Some SF Bay Area Leather/BDSM Resources

Our events are listed on:
groups.yahoo.com/group/EduKink
EduKink.tribe.net
EduKink.org/main

The monthly Newcomer's Series is aimed at beginners and intermediates.
The monthly Paideia Series is aimed at intermediates to advanced.

If you're new to leather, you might feel most comfortable starting with a few classes and/or discussion groups. These can be less intimidating than a bar or party.

Three events calendars of interest:
SOJ.org/calendar
localendar.com/public/SFCitadel
sfLeatherCalendar.org

Other resources:

Some more tribes for local info and hookup:
TBA
For a wide range of local, technique and specialized tribes, go to:
people.tribe.net/edukink
At the bottom of "My Tribes", click "view all".

These three events should be in your datebook:
Leather Alley at SF Pride Last Sunday in June.

Leather Week Approximately the nine days leading to Folsom Street Fair. Leather events galore.
FolsomStreetEvents.org/Leather-Week.php

Folsom Street Fair Last Sunday in September.
The largest leather event in the world.
FolsomStreetEvents.org

There are many more resources, but these can get you started right.
See also sexuality.org/sanfrancisco.html

Suggested attire for your first parties: Whatever makes you feel in the mood. A lot of people wear a little or a lot of leather, if they have it. Anything black fits in. Anything butch fits in.
There's a lot of variety, but most folks will wear one or more of: leather vest, leather harness, shirtless, leather shorts, chaps, or boots.
Don't go buying a lot of gear until you've been to a few events to see what's really going to work for you. And don't wait to attend, just because you don't have the perfect outfit. When you're ready to go to your first party, just go, even if you only have ordinary street clothes.

Suggested approach: Be honest. If you don't have experience, don't pretend. Everyone started at zero. If you're not sure exactly what you're looking for, that's ok too. Plan not to play, just watch and talk your first few visits.