View source for Leather pride flag

{{short description|Symbol used by leather and fetish subcultures}}
{{infobox flag
| Name = Leather pride flag
| Image = Leather, Latex, and BDSM pride.svg
| Adoption = {{start date and age|1989}}
| Designer = [[Tony DeBlase]]
| Use = Represents [[leather subculture]]
| Design = Nine equally sized horizontal stripes (from top to bottom: four of alternating black and [[royal blue]], one white, and four of alternating royal blue and black) with a tilted red heart in the [[Canton (flag)|canton]]
}}

The '''leather pride flag''' is a symbol of [[leather subculture]] as well as [[Kink (sexuality)|kink]] and [[Sexual fetishism|fetish]] subcultures more broadly, including [[BDSM]]. The flag was designed by [[Tony DeBlase]] in 1989.<ref name="archives">
{{cite web |title=The Leather Pride Flag |url=https://www.leatherarchives.org/pride.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216143846/https://www.leatherarchives.org/pride.html |archive-date=2018-02-16 |access-date=May 16, 2021 |website=[[Leather Archives & Museum]]}}
</ref><ref name="deblase" />

== History ==
The leather pride flag was designed by [[Tony DeBlase]] in [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]].<ref name="archives" /><ref name="deblase">{{cite web |author=Steve Lenius |date=2000-07-28 |title=Tony DeBlase, 1942-2000 |url=http://leathercolumn.blogspot.com/2000/07/tony-deblase-1942-2000.html?m=1 |access-date=2020-04-28 |website=Leather Life |publisher=}}</ref> DeBlase explained his decision to create the flag:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-02 |title=25 LGBTQ+ Pride Flags and Their Meanings |url=https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/relationships-love/g36332366/pride-flags-meanings/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[Oprah Daily]] |language=en-US}}</ref><blockquote>For the 20th anniversary of [[Stonewall riots|Stonewall]], I felt that the time was right for the Leather men and women who have been participating in [[Pride parade|these same parades]] and events more and more visibly in recent years to have a similar simple, elegant banner that would serve as a symbol of their own identity and interests.</blockquote>

DeBlase described the flag design as follows:<ref name="archives" /><blockquote>
The flag is composed of nine horizontal stripes of equal width. From the top and from the bottom, the stripes alternate black and [[royal blue]]. The central stripe is white. In the upper left quadrant of the flag is a large red [[Heart symbol|heart]].
</blockquote>

DeBlase had no specific symbolism in mind when he designed the flag.<ref name=":0" /> He once said, "I will leave it to the viewer to interpret the colors and symbols."<ref name="archives" />

DeBlase first presented the flag at [[International Mr. Leather]] (IML) on May 28, 1989.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leather History Timeline |url=http://www.leatherarchives.org/exhibits/deblase/timeline2.htm#1989 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803065539/http://www.leatherarchives.org/exhibits/deblase/timeline2.htm#1989 |archive-date=2010-08-03 |access-date=2008-02-14 |website=[[Leather Archives & Museum]]}}</ref> He considered the flag to be a first draft and expected the community would suggest changes to the design.<ref name=":0" /> While some community members wanted a say in the final design,<ref>{{cite web |title=A Leather Pride Flag |url=http://www.leatherarchives.org/exhibits/deblase/pride.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915142834/http://www.leatherarchives.org/exhibits/deblase/pride.htm |archive-date=2008-09-15 |publisher=leatherarchives.com}}</ref> the majority embraced DeBlase's original design as-is.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Lenius |first=Steve |date=2021-07-29 |title=Leather Life: Leather Pride Flag 101 |url=https://lavendermagazine.com/featured-home-page/leather-life-leather-pride-flag-101/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[Lavender Magazine]] |language=en-US}}</ref> To this day, the flag has not undergone any significant revisions.<ref name=":0" />[[File:Leather Archives & Museum 04.jpg|thumb|alt=red, blue, and black flag folded within a triangular storage case.|One of three original leather pride flags created by Tony DeBlase in 1989, on display at the [[Leather Archives & Museum]].]]In June 1989, the flag was used by the leather contingent in a [[Pride Northwest|Portland, Oregon pride parade]], which was its first appearance at a [[pride parade]].<ref name="archive1989">{{cite web |title=Timeline |url=http://www.leatherarchives.org/exhibits/deblase/timeline2.htm#1989 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803065539/http://www.leatherarchives.org/exhibits/deblase/timeline2.htm#1989 |archive-date=2010-08-03 |access-date=2018-06-24 |website=[[Leather Archives & Museum]]}}</ref>

By 1990, IML had incorporated the flag's design into the sash awarded to IML contest winners.<ref>{{Cite web |last=de la Croix |first=Sukie |date=2003-05-21 |title=International Mr. Leather Hits 25th Anniversary |url=http://windycitytimes.com/2003/05/21/international-mr-leather-hits-25th-anniversary/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[Windy City Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1991, Melbourne Leather Men became the first club to incorporate the design elements of the leather pride flag into their club colors.<ref name="archive1989" />

