Bears, Leather, and Legacy: Ali Lopez Leads a Bold Gathering at the Lincoln Memorial
World Pride DC/ Capital Pride 50th Anniversary might be in the rear view mirror but the moments spent with friends, brothers in arms and community, will last a lifetime! , I began to plan right after the announcement since this would also coincide with the 30th anniversary of the birth of the Bear Friendship Flag , since it was voted into being by the Chesapeake Bay Bears and created by Craig Byrnes and Paul Witzkoske during the summer 30 years ago!
The Bear and Leather Gathering at the Lincoln Memorial on June 6th was a homage to previous event and a celebration of members of our community no longer with us, a call back to gatherings that have happened at the Lincoln Memorial every Friday before a protest for equal rights, a way for us to celebrate community, love and defiance together.
My first was in 1993 “March for Equality” where I was introduced to Michael “Lurch“ Sutton, a giant in stature with a heart of gold who was a pioneer in the Leather Bear community, Reggie Burns and Huzbear Mike Hoban, Reggie was one of the first Bears of Color in the San Francisco scene, William Altaboge, founder of the Tidewater Bears and Jack Uhaz…
As years before the gathering created unexpected moments of connection that I will never forget…
Speaking to the daughter of a veteran who died due to Agent Orange as she passed by on her way to protest for Trans Veterans and Veterans Health Care, speaking to a Vietnam veteran about how his Transgender daughter is in danger due to this administration policies and a grandson finding acceptance from his WWII veteran Grandfather who stood by him on his wedding…
I am honored to been able to carry the Puerto Rican LGBTQA flag provided by Wilfred Labiosa from Waves Ahead Puerto Rico and to be able to lift the Bear Friendship Flag as a representative of the diversity that the flag represents, in a way a full circle moment since I was a member of the Chesapeake Bay Bears and I voted from the four designs on that fateful day 30 years ago…
I am grateful for all that came to participate, My club brothers from the Centaur Motorcycle Club, Tom Buckley, Thomas Jordan, Brian Maher, my friends Jeremiah, Drake Wolf, Mr Fire Island Leather 2025, Derrick McCandless, Mr. Keystone Leather Evan Heess, EntretIner Tom Goss, International Mr. Leather Jack Thompson, Geoffrey Millard and so many more…
Photography by Judy Schloss .
I also have to thank the Centaur Motorcycle Club for organizing the Leather Contingent for the parade, but that is another glorious story. In LeatherBear Brotherhood…
