DEFINING LEATHER This is obvious, right? Leather is leather.


Tanned animal skins used for clothing and furniture and fancy car interiors and.... Within the LGBT community, leather also describes a subset of people who enjoy leather because "it's hot" and "feels good" when worn either out at the bar or during play time.


The community as we know it today can trace its origins back to 1950s after veterans returned from wars abroad. Guys who missed the cama- raderie of other men - the fellowship, the fun, and for some, the fucking - connected with each in their home communities. This over- lapped with the rise of motorcycles and biker culture. Groups called motorcycle clubs (M.C.s) formed and sometimes the clubs would go on a run - a trip on their bikes to secluded camp or to meet with another M.C. and engage in the rough sex many of them enjoyed.


Leather was something that all these men wore for practical purposes but it also became a sort of uniform. Of course, people also found the look arousing - sexualizing the image represented in the works of Tom of Finland and Etienne. I'm sure you can conjure the image right now: black boots, tight blue jeans and chaps, white t-shirt, leather biker jacket. It is an iconic image.


In the present day, the leather culture endures - there are leather bars, M.C.s, contests and runs. But today, "leather" doesn't just mean leather. Leather encompasses all kinds of gear and materials - rubber, spandex, neoprene, pads used in sports. It falls into the category of "leather" because "it's hot!" While many people are still drawn to the iconic leather biker image, go to the leather bar and you might also see wrestling singlets, football or hockey pads, latex bodysuits, military uniforms, public service uniforms like cops, firefighters, or shockingly bright construction worker apparel.


Leather in our community no longer is defined by material. Leather is now a "big tent" term referring to a wide variety of looks. Leather is the gear that makes you feel good when you put it on. And it's hot!


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