Tag: gay book club

readwithpride.com There’s something profoundly liberating about shedding the weight of who you’re “supposed” to be and embracing who you really are. For many folks in the LGBTQ+ community, puppy play offers exactly that, a space where expectations fall away, where you can explore parts of yourself that daily life keeps locked up tight. If you’re …

Unleashing Your True Self in the Puppy Play CommunityRead More

readwithpride.com When we talk about the handler and pup dynamic in LGBTQ+ puppy play culture, we’re really talking about one of the most profound expressions of trust and intimacy you’ll find in any relationship. It’s a connection built slowly, carefully, and with intention, kind of like the best slow burn MM romance stories that keep …

The Bond Between Handler and Pup ExplainedRead More

readwithpride.com There’s something magical about finding your people, those spaces where you can let your guard down, be authentically yourself, and connect with others who just get it. In the LGBTQ+ community, we’ve always been brilliant at creating these pockets of joy and acceptance. And one of the most fascinating (and often misunderstood) examples? The …

Finding Joy and Connection at the Puppy MoshRead More

readwithpride.com There’s something liberating about letting go of who society expects you to be. For some queer men, that freedom comes from an unexpected place: strapping on a tail, dropping to all fours, and exploring identity through puppy play. Before you raise an eyebrow, let’s get one thing straight (or should we say, queer): this …

Why Growing Tails Helps Some Queer Men Find PeaceRead More

readwithpride.com When you think about self-expression in the LGBTQ+ community, your mind might jump to pride flags, chosen pronouns, or maybe that perfect leather jacket. But for folks in the puppy play community, self-expression takes on a whole different form, literally. We’re talking masks, mitts, and a whole aesthetic that transforms identity through gear. Welcome …

Masks and Mitts The Art of Puppy Play GearRead More

readwithpride.com When most people hear “puppy play,” their minds immediately jump to one place. And yeah, we get it, the internet loves to sensationalize everything. But here’s the thing: there’s an entire universe of non-sexual puppy play that exists within the LGBTQ+ community that’s about so much more than what happens behind closed doors. It’s …

Headspace and Heart The Non Sexual Side of PupsRead More

readwithpride.com Let’s talk about something that might seem unconventional at first: finding peace and stress relief through role play. Not the boardroom kind, and definitely not your typical meditation session. We’re diving into puppy play, a vibrant subculture within the LGBTQ+ community where folks explore identity, connection, and yes, serious stress relief by embracing their …

Paws and Relax Using Role Play for Stress ReliefRead More

readwithpride.com Let’s talk about something you might not see discussed in mainstream LGBTQ+ conversations: the puppy play community. And more specifically, let’s celebrate the beautiful diversity within it. Because here’s the thing: this subculture is way more inclusive and varied than most people realize. If you think puppy play is just one thing or just …

A Pack for Everyone Diversity in the Puppy SubcultureRead More

readwithpride.com So you’ve been curious about puppy play, maybe you’ve read a few gay romance books featuring pup characters, and now you’re ready to dip your paws into your first mosh. First off, congrats! Taking that step from curiosity to actually showing up takes courage. Whether you discovered pup play through queer fiction or stumbled …

New Pup on the Block Tips for Your First MoshRead More

readwithpride.com If you’ve ever wondered how puppy play became such a vibrant part of queer culture, buckle up. We’re diving into a history that’s equal parts leather bars, identity exploration, and community-building, with a healthy dose of playfulness thrown in. Where It All Started: The Leather Community’s Foundation Puppy play didn’t just appear out of …

From Leather Roots to Modern Paws A Brief HistoryRead More

readwithpride.com Let’s talk about something most of us struggle with: actually communicating with the people we care about. You know that moment when you want to tell your partner something vulnerable, but the words just won’t come out? Or when you’re desperately trying to understand what they need, but it feels like you’re speaking different …

Barking Up the Right Tree Better Communication Through PlayRead More

readwithpride.com So you’ve discovered the vibrant world of puppy play and you’re ready to craft your pup persona, but your wallet is giving you major side-eye? Welcome to the DIY club, friend. Creating your own pup hood and gear isn’t just about saving money: it’s about crafting something uniquely yours, stitch by stitch. Just like …

DIY Paws and Hoods Crafting Your Puppy IdentityRead More

readwithpride.com Let’s be real, long-term relationships can sometimes fall into routines that feel less “romance novel” and more “grocery list.” You know that dynamic duo energy you love in your favorite MM romance books? The tension, the playfulness, the chemistry that makes enemies to lovers MM romance so deliciously addictive? That spark doesn’t have to …

Keeping the Spark Alive with Puppy EnergyRead More

readwithpride.com So you’ve seen pups at Pride, maybe caught a glimpse of someone in a hood and tail at a club, or stumbled down the internet rabbit hole and found yourself curious about puppy play. Welcome! Whether you’re a seasoned handler, a pup still finding your paws, or just exploring the edges of this playful, …

Good Boys and Consent Etiquette in the Pup WorldRead More

readwithpride.com Look, we’ve all been there, scrolling through online forums and Discord servers, wondering if there’s anyone else in your city who gets it. Puppy play might feel like this niche corner of queer culture that only exists in grainy photos from big city leather events, but here’s the truth: your local pack is probably …

Pack Mentality Building Local Queer Puppy GroupsRead More

readwithpride.com There’s this persistent myth that if you’re queer, you’ve got to pack your bags and head to the nearest metropolitan area to find your people. San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles: these cities get all the glory in our collective imagination as the only places where LGBTQ+ folks can truly thrive. But here’s the …

Rural Pride Finding Community in Small TownsRead More

readwithpride.com Let’s talk about the people who walked so we could run. The activists who showed up when showing up meant risking everything. The lovers who built lives together when the world told them they couldn’t. The queer elders who survived, thrived, and paved the way for every rainbow flag we see today. They’re the …

Silver Pride Celebrating Our LGBTQ+ EldersRead More

readwithpride.com Living at the intersection of queer and disabled identities isn’t just about navigating two worlds, it’s about existing in a space where those worlds collide, overlap, and sometimes clash in ways that create both unique challenges and unexpected beauty. For disabled LGBTQ+ folks, pride isn’t just a parade or a rainbow flag; it’s a …

Queer Disability Navigating the World with PrideRead More

readwithpride.com Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough airtime in mainstream conversations: trans masculine joy. Not struggle. Not hardship. Not the exhausting debates that seem to pop up every time we scroll through social media. Just pure, unfiltered joy. Because here’s the thing, trans masculine people are out here living their best lives, …

Trans Masculine Joy Beyond the BinaryRead More

readwithpride.com Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough airtime in our community: the messy, beautiful, complicated journey of being both queer and faithful. Because here’s the truth, you can absolutely be both, no matter what anyone has told you. For too many LGBTQ+ folks, the words “religion” and “spirituality” come with a heavy …

Faith and Rainbows Reconciling Religion and IdentityRead More