Layers of Leather

Abstract

Leathermen form a gay male subculture that eroticizes leather dress and symbols. This investigation examined the relationship of participants' leather identity to their gender and sexual identities. In addition, the participants described their process of leather identity development, and its meanings and purposes. Six self-identified leathermen participated in semi-structured interviews that were subjected to a grounded-theory analysis. The analysis suggested that leathermen develop a unique form of masculinity, integrating care and vulnerability with an aesthetic of heightened masculine appearance. Flexible interactional scripts allow for gendered signs to be enacted, designating a social status that is not recognized by the mainstream gay community. Findings are discussed in relation to previous research on gay male masculinity, gay community, sexual identity formation, and internalized homophobia.

A Psychosocial Genealogy of LGBTQ+ Gender: An Empirically Based Theory of Gender and Gender Identity Cultures

“…The core finding of our study on leathermen masculinity (Mosher, Levitt, & Manley, 2006) was that members of the leather community used signifiers of heightened masculinity to fortify themselves against sexist and heterosexist stigma that derided gay men for being feminine and to celebrate gay masculinity. Their radical masculinity could be seen as a self-protective way to outperform heterosexual masculinity but also as an internalization of societal sexism (Mosher et al, 2006). In the formulation of leather gender, the leather community reconstructed some qualities, typically seen as feminine, as masculine.…”

“Straight-Acting Gays”: The Relationship Between Masculine Consciousness, Anti-Effeminacy, and Negative Gay Identity

“…For instance, gay men report negative attitudes towards gender atypical gay men (Skidmore, Linsenmeier, & Bailey, 2006) and engage in behaviors that will bolster their sense of masculinity (Duncan, 2007;Halkitis, Moeller, & DeRaleau, 2008;Mealey, 1997). Finally, qualitative studies have illustrated how traditional gender norms influence gay men's attitudes and behaviors, including whom they will associate with (Manley, Levitt, & Mosher, 2007;Mosher, Levitt, & Manley, 2006;Sánchez, Greenberg, Liu, & Vilain, 2009). Therefore, we were unsurprised by the responses we received when we administered a survey that included two questions, ''How important is it to you that you appear masculine in public?…”

BDSM as a Playful Learning Site for Qualitative Complexity

“…I learned to care less and less about risks of social stigma and public disrepute (similar to the respondents in Mosher et al, 2006), first through the growing habit of crossing boundaries of intimacy in BDSM parties, then through BDSM visibility in public events (Hamburg Leatherparty, Easter Berlin, Folsom Europe), and then spilling over to completely different life contexts. I gained more self-confidence in going against established norms outside of BDSM contexts, becoming more outspokenly unconventional in everyday and professional lives.…”