Types of Events

Levi and Leather Events: Where Tradition Meets Radical Queer Joy

Levi and Leather nights at the Club honor the rich history of the leather community while creating a more inclusive future. Leather is about who you are, not just what you wear. This idea is central to Levi and Leather events, where we celebrate both the sexiness of leather and the accessibility of denim. Recognizing that traditional leather culture can sometimes be classist or sizeist, these gatherings highlight denim’s role in queer spaces—a material for everyone. Whether you rock leather or denim, the goal is the same: to foster community, connection, and visibility.

Wear whatever makes you feel sexy, from leather jackets and vests to denim skirts and jeans. This is a night to hang out with other sexual radicals, enjoy drinks, delicious food, and hang out in the collective spirit of leather pride. Together, we honor the past, celebrate our shared radicalness, and remind ourselves that the fight for equality and freedom continues within the Leather Community.

What is the Leather Community?

The leather community has deep roots in queer history and culture, especially in the LGBTQ+ movement. It originated in the post-World War II era, when many soldiers returned home and found themselves drawn to motorcycle culture. Bikers became symbols of rebellion and masculinity, which appealed to many gay men who were seeking alternative expressions of their identities in a society that often pushed them to conform. This is how the leather subculture began to emerge, with its focus on hypermasculinity, toughness, and sexuality.

In the 1950s, leather bars started popping up in major cities like New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. These bars became iconic safe havens for queer men who wanted to explore BDSM (bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, masochism), leather, and kink. Leather culture also became a way for gay men to navigate their identities in an environment that was often hostile. It provided a space to challenge mainstream ideas about masculinity and sexuality, while also building a tight-knit community based on trust and mutual respect.

The leather community became an integral part of the LGBTQ+ movement, especially during the 1960s and 1970s. Many of its members were at the forefront of queer liberation efforts, including the Stonewall Riots in 1969, which marked a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Leather culture wasn’t just about personal expression; it was also political, representing a rejection of societal norms around sexuality, gender roles, and morality.

However, leather culture wasn’t just for gay men. Over time, it became more inclusive, with lesbians, bisexuals, transgender individuals, and non-binary people finding their own space within the leather community. The rise of women’s leather groups, such as the San Francisco Dykes on Bikes and F.I.S.T. (Females Investigating Sexual Terrain) here in Baltimore, Onyx and Onyx Pearls, organizations for Leather POC folks, expanded the culture and made it more diverse.

In the decades that followed, leather pride became an important part of LGBTQ+ pride celebrations. You can often spot leather contingents in Pride parades, waving leather pride flags alongside rainbow flags. Leather events, like International Mr. Leather (IML), which began in 1979, and International Ms Leather (ImSL) became major cultural touchstones, helping to bring the community together and pass down traditions.

In the past, our leather community has faced criticism of being exclusionary—sometimes classist, sizeist, or catering to a narrow idea of what leather culture should look like. This led to a blending with denim and more inclusive expressions, making room for those who might not fit the stereotypical leather-clad image but still want to participate in the community.

At its core, the leather community is about pushing boundaries, rejecting societal norms, and embracing sexuality in a radical, consensual, and empowering way. It’s also about honoring the importance of community, trust, and respect, particularly in the kink and BDSM scenes. Today, it remains a strong and vibrant subculture, continuing to challenge conventions and celebrate sexual freedom and personal identity.