10 July 2024

Attending the 2024 GALA Choruses Festival in Minneapolis, focusing on chorus duties and representation as a Leatherman.

I’m in Minneapolis this week for the 2024 GALA Choruses Festival, an quadrennial international convention of LGBTQ+ choruses from all over. This year, it’s a big deal as it’s the first GALA since 2016; it was supposed to have occurred in 2020 but, as anyone can attest, that year is a particularly bad vintage. The world stopped and so did the music…until now.

To hear folx speak of this event, one would think it was a life-changing experience. The hype leading up to GALA sounded almost cult-like as attendees of previous incarnations recounted seeing the light, a gateway to a land of magnificent stranges. Nearing the conclusion of my first full day here, I can’t say that I’ve seen heaven’s light though the heaven’s did rip open to deliver a wondrous downpour earlier today. A far cry from the dry and heat currently air frying the West Coast. No, to GALA, I can only say that it’s too early to tell if there will be a cracking open of epiphanies or an army of seraphim swooping down to serenade me. I’m neither overwhelmed or underwhelmed thus far because there is a job to do; when I have a mission, I strive to carry it out before giving attention to extracurriculars. My mission is to do my part as a member of the chorus, it’s really the forefront of my concern. The show is the goal and that’ s my focus for now.

That isn’t to say that there isn’t potential for extracurricular activity, I’ve received a few cruises on Recon and have messaged briefly with a couple of guys earlier today. Both appear to be submissives and I commend them for reaching out. Maybe something will come of it, maybe not. I briefly kicked myself for not at least packing a flogger but a good scene can be had with a pair of gloves, boots, and a sprinkling of commands interspersed insults. I’m sure a phone charging cord could make for a decent bit of bondage, we’ll see.

I’ve been wearing Leather today despite the humidity and I’ve been enjoying the feeling of wearing my gear in an unfamiliar city. So far as I’ve seen today, I’ve been the sole Leatherman sporting any kind of gear here. I know that there are certainly other Leatherfolx here; however I’ve yet to see anyone with a vest, an armband, or a pair of boots. I remarked on this observation to a good friend who told me, “Oh, there are Leatherfolx here. You’re wearing your truth and not hiding who you really are and people are responding positively to that.” It’s true, a fellow chorusmember told me about how he lost all his gear in a fire but that he inherited some from a friend of his. It was a sweet interaction.

It’s been a day of reflecting on the importance of representation as a delegate for my chorus, a BIPOC, and a Leatherman. The advice of a wise Master has been echoing in my mind all day: “Just you showing up in your gear is important.” That’s what I’ve been doing today, not because I want to make some sort of fashion statement but to show that it’s okay to be Leather and be open about it. Maybe I’ll see more Leather tomorrow; however, if not, I’ll gladly take the helm.

At the moment, I’m sitting in the hotel room, my roommates have left to attend the opening ceremony. After a day spent traipsing in boots, Sir needed to take some time to chill and reflect on the day. It’ll be dinnertime soon.

And two more cruises have rolled in…