2022 Issue 4 Jul/Aug Focus - Mid-South magazine

HOIST has been around
for seven years. Focus had
the pleasure of speaking
with Boy Aaron, this year’s
president.
What is HOIST’s
background?
HOIST is a leather group
based in Memphis that
is part of a larger body
called the Mid-America
Conference of Clubs
(MACC). While the group
has been around locally for
the past seven years, we
celebrate the leather culture
that has thrived in LGBTQ+
spaces for decades.
Our group hosts a local
run where it celebrates
friendship. We also promote
and create a community of
leather enthusiasts which
is a safe space for gay,
bisexual, and trans men to
explore their interests.
Describe the history of
Leather in the LGBTQ+
Community.
Historically speaking, in
the United States, leather
communities began after
WWII. It spawned after a
large number of soldiers
returned from war and
attempted to create
clubs that captured the
brotherhood which existed
during the war.
Within the straight
community, clubs like the
Hells Angels were very
popular and allowed for
acceptance. On the gay
side, various leather groups
popped up. These leather
groups were a safe place
to gather, enjoy each other,
and explore common
interests. You might notice
in many of the leather
groups' logos there is
iconography and a presence
of military symbols. That
comes straight from this
military history.
During the ’60s and
’70s, politics became more
present in leather culture,
where you’ll notice police
and authority figures
embodied more. This is
because during this time
the leather tribe acted
as radicals for protecting
pride–they were considered
the champions of pride.
There have always been
conservative elements in
gay pride as well as radical
movements. For example,
throughout the ’80s and
’90s, marriage equality
was part of the more
conservative side. Leather
was more radical with their
styles of representation.
Why is Leather essential in
the community?
Gay men’s sexual interest
is stigmatized. You see it
in Memphis. You see slut
shaming. Not just with
women, but with men.
You see folks who have
harnesses or leather in
their closets, and they feel
sexy in them. But still, you
won’t see them wear them
in public even if that would
be appropriate. You see
men who are more like
bears, men who might feel
shy or feel not as outgoing
because they feel like they
might be rejected.
The leather community
here at HOIST tries to be
a home for all of that. We
are here for folks who are
doubly stigmatized. Gay
men are already stigmatized
as it is. When folks want
to explore their likes, we
want to be a safe place that
allows that community for
them without judgment.
Many members are in
poly relationships or have
interests in various forms
of fetish and kink and
they want to meet others
like them. The leather
community is a safe place
where they can do so.
Beyond that, we are also
educators. We have a
tradition that goes back
many decades. We have
accumulated knowledge
of how to perform fetish,
kinks, and non-traditional
relationship types in a
safe, sane, and consensual
environment. That is critical
to what we do. We want to
be able to teach people how
to engage in life in ways that
are healthy for all people
and members involved.
Safe. Sane. Consensual.
The Leather community is
growing.
Tell us about Sex & Love in
the Leather Community.
Relationship types in
the leather community are
unique. There are different
relationship dynamics like
Daddy/Boy or Master/Slave.
A lot of these really come
focuslgbt.com | Sex+Love 19