On the Friday night after Thanksgiving, a hotel room on the 17th floor of the Hotel Indigo in Downtown Los Angeles was transformed into a leather dressing room. About a dozen friends crowded around a king-size bed, cracking open Tecates, vibing to techno house music from a portable speaker, and adjusting each other’s harnesses.
The flash of a digital camera went off like a strobe as Yair Lopez documented his friends before their night at an afterparty. They were all there as part of the L.A. iteration of CLAW: a national leather and kink convention that offers workshops, parties and community spaces for people interested in BDSM culture. Founded in 2002, the convention started out in Cleveland, but has also held events in in L.A. since 2021.
As others spent their Thanksgiving holiday with blood relatives at the dinner table, this particular gathering was dubbed “Leather Thanksgiving” — a celebration of chosen family, cobbled together from various corners of L.A.’s queer nightlife. For Lopez and his friends, that sense of belonging is only growing.
“This chain was gifted to me from a friend,” Lopez said as he adjusted the silver around his neck. “Chains with a lock represent that you have a dom and the other person has the key. I’m still waiting for the lock,” he added jokingly, glancing at his boyfriend.
Leather enthusiasts pre-game ahead of the release party for the film, “Encuerados,” on November 28th at the Hotel Indigo in Downtown Los Angeles.
(Yair Lopez / For De Los)
It was a big day for Lopez. Earlier he showcased three of his photos as part of a leather art gallery and attended a screening of “Encuerados,” a short documentary he appeared in, which shadowed a group of Latino men carving out space in L.A.’s leather community. An “Encuerados” afterparty would soon follow.
For Lopez and his friends, leather is less about fetish and more about kinship, safety and visibility, in a city where queer Latino spaces remain scarce.
Lopez has become a visible force in L.A.’s leather underground scene, building community through both his art and the spaces he helps create. He has self-published his work through photos and zines; he also founded Contramundo, a Latino leather night at the Bullet Bar in North Hollywood. His community work even led to a third-place finish in the 2023 Mr. L.A. Leather competition.
He started shooting a decade ago, moving from street scenes and hikes to L.A.’s queer nightlife. That work eventually led him to the Eagle, where he found a muse and a community he didn’t know he needed.
“I grew up in a pretty religious Mexican household in the San Fernando Valley. I was made to feel ashamed of who I was, even my own body, so finding this felt so needed,” he recalled.
Located in Silver Lake, the Eagle is a legacy leather bar that has anchored L.A.’s kink scene for decades. It is also one of the few remaining spaces for this corner of queer nightlife. And while Lopez did feel seen through the leather community, there was still a piece missing.
“It is no surprise that a lot of gay spaces are predominantly white, so finding gay brown community is hard. But that changed when I started meeting other like-minded Latinos in leather,” Lopez said.
The group of friends ran into Iriarte as they made their way to the 18th floor, where he was DJing for the night in a large, dimly lit conference room.
Dressed in black leather pants and boots, Iriarte had “Mr. L.A. Leather 2011” embroidered across the back of his vest. The Michoacán native also happened to be the protagonist of the “Encuerados” documentary and host of the “” afterparty.
“When I moved to the United States in 2001, I didn’t move for the classic American dream of looking for a better life financially,” said Iriarte. “My purpose of moving here was to be free as a gay person.”
Latinos in leather pose ahead of the “Encuerados” screening during the CLAW L.A. convention on November 28th at the Hotel Indigo in Downtown Los Angeles.
(Yair Lopez / For De Los)
And while Iriarte did find that freedom he hoped for, he was not prepared for the racism he would encounter in the leather scene — especially after winning his title.
“I remember a hate campaign and even death threats after I won,” he said. “It was scary, but it opened a door for other Latinos, and this space has grown so much since.”
As it gets closer to midnight, the dark conference room swells with bodies moving to Iriarte’s pulsing techno. Partygoers poured in sporting leather chaps, chest-hugging harnesses, and even tejana hats for a vaquero-leather twist.
