About ONYX

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.

About ONYX Southeast

ONYX Southeast 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.

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 to Geaux, and more.

ONYX Overview

ONYX is a national organization formed and operated by men of color who enjoy the leather lifestyle.

ONYX sets as its goal to provide an informational and social organization to address issues specific to people of color who chose to project the positive aspects of the leather lifestyle and support our community and economic initiatives.

Support, spirituality, safety and saneness are keys to attaining our goals. Toward this end, it is the principle aim of ONYX to develop in its members the highest standards of loyalty to the laws and established code of ONYX and to treat all in society with honor, unselfishness and tolerance.

It is the responsibility of each member to uphold the traditions, standards and practices of this organization as well as the time honored principles of democracy on which this country was built.

It is the fundamental belief of this organization that no finer means is offered for the achievement of these aims than the association of persons with similar tastes, inclinations and goals.

ONYX Origins

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. ONYX celebrates its bi-annual anniversary Weekend Run “BLACKOUT” hosted by one of our Nine Chapters!.

ONYX Chapters

ONYX is a national organization with 11 chapters:

Midwest (based in Chicago)

Southeast (based in Atlanta)

Northeast (based in New York City)

Mid-Atlantic (based in Washington, DC)

Southwest (based in Los Angeles)

Great Lakes (based in Detroit)

Deep South (based in Fort Lauderdale)

Northwest (based in San Francisco)

Lone Star (based in Dallas)

Gulf Coast (based in New Orleans)

High Desert (based in New Mexico)