Community Connections

From the Bike Stop to Chosen Family

In our last story, “The Shoulders We Stand On,” we looked back at some of the people whose courage, creativity, activism, and community-building helped shape Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ and leather history.

But history isn’t just about looking backward.

It is also about understanding how we got from then to now.

Philadelphia’s leather community has never been static. It has evolved alongside the city and the people who call it home. What began through motorcycle clubs, leather bars, private gatherings, and small networks of people finding one another has grown

Every community has a history. Every generation has people who were willing to stand up, speak out, take risks, and create something better for those who would come after them.

Philadelphia’s LGBTQIA+ rights movement has deep local roots—including the pre-Stonewall Annual Reminder demonstrations at Independence Hall.

This year at Philly Leather Pride, we’re bringing that history to the tables.

As part of our theme, “Chosen Family: Honoring Our Legacy. Building Our Future,” each table centerpiece will feature a photograph and short biography of an incredible person connected to Philadelphia who helped pave the way for the

One of the most important parts of Philly Leather Pride’s mission happens long before our annual event. It happens by showing up, building relationships, and working alongside organizations that share our commitment to strengthening the LGBTQIA+ community.

This June 2, Philly Leather Pride was honored to be invited to attend the Pride Month Flag Raising Ceremony at the Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square, an invitation-only event that brought together LGBTQIA+ advocates, nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and allies from across the Greater Philadelphia region.

While the ceremony itself was a meaningful celebration of Pride and visibility, what stood

One of the best parts of being involved in our community is showing up—not just for our own events, but for the many organizations and gatherings that make our LGBTQIA+, Leather, and Kink communities so vibrant.

On May 30, members of the Philly Leather Pride team traveled to The Woods Campground to volunteer during their annual Leather I Weekend.

Jessica, who serves on The Woods Campground’s Leather Committee, coordinated the weekend’s vendors, helping create a welcoming marketplace for attendees to explore throughout the event. Beth was happy to lend a hand by selling wristbands for the campground’s

Thank you to Laura from Animal Welfare Association for the tour of the brand new facility that was completed in June. I met so many cuties today including Daphne and Jetta (both adoptable and both so sweet). AWA is one of our beneficiaries this year. Their new facility includes state of the art kennels for their animals including outdoor spaces. They also have a low cost veterinary clinic, behavioral training for pet owners, services for grieving pet owners and a pet pantry twice a month for those in need of food for their pets. Their services, along with their adoptable

Congratulations to our Co-Producer, Jessica, for winning the Ms Woods Leather 2023 title!

PLPN was at the Woods Campground this past weekend to cheer her on!  She was fabulous (we had no doubts that she would be).  We can’t wait to see what she does during her title year.  Stay tuned here and on our Facebook page for news and happenings in her upcoming title year.

And now, a few pictures from the weekend….

We were back at The Woods this past weekend for the Ms Woods 2023 contest!  It was a fantastic contest.  All of the contestants were amazing, the outfits were fabulous, and the talent was top-notch.  The judges had a really difficult job having to decide who won!  The honors this year went to Miss Gloria Hole.

We had the privilege of attending this year’s M/s Gathering in Wilmington, DE.

As for many others in attendance, it was our first larger in-person event since the beginning of the pandemic.  Doing their part to keep everyone at the event safe, we were required to show our vaccination cards at registration, and to wear masks throughout the event space at all times.  By following the protocols, we were able to have a fun and safe weekend.

As per usual, the producers, staff and volunteers of MsG really pulled it off, again!  We had 3 1/2 days of great discussions,

PLPN was back at The Woods Campground June 3-5, 2022.  It was Leather I Weekend, and we participated in the “Shot-Crawl”.  Our own Jess made homemade Stoli-Doli’s – pineapple vodka with a splash of pineapple soda.  To get it just right, she had soaked the pineapple in the vodka for three weeks!

We were Stop #4 on the Shot Crawl, and had our campsite decked out with a Caribbean Island theme – pineapples, hibiscus flowers, lei’s, and grass skirts!  Dee handed out the lei’s to everyone who stopped by!

It was a ton of fun to be at camp for

We can’t wait to see everyone! We have a new venue in Palmyra, NJ. Plenty of free parking and just steps away from the NJ River Line train! Stay tuned for more information!