Purpose Statement
ONYX Southeast (OSE), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is organized for the charitable and educational purposes of promoting public education and welfare for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) who identify as male within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus (LGBTQ+) community. OSE envisions a world where people are ensured equality and equity regardless of sexual identity, age, race, gender, ethnicity, culture, ability, and experiences.
ONYX Southeast History
ONYX Southeast — a chapter of the national organization ONYX — was founded in August 1999 to provide education and serve as a bridge for men of color to the greater Atlanta leather community and communities around the Southeast. Our territory includes Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and central Alabama.
The Five Founding Fathers of ONYX Southeast are:
Stan
EJ
Jamal
Reggie
Ricc
Their first bar night was held at the Atlanta Eagle on the First Sunday in August 1999. The bar night date would soon be switched and has remained the First Friday of each month since 2000. We are the most successful club night at the Atlanta Eagle with the legendary DJ – Ron Pullman with Pullman Soul.
Over the years, ONYX Southeast has connected with many leather clubs/organizations and LGBTQ events throughout the southeast including Southeast Leather Fest, Big Boy Pride, Central Alabama Pride, Lords of Leather, Leather Leadership Conference, and more.
ONYX Origins
ONYX Southeast is a chapter of the national organization ONYX. ONYX was founded in 1995 in Chicago to provide education, 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 (Vice President), 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 Gear Show/Cocktail party at Mid Atlantic Leather in Washington, DC.
In addition, ONYX celebrates its bi-annual anniversary Weekend Run “BLACKOUT” hosted by one of our 11 chapters.
ONYX Chapters
ONYX is a national organization with 11 chapters:
Midwest (est. 1995, based in Chicago)
Southeast (est. 1999, based in Atlanta)
Northeast (est. 2005, based in New York City)
Mid-Atlantic (est. 2007, based in Washington, DC)
Southwest (est. 2015, based in Los Angeles)
Great Lakes (est. 2016, based in Detroit)
Deep South (est. 2017, based in Fort Lauderdale)
Northwest (est. 2017, based in San Francisco)
Lone Star (est. 2017, based in Dallas)
Gulf Coast (est. 2023, based in New Orleans)
High Desert (est. 2024, based in New Mexico)