Pride season is upon us, and this year we’re ringing it in by spotlighting the folks who make us proud to show up to work each day — the artists, activists, performers and personalities who make our community shine.
Ali Mushtaq is the current reigning Mr. Long Beach Leather and LGBTQ activist. In cooperation with the L.A. Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Long Beach Imperial Court, he has produced fundraisers for AIDS Lifecycle and the LGBT Center of Long Beach. He has also helped raise money for APLA, Minority AIDS project, and Bienestar. He’s finishing his Ph.D in Sociology and is a proud West Coast Swing dancer!
Describe your first pride.
The year I turned 18. I remember getting in on a media pass as my photographer friend’s assistant. It was fun because I got to spend time with my friends from school at L.A. Pride. I remember watching the parade and thinking how awesome the LGBTQ community was because of our diversity.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
What was your most awkward Pride moment?
It was at a pre-gaming with my friends before Pride one year. I had had a lot to drink. Somehow I found myself in the arms of some guy that I met there. After making out with him for a while, I eventually called him the wrong name. That was pretty awkward.
Which city’s Pride is on your bucket list?
I’ve always wanted to go to Pride in the U.K. I especially want to go because it has a high South Asian population, or people that are from places like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, et cetera. They also have a lot of gay Muslims and Hindus. As much as I love people of all backgrounds, I especially want to go there because it would be fun celebrating pride with people from my background.
Does Pride feel different this year?
We’re dealing with a lot of issues. We’re dealing with political climate that marginalizes Muslims, people of color, trans people, women, and LGBTQ people. At the same time, we’re still working on healing these kinds of divisions within the LGBTQ community. It definitely feels like a different kind of Pride because we’re continuing to deal with our own identity crisis as well as other political issues.
Ultimate pride song?
I watched Queer as Folk as a teenager. For me, that show was a source of empowerment. I learned how to be proud of my body and sexuality. So the song “Proud” by Heather Small, which was one of the last songs of the series, encapsulated that feeling of pride in myself, and especially the idea that it was not only ok to be gay, but that I could be the change I wanted to see in my community.
Your ideal pride outfit? Let me guess… Leather?
I’m a leatherman! I love the overall freedom and acceptance that the leather/BDSM community espouses. So for me, I’m comfortable in a jockstrap and harness because I’m proud to be a gay Muslim who is into leather. By being in a jockstrap and a harness, I’m exercising a freedom that a lot of Muslims (and others) around the world don’t have: The freedom to be who they are. A lot of Muslim risk losing their communities, loved ones, and even their lives when they choose to come out of the closet. So I represent myself this way because I know they sometimes can’t.
Related: Mr. Long Beach Leather poses with his adorable Pakistani grandparents
Photo credit: Ali Mushtaq/Facebook
Heywood Jablowme
There’s nothing like leather in SoCal when it’s 105 degrees!
Danny595
If I knew nothing about this guy and just saw him on the street in normal clothes, I would think “Wow, he’s attractive.” But seeing him in that ridiculous costume makes me laugh at him. Is that supposed to be sexy? It’s as silly as walking around in a furry costume. And then reading the interview, where he talks about getting drunk and making out with complete strangers, it’s just gross. He thinks he is coming off as hot but he really just comes off as sad and pathetic.
fur_hunter
Danny…..give the guy a break. He is young. Damn. Weren’t you ever young? He’s enjoying his moment. Sure he’s acting crazy, but HEY…..He’s from Middle Eastern heritage where they kill gay guys over there. He is just letting off some well-deserved steam. He’s enjoying the facts that he can be himself and not killed for it. Yes. I know you made some valid comments, but I will tell you. When I was young, do you think I would have been able to walk down a street in that outfit and not be stoned by folks in the city at that time? Believe it! Just remember….Oh, The Times They are a Changin’…….Thank you, Jesus!
Danny595
fur_hunter – I’m 22. I’m younger than this dude. I don’t walk around in a costume and have sex with complete strangers whose names I don’t even know. It’s about self-respect. If you respect yourself as a man, you will carry yourself with dignity. If you don’t respect yourself, you walk around like a pathetic cartoon character and you treat your body like it’s a cheap commodity.
flightoftheseabird
You may find it silly but it’s him. I’d just like to outline what his silliness has achieved. He’s about a minute from having a PhD. He’s a professor who forces his students to critically think. He’s very involved with the local LGBTQ community in LA/LB/OC. He an active and visible QPoC. He Is smart as a whip (and knows how to use one). A vocal HIV activist.
mujerado
Danny…You are more judgmental than men three times your age. If a man respects himself he doesn’t need anyone else’s permission to act or to dress as he sees fit. If he’s not ashamed of how he presents himself you have no place shaming him for it. That’s one aspect of gay pride maybe you haven’t discovered yet.
fur_hunter
I’m sorry…..but no one should be allowed to be that Handsome and Good-Looking…..DAMN!!!! I feel cheated. I must have done something really ugly in my last life that God punished me in this life. GRIN! No. Not really. I’m OK. Not the best looking guy on the block but OK. HEHEHHEHE. I have really enjoyed seeing all the events that Oueerty has posted. It makes me realize how far we have come since Stonewall. I hope the young people will keep the wheels of progress turning and not give up the fight for rights.
Kangol
I agree that he’s gorgeous. He is not Middle Eastern, he’s South Asian American. Just saying.
nmharleyrider
Same outfit we wearing in the 60s. That “leather” look never changes, always looks the same.
Thad
Long Beach is Southern California’s best kept secret.
Thanks for the introduction to Ali. Best wishes!
Kangol
Ali’s a very sexy man! He’s also a member of the Onyx Brotherhood, I think. Congrats to him, Onyx, and more hot leather brothers like him, please!
jhon_siders
Sadly he’s most likely just the look get him in the play room on the bench or cross and pick up a flogger or paddle he would be scared shitless !! see Tarzan hear Jane most of the guys I run into in leather that look so tough and hot scream like a girl when you slap them on the ass in there fitted chaps ! Sadly the days of real leather MEN are gone .
Kangol
You should go to IML or MAL and find out. I think you’d be surprised.
flightoftheseabird
Ali talks the talk and walks the walk.
jhon_siders
I used to attend IML and MAL Claw the Folsom fair along with the now gone MR Drummer I quit going when the idea of a after hours party was to get drunk and get your dick sucked no one plays like they used to a after hours party was the whips floggers and restraints came out along with the electro toys its nothing now but a look to id say about 90% of the guys now I held a title too many years ago its just a fashion show for title holders . I judged a contest about 4 years ago and the guys did not know who invented the leather pride flag or what the colors meant nor did they know the hanky code let along who Desmodus was ! There are a VERY few I SF that still play I visit now and then and they will say the same thing ILL ask about this guy see what they say .
Geeker
Sorry but I can’t take anyone dressed like that seriously.