Gear Maketh the Leatherman? A Perspective on Leather Cultures and Masculinities

This article explores masculinities within leatherculture through an autoethnographic approach. This includes a discussion of a photoshoot titled What Makes a Leatherman? , created in collaboration with photographer Thomas Evans, to problematise and play with notions of gender within leatherculture. The article pays tribute to the critical importance of Tom of Finland’s work to leatherculture, while acknowledging valid critiques of the artist’s work. In addition to autoethnography, it draws from research on leatherculture, acknowledging that such scholarship is scarce and precarious. The article underscores the importance of storytelling from within the community and suggests some paths for future research, including leather’s intersections with cultures of sustainability. It concludes with a call to embrace the diversity and fluidity of leather identities, demanding unity and openness.