The History of the Highwaymen
“When we are trashed, we travel. And when we travel, we are trashed.”
A Note to Our Readers: An Evolving History
Welcome to our ongoing project to document the rich and vital history of the Highwaymen T.N.T. What you will read in the below post is a living document of our club’s legacy—it includes a compilation of stories, memories, and facts as we currently know them.
This history is a work in progress. There are many gaps in the narrative that we hope to fill over time.
The Genesis of the D.C. Leather Community
The 1960s were a challenging era for the LGBTQ+ community. Long before Pride festivals and public calls for equality, the community existed largely underground, creating its own culture in the shadows. Within that hidden world, a powerful new subculture was emerging: the leather scene.
In Washington, D.C., the heart of this burgeoning scene was the Eagle, a bar at 9th and I Street NW owned by Don Bruce. It swiftly became the essential gathering place for leathermen to find camaraderie and connection. The specific atmosphere of those early days—the music, the unspoken codes between patrons, and the ever-present possibility of a raid by code enforcement—are details that personal accounts may yet bring to life.
While the Eagle's only notable rival was Louie's on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Eagle soon reigned supreme. The precise reasons for its dominance, whether it was the leadership of Don Bruce or an intangible energy that Louie's lacked, remain a topic of interest for historians of the era.
The rise of leather clubs was a direct reaction against the prevailing stereotypes of gay men. These clubs were sanctuaries that celebrated masculinity, strength, and an intense brotherhood. Among the earliest standard-bearers in D.C. were The Links, The Centaurs, The Spartans, The Vulcans, The Scorpions, The Druids, The Lost Angels, and FFA. The individual founding principles and stories of these pioneering groups are a chapter of D.C. history we are still working to uncover.
As the leather community grew, so did the number of clubs. With this growth came inevitable change. The informal vibe of the early days began to give way to more structure and politics, setting the stage for a new kind of club to emerge—one founded on a rebellious spirit: the Highwaymen T.N.T.
Highwaymen T.N.T. - A Rebellious Start
By 1979, the D.C. leather scene had evolved. For eight friends—Allan Peterson, Don Vance, George Pavlick, John DeBogory, Marvin Andy, Bob Mattingly, Jerry Meis, and Jim Erkman—the scene had become too mired in procedure. They were tired of the growing formality and politics, and the specific incidents that served as a final catalyst for them to break away represent a compelling part of the club's origin story.
Their chosen name, "Highwaymen," perfectly captured their outlaw spirit. They took playful aim at the established order, particularly the Capital Area Board (CAB), the governing body for the clubs. The internal politics of the CAB and the mechanics of its "bar rotation" system for club events formed the landscape the Highwaymen sought to challenge.
Their application to join the CAB was met with resistance, reportedly from established clubs reluctant to add another group to the bar rotation. In this conflict, the Highwaymen found an unlikely and powerful ally: Don Bruce, owner of the Eagle. His motivations and his insistence on inclusivity proved decisive.
Thanks to his support, the Highwaymen were accepted into the CAB. In Jerry Meis's apartment, the founders signed their constitution and bylaws, officially marking the start of a new chapter in D.C. leather history. This original founding document is a historical artifact we hope to one day locate and share.
Profiles of the Founding Eight
The eight men who founded the Highwaymen T.N.T. were a diverse group, each bringing a unique personality to the club's foundation.
Allan Peterson: The club's first president and a former member of the Lost Angels. Allan was a talented artist, and examples of his work would add a rich dimension to his story.
Don Vance: Also a veteran of the Lost Angels, Don brought the discipline of his time as a Navy veteran. Further details of his service would help complete his profile.
George Pavlick ("Big George"): A lawyer by trade, Big George was known as a lovable giant with a fun-loving nature.
John DeBogory: A Navy veteran and member of a Miami club, he famously sewed the first set of club colors. The story of what became of that original set is one we hope to tell.
Marvin Andy: An Air Force member and Allan Peterson's partner at the time.
Bob Mattingly: Known for his proper demeanor, he served multiple terms as the club's president.
Jerry Meis: The club's funnyman from Iowa, remembered for his unique brand of humor.
Jim Erkman: Remembered for his wit and wisdom, Jim was considered the backbone of the Highwaymen. Tragically, he was the first member of the club to die from AIDS-related complications.
The web of friendships and alliances that first brought these eight men together, beyond the shared space of the Eagle, laid the groundwork for the club's formation.
The Highwaymen and the Deaf Community
Washington, D.C., is home to Gallaudet University, and its presence has fostered a large, vibrant deaf community. From its inception, the Highwaymen T.N.T. welcomed deaf members, creating a uniquely integrated space within the leather scene.
A key figure in this history was Justin Evink, who was instrumental in growing the club's deaf membership. The full story of his contributions and his methods for bridging the hearing and deaf worlds within the club is an important one. After his death, deaf membership reportedly declined. Understanding this transition through the memories of past deaf members would offer an invaluable perspective on the club's history.
Navigating Military and Leather Life
From its founding, the Highwaymen T.N.T. had a strong military presence. This was not uncommon in leather clubs, which often appealed to the sense of structure and brotherhood familiar to service members. However, being a leatherman in the military during the era of the ban on homosexuality presented profound challenges.
Members lived a double life, mastering the art of concealing their identity to avoid dishonorable discharge. The strategies they used to protect themselves and the immense risks they faced are powerful testaments to their courage. The influence of military culture on the club was also undeniable, instilling values of tradition and loyalty, and exploring how these values shaped club traditions would reveal a deeper layer of its character.
Brother Help Thyself and the Evolving D.C. Scene
The Highwaymen were key players in the early days of Brother Help Thyself (BHT), a groundbreaking organization that unified D.C.'s leather clubs. BHT began with a community street carnival, fostering a sense of fun and collaboration. The full story of BHT's founding and original purpose is central to the history of the broader D.C. community.
Over time, BHT evolved into a more complex organization, and some felt it lost some of its original grassroots appeal. Charting this evolution would provide insight into the growth and changing needs of the entire D.C. leather scene.
Diversity, Longevity, and the Highwaymen's Legacy
A defining characteristic of the Highwaymen has always been their diversity. In 1994, the club held its first formal diversity training, prompted by concerns that "cliques" might be forming. The specifics of what prompted this training and the discussions it generated offer a snapshot of the club at a crucial moment of self-reflection.
The training reportedly revealed that the club was not fragmenting but was simply experiencing the natural dynamics of group evolution. The ability to navigate such internal challenges is a key reason the Highwaymen T.N.T. have endured for decades, a testament to the strength of their founding principles and the bonds of brotherhood.