ONYX: Our Mission and Legacy

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ONYX is an organization founded and led by Men of Color who embrace the leather lifestyle. Our mission is to create an educational and social space that addresses the unique experiences of People of Color, promotes the positive aspects of the leather community, and supports broader community and economic initiatives.

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Support, spirituality, safety, and sanity are the cornerstones of our mission. ONYX is dedicated to fostering the highest standards of loyalty, integrity, and respect among its members, encouraging them to treat everyone with honor, selflessness, and tolerance.

 

Our members are entrusted with upholding the traditions and values of ONYX, as well as the democratic principles upon which this country was founded. We believe that the brotherly association of individuals with shared interests and goals is the most powerful way to achieve our mission.

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Founded in 1995, ONYX was created to educate, build community, and serve as a bridge for Men of Color into the greater leather scene. The founding members—Mufasa, David M., Steve B., Nate G., and Wes G.—formed the first Board of Officers, with Mufasa as President. ONYX’s first pledge was Bill H., and our club colors were designed by ONYX brother Charles C. of Caliber Leathers.

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For nearly three decades, ONYX has maintained a respected presence within the leather community, with members across the United States and internationally. We are the longest-running leather club for People of Color and are known for our hospitality, including the annual ONYX Leather Dance at International Mr. Leather in Chicago and our cocktail party at Mid-Atlantic Leather in Washington, DC. Biennially, we celebrate our anniversary with the ONYX Blackout Weekend.

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Charitable work has always been central to ONYX’s purpose. Our chapters—including Midwest (Chicago), Southeast (Atlanta), Northeast (New York City), Mid-Atlantic (Washington, DC), Southwest (Los Angeles), Northwest (San Francisco), Great Lakes (Detroit/Cleveland), Lone Star (Dallas), Deep South (Ft. Lauderdale), Gulf Coast (New Orleans), High Desert (Albuquerque), and Carolinas (Raleigh)—actively support HIV prevention, youth services, and organizations aiding the leather, LGBTQ, and People of Color communities.

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We welcome all who support our mission to join ONYX. We honor the trailblazing elders who paved the way for our existence, and we remain committed to carrying that legacy forward.

 

ONYX Southwest (ONYX-SW)

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ONYX Southwest (ONYX-SW) serves the Los Angeles, San Diego, and Palm Springs areas, along with Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah.

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Our first official beer bust took place on August 9, 2015, at Eagle LA, with a turnout that confirmed the need for ONYX in the Southwest. Since then, the chapter has become a bridge for Men of Color into the leather community in this region.

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We host monthly beer busts on the second Sunday of each month at Eagle LA from 4–8 PM. Our first chapter meeting was held on August 20, 2015, at the Tom of Finland Foundation. We currently hold monthly meetings on the third Thursday of each month via Zoom from 8:00–9:30 PM.

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ONYX Southwest was officially recognized as a chapter on September 20, 2015, during BLACKOUT Twenty. The founding officers were Scorpion ONYX (President), Jordan Frink (Vice President), Suede ONYX (Sergeant/Pledge Master), Ali Mushtaq (Secretary), Scorpion ONYX (Treasurer), and Stanford Altamirano (Historian).

 

ONYX-SW operates as a regional chapter of The Men of ONYX, Inc., sharing the same mission, values, and national governance.

 

We are proud to have secured long-term sponsorships from The Fight Magazine, Eagle LA, FitPup Gear, Timoteo Studios, Rough Trade Gear, The Bullet Bar, and CellBlock 13, along with support from additional sponsors.