23Keynote

Leather History Preservation Weekend 2023

Keynote Historian


Paul Berry
BJAPRIES ONYX

Profile -

Paul Barry has been an outstanding voice in the Southeast Leather community for many years.  To many, he is Paul, to others "Encyclopedia Brown," but to his Leather family and community, he is perhaps best known by his name as a brother of Men of Onyx - BJAPRIES ONYX.

His Leather Journey started over 20 years ago in Atlanta Eagle at Onyx Bar Nights. During the early 2000s, BJAPRIES was intrigued with the Leather and BDSM scene in the southeast.  In 2006, after the “Infamous Red Door” incident, he decided to become a Member of the Southeast Chapter of the Onyx Leather Organization, and became a Full Brother in 2007.

For the past 15+ yrs., BJAPRIES ONYX has held numerous Officers positions with Onyx, to include Road Captain & Historian for the Onyx SE Chapter. He collaborated over the years in Atlanta with many National and Local Organizations to include Thrive SS, AID Atlanta, Atlanta Gay Pride Committee, Atlanta Black Gay Pride Committee, Veteran Affairs, and Lost N Found. 


In 2017, BJAPRIES ONYX was MR SECC 2017 and 1st Runner Up for ABW. During his Titleholder year, he logged over 18,000 miles and attended over 25+ Leather Events to raise awareness of each Leather community's causes.

BJAPRIES ONYX is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and is a Desert Storm Veteran with over 12 years of Active Service.  He served 15 yrs. as a Medical Educator for Community Colleges and Private Institutions in the Southeast. Currently, BJAPRIES ONYX is an alumni member and married to SCORPIO ONYX, and they have resided in Pensacola for the past 5 years.

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