This month I have a treat for you: I interviewed Janet Ryan, photographer and KC Pioneers member. Ryan has been interested in BDSM since the early 1980s and photographed her first event in the leather community in 1987. A number of her photographs are featured in the Photography Collection of Janet Ryan at the Leather Archive & Museum in Chicago. In addition to her interest in the leather community, Ryan has worked as a location scout, prop stylist and food stylist serving commercial photographers. Ryan is yet another example of the wonderful diversity within our community.
1. How did you become involved with KC Pioneers?
I pledged the Pioneers in the spring of 2001. I’d known about them since I came out in leather in the late ’80s and was glad to finally have the time
to commit to them.
2. Has the KC Pioneers been the first leather organization with which you’ve been involved?
No, in 1992 I helped start a group … called National Leather Association: Kansas City, which was a local chapter of NLA: International. I served as treasurer of the local chapter, and we put on the first public Fetish Ball in Kansas City. I was staff photographer for Living in Leather, the annual conference of NLA: International.
3. You are one of the few women involved in KC Pioneers. How has the limited number of women affected your experience?
I was not the first female Pioneer. Nancy had been involved for many years before that, and when I pledged, there were several other women who were pledging or were members. The guys have always treated me as one of them, and they are my brothers in every way. They are a great group of men, whom I admire and love so much!
4. How long have you been in the leather scene?
The first SM photos I made were in 1981. They were self-portraits, but I did not know the meaning of it. Shortly after that, I was working for a feminist newspaper, and during an assignment for images of women in advertising, I realized I was a sadomasochist. I was looking at some photos that the lesbians disapproved of, but I found them very erotic. My first thought was, “I’m a bad lesbian.” This was during the era of extreme political correctness. I came out to my publishing collective shortly after that. They didn’t really understand, but they weren’t mean about it either. The first leather event I shot was at the 1987 March on Washington. There was a conference on Friday and Saturday and a leather contingent in the March on Sunday. It was a very important and pivotal moment in the national leather scene.
5. What do you feel is the biggest misconception about the leather community?
There are many misconceptions now. The biggest one seems to be around who the old guard was and what their traditions were. One example is the practice of awarding a master his cover (a certain military-style hat). Many people think this ceremonial recognition was widely practiced by the old guard. In a few instances, there was “earned” leather in old guard culture, but the first time I was aware of the practice of awarding a cover was in the early ’90s. Most of the old guard leather men I knew simply bought their covers at the leather shop. I think it’s a fine idea — it’s just a newer practice, not old guard.
6. How do you think that the leather community has changed/evolved through the years?
The leather scene at first was the same as the BDSM scene and predominantly gay male. As heterosexuals became involved in larger numbers, leather came to mean the gay SM/leather scene. The BDSM scene became predominantly a het or “pansexual” scene. Of course, there is lots of cross-over. I consider myself both Leather and BDSM-oriented and attend events in both parts of the community. Currently, gay leather men have gone back underground and are rebuilding themselves in a world not totally accessible to the public.
7. What event/s might you suggest a person attend if s/he were just coming into the local leather community?
The KC Pioneers do events throughout the year at Missie B’s, our home bar. We have a pie sale before Thanksgiving and staff one night of Missie B’s coat check throughout the winter. This spring was our 38th year, and we had an event called Trail’s End Run in May. Our runs are biannual so the next big run is in the spring of 2015. Contact us at kcpioneers@hotmail.com and friend us on Facebook at KC Pioneers. We generally meet at 5 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month at Missie B’s. I’m grateful to Michal Burnes and the staff of Missie B’s for their longtime support of the KC Pioneers.
One of the newest local groups I’ve helped start is KC Kinky Women, for women who want to socialize and play with women. Contact us at kckinkywomen@yahoo.com.
For other groups, check out FetLife.com. It’s the Facebook of the BDSM community. There are several groups in the area listing events there.
8. OK, I know that you are a photographer and have contributed photographs to the Leather Archives & Museum in Chicago (I’m pretty sure I’ve shared some of these on my Facebook wall!). Why did you decide to begin documenting the leather community?
You posted my photos without my permission???? Just kidding! Which ones do you like?
I’m not on Facebook, hiding from my family and straight clients, although most know already! LA&M tweets and posts lots of my work, and I’m grateful for them keeping me visible. I’m not highly technical when it comes to the Internet and do not have a website of my photos because it just functions as a portal for people to take my shots and use them in ways I have no control over. Once an anti-gay Christian organization started posting photos of another photographer’s work on their website, which was scary because it looked like the photographer was working for a site that condemned the gay lifestyle.
One of the most important aspects of shooting in the leather world is to respect the people I photograph and respect their privacy. Jobs and kids are lost over public exposure. The Internet has made our private lives more public.
Back to the question: I had just graduated from art school and was doing very pretty, intellectual photography, but realized there was an incredible wealth of beautiful, interesting things I was seeing that weren’t part of my formal artwork. Having documented the lesbian culture of KC, it was natural to turn my camera toward the leather world I was discovering. And the rewards of that have been amazing; I’ll never regret focusing in on our wonderful community. It was also a great way to get an interesting woman’s phone number!!
9. You also work as a food stylist, arranging food for ads. What is the most challenging aspect about this type of work?
I’ve worked as a location scout, prop stylist and food stylist serving commercial photographers. I find it and make it look good; others take the photograph.
As far as food styling, it’s very competitive, hard to get work, and now that you can Google people, everyone knows what else I’m up to!! That’s why so many people in the BDSM world don’t use their real names any more or show their faces on websites.
10. What is the strangest food that you’ve ever styled?
Hard question to answer! Most of it is pretty common, and it’s fun to be creative and make it look beautiful. One of my clients is KCQ, a professional competitive barbecue team that competes at the American Royal BBQ competition every year. I style the foam boxes of food according to strict rules and photograph the entry before we turn it in. Part of our score is based on appearance, and I can help the team place higher among the 500 teams that compete every year. Perks of the job include bringing home lots of leftover smoked brisket, pulled pork, and side dishes like beans and key lime pie. I love to get paid to play with my food!!
Another question with another answer: What is the strangest prop you’ve ever had to find? I secured a commercial jetliner for a shoot for Sprint.
WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.