About the KC Pioneers

The KC Pioneers are a not-for-profit charitable Leather/Levi organization. The members work together to help the leather and gay community to grow stronger and be better understood and accepted. The objectives of the club are to bring people with a common interest in the Leather/Levi lifestyle, to act as an agent for the distribution of information relating to that lifestyle, and to advance the camaraderie and friendship within its membership and with the gay community at large.

We assist the greater Kansas City community by supporting different 501(c)3 charities with regular year round fund-raising activities. We strive to reach out and educate the community by sponsoring events like contests, workshops, club nights, and the annual run.

The Pioneers are part of the heart and soul of the leather community, and are a proud member of the Mid America Conference of Clubs. We have a long, active history and very bright future.

The KC Pioneers got started in 1974 by seven leather men. Their home bar was the Arabian Nights (the Tent) on Gillham Road. It is close to their current home, the DB Warehouse Complexx (formerly known as the Dixie Belle Saloon). The DB has been the club's base of operations and home bar for the past fifteen years. The Pioneers' first run was held in 1975 in the backyard of two founding members (Bill Dugger & Jim White). The term "Run" came from an event held by the motorcycle clubs. As a group, the members would jump on their cycles and ride from one site to another throughout the weekend. Each club would compete in road skill tests called an Enduro. As a tradition, the term "Run" has stuck to the annual event, even though most leather club members across the country do not have motorcycles.

The Pioneers have trophy cases in the hallway between the Leather Bar and the Patio at the DB Warehouse. On display are awards the club has received from going to out-of-town runs. You can also find on display different artifacts like club photos, the first Mr. Dixie Belle Leather sash, and our Club Colors. Also, hanging on the wall in this area you will see the colors of other clubs. It is a great honor when a brother or sister club presents these. All items on display proudly represent our history in the leather community.

Most Pioneer events are geared towards fund-raising for different local charities. The club has donated to groups like HARC Mart, Free Health Clinic, SAVE home, and HOPE Care Center. The club also looks at special needs that arise in the community. Different fund-raisers that the Pioneers operate are the monthly beer bust at the DB Warehouse at 1915 Main Street, KCMO, on the third friday of each month. That night is also our monthly club night, where we gather in the "Leather Bar" on the second floor of the DB. From mid-October to mid-April, we also run coat check at the DB on Saturday nights.

The club also gets together for social events like out-of-town runs, dinners, theatre, and charity events. We help with different annual events like the Mr. Dixie Belle Leather contest, the DB Charity Carnival, the KC Gay Pride Parade & Festival, and the Missouri Gay Rodeo Association (MGRA) Labor Day weekend Rodeo. We also sponsor the activities of KC Leather University. Sometimes you need to look behind the scenes to find us at local leather events, but we are usually there. We sponsor an annual Leather Run called "Trail's End", usually in mid-April.

Everyone is invited to join the KC Pioneers at the different events for fun and camaraderie. In addition to this website, we maintain a bulletin board on the second floor of the DB Warehouse (next to the trophy case between the Leather Bar and the Patio Bar), which is regularly updated with upcoming events.