excerts from Men of ONYX Leather Views Newsletter (Spring 2005)

ONYX Celebrates 10 years Strong at BlackOut 10
Come to Chicago on Columbus Day Weekend, October 7-9, 2005, and help us celebrate our 10th Anniversary at BlackOut 10: Basic Training is Over! BlackOut 9 was a huge success and BlackOut 10 is sure to be over the top! ONYX founder, Mufasa, and the founding fathers of ONYX: David M., Nate G., Steve B., and Wes G., are all scheduled to attend. So make it your business to be there. Registration is open at $85 before September 1, and $95 thereafter. Go to our website for more information. The schedule includes Cocktail parties, the opening reception, the Dungeon play party, the Annual General Meeting, Saturday brunch, demos, optional field trips, the bar crawl, the Leatherman of Color 2006 contest and of course the BlackOut Leather Dance. A great time will be had by all. Especially if we have U!

Click on "RUN" for more details and to download a Blackout X run application.

Mid-Atlantic Leather Cock-tails is a Hit…Again!
ONYX members from near and far hosted a madly successful Cocktail Party during MAL weekend in Washington, DC on January 15, 2005. The Centaurs always host an A-1 weekend. With over 200 folks in attendance, the ONYX signature “punch” flowing and the flogging (u had to be there), the party was on! Thanks to all the ONYX chapters and the New York Panthers Leather Club for hosting; International Mr. Deaf Leather, Paul “Teddy” O’Rourke, for his great performance art; and all our hot leather men and women for coming out to support.

The MAL ONYX Fellowship dinner at FOODBARDC on Sunday nite was also a success. Over 50 ONYX members and friends drank, drank, drank, dined and shared fellowship with each other before departing home for our various destinations. It truly was a family affair. We are family…I got all my brothas ‘n me……

Congrats to ONYX IML Contestants
Much love goes out to our members and pledges who will be competing and representing titles at IML 2005.

Jeff Willoughby is Mr. Chicago Leather 2005. His title sponsor is Touché, Chicago. Another ONYX member, Derrick Jones placed as 2nd runner-up. The contest was held at Touché before a packed house and Jeff received his title from another ONYX brother, Joee Arteaga, Mr. Chicago Leather 2004 and a top 20 IML 2004 finalist.

George Brown, Jr. is the Cell Block/Caliber Leatherman 2005. The contest was held during Cell Block – Chicago’s Leatherfest weekend in February. His sponsors are the Cell-Block Chicago (www.cellblock-chicago.com) and Caliber Leathers Chicago (www.caliberleathers.com). Charles Cole of Caliber is an Honorary ONYX member, so hit him up for all your leather needs. 1st runner-up was Eric Ocasio, also an ONYX brotha.

ONYX brotha, John Tatum of Detroit won the Leatherman of Color 2005 title during the ONYX Blackout 9 weekend in October 2004. 1st runner-up was ONYX brotha Derrick Jones. Thanks go out to the judges, Joee Arteaga (Mr. Chicago Leather 2004), Paul O’Rourke (International Mr. Deaf Leather 2004), Lady Cocoa (BlackBeat Midwest founder), Lash (BlackBeat Midwest) and Joey (the Mid-American Leatherman ’99); ONYX-SE brothas Jamal for taking on the MC duties; Stan for being the tally master; DJ for staking out the door; and ONYX-Chicago brotha Yohantz for heading up the travel fund raffle. Special thanks go out to Mephisto for donating a leather jacket and Lady Cocoa for donating original art for the travel fund raffle. The promoter for this contest is ONYX founder, Mufasa.

ONYX at CLAW
ONYX, again on the party circuit hosted the “Return to the Stallion” party at the Leather Stallion Saloon at the Cleveland Leather Alliance Weekend. This event had a major turnout and added to the festive nature of the CLAW weekend in April. CLAW boasts no contests and donates all proceeds to charity. This weekend was a most worthwhile event benefiting the LGBT Center of Cleveland, the Leather Archives and Museum, AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland, and the Avon Breast Cancer fund. Fellas, we’ll be back to ride again!!!! So prepare yourselves!!!

And the BEAT Goes on…..
Kudos go out to BlackBeatInc (www.blackbeatinc.org) for hosting a fantastic Mardis Gras themed pan-sexual BDSM conference in the Baltimore/DC area. Our hostesses with the mostest were Lady Z, diamond and bgtreasure. They turned it out! ONYX was represented by Mufasa (Chicago), boi yohantz (Chicago), Jamal (SE), and Honorary members Lady Cocoa, Lash and Vi Johnson. There were seminars, a masked ball, dungeon parties, a vendor market, and an awards luncheon. Mufasa and Jamal were both presenters. Mufasa led a spanking seminar and the People of Color Leather Caucus while Jamal taught a sensory play seminar. Congrats goes out to the 2004 Vi Johnson Award winner Goddess Lakshimi and to Mufasa, a leather community service award winner. The family reunion atmosphere was heartfelt. BlackBeat 2005 this August has that ‘70s theme goin on, so break out the ‘fros and the go-go boots and start to boogie with that whip!

LLC & ABW
ONYX was represented at this year’s Leather Leadership Conference in April in Phoenix by both Jeff Willoughby, Mr. Chicago Leather 2005, and George Brown, Jr., the Cell Block/Caliber Leatherman2005.

Both Jeff and George also attended the American Brotherhood Weekend in April in DC and witnessed the selection of the first American Leatherman of African American descent. Blackkat of the New York Panthers Leather Club was selected as the American Leatherman 2005. Many, many blessings go out to you for a successful reign. Aché.

