On Guard Cigar Salon

When the On Guard guys get together for our weekly cigars and conversation, we often mention some of our favorite things. So, we thought it would be fun to show our audience what some of our favorite things are because it’s fun to do and also it might give our viewers some further insight into each of us.

Anyone paying attention realizes the United States is being confronted by a direct threat to our democracy from our own government. Horrific things are happening, and happening quickly. Many ask “But what can I do?” This episode is an answer to that question. The On Guard crew discuss some of the things we can all do to push back against the internal threats to our country; while interviewing the...

During this holiday season, in the spirit of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol,” the On Guard crew reflects back on some of their past standout Christmas experiences, their experience of the Christmas present, and what they hope will transpire over the Christmas seasons yet to come.

The On Guard crew takes a look at a longstanding queer dance art form that has deep roots within the gay men’s leather community. Flagging (no, not the hanky kind) developed from fan and t-shirt dancing prominent in early American leather dance and later circuit party club culture. Today it is most commonly done using specially-made weighted silk flags spun while dancing. The modern iteration of f...

The body positivity movement wants us to love our bodies regardless of our shape, size, color, sex, or ability. That’s a wonderful goal, but how easy is that to achieve in our modern culture that worships at the altar of idealized lean, ripped, muscled physiques? We bring in trainer Sterling Walker to help us explore this topic in an enlightened way. This episode tries to dispel false myths and ne...

After the last national election and seeing news reports shortly thereafter of a racist demonstration by white nationalists, Brent Heinze became even more worried than he had been and began to fear some horrifically troubling times ahead for the US. Those fears were sadly validated by increases in discrimination and hate crimes affecting people within LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and other communities. Not bein...

On Guard Cigar Salon traditionally celebrates Pride during the month of June but this year we’ve invited three special guests to join cast member Graylin Thornton in honor of Juneteeth (look it up). Meet Jason, Pony and Brown Bomber Bear, a group of old black leathermen hanging out at Smokeout in Las Vegas to discuss their experience in this episode titled “Power in Smoke”.

The new administration has done a lot of damage to our country in a short amount of time. But people are pushing back as we become the OPPOSITION PARTY. There is an energy rising of Americans from all walks of life who are horrified by what they’ve seen. So, what’s working to push back against the attempt to install authoritarian rule and what’s not? The On Guard crew has a lively discussion to in...

The leather and kink communities embrace certain agreed upon boundaries that when crossed are considered inappropriate behavior. People within those communities also have their own individual boundaries. In this episode, the On Guard crew discusses the topic of boundaries. What are the community's rigid boundaries and which ones might be more contextual? What boundaries might a person adopt and ho...

The On Guard crew is back with another Unfiltered show. We recorded this about two weeks into the new administration and it's clear we're angry and pissed off. But, that said, we offer tangible action items our viewers and listeners can do to push back against the firehose onslaught of awful coming from the administration right now. This is a heated and lively discussion and we point you to useful...

As people in leather and kink communities age, they’re presented with unique challenges and perspectives. Sometimes we adjust our play, sexualities, dress, and social interactions. Aging is a normal part of life and hopefully we can do so gracefully as leather people and kinksters. Our On Guard crew discusses aging during this live audience episode in one of the gay retirement capitals of the worl...

Huge thank you to our sponsor: Just two days after the election we threw a camera in the corner of the room and just talk about our true feelings about this elect. This is not our normal professional studio shot. Just our normal salon we do every week unfiltered. Agree or not we invite You to be a fly on the wall and witness out true feelings unfiltered and sometimes angry. We just witnessed what...

Perhaps you’ve been invited for the first time to a party focused on being naked and frisky with other people. Or maybe you’ve attended such a party before, but you found them difficult to navigate. When we’re in an erotic or sexual environment, determining how to approach a potential play partner or participate in a group situation can be challenging. The On Guard crew interviews Bondage Otter, t...

In the realm of LGBTQ and civil rights politics, there are few people more experienced than the rightfully esteemed Cleve Jones. We’ve interviewed Cleve before, but in light of the upcoming election and the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ legislation and sentiment coming from the conservative side of the political spectrum, we wanted to have Cleve back on our show to give us his thoughts on how we as quee...

On Guard Cigar Salon has been producing content for more than 2 years. Often when we finish recording an episode, one of us suddenly thinks "I forgot to say this" or "I wish I had covered that." So, in this Shoulda Coulda Woulda episode we look back at the first 2 years of On Guard and critique ourselves, what did we get right, what did we get wrong, and what we wish we would have said instead.

Gay leather and drag cultures have been intertwined for decades. Within gay communities, leather and drag have often formed strong alliances and been considered outsiders, mavericks, and rebels. Leather and drag community members have also often been part of the vanguard of LGBTQ activism. That's why On Guard wanted to interview Brigitte Bandit an activists from the drag community to discuss our s...

Music is such an important part of our culture and that includes queer, leather, and kink culture. The On Guard crew has had their gay and kinkster journeys influenced by music throughout the years. In this episode, each of us talks about the music that has had the most impact on us and why. Huge thank you to our sponsor: http://LeatherDaddySkin.com Use offer code: ONGUARD for 10% OFF and MR-S-LEA...

Bootblacks. What do they do, and why? What are some of the ins and outs of bootblacking itself? How do bootblacks fit into the fabric of kink and leather culture. These are just some of the questions we asked one of the country's preeminent bootblacks, Buck Harder. You'll find Buck teaching or practicing his craft on his social media channels, at leather events, or on most Sundays at the Barracks...

Folsom Street Fair is the world's biggest fetish and kink fair of its kind. People from all over the globe descend on San Francisco every year to revel with other like-minded kinksters at the Fair itself plus an ever-growing assortment of surrounding parties and events catering to those who live and play on the outskirts of conventional sexuality. As the fair has gotten bigger, the community has g...

These are just some of the topics covered in this lively conversation with well-known leatherman and kinkster, Mike Hernandez. And there’s some very funny stories told that had the entire On Guard crew laughing a lot. Huge thank you to our sponsors: http://LeatherDaddySkin.com Use offer code: ONGUARD for 10% OFF and Mr-S- Leather WARDROBE: http://OnGuardGear.com -------- Cast Socials ------- Twitt...

The On Guard Cigar Salon crew delves into the topic of play parties and weekend events in front of a live GearUp Weekend audience. What are some tips on how to navigate such events? What are some of the common rules and guidelines that most play party environments enforce? In what ways are men's kink play and erotic spaces different today than in the past? The On Guard crew offers their insights a...

In honor of Pride Month, the On Guard crew discusses their coming out experiences. We came out gay. We came out kinky. We came out poly. We have stories. It's by queer and kinky people telling their coming out stories that we empower those who might be struggling with that process.

Every year a growing group of gay men with an interest in cigars gather in Las Vegas to socialize and play. The event is called Smokeout and our crew was honored that the Smokeout organizers invited us to record an episode live during this year's event. Smokeout is unique. It attracts certain types of maverick and rebel gay men who often differ from the leathermen or kinksters you might see at oth...

For decades Sister Roma has helped raise incalculable amounts of money for worthy nonprofits and important causes, engaged in activism for LGBTQ rights, and hosted or emceed too many fundraising and community events to count. There are few people on the planet who know as much as Sister Roma about volunteering.

We take a look at Leather Contests and Titleholders. Are they fairly judged and are they necessary for our community today? WHO WINS HERE?