Celebrating Pride has never been more important!
These last few years have been pretty difficult for most of us. For this reason, it is especially important that we celebrate Pride… as much as possible! To celebrate Pride 2022, Mister B has gone and done another round of B PROUD! This photo and video project celebrates the fact that we are all different, and that in fact, our uniqueness connects us. And being connected is what makes us powerful. B PROUD 2022 features a variety of unique folks from the local LGBTQ+ community who, like you, have a special point of view that they can share with the rest of us. They each have a special message to remind us of the value of Pride. Unlike last year, we had the opportunity to venture out to multiple spots and find locals to represent our community. Besides our home base in Amsterdam, we went to Antwerp and Berlin. We went to iconic landmarks and scenes that capture the essence of that city, as part of each person’s Pride experience. These three cities are home to our three Brand Stores, so it was an extra pleasure getting to know the folks who are familiar with our shops and local staff.
In Antwerp, we photographed Gael at the Harborfront, right by the Waagnatie, the location of Darklands Festival, a huge, European fetish festival. We were with Amanda at the Grote Markt square, located down the road from Fetish Café (the place where you can usually find her). And, we took photos with Marciano in Central Station as it is the artery of the city and the place where he and his husband come almost every weekend.
In Berlin, we shot with Mr Leather Berlin 2018, Jens, in front of the famous Reichstag Building. Tyrone, the producer of Folsom’s ‘Classic Meets Fetish’ concert, was photographed at the Brandenburger Gate, a very memorable landmark for him and his husband. And we shot with the sexy porn actor and sex work advocate Billy Vega by the metro stop Nollendorfplatz in Schöneberg, Berlin’s famously queer neighbourhood – where you can also find our brand store.
In Amsterdam, we captured Drag Race contestant Keta Minaj by the canals, fabulous diva D’andre Maxwell by Central Station, and beefy bear Pasquale by the museums. It was a wonderful experience to spend time with such a variety of folks and get to know each and every one of them.
We hope you will enjoy it as much as we did, and that you feel as proud as we do.
With love,
The B PROUD team!
GAEL@BelgianleatherHE / HIM What’s your plan for Pride this year?Winning International Mister Leather past weekend in Chicago, What is your favourite Pride memory?My first Pride memory was in August 2019, What is your first Pride experience? Every Pride has its own character. B PROUD #pride2022
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LADY AMANDASHE / HER “Pride means being able to express how you feel on the inside and on the outside. B PROUD #pride2022
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MARCIANOHE / HIM What’s your plan for Pride this year?I am going to enjoy it, with my husband. Meeting new people, What is your favourite Pride memory?My favourite pride memory is from 2014, Pride Amsterdam What is your first Pride experience?My first pride memory is from 2012, B PROUD #pride2022
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KETA MINAJ@KETA.MINAJSHE/HER (WHEN HE’S IN DRAG) Do what you love. Love what you do. B PROUD #pride2022
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D’ANDRE MAXWELL@DJJMCASTILLOHE/HIM What’s your plan for Pride this year?Is to finally experience for the first time What is your favourite Pride memory?I haven’t had a pride experience yet, What is your first Pride experience?I don’t have any, but if I would I think it would be: B PROUD #pride2022
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PASQUALE@IAMIPASQUHE/HIM What’s your plan for Pride this year?My sister is coming over from London last minute, What is your favourite Pride memory?Euro Pride in 2011 at Circo Massimo in Rome wow that was amazing! What is your first Pride experience?Rome World Pride 2000, Sylvia Rivera was there, was an amazing 1st experience. B PROUD #pride2022
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BILLY VEGA@BILLYVEGAXHE / HIM Remember your roots, B PROUD #pride2022 |
TYRONE@GERMANMRLEATHER13HE/HIM What’s your plan for Pride this year?Like every year, my plan for Pride is to celebrate love, freedom and diversity, What is your favourite Pride memory?My favourite memory of Pride is the first one I spent with my partner. What is your first Pride experience?I’m in my mid-50s now, so we’re talking about a whole lot of Prides B PROUD #pride2022
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JENS@GEARUPBERLINHE / HIM Pride is not a gray, family-friendly B PROUD #pride2022
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