Our 2026 Keynote Speaker
Akasha Eden is a Leatherwoman, griot, attorney, scholar, and Leather community servant whose work blends spirituality, mental health advocacy, and academic rigor.
She is International Ms. Leather 2026, 2026 Scholar-in-Residence for the Carter/Johnson Library and Collection and Women of Drummer, Vice President of ONYX Pearls NY/NE, Northeast slave 2024, 2023 MAsT International Presenter of the Year, and author of Diary of a Leather Rope Bunny and Dance of the Shadows.
Akasha works tirelessly to arm our community with the power of knowledge.
Her scholarship this year focuses primarily on Afrofuturism and Indigenous futurism as sociopolitical frameworks, and their intersection with—and active practice within—the Leather and WIITWD communities.
Rooted in Black femme resilience, Akasha teaches and presents in hopes of helping her community discover joy, embodiment, and systems navigation in Leather, BDSM, and WIITWD.
We are honored to welcome her to Philadelphia as our keynote speaker for this year’s event
Our 2026 Entertainment
Andrea Lamour
With a career spanning 41 years in female impersonation, Andrea Lamour has earned an impressive 56 beauty titles, most recently being crowned Miss Jersey Gay Pride 2024. But Andrea’s talents and commitment to community extend far beyond the stage.
She has built a career in public health, serving with the Philadelphia Health Department as an NHBS Field Coordinator, while also dedicating years to mentoring and supporting at-risk LGBTQ+ youth. As Mother of the House of Lamour, Andrea and her husband, Douglas Vanlue, were featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer for their commitment to LGBTQ+ youth and community.
An accomplished singer, Andrea has toured Europe, Asia, and North America, sharing love and joy through music. She was also featured in POZ 100 Magazine in 2019.
An Associate Pastor at Whosoever Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia, Andrea continues to serve her community in many roles—as entertainer, activist, counselor, and Reverend.
Through it all, her mission remains the same: to spread love, healing, understanding, and joy.
