Kink conquers SOMA

San Francisco’s 27th annual Folsom Street Fair took over a stale part of the neighborhood south of Market Street, transforming it into a safe place where the kinkiest fantasies could be made reality.

The event originated in 1984 to support local businesses and bring together the diverse population living there. It started in a small alleyway, but has now expanded to the point that it closes Folsom Street from Seventh through 12th streets.

It’s also used as a way to raise funds for different charities.

“All the money brought in is divided equally among many different charities,” said Sister Zha Zha Glamour, who helps organize the event with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an order of queer, drag-queen nuns.

This is one of California’s largest events, attracting tourists from all around the country. It is a place where people can connect and bring their fantasies to life without the fear of being judged. It features musical acts, sale booths, food and lots of alcohol.

“This is a great, one of a kind event that you won’t find somewhere else,” native San Franciscan, Adam said.

Throughout Folsom Street there were booths selling BDSM toys, including: leather whips, handcuffs, harnesses and more. Mr. S Leather Co. had a large selection of these as well as masochistic shows for anyone who needed that experience.

Participants had the choice of being tied down to a motorcycle or hogtied and hung from monkey bars while they were whipped with leather.

“The BDSM is what makes me come by every year. I can’t get enough of it,” a man who went by the name of Naughty Bit said.

One of the festival’s highlights was the charity spanking booth, where for $5 you could get flogged, caned, paddled or whipped. All of the proceeds went to the Stop AIDS Project.

“In general we see people who are interested in trying something new, get their kink on, and we provide that for them,” a charity spanking booth worker who called herself Panda said.

People dress up like anything they want or don’t dress at all. There were a large number of leather outfits as well as men wearing only accessories. Most women wore tight-fitting corsets that accentuated their chests.

“This is my Halloween,” a local attendee named LeAnna said. She wore a burgundy leather corset with a tiny black skirt, black stockings and leather dog collar with a lock on it.

This year’s audience also included people wearing mouth guards like those worn by horses pulling carts; people wearing leather masks that concealed their faces and human dogs walking on all fours.

“There are so many wonderful people here today,” attendee Trainer Jim said while petting his human puppy, Cooper. “He’s wrestled with so many dogs, it’s great.”

Puppy Cooper was in character the whole time, he barked at anyone who approached his trainer and the other “animals” he saw walking by.