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BLUF HQ

@bluf.social
1.9K followers 499 following 1.8K posts

Official account representing BLUF, the Breeches & Leather Uniform Fanclub. Posts here may be made by various members of the admin team. See @subdirectory.uk for the former director, Nigel. Find out more at bluf.com

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Reposted by BLUF HQ
subdirectory.uk @subdirectory.uk · 12/09/2026
If you're in Berlin, we've got two places you can pick up Manumission today- Segunda Casa or the Proteus stand at the street fair. Grab one and post a pic with it! #Manumission
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 17/08/2026
Check out this new zine from our former Director, Nigel
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subdirectory.uk @subdirectory.uk · 07/08/2026
Featuring cute owls and more: photos from the Irish National Heritage Park flic.kr/s/aHBqjD1YEY
flic.kr
Irish National Heritage Park
A series of shots at the Irish National Heritage Park, just north of Wexford. Items include bronze age mine, viking boat shed, pre-christian and early christian buildings. Shot on long-expired F...
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Reposted by BLUF HQ
BLUFBear @blufbear.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Nigel Whitfield has now handed over BLUF after 17 years. We spoke about desire becoming infrastructure, the hidden labour behind queer community, and what happens when caring for it consumes the person doing the caring.
blufbear.blog
When Nigel from BLUF Became Nigel Again
For seventeen years, Nigel Whitfield helped turn BLUF, the Breeches and Leather Uniform Fanclub, from a specialist website into an international leather community. As he steps down, he reflects on desire, belonging, gatekeeping, invisible labour and the personal cost of becoming inseparable from the community he sustained.
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London Leathermen @londonleathermen.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
The countdown is over - London Pride is tomorrow 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Before you head out, make sure you’ve got everything you need for a safe, comfortable and unforgettable day. Check out our final march checklist! Let’s make some noise and make ourselves seen! ❤️🖤💙 @bluf.social @blufclub.bsky.social
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subdirectory.uk @subdirectory.uk · 28/06/2026
If any BLUF members are marching in the London Pride Parade next weekend, and would like the BLUF pink triangle flag I have here, get in touch
A black flag with the BLUF logo above a pink triangle
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 27/06/2026
Dublin, Helsinki, Oslo: have a great Pride today
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subdirectory.uk @subdirectory.uk · 26/06/2026
It's time for more top secret info, before the Council of Elders silences me forever! Help me, IML Kenobi, you're my only hope!
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subdirectory.uk @subdirectory.uk · 20/06/2026
Going through the very kind personal messages some of you have sent me this week. I'll try to get to everyone as soon as I can.
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 19/06/2026
EU Store update: New EU customs rules from 1st July will add a charge of €3 per item on tie clips, badges, keyrings & epaulette sliders for members in the EU. Order in the next week if you are in the EU and want to receive items before the new charges come into effect. Nigel, aka SubDirectory (3)
EU Store update:

New EU customs rules from 1st July will add a charge of €3 per item on tie clips, badges, keyrings & epaulette sliders for members in the EU.
Order in the next week if you are in the EU and want to receive items before the new charges come into effect.
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Reposted by BLUF HQ
Leather Cruise at Underground @leathercruise.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
❤️🖤 LEATHER CRUISE SATURDAY 20 JUNE - 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ EDITION Join us at Leather Cruise from 7pm-Midnight at the Underground Club tor an evening of leather, socialising, cruise and community. @bluf.social @londonleathermen.bsky.social
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 16/06/2026
Signing off bluf.com/b/737
And so, it ends. Today marks seventeen years since I took over running BLUF from Leon. It also marks the official end of the transition of BLUF to the new team.
The full text of my final post is on the BLUF blog.On events

It’s not an exaggeration to state that, each year, thousands of people around the world attend BLUF events, both members and non-members. 
And it’s these meetings, hosted by volunteers in over fifty cities, that really are the beating heart of the club, helping people to make connections in real life. Some of those people will become members, and it won’t be long before we have over 6,000 of them.
A heartfelt thanks - I really can’t say it often enough - is due to the many members who have put in their time, and in some cases, their own money, to bring BLUF events to an increasing number of cities.What's next

Though my involvement with BLUF will be much reduced, I’m certainly not stepping away from the leather scene; in fact, I’m hoping to spend much more time involved, now as just “Nigel” rather than “Nigel from BLUF.”
Later this year, look out for another new project, which will be a zine focussing on providing a space for people to share thoughts and theories about leather, kink, and SM.
There are plenty of other ideas and projects on the drawing board too - keep an eye on my social media for announcements as those come to fruition over the coming months and years.And finally

