Who We Are

We are the people behind the largest outdoor LGBTQA+ fetish/kink event east of the Mississippi.

Since 1997, the Folsom Street East street festival has been an annual highlight of the global fetish/kink calendar — an in-your-face, sex- and body-positive shared space on the streets of New York City for all to enjoy!

Mission Statement

Folsom Street East, Inc. celebrates and inspires participation and pride in fetish, kink, and LGBTQ communities through the creation of safe spaces for public expression of our sexual identities. Folsom Street East promotes and provides grants to other nonprofit organizations serving these communities.

Vision Statement

We envision a world where sexual self-discovery and fulfillment is supported by an environment that is safe, sane, and affirming.
We envision a world where access to a diversity of fetish/kink community spaces is expanded and fear of stigma and negative repercussions are diminished.
We envision a world where all people are empowered to challenge sexual norms and embrace and add to a broad spectrum of sexual identities and expressions.

Recognition

2016 New York City Anti-Violence Project Community Hero Award

Our Archive

Documents and objects relating to the history of Folsom Street East are held by the LGBT Community Center’s National History Archive located in New York City. Please contact the Archive directly for research purposes.

Annual Reports

Board of Directors

With the support of over 100 volunteers each year, Folsom Street East’s Board of Directors works year-round to produce fundraising events in aid of nonprofits serving New York City’s fetish/kink, LGBTQ+, and HIV-affected communities.

Robert Lopez, President
Witti Repartee, Vice President
Dick DeWilde, Treasurer
Rudy Flesher, Secretary
Matt Johnson, President Emeritus
Q Darqwolf, At-Large
Andrew Harwin, At-Large
Heysha Nameri, At-Large
Dax Volpe, At-Large

Folsom Street East

Since 1997, the Folsom Street East street festival has been an annual highlight of the global fetish/kink calendar — an in-your-face, sex- and body-positive shared space on the streets of New York City for all to enjoy!

Our Mission

Folsom Street East, Inc. celebrates and inspires participation and pride in fetish, kink, and LGBTQ communities through the creation of safe spaces for public expression of our sexual identities. Folsom Street East promotes and provides grants to other nonprofit organizations serving these communities.

We envision a world…

where sexual self-discovery and fulfillment is supported by an environment that is safe, sane, and affirming.
where access to a diversity of fetish/kink community spaces is expanded and fear of stigma and negative repercussions are diminished.
where all people are empowered to challenge sexual norms and embrace and add to a broad spectrum of sexual identities and expressions.