The Hottest Event During Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend Is the ‘Sex Shop Party’
As people across the United States celebrate Martin Luther King Day and the extended weekend that comes with it, many gay men will find themselves in Washington, D.C., for Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend (MAL). Taking place Jan 18–20, MAL brings with it a weekend full of parties, and one in particular, the Sex Shop Party, is sure to gather sexy guys from across the Eastern seaboard.
While all of MAL weekend is a sexed-up celebration of leather and gay fetish culture, the Sex Shop Party is a deep dive into gay desire, celebrating the fetish community with dark rooms, human puppy parks and booths where partiers can purchase their own S&M gear and toys.
The event comes courtesy of local D.C. party promoter Q (also known as Mother Fantasy), known for his monthly events at the city’s L8DC nightclub. This La Fantasy Sex Shop Party will take place Friday, Jan. 18, and Q says it’s going to be his biggest and most outrageous event yet.
“Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend in Washington, D.C., attracts thousands of leather men, kinksters, fetish-lovers and curious spectators from all over the world,” Q tells Hornet. “I’ll be showcasing all different types of sexual exhibitions and desires at the Sex Shop Party!”
Q, himself a military veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, has always had a passion for throwing events. (“I started hosting private soirées in my penthouse and then invite-only after parties throughout the city,” he says.) And having attended some of the world’s most popular dance and circuit parties, he knows what goes into planning the ultimate event.
“To be successful today, gay events need to have that ‘wow’ factor — amazing DJs, over-the-top performances and decorations, and amazing lighting are all essential,” he says. “My goal is to incorporate all of these aspects while also throwing in some unexpected surprises. It’s also important to create a safe environment where everyone feels welcome and able to be themselves without judgment or prejudice.”
As for would-be attendees who may feel the Sex Shop Party is too risqué for them, Q suggests they allow themselves to be pleasantly surprised.
“We welcome everyone from professional partygoers to novices to come to our dance floor and let go of their inhibitions, if only for one night!” Q tells us. “We encourage even the most vanilla of gay men to join us. We’re like going to an ice cream store — there’s enough variety for everyone.”
Past events thrown by Q have featured everything from dancing Chinese dragons to electric body suits — and guest appearances from trans icons Amanda Lepore and Pose star Dominique Jackson — so we can’t wait to see what Q pulls out of his hat this time around.
If you find yourself in Washington, D.C., this weekend, don’t pass up Friday’s Sex Shop Party at L8DC!
Purchase tickets and find more info on the Sex Shop Party, held Jan. 18 during Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend, here.
Party photos by LaFantasyProductions.com
