A Message From the Board and Founder

Fellow Members of Veterans Leather Alliance,

I hope everyone had an amazing Holiday season that was filled with love, joy, and the people that matter most to you. As we move into the New Year and are getting ready to hit our 2nd year it is important that we reflect on the Organization and make necessary changes to ensure its continued success.

When I founded this organization, I never dreamed of it growing as large or as rapidly as it has, it is truly humbling to witness. I am truly honored to be a part of over 100 service members and veterans from across the U.S. and abroad that fill the ranks of this Organization.

When the VLA was founded, it was never intended to function as a traditional leather club or Motorcycle Club. We do not have any chapters, fundraisers, have structured eventing, and so forth. My intent and goal for the VLA is to provide camaraderie between our community and each other – To have a community that understands what it is like to serve or have severed in the military as LBGTQIA+ person. We also wanted to create a network where no one felt left out or alone whether it be in their local community or while traveling.

With any new organization we faced some issues and growing pains with the added complexity having members spread across the globe we haven’t always got it right, I hear you and I am taking the concerns seriously. We are making some changes to help better the organization and keep it on mission while helping with the overall experience of the VLA. More to follow below from the Board.

I’d also like to apologize for my short comings. This has challenged me in ways I never expected as, not only as a leader but as a person. I have learned a lot of new things and a lot about myself. I am excited to be a part of what’s next.

- Patrick

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

The Veterans Leather Alliance has grown rapidly. In approximately eighteen months, we have expanded to over one hundred members across the United States and abroad. That growth reflects a clear need: veterans within the leather and kink communities want connection, recognition, and mutual support rooted in shared service and lived experience.

The Alliance exists to ensure that, wherever a member travels or resides, they are not isolated—that there is a familiar face, a shared language of service, and an understanding of what it means to be a veteran in this space.

Our model brings strengths and challenges. A dispersed organization requires clarity, discipline, and restraint. Over the past year, we have encountered growing pains. Some members have expressed frustration with communication, structure, or expectations. Those concerns have been heard. They are not dismissed, and they are not ignored.

Growth without adjustment is stagnation, and we are adapting accordingly.

We are humbled by the stories of support and camaraderie we hear every day. Seeing you all show up for one another, authentically and without judgment, is exactly why we started this. We wanted to take a moment to say thank you. You are the reason this organization breathes, and we are honored to stand among you.

What we have built together is more than just a group; it is a lifeline. From our first few members to the global presence we have today; we have proven that our shared identity and service create a bond that transcends borders. As we look toward our third year, our goal is to deepen these already built connections and ensure that no veteran in our community ever feels they must walk their path alone.

IT IS NECESSARY TO RESTATE WHAT THIS ORGANIZATION IS—AND WHAT IT IS NOT.

The Veterans Leather Alliance does not replace other leather clubs, motorcycle clubs, or community organizations. We do not compete with them. We do not seek to replicate their structures. Membership in VLA is an affiliation, not a hierarchy. Military rank, branch, or combat history confers no authority within this organization. Conduct, professionalism, and respect do.

Our purpose remains direct: Veterans supporting Veterans. That support may take the form of mentorship, presence, advocacy, education, or simply recognition. It must always be grounded in consent, mutual respect, and ethical behavior. The misuse of military identity for intimidation, status, or exclusion is incompatible with the values of this Alliance.

As we look forward, several structural changes are being implemented to ensure sustainability and transparency:

- Officer roles will transition to a board structure, responsible for reviewing proposals related to events, partnerships, donations, and public initiatives. Members interested in serving in this capacity are encouraged to come forward.

- Members may submit ideas for events, meetups, or content for inclusion on the VLA website. The board will meet quarterly to review and vote on submissions.

- A modest annual dues structure will be introduced to cover administrative costs, website maintenance, and—when approved—limited charitable contributions aligned with our mission.

- VLA merchandise has been automated through veteran-owned businesses to reduce administrative burden and improve consistency. Please see our resources page for details: https://www.veteransleatheralliance.com

- Official communications, announcements, and public-facing materials will be coordinated through the Public Affairs Officer to maintain clarity and accuracy.

Growth is not our primary objective. Sustainability, credibility, and usefulness are. The Veterans Leather Alliance will endure only so long as it remains ethical, disciplined, and genuinely supportive of those it serves.

If you wear the patch, you represent more than yourself. If you claim the affiliation, you accept the responsibility that comes with it.

The Veteran's Leather Alliance remains dedicated to uniting and empowering LGBTQ+ veterans. This year we will simplify and streamline all our processes and resources. Check in regularly on our website for upcoming events, news articles, and member highlights. If you have anything you want publicized or want to push out to everyone, please contact the PAO at pao@veteransleatheralliance.org. Thank you for being the backbone of this Alliance.

- From the Members of the Board