere people tend not to want to 'expose' themselves too much, or be out there, sadly BLUF is no difference, but even with the BLUF banner in pieces now, we are still united in a great and unique group.

I'm not going to edit your words, Jonathan; I think they speak volumes for you.

Plenty of people do go to Backstreet on nights when there aren't BLUF events, and they certainly seem to enjoy it. Yes, it's quieter than it used to be, but so are many of the leather bars - indeed a lot simply no longer exist here.

I'm not sure what "my interests" are that need protecting, but your constant sniping here about The Backstreet is certainly a little tiresome; I think most people are well aware by now that you and John do not get on. You seem to feel a need to turn almost every thread into a dig at one of London's only two remaining leather venues, and I don't think that's very helpful at all.

At none of the BLUF nights that I've organised at The Backstreet have I ever had complaints about the venue, or the staff. Members reading this are welcome to come along on Saturday night and see for themselves.

I don't think the BLUF forum is the place for what is rapidly appearing to be a personal vendetta against a club.

With regard to marching at Pride, one problem is that unlike marches of old, where everyone simply turned up, these days it's far more regimented, and group are supposed to register if they want to take part in the parade, and be allocated a position.

So, it's not as straightforward as simply turning up with a banner on the day to join the march - if people do want to ensure that there is a BLUF presence, then we need to plan much much further in advance.

There simply hasn't been the time to do it this year, as I didn't take over BLUF itself until very close to the event.

If there is interest in marching - and in recent years, it seems to me the focus has moved more away from the march and towards congregating in Soho - then we need to plan months ahead, not just weeks, register for an information pack and provide some idea of likely numbers to the Pride organisers in plenty of time.

Jonathan,

I feel your personal attack on John and the Backstreet is immature, unjustified and uncalled for?!

If you don't want to go to Backstreet, by all mean go elsewhere, although there is really nowhere else for us leatherguys left in London that has either the relaxed athmosphere or strict dress code.

George

I agree with the last speaker. R600BOY's attacks on Backstreet and John Edwards have been going on for years and I'm tired of hearing the same story over and over again. It has every air of a personal vendetta now.

I have always enjoyed my visits to Backstreet. John Edwards is the only club owner who over the years has maintained a strict leather/rubber dresscode. This makes Backstreet unique in the entire world and worth our support.

I feel a little responsible for this attack against John Edwards and Backstreet, in general, and I apologise as I never meant for the reaction that has subsequently been received. I can say that I have always found John very friendly and despite not seeing him from one year to the next (after moving to the south coast), he still greets me warmly and makes me feel very welcome when I go to Backstreet.
As I mentioned in my earlier message, I was proud and felt privelged to be asked to march under the Backstreet banner during the 80's and I would equally feel proud and priveleged to march under the BLUF banner at some stage in the future (health permitting!).
I think this stream has moved slightly away from the original theme of BLUF's representation at London Pride and so to steer it back on course, I would like to say that I hope at some point in the future, a party can be organised to attend London Pride and represent BLUF. At Manchester Pride last year, I was pleased to see leather organisations represented. Maybe BLUF could be represented there?
I accept Nigel's point that it takes a lot of time and effort to organise an event at one of these Pride marches but I certainly hope that BLUF will be present again in the future. For the time being, I am pleased that BLUF is present at Backstreet and the Hoist, with similar gatherings in Manchester.

anyone can join the London Pride March, and easily fit in alongside SMGays or as in the past, we just made a leather group ourselves.


I hope you enjoy yourselves whichever bar you decide to go to....

I apologise if I have upset people again, it wasn't intended, it was in reply to a comment on a thread I started, looking for other guys to march in leathers. Perhaps i did get a bit carried away with detail. But JE has been picking at me for so long behind my back, without any valid reason, based on a false hearsay that he didnt discuss with me... and his refusal to make a charitable donation of a membership overcharge last July was the final straw for me.

Please lets not continue this thread, I have no intention of picking at an old wound that I still find upsetting and unwarranted.

Firstly - Get over it. Everybody north of the river has heard this whinge for far too long.

The second thought is temperature, wearing BLUF dress code leather in 25'c or higher carrying a banner on a walk across London is not exactly nice. I wore my leather jeans, Sidi boots and Dainese jacket this year and that was hot enough (the chest rub in Soho was nice...was that you?). I have done the route in the previous years in less leather and even that was too hot. If we had a Pride in cooler months there might be some interest. The whole London Pride event is in my opinion becoming a victim of its own success with crowds far busier than the streets can cope with.

Its a back to basics thought train needed, and some serious questions ask - what do people actually want? one person's own thoughts not always the collective view, wether it be a Pride Banner, Calender, Event, T-Shirt, Collar Badge, or just a number to boast. Get the basics right first, and I think Nigel's recent posts say a lot for this.

My final word is .... community.

Firstly - Get over it. Everybody north of the river has heard this whinge for far too long.

The second thought is temperature, wearing BLUF dress code leather in 25'c or higher carrying a banner on a walk across London is not exactly nice. I wore my leather jeans, Sidi boots and Dainese jacket this year and that was hot enough (the chest rub in Soho was nice...was that you?). I have done the route in the previous years in less leather and even that was too hot. If we had a Pride in cooler months there might be some interest. The whole London Pride event is in my opinion becoming a victim of its own success with crowds far busier than the streets can cope with.

Its a back to basics thought train needed, and some serious questions to ask - what do people actually want? one person's own thoughts not always the collective view, wether it be a Pride Banner, Calender, Event, T-Shirt, Collar Badge, or just a number to boast. Get the basics right first, and I think Nigel's recent posts say a lot for this.

My final word is .... community.

DJ Dirty Mechanic... Are you a BLUF Member?

I understand you sometimes work for Backstreet.

but I see no pics in your profile, let alone in BLUF attire?

Re your question on here...
As you don't have any pics on here, I wouldn't know if I did rub your
chest at PRIDE on Saturday.. but I wasn't long in the crush at Compton Street as at that time I was still carrying the 2 flag poles that bore the SM Leather Pride flags that were paraded through London by me and other leather clad guys in the only non-commercial sector of what is called London Pride.

Full BLUF regalia was certaily too hot for Saturday's Pride march but that didnt stop a lot of leather clad guys standing in Old Compton Street.
It is all about priorities and what is important to each individual... whether it is to be seen out and proud of the freedoms and libeerties we have accomplished over the last 10 years, or whether it is about the freedom to stand in a dark corner, inside, at nighttime.


Certainly, many of those that stood at the roadside were happy to see something different to disco boys parading with drag queens, and when we were joined by a Leather Master with 4 hooded slaves on chains, there were many demanded stops for photos and a great deal of crowd appreciation for the effort.

As previously written, I am in poor health and currently unable to travel to London or any functions for the foreseeable future, but I was very interested to read what R600BOY had to say about Saturday's Pride and the gathering in OId Compton Street. It was pleasing to read that there was a good leather turn out for the London Pride march and I do take his point how unbearable it can be marching while wearing a full leather uniform - I remember well from when I used to attend the Gay Pride marches of the 80's, dressed head to toe in full leather!
Does anyone know if any website might post photos of the march? It would be nice to see how London Pride compares to the regalia of Gay Pride.