ST. LOUIS – Gateway MC, St. Louis’s oldest levi/leather club, announced Tuesday, Sept. 17, that they would be shutting down after 40 years.
Founded in 1973, the club was also the sponsor the Mr. Missouri Leather contest. A board lead by Mr. Missouri Leather 2010 Terry Laupp will continue to produce the contest.
Terry posted this letter on the Gateway MC Facebook group:
In 1973, Gateway M.C. was founded as a club for gay motorcyclists. In time, the motorcycle emphasis faded, and Gateway continued as one of the country’s outstanding gay levi/leather clubs. During its forty years, it hosted over thirty anniversary runs and helped other similar clubs to get started. It also hosted hundreds of in-town and out-of town club nights and donated many thousands of dollars to charities.
In addition, Gateway sponsored Fantasy and Drummer contests (which produced an International Mr. Drummer), and sponsored thirty Mr. Missouri Leather Contests. Over the years, MML winners have placed high at the International Mr. Leather Contest. …
Now, after forty fabulous years, Gateway, regretfully, will disband. It will celebrate its forty years of achievements and friendships as it says goodbye during the weekend of the 31st Mr. Missouri Leather Contest, February 28-March 2, 2014. All former members, MML titleholders and friends of Gateway are encouraged to attend.
After that weekend, a board headed Terry Laupp, Mr. Missouri Leather 2010 and an officer of Gateway, will sponsor the Mr. Missouri Leather Contest. The intent is to continue one of the longest-running leather contests in the U.S. in the strong tradition established by Gateway. Thus, the proud history of Gateway M.C. will live on.
Yours In Leather
The men of Gateway M.C.
“It was very hard to hear,” said John Metzner, a Gateway member and the current Mr. Missouri Leather. “It seems to be happening more and more often. 40 years is quite an achievement.”
Ray L., president of Blue Max CC, said in an announcement that he was sad to hear of the club closing down. Blue Max is another St. Louis area club that grew out of Gateway. He said that members of Blue Max will be present when the club has its final meeting in October.
“I’m sad to see such a prominent leather club disband. I have only just begun to get to know those guys,” said David Payne, a St. Louis resident and Mr. Heartland Bear 2013. “But it’s encouraging to know that Mr. Missouri Leather will continue.”