Lopez put down his camera to circulate and greet friends from over the years. He bumped into Orlando Bedolla, director of “Encuerados,” who first met Lopez four years ago while filming the documentary.
“I learned about his photography, the zine he was making, all of it,” Bedolla said. “I found him interesting because he is literally a Latino increasing Latino representation in the leather community.”
Bedolla recalled attending CLAW L.A. in 2021 and going to his first Latino party there after getting an invite from Payasos L.A. Inside, he found a room full of mostly Latino men in jockstraps, harnesses and leather. He was struck by the energy of an underground community he didn’t realize existed. That night would become the seed for the film.
On the dance floor, colored lights flashed across Lopez’s visage as he tried to keep track of his room key. His friends borrowed it to run upstairs to their shared room for more drinks — and he wondered aloud about how messy it would be after their two-night stay.
These spaces, low-lit yet overflowing with camaraderie, offer the community something harder to find anywhere else, especially during the holidays: the freedom to be fully themselves.
“When I step into spaces like this, I don’t just see leather,” Lopez said, taking a sip of his vodka soda. “I see people reaching for some kind of joy and connection we’re constantly told is wrong. But we all want to feel touched and seen — and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Ever wondered what happens if you accidentally forget to put your phone on airplane mode during a flight? One pilot shared the consequences of skipping this safety precaution
Christine Younan Deputy Editor Social Newsdesk
07:05, 16 Dec 2025Updated 07:35, 16 Dec 2025
There’s a reason you must always use airplane mode(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
There are many safety precautions that come with travelling on a flight. Not only do you spend ages passing through security, then finding your all-important gate information, there’s quite a procedure on-board the flight too.
You’re sat down waiting for your plane to leave the gate, but first, you must have your armrests down, windows up and phones on airplane mode. Now have you ever wondered why you should always put your device on airplane mode? One pilot explained what actually happens if you forget the safety precaution in a YouTube post shared by WKYC Channel 3.
The cabin crew member claimed it’s simply “not a conspiracy” and that it’s hardly the “end of the world” if you were to forget.
He said in the video which scooped more than 26,000 views: “This is just a friendly PSA the airplane mode button on your phone is not a conspiracy.
“So if you forget to put your phone on airplane mode, no it’s not the end of the world, the plane will not fall out of the sky and it won’t even mess with the systems on board.
“However, it does have the potential to mess with the headsets, if you have an aircraft with 70, 80 or 150 people on board and even three or four people’s phones start to try to make a connection to a radio tower for an incoming phone call, it sends out radio waves, there’s the potential those radio waves can interfere with the headsets the pilots are using.”
The pilot also explained a situation in San Francisco where he experienced an “annoying buzz” with his headset when one traveller forgot their phone during take-off.
Describing it as a “mosquito”, he said: “And as soon as we started to get the directions, we got this really annoying buzz with the headset.
“Not the end of the world but definitely annoying when you’re trying to copy down instructions and it sounds like there’s a wasp or something lying around you. So if you’re ever curious why you get put on airplane mode, that’s why.”
Why should you put phone on airplane mode?
Interferes with aircraft: Your phone sends out radio waves and when there’s a large number of devices involved, it could disrupt sensitive cockpit communications and navigate equipment. This could create a buzzing sound or other noise in a pilot’s headset.
Air traffic control: Having your phone on airplane mode could interfere during take-off and landing when pilots rely on clear communication.
Battery life: Without airplane mode, your phone constantly searches for cell towers which can drain your battery.
Samos is known for relaxing beaches, serene water and traditional tavernas, like Welcome Bar Restaurant, a TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award for 2025, where tourists can grab fresh seafood dishes including grilled cod and octopus.
One popular thing to see on the island is the monuments of Kings’, Priests and other significant figures.
And there are two UNESCO monuments on the island, including the ancient city of Pythagoreion and the ancient Temple of Hera, Heraion of Samos.
