PHOTOS: Best NSFW looks from Cleveland Leather Annual Weekend

The annual convention is put on each year in April by CLAW Corp, a national leather charity that promotes fetish education and activities.

May 4, 2023 - 20:01
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PHOTOS: Best NSFW looks from Cleveland Leather Annual Weekend
Hot leather daddies were in full force at CLAW.
Hot leather daddies were in full force at CLAW.

Spring is in the air in Cleveland, and that means another long weekend of fun at CLAW (Cleveland Leather Annual Week), the annual convention for leather and fetish fans. The event is run each year in early April by CLAW Corp, a national leather charity that promotes adult interest in leather, fetish, and BDSM activities. CLAW teaches that these kinks are natural and healthy — and promotes attendees learning from each other.

One of the big differences between other leather events and CLAW is that there’s no contest/competition here, so you won’t find people working to achieve titles like “Mr. CLAW.” Fans of CLAW point to this as one of their favorite parts of the event, because it keeps the focus on networking, planned group events, and educational sessions.

The Kinky Kitty Café sold erotic treats of all sorts.
The Kinky Kitty Café sold erotic treats of all sorts.

As in past years, CLAW featured an extensive vendor mart, where attendees could shop for almost anything they desired: harnesses, jackets, hats, jewelry, poppers, dog masks and tails, butt plugs, whips, St. Andrew’s Crosses, genitalia-shaped candy, dildos, fetish wear, etc. Attendees could take advantage of free STD and HIV testing onsite, learn about the latest research into human sexuality and kinks, or visit the Bondage Barber, who was cutting hair just outside the vendor mart for all to see. Others opted to attend one of the many mixers. We wandered into the Pets and Handlers Mosh and later to a rubber meet-up. There are also cigar socials and a gala dinner.

Getting educated

Education really is serious business at CLAW. Classes range from beginner to advanced. Some discuss community-building. Others are specifically oriented toward teaching practices, from bondage to fisting. 

We attended a thoughtful presentation on “The Power and Philosophy of Promiscuous Living” by Jared Erikson. Erickson discussed the double standards that have existed for ages when people talk about men’s versus women’s sexual escapades, as well as the negativity that is often related to both.

Jared Erikson presents a seminar on promiscuous living.
Jared Erikson presents a seminar on promiscuous living.

Erickson also discussed sexual attitudes going back through history including how ancient cultures have no differentiation between hetero sex and queer sex. He covered the evolution of problematic sexual “morality” pushed by the Christian church, the scientific study of sexual monogamy (and its rarity), and more.

Fun at CLAW

Contest winners from other events gathered for social time.
Contest winners from other events gathered for social time.

Fun at CLAW isn’t relegated to the host hotel. Ticket holders can also participate in different activities all close to downtown Cleveland, and free shuttles between venues make it even easier. A signature event is the Horse Market, which is actually run by HorseMarket SF. This hard-core event evokes the famed Fickstutenmarkt party in Berlin. At Horse Market (reserved for male-identified persons), Mares (bottoms) are naked, blindfolded, and on their knees before the Stallions (tops) arrive. It’s not hard to guess what happens next at this gathering.

Other gatherings happened at The Academy, an area dungeon. The nearby Leather Stallion Saloon bar was hopping each night and was packed to capacity on Saturday. Both locals and out-of-town CLAW attendees partied together and voted on the best costume, including a firefighter, a Marine in full dress, and plenty of other fun outfits.

Kinky Cleveland

Cleveland

The Academy

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FLEX Spas Cleveland

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Leather Stallion Saloon

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If you’re interested in CLAW, the event generally runs from Thursday through Sunday in April. The charity also will be conducting an LA Leather Getaway this November.

In gear just outside the vendor mart area.
In gear just outside the vendor mart area.
A vendor from Montreal greets guests in full gear.
A vendor from Montreal greets guests in full gear.
A model welcomes visitors at the TORSO booth.
A model welcomes visitors at the TORSO booth.
Leather whips were available in a variety of colors.
Leather whips were available in a variety of colors.
A St. Andrew’s Cross on display at the vendor mart.
A St. Andrew’s Cross on display at the vendor mart.
The rubber social was a highlight of Saturday afternoon.
The rubber social was a highlight of Saturday afternoon.
Crowded outdoor space at the Leather Stallion Saloon.
Crowded outdoor space at the Leather Stallion Saloon.
Attendees pose in the Renaissance Hotel’s gorgeous lobby.
Attendees pose in the Renaissance Hotel’s gorgeous lobby.
An annual art show is always part of the CLAW weekend.
An annual art show is always part of the CLAW weekend.
CLAW featured visitors celebrating a wide variety of fetish gear.
CLAW featured visitors celebrating a wide variety of fetish gear.
A volunteer sits at the ABU Playground entrance.
A volunteer sits at the ABU Playground entrance.
Playing video games at the ABU Playground.
Playing video games at the ABU Playground.
The emcee at the Leather Stallion Saloon asks attendees to rate a firefighter outfit.
The emcee at the Leather Stallion Saloon asks attendees to rate a firefighter outfit.
Attendees could purchase a range of adult baby diaper fetish products.
Attendees could purchase a range of adult baby diaper fetish products.
CLAW provides an opportunity for old friends to reconnect.
CLAW provides an opportunity for old friends to reconnect.
The Bondage Barber cut hair in full view of the attendees walking by.
The Bondage Barber cut hair in full view of the attendees walking by.
The ABU Playground was held in one of the Renaissance’s public spaces.
The ABU Playground was held in one of the Renaissance’s public spaces.
Pups in full gear pose for a photo.
Pups in full gear pose for a photo.
Tails were wagging throughout the Renaissance at CLAW.
Tails were wagging throughout the Renaissance at CLAW.
Attendees could purchase a variety of kink and BSDM books at the vendor fair.
Attendees could purchase a variety of kink and BSDM books at the vendor fair.
Shopping at the CLAW vendor mart.
Shopping at the CLAW vendor mart.
A wide variety of poppers were available for purchase.
A wide variety of poppers were available for purchase.
CLAW attendees shopping for new gear.
CLAW attendees shopping for new gear.
Pup masks for sale at the CLAW vendor mart.
Pup masks for sale at the CLAW vendor mart.
Gear was offered in a multitude of colors.
Gear was offered in a multitude of colors.
An attendee is fitted with new gear.
An attendee is fitted with new gear.
Workers at a hat vendor say hello.
Workers at a hat vendor say hello.

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