A man and woman wearing leather masks.

Good boys coming to Galveston for Pup Weekend 

By Johnny Trlica

Throughout history, the LGBTQ+ community has been home to many subcultures. One need only look no further than the disco era band, The Village People. The YMCA singers represented the cowboy, leatherman, military, policeman, construction worker, and American Indian gay archetypes, popular at the time.

Today’s gay subcultures are even more diverse. Were a band in 2024 try to recreate a Village People style representation of gay lifestyles, it may include a twink, bear, cub, trans person, and a pup. Wait! What is a pup?

“The pup culture, while not as well known as some of the others, has been around for years. While the gay pup subculture has evolved into a distinctive sphere of its own, its origins can be traced back to leathermen and BDSM, with a lineage that extends far behind closed doors and beyond the reach of textbooks,” wrote Jamie Valentino for Queerty.

Folks in these communities didn’t need dog gear to enjoy getting on all fours, following commands, or collars. Besides, gay men have never been shy to woof! But gay pups are mostly known as a postmodern movement, gradually growing by the numbers as the acceptance of kink goes mainstream, Valentino writes.

While it would be impossible to go into detail about the pup culture, the Queerty column is an excellent source for the cliffs notes version. 

Gay pups blend the camaraderie found within queer tribes with the captivating allure of BDSM, making pup play an all-encompassing experience that combines both fetishism and a unique sense of brotherhood. Gay pups adopt a playful canine archetype, but every participant’s experience can look different. The absence of strict rules or prerequisites empowers individuals to pursue fulfillment in their own unique way, united by the common thread of role-playing as young dogs,†reads the column. 

While physicality often plays a defining role, in the world of pups, inclusivity is most important. All ages and body types are welcome to don a mask, tail, and leather mittens and join the pup community. 

While tribes like bears, otters, and twinks are distinguished by their bodies, they can all become pups! In fact, it’s not even limited to sexuality, though gay men tend to be the most visible demographic.

A handler most commonly called assumes a role akin to the BDSM practice of masters and slaves. However, being a gay pup is far from degrading; on the contrary, it’s about embracing the role eagerly and striving to be a good boy.

Unlike traditional hierarchies, upward movement is not the goal. Your role will echo your personality. Packs sometimes give their members more specialized roles, such as a muscle queen providing security from outsiders at bars. 

Of course, you can remain feral and play and experiment with other packs and their sirs without commitment. But many like the security, depth, and reliability of finding like-minded individuals and evolving together, including opportunities for real-life friendships and mentorship, continues the Queerty article.

Terry Fuller-Waymire, aka Kylo, told the MONTROSE STAR: I could go into such details about the pup community and the wonderful and colorful layers we have. We are a community of amazing souls that find release from our daily lives when we become our pup selves. While stated it is part of the kink, BDSM, and leather community there is so much more to it than the sexual part.

The headspace we get in, the roles we play in the community or in our packs, the brotherhood, and strong bonds we create. The release of our human self and becoming our pup and not having any worries. The playful nature and affections we share with other pups. Even the amazing gear we have to help us feel more like our pup self and create a unique pup we become so proud of.

Are you ready to explore your inner pup? Galveston is hosting a three-day event for all good boys and their handlers and the curious. Galveston Pup Weekend will take place May 17-19 at various venues on the island. May 17 is opening night at Island Time Beach Bar (3102 Seawall Blvd.), with a meet and greet starting at 9 p.m. and a drag show hosted by Kymber DeVine.

May 18 is beach day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Beach Town, access point #1A. Later that day is the Pup Contest at Robert’s Lafitte (2501 Avenue Q) beginning at 7 p.m. followed by a Glow Party with vendors on the patio and pool area.

The weekend wraps up with the Pup Pool Mosh Party starting at 12 noon and runs until 7 p.m. at Robert’s Lafitte. Live DJs, dancers, and vendors will be on site.

Fuller-Waymire, one of the organizers of Pup Weekend, wanted to create an event for the community as well as the people who love and support pups. I wanted an event to highlight the amazing community I have grown to love and want to help grow it in the most positive way I can. I also wanted an event to really shine on pups and for others to come and learn about us and gain education about the pup community. We are a vibrant and colorful group full of love and kindness, he said. And that’s why I created Galveston Pup Weekend and Gulf Coast Pups and Handlers for all those very reasons. So come and join us for Galveston Pup Weekend, learn about us and give head pats, belly rubs, and scratches to these pups. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

For more information on pup culture, QueerInTheWorld.com/gay-puppy-play/

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