(GayWebSource.com – Gay Media & Press Network) – Posted by Doug Magditch – HisBigD.com
When all is said and done a small part of me wants to be remembered as somebody who’s made a small difference for our community. – Mark Frazier
It’s safe to say that Dallas’ leather community would not be what it is without Mark Frazier. He opened the Dallas Eagle in 1995. At the time, Dallas didn’t have a bar that catered to the leather/levi community.
“There was an opportunity there to give back to the community something which I thought it deserved,” said Frazier.
He still owns and operates the bar today, and the Dallas Eagle is thriving.
“It’s more successful today than its ever been. I think that’s because we’re not only a leather bar. We’re a community bar. When you walk into the Eagle, we have something for everybody,” said Frazier.
In 2012, the Eagle won “Best Gay Bar in Dallas” in the Dallas Observer and “Best Leather Bar in North America” from Pantheon of Leather.
Frazier’s much more than a bar owner. He’s a community leader and a figurehead.
“I’m very passionate about the community. I’m very passionate about the leather lifestyle. I’m very passionate about the family that we’ve created for the leather community. I’ve been involved in national and international organizations by sitting on the boards and, also, being the president of those organizations,” said Frazier.
Frazier is the one-time president of the National Leather Association – Dallas and the National Leather Association – International. He started the Discipline Corps in Dallas and South Plains Leatherfest, which is now one of the largest leather events in North America. He created the International LeatherSir, Leatherboy and Community Bootblack contests, and served as the executive producer until this year. He’s also a past president of the Texas Gay Rodeo Association, and has served on near-countless boards for other leather/BDSM organizations.
With the success of the Dallas Eagle, and Frazier’s big-time involvement, the Dallas leather community has become one of the world’s most thriving.
“The leather community here is very well-known, very well-respected throughout the world. What Dallas has is something unique. Our community is so much a melting pot that we come together, not only to raise money, but also to build coalitions and build bridges,” said Frazier.
The leather community is one of the biggest fundraising communities in Dallas.
For now, Frazier is not actively serving on any boards or starting any new groups. Don’t think he won’t though. For the guy who won a lifetime achievement award from Pantheon of Leather in 2006, Frazier shows no signs of slowing down.
“Right now, I’m looking for other things to put my energy into,” said Frazier.
By the way, he didn’t say that in a kinky way. At least, I don’t think he did.
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