The leather scene that started flourishing in America after World War II has seen many leather clubs appear and disappear, but in the '70s, the Black Guard of Minneapolis is still here 32 years after they started. In that 32 years they've garnered their fair share of accolades and notoriety, and they've learned a thing or two about how to party. Black Frost 2009 should prove that 32 years of practice makes perfect (or at least comes pretty close).

The Black Guard signed its charter in 1977. The club was started with six members, two of whom are still living in Minneapolis, but only one is still with the club, and his name is Ralph Schmidt. The club worked in conjunction with the Atons of Minneapolis to produce the Gopher III run. The fledgling club decided it needed to have friendship pins produced. To raise the money to cover pin production, members of the club performed in a show at the old Sun Bar and Disco, which used to be across Hennepin Avenue from the Gay 90's on 4th and Hennepin, with the help of Allison Brooks, a.k.a. Carl Gscheidmeier who is now the Treasurer of the Black Guard for the past 13 years. That was the start of a long line of show performances that continues to this day. A few years ago, we preformed, in our own way, HOWARD CRABTREES Broadway Show of "WHEN PIGS FLY", at the Mall of America.....which was a huge success. You would have to been there to truly enjoy our clubs antics. Video tapes are still available upon request for $25.00. (To Achive a tape of this, contact The Black Guard, P.O. Box 8989, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407.)

In 1980, the club held an Anniversary Banquet at a restaurant called Richard's. Fifteen people attended (including a female member named Nancy). After the banquet the club received many responses from members of the community who wished they had been able to attend. The next year an even larger banquet was held at Richard's, and this banquet even included a leather fashion show presented by a local leather shop called Goliath's Leather Emporium.

Members of the Black Guard traveled to a run in Milwaukee, WI, where they met and formed a lasting friendship with another new club that was just starting out: The Argonauts of Wisconsin. Which even today they are the closest of friends! The Argonauts of Wisconsin and The Castaways of Milwaukee, hold an annual joint leather-campout usually the third weekend in August. For more information on their camp-out, contact Al kamke at coy69boy@aol.com.

The Black Guard presented its first-ever Black Frost in 1982. That first run and show was enthusiastically received by the community, leading the club to make it an annual event. The club and the run quickly developed a national reputation. The Black Guard was recently called "The Premier Show Club in the U.S." by Drummer Magazine, and their Black Frost run was selected by Drummer as one of the nation's top four runs to attend.

Another annual event on the Black Guard calendar is the Chili Feed, which is always scheduled in November and is always a fun evening. The GRAND PRISE IS A FREE RUN PACK for our run in February of the following year.

But it's not all just fun and games. According to club historian Ralph Schmidt, "The Black Guard has always been willing to extend a friendly, helpful hand to everyone, and our members have traveled to many states and made many long and lasting friendships that continue to this day." As an example, he notes that "when the Knights of Leather (a local women's leather group) first organized, the Black Guard lent them the use of our club house for their meetings." Ralph Schmidt is the only Founding Father still with the club.

Over the years Black Guard members have been generous in volunteering their time, often providing staffing assistance for local leather contests. The Black Guard has also lent their assistance and financial support to many organizations for start-up and ongoing help. A partial list of such organizations would include The Minnesota AIDS Project, The Aliveness Project, Every Penny Counts, District 202, and All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church. Most of these donations were done anonymously, and the Black Guard carries on the tradition of charitable giving today. The Black Guard of Minneapolis over the past few years has dispersed over $80,000 dollars to various Twin Cities and Minnesota GLBT-related charities through their fundraising efforts. They have also worked with, or teamed with, other organizations to raise another $250,000 in that same time period.

According to historian Ralph Schmidt, "Raising funds for charity has always been a part of our philosophy." But while the philosophy may stay the same, the methods of raising those funds are becoming increasingly sophisticated as the Black Guard teams with corporations and other groups in sponsorship arrangements.

What does the future hold for The Black Guard? Well, to find out, you'll just have to come back to next year's Black Frost our 33rd Anniversary.... Seriously though, members of the club are already making plans - BIG plans. Here's a hint.... "You just may enjoy yourself ! ! !" We hope to see some of you very soon out-and-about for cocktails, coffee, or just good conversation.©