On December 12, 2000, [[National Leather Association International|NLA]] Florida presented a suggested pledge of allegiance to the leather pride flag at its holiday party in [[Fort Lauderdale]], which reads, "I pledge allegiance to the Leather Pride flag, and the union of Leather people for which it stands, with safety, sanity and consent for all."<ref name="archive1989" />

For the 24th annual [[Folsom Street Fair]], held September 30, 2007, the official poster artwork was a controversial photo featuring well-known [[LGBT]] and [[BDSM]] community members in festive and [[sexual fetishism|fetish]] attire including [[Sister Roma]] "as players in an innovative version of the culturally iconographic" ''[[The Last Supper (Leonardo)|The Last Supper]]'' by [[Leonardo da Vinci]], complete with table draped with the leather pride flag and "cluttered with [[sex toys]], [[whip]]s, and various (BDSM) [[Physical restraint|restraints]]".<ref name="Catholic Group Threatens Battle With Miller">{{cite news|last=Gerstein|first=Josh|title=Catholic Group Threatens Battle With Miller Beer Over Racy Ad|newspaper=[[New York Sun]]|date=September 27, 2007|url=http://www.nysun.com/article/63472|access-date=2007-09-29}}</ref> The image by FredAlert<ref name="Folsom art draws fire from the right">{{cite news|last=Cassell|first=Heather|title=Folsom art draws fire from the right|newspaper=[[Bay Area Reporter]]|volume=37|issue=39|date=27 September 2007|url=http://ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=2230|access-date=2007-09-29|archive-date=2021-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027031426/https://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=2230|url-status=dead}}</ref> was used on the official event guide and produced as collector's posters that were displayed throughout the city as advertising for the event.[[File:Vancouver Pride Parade - Flag (3816236455).jpg|thumb|Leather pride flag at [[Vancouver Pride Parade]] (2009)]]

==Significance==
Over time the flag has been embraced as a unifying symbol for members of the leather, BDSM, and fetish communities irrespective of sexual orientation.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Padgett |first=Donald |date=2023-06-01 |title=36 Queer Pride Flags You Should Know |url=https://www.advocate.com/gay-pride-parade/36-queer-pride-flags-know |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[The Advocate (magazine)|Advocate]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In 2019, the [[Schwules Museum]] remarked on the flag's impact:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Object of the Month May: Leather Pride Flag |url=https://www.schwulesmuseum.de/bibliothek-archiv/object-of-the-month-may-leather-pride-flag/?lang=en |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[Schwules Museum]] |language=en-US}}</ref><blockquote>The Leather Pride flag is at the beginning of a long line of similar flags, marking a turning point in the history of the mostly gay leather and BDSM movements: moving away from secret signs and symbols ([[Handkerchief code|hanky cloths]], for example) to more obvious and public visibility, both in the gay scene and society in general.</blockquote>
== Notable flags ==

=== Original flag (Chicago) ===
One of the three original flags that DeBlase assembled was donated to the [[Leather Archives & Museum]] (LA&M), where it is on public display.<ref name="archives" /><ref name=":1" /> LA&M also holds DeBlase's papers.<ref name="sfldg1">{{cite web |date=2014-10-22 |title=KANE, "DRUMMER," AND DEBLASE — Rick Storer, Leather Archives & Museum — San Francisco Leathermen's Discussion Group |url=https://www.sfldg.org/all-programs/2014/10/22/on-the-road-with-the-leather-archives-museum-rick-storer |access-date=2020-04-24 |publisher=Sfldg.org}}</ref>
=== Twin Cities Pride (Minnesota) ===
Since 1998, the [[Twin Cities Pride]] parade in Minnesota has featured a "curb-to-curb and a block long" leather pride flag measuring approximately 75 x 50 feet.<ref name=":0" /> The first such flag was donated to LA&M in 2008.<ref name=":0" />

