At every Pride festival you’ll see lovers of all things fetish, be it BDSM, pup play, PVC, or leather, taking their rightful place and marching proudly under their own flag, with the gay leather scene making up a sizable share of their ranks. However, a common misconception about the gay leather scene is that it is just about sex. Sure, that’s part of it, but it’s also about community, belonging, intimacy, self-expression among like-minded men, and redefining masculinity on our own terms.
More than Skin Deep – A Brief History of the Gay Leather Community
The scene first found its roots post–World War II in the 1940s and ’50s. Veterans and gay men in U.S. port cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York donned leather, adopting rugged, masculine biker attire to reject mid-century effeminate stereotypes. Sure, men no doubt bumped and grinded in leather long before then, but it was this period when it first became a visibly distinct culture.
What is now lovingly referred to as the “Old Guard of Leathermen” met—often secretly—in the motorcycle clubs of the 1950s (such as Gold Coast Chicago). Gradually, more dedicated gay leather bars began to open, like the omnipresent Eagle bars. The iconic gay artist Tom of Finland really pushed the scene into the mainstream further during the 1960s and ’70s, shaping the visual identity of the community with his erotic drawings of muscular, uniformed men. Now leather lovers enjoy a huge scene of the their own with a range of global events like International Mr. Leather taking place each year.
Mister International Leather & Boots Spain Shares All
To really understand the leather scene, though—as with everything—you need to speak to a master of the craft. Or in this case, a Mister. So, we spoke to Miguel Pires, the winner of Mister International Leather and Boots Spain 2026, to explore how one man’s journey from curious observer to community leader reflects the deeper values behind the aesthetic.
From the emotional pull of his first leather events in Spain to finding love across borders within the scene, Miguel shares how connection, mentorship, and ritual shape his world. He unpacks common misconceptions, explains how power dynamics and consent underpin BDSM basics, and offers a welcoming kink guide for those taking their first steps in the leather community.
Hey Miguel! When was your awakening that you were into leather? Was there any particular moment you remember that triggered the realisation?
During my trips to London and Amsterdam, I visited leather shops. That's when I started trying it on, and all my senses were awakened. I really wanted to visit a leather club, but I didn't dare go alone. Always the fears. By this time, I had already started exploring the fetish world in Portugal a few years earlier, but I didn't know of any leather clubs in my country yet.
Years later, I visited Seville in January 2023, and by chance, the annual ILBS (International Leather and Boots Spain) meeting was being held. The whole leather and fetish family was there, and I was on the outside, like a kid looking at a candy store. That was the moment I realized that I really liked leather and that I wanted to be with people like me who liked leather and made it a way of life. I returned to Portugal and immediately joined ILBS. In March, I fulfilled my dream of experiencing my first leather meeting with the ILBS family, my family.
What was your introduction to the leather community? How did you go about finding them? Did you meet your partner through the leather scene?
Being in Seville for the leather convention seemed like destiny calling me. When I returned from Seville, my mind was solely focused on finding nearby leather clubs. I found ILBS in Spain and Gear Club in Portugal online, and I joined both. In both, I grew as a fetishist and leather lover. There, I found not only people who like leather, but more than that, a family. The “I love yous” and sincere hugs healed my heart.
In June 2024, I decided to go to my first Pride event, and it was in Seville. There, my whole leather family was, including my current partner. I'm from Lagos, Portugal, and he's from Hamburg, Germany, and once again, destiny intervened: two leather lovers fell in love, and we're about to celebrate our second anniversary. Having had partners outside the leather world, I feel more complete this way.
What does leather mean to you beyond the aesthetic and how would you explain the leather community to someone who knows nothing about it?
For me, leather is much more than an aesthetic: it's identity, values, and belonging. It represents respect, consent, pride, and the freedom to be who you are without asking permission.
The leather community is a diverse family, united by shared codes, mutual care, and a history of support and resistance. It's not just about partying or eroticism: it's also about memory, activism, and a refuge for many people.
Are there any common misconceptions about the leather scene you wish people understood better?
A common misconception is that leather is only about provocation or extreme sex. In reality, it's a community based on clear rules, deep respect, and conscious choice, where leather isn't just worn on the outside, but also on the inside.
I wanted to add what's happening to us with the organization of the Lagos event in Portugal: restaurants are telling us not to have sex in public. There are still a lot of ironic ideas surrounding the leather community. That's why it's so important to normalize things and demystify fears.
How does BDSM connect with the leather scene? In what way does the submission and dominant (or slave and master) dynamic play out in combination with leather? Do you have any safety tips for those looking to get into the BDSM side of things too?
BDSM isn't necessarily connected to leather. It's a practice and a form of relationship based on consent, communication, trust, and clear agreements, which can occur in many different contexts, with or without a specific aesthetic.
The dynamics of dominance and submission (or master/slave) aren't just about sex, but about how power is managed consciously and consensually. Each relationship defines its own limits, rules, and level of involvement, whether it's a one-off encounter or a more ongoing relationship. Roles don't imply personal superiority or inferiority: they are chosen positions, not human hierarchies.
Regarding safety: Always talk about limits and expectations beforehand. Informed, enthusiastic, and always revocable consent.
Use of a safe word.
Take it slow and get trained.
Aftercare is an essential part of the process.
