Hey! You there! The ruby-lipped, china doll with the dusty latex dress buried in your closet. Or you, the daddy with the chaps you haven’t stretched into in two years. Awaken your garb and arouse your loins. New Zealand may be swinging into winter but it’s no reason to let your kink go into hibernation. In honour of this weekend’s events, global and local, I say “Get your kink on!”

I’ve told you about International Mister Leather (IML) before, the longest-running leather/fetish event of its kind in the world. You know, the one taking over a fairly respectable hotel in the heart of Chicago this weekend. It’s a mammoth free-for-all where every facet of gay fetish is embraced and hawked to. All manner of gear and carnal recreation (aka play) will be delved into, some deeper than others (insert popper here), during the world’s best 4-day leather holiday.

If you had allegiance to France you would don their colours for Bastille Day, or you might slip into clogs for the Queen’s Birthday in The Netherlands. Well, if you’re even the slightest bit kink-curious (or way beyond a master’s degree) then wear your pride in some fashion this weekend. Of course I encourage you to express your fetish whenever possible, but this chilly weekend is as good a time as any.

If you’re not one for running bare-arsed down Ponsonby in your Nasty Pig chaps, I say shove them in a bag, grab-a-seat and shoot to Wellington for a rare chance to party in style (so to speak) as the Urge Bar boys take their show on the road for a long-awaited return of Urge Black to the capital city. Last year’s inaugural party during the Out Games was a massive hit. Men from all corners of the map converged on this dirty event for dancing, grinding, and all manner of grrrrr. Well, it’s been well over a year and the town is beyond gagging for the next installment. This time around, the filthy tunes of Ozzie’s famed DJ Seymour Butz, local DJ Coda and the deep beats of Auckland’s DJ Mauri will be set against the naughty canvas of the Emperors Bathhouse.

What better place can you think of in Middle Earth to drop your walls and show your balls amidst a bouncy bunch of blokes who need to sand down some of their day-to-day veneer? It’s a safe space where you can check your knickers and slap on your sexy for your admiring brethren. Think boots, jocks, harness, gags, blindfolds, puppy dog tails, you name it. The leather/rubber/gear game is on and the frivolities of IML half a world away demands we tip our masters’ caps in its general direction while gyrating the night away at Urge Black.

Now for those who can’t make this annual smorgasbord of hotness, take your kink to the streets wherever possible. Yes, taunting the local dairy owner with your leather hood and mitts might be a risky, but every gay bar should welcome you in with open arms, wherever you live. Tucked away in Otago or up in the BOI? No problem. Get geared up and revel in the safety of your home. Explore yourself (or a ffriend if you can). Squeeze into those old rubber shorts, slap some Dubbin on those pants, snap on your harness – even if you have to let it out to the very tips of it’s grips. If you’re like me, you’ve had some amazing times in your fetish gear and those memories should be awakened and treasured. Like an old photo book, open up “that drawer” to remember those kinky times and perhaps plan for new ones.

Whether it’s at Urge Black or in front of the fire with a can of Crisco, pull or yank or twist your way through kinky enjoyment this weekend, remembering it’s there to play with all year round.

Now go, get your kink on and share!