Leather Life: Leather Pride and a Flag For Us All

  Pride 2024 has kicked off; we fill our days and nights in June with celebrations and activities for everyone in the Twin Cities.  The Saloon and Eagle will have their gear/leather nights, patios will be packed from Lush to the Black Hart, and we will all wait in anticipation for our beloved 19 to return.  The Leather and Kink communities are no different in their celebrations if but a little more visible in leather, rubber, and fetish gear interspersed amongst the crowds.  Puppies will wag and flogs will swing across the metro in private and public gatherings.  And, in the background, quiet and dignified, will be the Leather Pride Flag.  

  This is especially important this year, as the Minnesota Leather Pride Flag celebrates 15 years of existence and prepares for retirement and purchase of a new flag. This is the second flag to grace our Ashley Rukes Parade and one of the largest in the world.  

    The original concept of the Leather Pride flag was created in 1989 by Tony DeBlase, editor of Drummer Magazine, as a symbol for Leather folk who had been participating in pride events. As the leather community included all genders and sexual orientations, he gave no specific symbolism to the design, leaving it to the viewer to interpret the colors and symbols.  His intent was for it to be as inclusive as possible.  Today, versions exist that replace the heart with boots, puppy paws, fists, and a collection of other symbols, but the original heart still most widely is accepted by everyone. 

   In Minnesota, we embraced the concept of the leather flag and created one of the largest for our parade.   In 2008, Dr. Cheryl Maloney, the then Executive Director of Twin Cities Pride, spoke at the retirement of the flag, “Since its creation the giant Leather Pride flag that we are retiring today has been the largest Leather Pride flag in the world, measuring 76 feet by 29 feet. This flag, and the matching giant Rainbow flag, first made their way up Hennepin Avenue as part of the Twin Cities GLBT Pride Parade in 1998, and the flags have been one of the most beloved parts of every Twin Cities Pride Parade.”  The original 1998 Leather flag was sent to the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago and the current flag, much larger than the first, began the first of many trips down Hennepin Avenue. 

    The stories that have accompanied the second flag have been humorous over the years.  It takes over 80 individuals to carry it and usually more show up jockeying for position with certain spots unofficially claimed. The current flag size is a close secret with original documents destroyed after ordering because the person didn’t want anyone in the world to beat us by a foot.  During a strong wind, some folks have been lifted off their feet and we’ve had folks get trapped underneath. During COVID, the flag was laid out in a public park for pictures…drawing startling attention from the neighborhood. Supposedly years ago, internet savvy folks insured two rubbermen kissing in front of the flag would win the Lavender pride picture contest…I’ve learned not to ask questions.

   To some, the flag may not been seen as representing them in a changing world, be it keep Pride family friendly or leather is not inclusive enough.  I have a different perspective; I have spent the last 8 or more years being the person walking backwards down the parade route keeping the flag moving and watching.

  I’ve watched puppies and trans folk come to the parade and take their place at the Leather Pride Flag next to old gay leathermen and butch dykes. I have watched pronouns change on the same flag carriers as they strived to be their authentic selves.  I have seen newly out folks who realized that leather offered the freedom they were looking for and joined the march. For me, as Two-Spirit, I’ve cheered inside each time a new person of color joins the flag.  I’ve seen the Sisters, titleholders, and drag queens from around the country join us to support the flag.  I’ve watched young kids and families cheer for the stripes and heart as we walk by on the street. And numerous mothers and grandmothers wave in celebration.

  While yes, the flag may represent those of us that practice sex and fetishes behind closed doors, but in that early morning on Sunday in June…it represents freedom of expression.  It represents an unbridled enthusiasm to be the weird, the different, the maverick in the crowd.   Tony DeBlase may not have intended to give symbolism to the flag but I believe more than ever its simplicity and our Minnesota story stands for everyone.  As Minnesota Leather Pride continues to fundraise for the future flag, we all should be proud to know…we will continue to have the largest Leather Pride Flag in the world.   

More information concerning the Leather Pride Flag Fundraising can be found at www.mnleatherpride.org or the MN Leather Pride booth in the park.