|
MisPandora -> RE: "Run Pins"??? (1/19/2008 12:07:37 PM)
|
Understanding a run pin requires you to recognize the heritage of leathermen. "Runs" were road trips organized by the leather club road captain. These runs could be to another club's bar or event, or to their own site, generally a campground or hideaway away from the scrutiny of the straight public. One of the more famous runs still held to this day is the annual run to Badger Flats by the Satyrs MC in Los Angeles, CA. The Satyrs is the longest continually running gay organization in America, and 2008 will ring in their 47th annual run. http://www.satyrsmc.org/
Some clubs evolved their runs into weekend events at hotels once leather and being gay became more tolerated in mainstream public, and less and less leathermen owned motorcycles. An example of that is the Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend (this weekend) hosted by the Centaur MC in the metro DC area. CMC is a member club of the Atlantic Motorcycle Coordinating Council, and still hosts a recreational run weekend in the summer (Olympia, 20th anniversary in 2008.)
Naturally, I hit send before I was finished!
Many of the pre-out and proud day runs issued run pins that were very covert. There might have been just the crest of the club with a year, absent of year but with a changed back color, or just a word that signified the theme of that year's run. These days, the pins are very graphic and detailed, but some retain the traditions of yesterday where things were a bit more sedate, discreet and underground. Gwen's Colors of Leather site that Elegant posted will show you how the pins have evolved through the years.
Through my travels as Ms Philadelphia Leather and Ms World Leather 2004, and for the years before and after my titles, I've collected enough run and club brotherhood pins to fill two full vests (and my vests are not small!) Each pin, be they from a run or from a club member who met me on the road or at one of their events has a special story behind it. (For instance, there's an unwritten rule that a brotherhood pin is pinned and worn upside down until you've had sex with one of their club members. I learned that when I suggested to a guy that he had a few pins upside down on his vest. His reply, "I know! I wish I could fix that!" They're worn like badges of honor, experience and of fantastic exploits gone by.
|
|
|
|