A task like this, similarly to being a “Mr,” can mean that you are almost always “on duty,” leaving less time for making truly personal connections - though I have met some amazing, wonderful people over the years, and made some firm friends.
Our new team, Rich #4, Shamil #6 and Simon #8 have between them the skills and the enthusiasm to take BLUF forward into the future. I hope you will all give them support as they plan and shape the future of the club.
I leave you somewhat tired and emotional. But looking forward to the future, and working on new projects.
For both myself, and the club, this is the start of a new era; I can’t wait to see what happens next.
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subdirectory.uk @subdirectory.uk · 12/06/2026
If you want to add a touch of militancy to your uniform this Pride, these are now available at store.bluf.com
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 09/06/2026
This account will be handed over to the new BLUF Admin team shortly. For continued access to my wit, snark, filth and occassional cat pics, follow me @subdirectory.uk Nigel
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 09/06/2026
Here's to the boys in the backroom
What lies beneath

When you look at a website like BLUF, as an ordinary user, what you don’t see is just as important.

Behind the scenes, there’s a whole other side, for administration, which is almost as important. Nor do you see the dozens of daily emails, reports and other things that make it all happen.

And the same is true of clubs, of titleholders, of businesses, and anyone else who serves the community.

The events you go to, the people taking the stage, the stores you visit - they are just a part of it all.

What lies beneath is often where the hardest work is done.
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 08/06/2026
Latest from the UK government: A scowling nun, embedded in your phone.
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Reposted by BLUF HQ
subdirectory.uk @subdirectory.uk · 08/06/2026
Some photos from my archives of past London Leather Socials: Picnic, July 2014: flic.kr/s/aHsjZJwCLt November 2014: flic.kr/s/aHsk5PzRWo March 2015: flic.kr/s/aHsk97KAMA
flic.kr
Leather Social, March 1 2015
A set of photos from the London Leather Social on March 1st at Comptons. The social is held from around 5pm in the upstairs bar on the first Sunday of every month. No dress code, and everyone is we...
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 06/06/2026
Today's factoid: since 2016, I have written over 300,000 lines of code for the BLUF websites. This doesn't include the app.
300, 000.

Number of lines of code written for the BLUF websites since 2016.
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subdirectory.uk @subdirectory.uk · 04/06/2026
Some thoughts on the rainbow flag, and why you probably won't see me with one this month.
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BLUF Events Feed @events.bluf.social · 03/06/2026
Deep Inside Friday 19 June Eagle London, 349 Kennington Ln, London SE11 5QY, UK, London, United Kingdom bluf.com/e/6688
Poster for Deep Inside
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Race Bannon @racebannon.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Our Kink Is My Superpower crew has launched a YouTube channel using documentary footage already shot and other new content. Here I explain why I think kink communities need a balance between affinity spaces and highly inclusive spaces. Like, subscribe, click bell, share. youtu.be/IxBBiITHq04?...
youtu.be
Gatekeeping vs. Inclusivity — The Kink Community's Hardest Conversation
YouTube video by Kink Is My Superpower
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Reposted by BLUF HQ
London Leathermen @londonleathermen.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
This Pride Month we reflect on what Pride means to us at LLM.
londonleathermen.co.uk
What Pride Means to Us
This Pride Month we reflect on what Pride means to us at LLM. For many of our members and non-members leather is more than a style, a flag, or a community. It’s a home, a place where people have found friendship, love, belonging and chosen family. Pride exists because generations of LGBTQ+ people, including current and previous club members, refused to be hidden and refused to accept exclusion.
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subdirectory.uk @subdirectory.uk · 02/06/2026
Any questions? DM me any questions about my time running BLUF and I'll try to answer as many as I can.
Any questions? 

Got any questions about BLUF?

My 17 years is almost up - send me questions and I'll try to answer as many as I can
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BLUF Events Feed @events.bluf.social · 01/06/2026
Welcome to June! This month there are 44 events in the #BLUFclub calendar. #gayleather Find them all here: bluf.com/events/thismonth
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 28/05/2026
This is a drum I am always happy to bang. Whether for BLUF specifically, or leather more generally, you absolutely do not have to break the bank to look good or stand out. Sure, if you want to spend money on a 'signature' piece, go ahead. But even a look like BLUF can be done on a budget.
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 28/05/2026
The latest update to our app is now available via auto-update for Android and iOS.
The latest update to our app is now available via auto-update for Android and iOS.