=== San Francisco Armory ===
In 2006, fetish pornography studio [[Kink.com]] bought the [[San Francisco Armory]] building.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lefebvre |first=Sam |date=2016-04-04 |title=The Armory, Kink.com's 'EDM Castle,' Besieged By Permit Complaints |url=https://www.kqed.org/arts/11462114/the-armory-kink-coms-edm-castle-besieged-by-permit-complaints |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[KQED Inc.|KQED]] |language=en}}</ref> The company flew the leather pride flag atop the armory and featured imagery of the flag atop the armory in the intro to many of its videos.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bote |first=Joshua |date=2021-07-26 |title=The San Francisco Armory's kinky legacy lives on |url=https://www.sfgate.com/places/article/San-Francisco-Armory-Kink-BDSM-Newsom-16210161.php |access-date=2024-06-10 |work=[[SFGATE]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District (San Francisco) ===
The leather pride flag is featured throughout San Francisco's [[Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hyman |first=David |date=2023-08-03 |title=SOMA Poles Wrapped with Leather Pride |url=https://sfleatherdistrict.org/poles-wrapped/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District]]}}</ref> The [[San Francisco South of Market Leather History Alley]], which opened in 2017, features the flag as well as metal bootprints honoring DeBlase, among other important members of the city's leather community.<ref name="Jewish">{{cite news |last=Paull |first=Laura |date=21 June 2018 |title=Honoring gay leather culture with art installation in SoMa alleyway |url=https://www.jweekly.com/2018/06/21/honoring-gay-leather-culture-with-art-installation-in-soma-alleyway/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623221933/https://www.jweekly.com/2018/06/21/honoring-gay-leather-culture-with-art-installation-in-soma-alleyway/ |archive-date=2018-06-23 |access-date=2018-06-23 |newspaper=[[J. The Jewish News of Northern California]] |publisher=}}</ref> Since 2023, a 20 x 30 foot leather pride flag has flown 80 feet high above Eagle Plaza (adjacent to the [[San Francisco Eagle]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eagle Plaza |url=https://sfleatherdistrict.org/eagle-plaza/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Padgett |first=Donald |date=2023-09-11 |title=SF Celebrates 1st Public Space Dedicated to the Leather Community & Queer History |url=https://www.outtraveler.com/san-francisco/san-francisco-eagle-plaza-leather |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[Out (magazine)|Out]] |language=en}}</ref><gallery>
File:LeatherPride.jpg|[[Twin Cities Pride]], Minnesota
File:Leather pride flag SF.jpg|[[San Francisco Armory]] (2008)
File:BDSM flag in front of the San Francisco Eagle Bar.jpg|Eagle Plaza, San Francisco
File:Ringold Alley, San Francisco.jpg|South of Market Leather History Alley, San Francisco
</gallery>

== Variations ==
Although Tony DeBlase is quoted as saying the design of the leather pride flag, which he created, is copyrighted in the U.S. (as well as all countries where the [[Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works|Berne Convention]] standards apply), copyright is automatic, and need not be obtained through official registration with any government office. Once an idea has been produced as a tangible form, for example by securing it in a fixed medium (such as a drawing, sheet music, photograph, a videotape, or a computer file), the copyright holder is entitled to [[Copyright enforcement|enforce their exclusive rights]].

Nevertheless, variations on the original leather pride flag have been created. On September 18, 1990, Clive Platman ([[Leather subculture#Competitions|Mr. Australia]] ''[[Drummer (magazine)|Drummer]]'') presented Tony DeBlase with an Australian version of the flag, incorporating the [[southern cross]] featured on the [[flag of Australia]], with the original design of the leather pride flag.<ref name="archive1989" /> On October 11, 1991, at the opening ceremonies of [[Living in Leather]], a Canadian version of the leather pride flag was presented, which added to the original flag's design a row of red maple leaves running horizontally through the white stripe.<ref name="archive1989" />

Leather & Grace, a (now defunct) organization of [[Unitarian Universalist]] [[Kink (sexual)|kinksters]], founded in 2011, combined a red [[flaming chalice]] with the stripes of the leather pride flag for their logo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://leatherandgrace.wordpress.com/an-organization-for-uu-kinksters/|title=Leather & Grace: L&G's Story|date=28 August 2011 |access-date=2015-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518232011/https://leatherandgrace.wordpress.com/an-organization-for-uu-kinksters/|archive-date=2015-05-18|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://leatherandgrace.wordpress.com/ |title=Leather & Grace &#124; Unitarian Universalists for BDSM Awareness |publisher=Leatherandgrace.wordpress.com |access-date=2020-01-07}}</ref>

[[File:BDSM-rights-flag-Tanos.svg|150px|alt=BDSM Rights Flag colour|thumb|The BDSM rights flag]]
The BDSM rights flag, designed by Tanos, a [[Master/slave (BDSM)|Master]] from the [[United Kingdom]], is partially loosely based on the design of the leather pride flag and also includes a version of the BDSM Emblem (but not similar enough to fall within Steve Quagmyr's specific copyright claims for the Emblem). The BDSM rights flag is intended to represent the belief that people whose sexuality or relationship preferences include BDSM practices deserve the same human rights as everyone else, and should not be discriminated against for pursuing BDSM with consenting adults.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.informedconsent.org.uk/bdsmflag|title=Informed Consent: BDSM rights flag|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502055320/http://www.informedconsent.org.uk/bdsmflag|archive-date=2013-05-02}}</ref>{{Clear}}

==See also==
{{portal|Heraldry and Vexillology|Human sexuality}}
* [[LGBT symbols|LGBT Symbols]]
* [[Pride flag]]
* [[Rainbow flag (LGBT)|Rainbow flag]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}

{{Leather}}
{{BDSM}}

[[Category:BDSM]]
[[Category:Flags introduced in 1989]]
[[Category:Leather subculture]]
[[Category:Sexuality flags]]
[[Category:Flags with cantons]]
[[Category:LGBTQ flags]]
[[Category:History of Chicago]]
[[Category:Fetish subculture]]