Leather

I've been thinking for a while now about how one would describe what "Leather" is as a lifestyle and mindset. I have found that most of the written explanations tend to be unsatisfying either because the given definitions have such a large scope they tend to become so broad/vague they are useless as descriptors to the uninitiated or they focus merely on the obvious behavior or physical "leather" and become overly simplistic.

First, what I have come to understand is that the minds of Leatherfolk are very different than others in the lifestyle. They tend to be connected to notions that have been present for a very long time. Some people attribute this to the military influence in Leather, but I have found that this is also true of religions/philosophies whose lineage stretches back into antiquity. There are many characteristics in Leather that can be found in the monastic, military, and philosophical literature of countries like China dating back to the time of Buddha (and before). Some of these ideas relate to honor, order, justice, devotion, mindfulness, obedience, discipline (and disciple-ship), and the way Mastery is obtained through study, mentorship from a Master, and one's own practice.

This is not to say that others in the lifestyle do not share some of these notions, but there seem to be a much larger collection of those people in Leather and it is much more clearly woven through their actions and philosophies. The closest thing to this in a group in the lifestyle is with a small percentage of those who work in Rope, who honor and study the lineage of those who came before and take on some of the same characteristics noted above. They are also more formal and serious of mind than the garden variety "rope bondage enthusiast." In a room full of Rope people, they are the minority, and they are also very easy to pinpoint with just a small amount of conversation.

The second thing I have noted regarding Leather is a deep commitment to fostering community. This is organically helped along by the way in which knowledge is transmitted (disciple-ship) and by the emphasis on service, which requires one to consider how one's actions can better the life or endeavors of others. But it is also true that much of the activism in kink comes from folks who see the need to protect and promote our ability to live the life we choose in the world at large. It is always easier to create change in a world when we practice solidarity. It is not enough that the folk in Leather have thrown off the chains of societal expectations, but there are a number of these folk who feel compelled to make it a point of activism so that those who come after them are able to live more freely and openly in the world. Again, there is crossover in the sex-positive groups, but Leather seems to collect these sorts in greater numbers.

The third thing I've noted is in the "metacognitive" arena. Those in Leather tend to attempt to understand the way their minds work and what characteristics of mind and personality they find important. From there, they then codify those notions, creating protocols and rituals which promote the desired state of mind/headspace. Although Leather has fetishized things such as the cloth of leather and things like boots/vests, if you stripped away the accoutrements, you would still have a whole host of actions/thoughts/functions that connote Leather. If you stuck a group of naked lifestylers in a room, it wouldn't take long for the Leatherfolk to find each other. I see the focus on how one thinks as a difference between some of the other groups of fetishists who, if their items were taken away (shoes, latex, etc.), would not have any other element that would promote cohesion. I also see Leather as different from groups who practice some of the actions that the Leather community does (Gorean training/protocols/positions come to mind), but most of these groups do not spend so much time thinking about their own thinking (which is the definition of metacognition).

Finally, the thing that means the most to me regarding Leather is the focus on the growth and mastery of oneself as a human, regardless of where one falls in the "chain of command." It is equally important for submissives and slaves to strive for excellence as it is for Dominants and Masters. This reminds me of humanistic therapists such as Abraham Maslow, who promoted the notion of self-actualization as the pinnacle of the Hierarchy of Human Needs. Although it is true that some people use the D/s or M/s dynamic to hide or deny change/growth through the use of a formal, rule-driven system, many more see the dynamics as critical to facilitate further growth. One must do one's own self-improvement and skills/knowledge acquisition, but there comes a point where we need others to push us to most fully become what we have the potential to become. Again, one can still have solid D/s or M/s dynamics or receive mentorship and not be Leather, it just again seems that there are larger collections of like-minded people to be found in this one place, which is Leather.

I am not saying that there aren't problematic individuals who crouch under the banner of Leather, nor am I saying that there aren't stellar individuals who embody these important characteristics who do not affiliate with Leather. But I am saying that there is much which speaks well of those who identify as Leather. For me, it is important that those I surround myself with have a seriousness of mind, a respect for lineage, and a devotion to the growth of themselves as humans, their relationships, their communities, and their world.

If all the trappings of the world fell away, I would still be able to identify these folks as a tribe, and one which has many stellar qualities to recommend it. Do I look like I'm Leather? Probably not, as long as you are using only your eyes...