Every one of you knows the CSD, which now takes place in almost every German city. But have you ever heard of the Folsom Street Fair? This open-air event takes place once a year in San Francisco, always on the last Sunday of September. This street festival is aimed at the fetish and leather scene, and not only US-Americans are welcome here. We tell you what you need to know about the event and why it’s worth attending.
Historical review: This is the Folsom Street Fair
Horny people, good humour and lots of leather – the Folsom Street Fair is the highlight for anyone who appreciates leather and fetish. It is the highlight of Leather Pride Week in California and has been held once a year since 1984. To this day, it is the biggest event in the leather scene and is often referred to as the CSD for BDSM fans. Folsom Europe has been held in Berlin since 2004, although it is not as big as the Californian street party.
The first Folsom in 1984 had an extensive redevelopment programme around the South of Market as its background. It was decided at the time to replace the industrial quarter and the old warehouse with high-rise buildings to bring life to the city. The then already established leather community actively opposed these plans.
In the 1980s, Aids became a real epidemic and the gay community in particular was penalised. Bars, pubs, bathhouses and other trendy venues were closed, and it was time to stand up against it. Activists and clubs planned a street party with the intention of strengthening their community and raising money for contraception and safer sex education. The AIDS epidemic led to the queer community coming together and ensuring visibility.
Folsom Europe as an offshoot of the American event
In 2004, the streets of Berlin Schöneberg became hot for the first time, as the European clone of Folsom was launched. It is Europe’s only and most important street festival for the fetish and leather scene. Mayor Klaus Wowereit and the Berlin Tourist Board were enthusiastic and supported the street event. Klaus Wowereit made himself immortal in the scene by opening the second street parade with a speech in 2005.
Wowereit caused a scandal in the media and among his fellow politicians. The cosmopolitan mayor was even advised to resign from office because this event and his speech were not compatible with the dignity of a politician. Prejudices as far as the eye can see, but Folsom Europe was created with the idea of dismantling precisely these. It has endured to this day and is the European highlight for the fetish and leather scene once a year.
What happens at Folsom?
One of the main criticisms levelled by Folsom’s opponents is that BDSM activities are lived out and presented on the public street. Anyone who is there gets a deep insight into the life of the leather and fetish scene. There is clutching, whipping, and the spectators can be there live. However, the aim of the whole thing is not to have a great time on the street. The motivation behind it is to familiarise people with BDSM and to dispel the preconception that it is a deviant sexual practice that originates from insane minds.
BDSM is a form of sexuality that has just as much right to exist as vanilla sex. People from different walks of life, with different lifestyles and sexualities, live and love BSDM. This is exactly what is shown at this parade, and this is exactly what causes discussion. Some visitors see the event as a window to a new world and are curious. The other part of the audience is outraged by the openness.
Your first time at Folsom – the dos and don’ts
Even at a cosmopolitan event like Folsom, there are rules that every participant should follow. If this is your first time in Berlin or even in San Francisco, we would like to give you the most important dos and don’ts that you should stick to.
These are the most important dos:
- Be open-minded and unbiased: In San Francisco and also Berlin, you’ll meet a huge crowd of kinksters, some of them experienced, others also attending for the first time. Be open to everything you encounter. If you already have experience, answer questions from newcomers and always be polite. The community wants to have fun together, and you can contribute to this.
- Come without kids and animals: You will be partying in SF together with 400,000 people, space is limited. Please leave (real) pets and your kids at home. This event is made for puppies and human pets. And ultimately, the outfits are too garish and the scenes too harsh to be shown to children. This party is made for adults – take that to heart.
- Expect anything: If it’s your first visit to Folsom, expect anything and a bit more. You’ll see penises, you’ll see swollen and spattered testicles and bleeding, whipped backs. Porn is nothing compared to the pictures you get on the Folsom. Be curious and watch, nobody will whip you against your will.
- Always ask politely: so much naked skin invites you to touch and feel. Although Folsom fans are open and sex is not uncommon, ask permission before touching anyone. Just because someone is naked or dressed up doesn’t give you carte blanche to actually touch their swollen balls. This applies not only to private parts, but also to costumes.
These are the most important don’ts:
- Don’t take unsolicited photos: some costumes are so hot that your finger is almost on the trigger of the camera. Before you take a photo of someone, ask them! Taking photos without asking can have fatal consequences if the pictures end up in the wrong hands. A great photo is not worth ruining someone’s career.
- Do without self-care: Time and again, emergency services are called out to the event because participants don’t drink enough, don’t protect themselves from the sun and consume alcohol in large quantities. Refrain from consuming large quantities of drugs and alcohol and protect yourself. After all, you want to enjoy the event and not be carried away by paramedics, right?
- Never laugh at anyone: You think a party participant’s outfit is garish? Don’t laugh at them! At Folsom, everyone should be who they are, there’s no room for prejudice here. If you are not able to look at naked women and men without laughing, this place is not made for you.
- Arrive by car: One of the dumbest ideas is to head to the SoMa neighbourhood in San Francisco by car. You won’t get there. It’s best to arrive a day in advance, using public transport of course. There are no car parks, so you’ll have to rely on your feet and public transport for this huge event.
Conclusion: Folsom is a must for all BDSM lovers
Do you love BDSM, vinyl and leather? Fetishes are your home? Then you should attend Folsom at least once in Berlin or even in San Francisco. This event is a tribute to all those who like it horny, kinky and a bit painful. You’ll meet open-minded and tolerant people who will accept you and your fetish even if they don’t share it. The ‘we-feeling’ at this event is one of the main reasons why most Folsom-goers come back every year.
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