This adds an “On BlueSky” option, which will show you all members who have added their BlueSky ID to their profile.

Long press on a member in the grid or list views to go directly to their BlueSky profile, so you can follow them.

You can also access their BlueSky profile via the link menu (the chain icon) on BLUF profiles.

Search “BLUF Navigator” in the Google Play or the App Store.
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 27/05/2026
New in the BLUF Store: stainless steel 500ml water bottle £25 / €30 Get yours at store.bluf.com and stay hydrated this summer Nigel, aka SubDirectory (3)
New in the BLUF Store: stainless steel 500ml water bottle

£25 / €30

Get yours at https://store.bluf.com and stay hydrated this summer
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 27/05/2026
It's another hot day in London, but thanks to this stylish BLUF water bottle, I don't have to worry about dehydrating on the bus.
A bearded man holds a metal water bottle with the BLUF logo on it
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 26/05/2026
Store update: As part of the BLUF transition, there will be some behind-the-scenes changes to the BLUF UK/worldwide store. You may now see the name SubDirectory appear on your credit/debit card receipt. The EU store is not affected by these changes. Nigel, aka SubDirectory (3)
Store update:

As part of the BLUF transition, there will be some behind-the-scenes changes to the BLUF UK/worldwide store.

You may now see the name SubDirectory appear on your credit/debit card receipt.
The EU store is not affected by these changes.
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Reposted by BLUF HQ
hobbler 🔜 MLW @hobbler.ie · 25/05/2026
My 4th place speech. A bit of fumbling at the start but it came together. I need to work on my posture a little more when I’m speaking but happy with overall delivery.
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 24/05/2026
Want to march with BLUF and London Leathermen at Pride? To join us - please follow the link in the event description to sign up. Remember, spaces are limited - first come, first served. And please don't forget to let us know if you can't make it. bluf.com/e/6676 Nigel, aka SubDirectory (3)
Want to march with BLUF and London Leathermen at Pride? To join us - please follow the link in the event description to sign up. Remember, spaces are limited - first come, first served. And please don't forget to let us know if you can't make it.
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 23/05/2026
This is a test. Nothing to see here. Please move along. Nigel, aka SubDirectory (3)
This is a test. Nothing to see here. Please move along.
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Reposted by BLUF HQ
subdirectory.uk @subdirectory.uk · 23/05/2026
Nobody is free until everybody is free
Nobody is free until everybody is free

Intersectionality – the way different types of discrimination interact – matters. We may all have different needs, and face different hurdles, but we’re stronger together.

And you can see this clearly in the new trans guidance for the UK, which even the government’s own assessment acknowledges may mean disabled people face even more limited access to toilet facilities, as trans people may be forced to use them as well.

Women who don’t conform to traditional standards of femininity are also more likely to be harassed by self-appointed “toilet police” as a result of these new guidelines.

It’s far better to fight together than to fail alone. Everyone wins.
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Reposted by BLUF HQ
BLUF Events Feed @events.bluf.social · 21/05/2026
Deep Inside Friday 22 May Eagle London, 349 Kennington Ln, London SE11 5QY, UK, London, United Kingdom bluf.com/e/6668
Poster for Deep Inside
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 11/05/2026
Change and evolution: some of the notable events in my 17 years running BLUF. This is my penultimate blog post. bluf.com/b/733
bluf.com
Change and evolution
BLUF blog: Seventeen years is a long time; both BLUF and the wider world have changed a lot, and we've faced challenges along the way. Outwardly, on BLUF itself, while the club remains the same at its...
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 09/05/2026
Sigh... once again, message from Meta that our FB page isn't eligible for recommendations. Nothing has changed since the last time they did this, then flip-flopped a few days later. Again, for those at the back: Meta hates queer expression.
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Gay Community News @gcnmag.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Meta is facing renewed criticism following account suspensions. Read 👉 buff.ly/ocrZjRr #GCNnews
The hand of a person holding a phone with the app Instagram visible on the screen. It has a blue and purple gradient with the GCN logo and the article's title that reads: "Meta faces backlash over increased censorship of LGBTQ+ content". At the bottom of the image, a message says: "Read more on www.gcn.ie at the link in bio".
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subdirectory.uk @subdirectory.uk · 01/05/2026
Some thoughts, as we come towards the end of transition
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BLUF Events Feed @events.bluf.social · 01/05/2026
Welcome to May! This month there are 47 events in the #BLUFclub calendar. #gayleather Find them all here: bluf.com/events/thismonth
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hobbler 🔜 MLW @hobbler.ie · 01/05/2026
hobbler.ie/thoughts/don... Don't wait for someone else to make a space for you if nothing is coming. Don't wait for permission to make it happen...
hobbler.ie
Don't Wait | hobbler
Don't wait for someone else to make a space for you if nothing is coming. Don't wait for permission to make it happen. No social near you? Pick a cafe, set a reliable date and turn up. It might be jus...
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 01/05/2026
It looks very much as if some sort of shadow-ban has been applied to our automated event posts. You can find our calendar info elsewhere: BlueSky: @events.bluf.social Telegram: @BLUFcalendar Mastodon: @events@bluf.com iCal feed: bluf.com/pages/calend...
It looks very much as if some sort of shadow-ban has been applied to our automated event posts.