ONYX Chapter News

CHICAGO
contact:(secretary@onyxmen.com)
Join the Chicago Men of ONYX at our club nites:
1st Fridays, Cell Block Chicago, 3702 N. Halsted, Chicago, 10pm – 1am.
3rd Fridays, Touché, 6412 N. Clark, 10:30pm – 1:30am.

The Chicago brothas have been very busy over the last number of months. They hosted BlackOut 9; carried out a community service project focused on Chicago’s homeless population with the Night Ministry of Chicago; attended the Mr. Missouri Leather contest weekend; hosted a Dungeon Party during Cell Block Chicago’s Leatherfest Weekend; planning to host the Leather Dance for the Rodeo Riders Chicago’s 30th Anniversary Run on Saturday, August 6, 2005 at Jackhammer, 6406 N. Clark, Chicago, 10pm-4am during N. Halsted Market Days; set up the IML function committees; supported the Leatherman of Color Travel Fund; attended the fundraiser for Mr. Northwoods Leather at the Harbor Room in Milwaukee; held membership in the Midwest Council of Clubs; and attended the hicago Eagle’s, Touché’s and the Cell Block Chicago’s anniversaries.

SOUTHEAST
contact: (southeasat@onyxmen.com)
Kink Comes to the Eagle Yet Again
Who the hell says kink can’t be fun? Friday night May 6th was the first ever Southeast Men of Onyx’s Kinky Carnival and Birthday Celebration. The guys gathered together to celebrate the birthdays of three of our members. Jamal G, Steven G and Dave G aka PawPaw. The evening was complete with plenty of popcorn which somewhat satisfied some of the almost 60 plus ravenous men that came out to attend. And what carnival would be complete without games. All total, the Southeast Men of Onyx gave away almost $250 in prizes. There was supposed to have been a Best Chest competition, but the good vibes were flowing so strong among the people in attendance that we forgot about the competition, so it will be rescheduled for another day. So get that hairy, huge or pierced chest ready, cause it promises to be a battle royale! There was also a masseuse to ease those achy muscles. Mr. Spence (The Masseuse) was truly talented from the many guys we saw lined up in his chair and he will be a staple at all of the SE Onyx events.

Special thanks go out to The Atlanta Eagle, the Panther L/L Club, and The Sanctuary Family for coming out and supporting the Southeast Men of Onyx and partying until the bar called last call. Thanks also go out to Ty Lattimore and Tank two models/actors from the movie “A Little Off The Top” and Melvin aka Blkhairywolf (Black Inches Model and future SE Men of Onyx member).

SE Men of ONYX – The future
June 3, 2005 – SE Men of Onyx Thank You/Appreciation Party featuring free Jell-O Shots and The Bare Chest Contest @ The Atlanta Eagle (Club nite every 1st Friday)

July 1, 2005 – SE Men of Onyx Underwear Night @ The Atlanta Eagle

August 5, 2005 – SE Men of Onyx Anniversary Party @ The Atlanta Eagle

Atlanta Black Gay Pride
September 2, 2005 – Welcome To Atlanta/Bar Night

September 3, 2005 – POC in Leather Seminar/Discussion @ Pride Host Hotel,
SE Men of Onyx Old School Dance @ The Atlanta Eagle

September 4, 2005 – Play Party @ TBA

NEW YORK CITY
Contact:(nyc@onyxmen.com)

ONYX NY joined up with the 9th Ave Saloon in Midtown Manhattan on the west side to host its’ First Bar night. ONYX got things off to a good start as Arthur, a seasoned veteran and Associate of ONYX worked the bar alongside the ONYX New York Chapter President to give the patrons a visual pleasure as they were being served beverages for the night. Not to be outdone mikeboi and boiJack worked patrons from the other side of the bar selling raffle tickets and ‘Flogging Strokes.’ Although it was a rainy night in the city, The New York Panthers made a show of force in coming out to support their fellow Brothas in Leather and livened things up. Master James was also on hand to paddle willing participants who paid for the privilege. Boot Black Peter also gave superior service.

Coming up in June, ONYX will also make a show of force at Folsom Street East. During the month of May, Master James and mikeboi attended the New York Excelsior’s 30th annual run.

ONYX New York will also be ready to recruit and take in new members by June as our pledging process will be in place.

New Blood!!!!!!!!!
The Men of ONYX would like to welcome the following brothas and sistas to the fold (see www.onyxmen.com for membership info):

Full Members: Chicago: Eric O, Yohantz C.; SE: Tweety; NY: boijack

Full Associates: David D. (CA), Danladi D. (GA), Tony B. (NJ), Derric H. (WI), Ray G. (CA), Sherman J. (TN), Donald Ray M. (MI), Mike L. (NY), Cornelius M. (MN).

Associates: Ron C. (DC), David E. (MN), Jack F. (IL), Lynn G. (IL), Jose G. (DC), Gary H. (IL), Alleycat (MI), Herb K (DC), Natalie K. (IL), boizack (NY), Joy R. (IL), Ultradomme (MO), John O. (DC), Mike R. (International Leather Sir 2003), Paul O. (Mr. International Deaf Leather 2004), Tom R. (UK).

Honorary Members: Daddie Millarca (IL), Lady Cocoa (IL), Lash (IL), Mistress Madar (IL), Joey M. (IL), Mama Reinhardt (CA), Goddess Lakshimi(MI), Bill S. (IL), Ray T. (IL) and World Reknowed Leather Columnist & Humanitarian--(drumroll please) Vern Stewart (DC)

Pledges: Chicago: George B., Jr.

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