ONYX is an organization formed and operated by Men of Color who enjoy the leather lifestyle. ONYX sets as its goal to provide an informational and social organization to address issues specific to people of color who chose to project the positive aspects of the leather lifestyle and to support our community and economic initiatives.

 

Support, spirituality, safety, and saneness are keys to attaining our goals. Toward this end, it is the principle aim of ONYX to develop in its members the highest standards of loyalty to the laws and established code of ONYX, and to treat all in society with honor, unselfishness, and tolerance.

 

It is the responsibility of each member to uphold the traditions, standards, and practices of this organization as well as the time-honored principles of democracy on which this country was built.

 

It is the fundamental belief of this organization that no finer means is offered for the achievement of these aims than the brotherly association of persons with similar tastes, inclinations, and goals.

 

ONYX was founded in 1995 to provide education, fraternization and serve as a bridge for Men of Color to the greater Leather community. Mufasa organized the founding members. The founding fathers of ONYX were: Mufasa, David M., Steve B., Nate G. and Wes G. They formed the first Board of Officers with Mufasa (president), Nate (VP), David (Pledge Master), Wes (secretary) and Steve (treasurer). ONYX’s first pledge was Bill H. and the colors were designed by ONYX brother Charles C. of Caliber Leathers.

 

ONYX has had a long-standing reputation within the Leather Community with members nationwide and internationally. We are the longest existing Leather club for People of Color and are known for our hospitality and our infamous annual ONYX Leather Dance at International Mr. Leather Weekend in Chicago and our Cocktail party at Mid Atlantic Leather in Washington, DC. ONYX celebrates its anniversary each Columbus Day Weekend with the ONYX Blackout Weekend Run.

 

ONYX has always been involved in charity work. The chapters, Midwest (based in Chicago), Southeast (based in Atlanta), Northeast (based in New York City), Mid-Atlantic (based in Washington, DC), Southwest (based in Los Angeles), Northwest (based in San Francisco), Great Lakes (based in Detroit and Cleveland), Lone Star (based in Dallas) and Deep South (based in Ft. Lauderdale),  all are involved in contributing back to the Leather, LGBTQ and People of Color communities. HIV prevention and care organizations and those that aid youth have always been of note.

 

All who support our cause may become members of ONYX. We thank the elders in the People of Color Leather Community for paving the way in order for us to exist. ONYX honors that tradition and looks forward to many more years.

 

ONYX SOUTHWEST (ONYX-SW)

 

The Southwest (ONYX-SW) chapter is centered in the Los Angeles/San Diego/Palm Springs areas and Southwestern states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. 

 

The first official beer bust was on August 9, 2015, at Eagle LA.  The turnout was more than we could have imagined.  It was clear to us there was a void in the Southwest region and ONYX was going to fill it.  The chapter now serves as a bridge for Men of Color to the greater Leather community in this region.  We have monthly beer bust the 2nd Sunday of every month at Eagle LA from 4 – 8 PM.  The chapter had its first meeting on August 20, 2015, at Tom of Finland Foundation.  Currently, monthly meetings are scheduled for the third Thursday of the month at The Village at Ed Gould Plaza in Los Angeles from 8:30 - 10:00 PM.  

 

It was unanimously decided on September 20, 2015, at BLACKOUT Twenty to officially recognize ONYX Southwest as a fully established chapter in the Western Region.  The Officers were announced and they are as follows:  Scorpion ONYX (President), Jordan Frink (Vice President), Jeff Suede ONYX (Sergeant/Pledge Master), Ali Mushtaq (Secretary), Scorpion ONYX (Treasurer), and Stanford Altamirano (Historian).

 

ONYX-SW is a regional chapter of The Men of ONYX Inc., which is a National Organization. That means we exist as a chapter to a larger organization that is nationally governed.  Our mission is the same as that of The Men of ONYX, Inc. and we hold true to the values and principles of the ONYX Men Code.

 

We have secured four major long-time sponsors for the chapter–KennyKG, The Fight Magazine, Tiger Lubricant, XR Brands and a host of contributing sponsors. We are community partners with the Los Angeles Leather Coalition (LALC) where we attend meetings the first Thursday of every month.