The Meta dashboard simply says we’ve been rate limited, for exceeding the number of API calls. It claims we’ve made over 69,000 in 24 hours - which is remarkable for a script that attempts to post only a few times a day! I can only conclude that this is a ban that they don’t want to admit is a ban.

You can find our calendar info elsewhere:

BlueSky: @events.bluf.social
Telegram: @BLUFcalendar
Mastodon: @events@bluf.com
iCal feed: bluf.com/pages/calendarfeed
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 30/04/2026
This survey in Ireland is heartening - support for trans people up from 70% in 2024 to 75% in 2025. But also a reminder that all too often, media disproportionately amplifies the voices of those who hate minorities. www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
rte.ie
Far-right narrative not the majority view - report
A report by the Hope and Courage Collective, which works to build resilience in communities against rising far-right hate and disinformation, has found a widening gap between public attitudes and poli...
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Dr Jo Kershaw @mthrjo.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Friends, if you’re taking sertraline, check the batch number as there is a recall out and you may have ended up with a mislabelled lower dose of citalopram. www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Precautionary recall of antidepressant medication due to manufacturing error
The MHRA has advised healthcare professionals to stop supplying the affected batch of Sertraline 100mg and return all remaining stock to their suppliers.
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 26/04/2026
Re-sharing for any who missed it yesterday. Definitely worth a Sunday read.
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subdirectory.uk @subdirectory.uk · 25/04/2026
This piece from @mistrq.bsky.social is great reading for anyone wondering about the dynamics of kink and power exchange mstrq.substack.com/p/bedd-towar...
mstrq.substack.com
BED+D: Towards a Structural Theory of Power-Exchange Kink
Being - Expression - Doing, and Devotion. Yes, the name is intentional: bed plus a big D - what else do you need?
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 23/04/2026
It's Lesbian Visibility Week #LVW26 and I'd like to highlight "Mama" Vi Johnson, who for over three decades has collected kinky and queer stories, history and artefacts at the Carter Johnson Leather Library and Collection. carterjohnsonlibrary.com
History matters. The lives and experience of queer, kinky people illuminate our past, and help guide our future. “Mama” Vi Johnson founded the Carter/Johnson Leather Library and stepped down as Executive Director and Chair this year, after more than three decades preserving stories and artefacts from the 1700s to the present day.
Find out more about the collection at carterjohnsonlibrary.com
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 18/04/2026
Have just been forwarded a statement by Budaprest Pride, which is well worth reading. Just confirming sources
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 18/04/2026
Post the best picture you have ever taken of your pet If my cats, Cagney and Lacey, ever released an album of jingly-jangly indie pop, this would have to be the cover art.
A picture of two young cats looking towards the camera. Each is wearing a cone round their head.
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 18/04/2026
So, we didn't appeal when we got that FB notice about out page no longer being recommended. And we didn't change anything. And today, it's all back to normal. Which is nice, but honestly, how can you build things when you are forever at Meta's whim?
A notification from Facebook saying "You're back on track. We're recommending your Page again."
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BLUF HQ @bluf.social · 15/04/2026
This story has been leading the bulletins on Radio 4 most of today. And as pointed out in the QP, only 3% of all claims are related to sexuality. A tiny number of people are trying to play the system; meanwhile the Home Office humiliates and ignores many real claimants. Scurrilous homophobia.
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