The island is also a great spot for keen hikers, with mountains, caves and ravines to explore.
For example, you could head to Mount Kerkis, which stands 1400 metres above sea level.
If hiking isn’t your thing though, there is plenty more to explore on Samos including the town, where you’ll find neoclassical buildings.
The island has several beaches too, including Tsamadou Beach, which is lined with pine trees and features clear water.
Alternatively, head to Kokkari Beach, which is located in a charming village.
A meal on Samos is likely to set you back around €10 (£8.76) and a beer around €4 (£3.50).
Preveza
Meanwhile, Preveza has also seen an increase in bookings, up 10 per cent.
It is the ideal destination for reaching Lefkada, meaning travellers can experience two destinations in one trip.
Preveza is located at the edge of the Amvrakikos Gulf and features a number of ancient sites as well as stunning landscapes.
In the Old Town, visitors can explore the historic port and get lost in a number of narrow, cobbled alleys that lead away from the harbour, with several traditional buildings too.
One key spot worth discovering is Saitan Bazar, which is a historic lane featuring tiny independent shops and cafes, that are covered in vines and known for having lively atmospheres.
For beaches, there is plenty of choice too, including Monolithi – which is one of Europe‘s longest sandy beaches, stretching between 13.5 and 15.5 miles long.
In Preveza, travellers will find one of Europe’s longest beachesCredit: Getty
One recent visitor said: “Monolithi Beach is a long, beautiful, and mostly empty beach – perfect for those who enjoy peace and quiet by the sea.
“There is plenty of space to relax without crowds, as well as lots of natural shade near the parking area.”
A meal in Preveza is likely to set you back around €8 (£7.01) and a beer around €3 (£2.63).
Kefalonia
Kefalonia has seen growth, especially with couples and families visiting.
Caroline McGuire, The Sun’s Head of Travel – Digital, said: “I visited Kefalonia on a family holiday a few years ago, after looking for the ideal Greek island for a trip with a three year old.
“The island in the Ionian Sea — a Hollywood star in its own right thanks to the 2001 film version of Louis de Bernieres wartime novel — ticked all the boxes and boasts what is often claimed as Greece’s best beach.
“We spent a week on the island in mid-May and enjoyed everything it had to offer — without spending too much money.
Myrtos beach in Kefalonia is regularly named one of Greece’s top fiveCredit: Alamy
“Our timing (outside of school holidays) meant we were one of the few tourist groups on the island.
“The weather was still perfect though. The average is highs of 21C in May and the same in October.
“There were no crowds, either. Looking out at Myrtos beach, which is regularly named one of Greece’s top five, it felt like we were being let in on a great secret.”
A meal on Kefalonia is likely to set you back around €13.50 (£11.82) and a beer around €4.25 (£3.81).
A meal on Kefalonia is likely to set you back around €13.50 (£11.82)Credit: Getty
Halkidiki
In Halkidiki, another island seeing a boom, there are more stunning beaches, as well as secluded coves.
An amazing spot to explore is Mount Athos, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important centres of Orthodox monasticism.
It is known as the ‘Holy Mountain’ and is home to 20 historic monasteries, including ones that date back over 1,000 years.
In this region you can expect a meal at an inexpensive restaurant to set you back around €7 (£6.13) and a beer around €2.75 (£2.41).
Halkidiki is home to Mount Athos, which has 20 historic monasteriesCredit: Alamy
Commercial director at TUI UK & Ireland, Chris Logan said: “What we are seeing is Brits exploring Greece in a whole new way.
“These picturesque islands offer incredible beaches, amazing food and fantastic value without the crowds allowing people the chance to truly relax and indulge.
“The demand shows travellers are ready to go beyond the classics and discover Greece’s hidden gems and TUI makes it simple, with flights, transfers, hotels and 24/7 support all sorted.”
For other places worth visiting in Greece, there is an island with 70 beaches that experts warn you should see before it gets too popular.