BDSM is about responsibility, care, and choice. The rest is just context.
I hear joining the community often involves “mentorship”. What is that exactly and did you go through that process? Have you ever mentored anyone joining the leather scene yourself?
When we talk about “mentoring” within the leather community, it doesn't refer to something formal or mandatory, but rather to informal and voluntary support. It's all a process that unfolds as you enter the world of leather. When you choose your first pants, harness, boots, wristband, or vest, everything is imbued with symbolism. For example, the wristband on the right arm signifies passivity, on the left arm active, or on both arms versatile. Just as some people like to wear bandanas in their back pockets, the code of active, passive, or versatile exists here as well.
I went through this process, guided by Misters and Leather Coaches who do a lot on social media to spread leather culture and help newcomers find their place and identity. Before becoming a Mister, I already had experience advising and sharing leather culture. Now, as Mister, I'm starting to gain visibility, and in the few events I've been involved with in this short time, someone has already sought my mentorship and help in choosing their new skin. Leather.
I know you won Mister Leather & Boots Spain this year. Firstly, congratulations! How did that come about and what other leather and fetish events do you attend? Do you have a favorite?
Thank you! Winning the Mr. International Leather and Boots Spain title this year was an incredible experience. The candidacy came about because I'd been very involved in the leather and boots community for some time, participating in events, supporting other members, and sharing our passion for this style and its values. I was asked to run and decided to accept, seeing it as an opportunity to represent the community and give visibility to what unites us.
It was intense, but also very enriching. Winning was a mix of surprise, joy, and responsibility: now it's time to work to keep the community alive, support its members, and continue promoting the passion for leather and boots that we share. As for events, we have local events in Seville, Alicante, Torremolinos, A Coruña, and Granada. Internationally, we have events in Lisbon, Portugal; Nice, France; and Rome, Italy. We also attend International Darklands and Folsom Berlin. This year, I also want to be present at some more international events that I consider important for the association, to make more friends with our brothers and sisters in the leather and fetish community.
Do you have any advice for those looking to get into the leather scene and don’t know where to start? What gear is essential for beginners?
Yes, for those wanting to get started in the world of leather, my advice is to look for something you feel comfortable with. You can find everything in physical or online leather shops. Follow your heart and your senses and gradually choose what you like.
Take it easy: observe, ask questions, and learn. Nobody is born knowing everything.
Respect and attitude come before aesthetics.
How should they go about getting involved with the community? Are there any organizations they should join?
Get involved socially: attend bars, gear nights, and open events. Introduce yourself without fear.
Community: listening to experienced people and participating is key. National or international associations (like ILBS or similar ones): connect communities, organize events, and promote values of visibility, respect, and pride.
How has the leather community changed over the years, from your perspective?
Since I started in the world of leather, I see more visibility. But there is still much to normalize in our societies. For example, a police officer in Barcelona, at an official event commemorating the victims of the Holocaust, asked me what I was representing. And in Seville, in Plaza de España, a Spanish tourist asked me what we were dressed as.
What’s your best memory from your time in the leather community?
My best memory from my time in the leather community was my first meeting with my Spanish family in Torremolinos. There I discovered not only people who shared the values of leather, but much more: family, affection, and hugs. There I found everything I had always searched for: a family. The expression “we are family” finally made sense.
You can add Miguel (Mister International Leather and Boots Spain 2026) on his Instagram @beaver_cuero_pt in collaboration with @ilbsmeeting
FAQ
What is gay leather culture?
Gay leather culture is a community built around shared values of respect, consent, pride, and belonging, expressed through leather aesthetics and traditions. Emerging from post-WWII biker culture, it has grown into a global network of clubs, events, and chosen families. For many, leather represents identity and connection as much as desire, combining history, symbolism, mentorship, and mutual support.
How do I start with BDSM safely?
Apps like Recon are a good place to find people with preferences that line up with your own. When you have a partner to play with start with communication and consent. Discuss limits, expectations, and boundaries before any activity, and always agree on a safeword. Take things slowly, learn from experienced people, and seek education where possible. Aftercare—checking in emotionally and physically afterward—is essential. BDSM is about trust, responsibility, and conscious choice, not risk or pressure.
What gear is essential for beginners?
There’s no mandatory starter kit. Choose something you feel comfortable and confident in—often simple pieces like boots, a harness, wristband, or pants. Let your senses and curiosity guide you, and build gradually over time. In leather culture, attitude and respect matter more than how much gear you own.
What do leather roles mean?
Roles such as dominant, submissive, or versatile describe chosen power dynamics and preferences, not personal worth. They’re defined by each relationship’s agreements and can range from casual encounters to ongoing bonds. Symbolic cues—like wristbands or bandanas—may signal roles within the community. For example, the wristband on the right arm signifies passivity, on the left arm active, or on both arms versatile. These positions are consensual identities, not hierarchies.
Are leather bars beginner-friendly?
Yes. Many leather bars and gear nights are social spaces designed for meeting people and learning about the community. Newcomers are encouraged to observe, introduce themselves, and ask questions without pressure to participate in anything sexual. Clubs and associations also offer welcoming entry points, mentorship, and events that emphasize connection and inclusion. Eagle bars are always a good entry point!
Featured image by KiltManinSoCal from Flickr.
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