From Leather to Pride: VLA Volunteers at Leather Events and attends World Pride 2025

What an exhilarating experience it was for the Veteran's Leather Alliance at World Pride 2025! The energy, connection, and sheer joy of participants filled the air as we celebrated pride, diversity, and unity.

For an organization dedicated to serving veterans and creating community among leather enthusiasts, this event was a platform to showcase our core values and connect with others who share our passion for inclusion. Full of events, gatherings, and memorable moments, the weekend was a testament to the spirit of pride.

The Leather, Bear, and Kink Community united in a single mission to 'Support Trans Troops'

Amongst all of the events, parties, parades, and extravaganzas, I had the absolutely joy of catching up with Mr. Fire Island Leather 2025.

Hunter Green: How has your journey been since you were named Mr. Fire Island Leather 2025? (events you've done, people you've met or community engagements etc)

Mr. Fire Island Leather 2025 (Derek): Shortly after being named Mr. Fire Island Leather 2025, I traveled to the local bar in Harrisburg, The Brownstone, where my local leather club, The Pennsmen, gathered to start creating various pride flag buttons for the upcoming prides for our local area. After that the first few weeks of my journey as Mr. Fire Island Leather 2025, I have traveled to Hillside campgrounds located in northern Pennsylvania to visit a

group of men in the leather community known as Cumalot, as they celebrated 21 years being at the campground. It was my first time being at Hillside, but everyone was friendly and wanted to get to know me and what was Mr. Fire Island Leather.

Mr. Fire Island Leather 2025, Mr. Keystone Leather 2024, and a Fellow Pennsmen at BBM 2025

My next trip led me to Bears, Bikers, & Mayhem (BBM) down in Baltimore. This was my 4th year attending BBM and my 2nd year being a volunteer. Again I met some new people from the Leather and Bear community that never knew about Fire Island and asked for more details. I also got to meet and chat with the newest Mr. Mayhem Leather, Red Panda. While at BBM I had the pleasure of meeting Velvet Storm, current Ms. International Leather 2025, and she mentioned she was also a Veteran and wanted to know more about the VLA.

After a week break, my next destination had me heading to DC to march in the Leather contingent for World Pride. I met the current Mr. Rubber Mexico 2025 at World Pride, as well as met World Bear & World Cub 2024, both Mr. & Ms. Virginia Leather 2025, and the current American Leather Person 2025.

Hunter Green: How was BBM? Can you discuss your volunteerism and how can people assist in future events?

Mr. Fire Island Leather 2025 (Derek): BBM was a great experience to be in a new location (city and hotel) and was able to engage with those who attended for the first time. So for my volunteerism, it was required to do at least 12 hours over the course of the event. Some areas that were covered by volunteers were the Welcome Table (to greet those coming into the event), clothes check for the play space area, Registration table (checked that people had purchased passes for the event), selling raffle tickets during the course of the weekend, etc. Usually if someone would like to volunteer, a post is created about 4-5 months out before the event and they would need to reach out to the volunteer coordinators.

Hunter Green: World Pride 2025 was held in DC : how did this year's DC pride compare to other years (if you've attended) or how did you find World Pride / DC Pride this year? (good, bad, indifferent?)

Mr. Fire Island Leather 2025 (Derek): This was my first time being able to attend DC pride as it usually falls on the same time as either Philadelphia, NYC, or even some of the local prides in my home area. It was truly a great time and I can’t express how happy I was able to attend such a monumental event considering this was the 50th Anniversary of Pride.

Hunter Green: You met up with other members of the leather and bear community - can you talk about that?

Mr. Fire Island Leather 2025 (Derek): It was amazing to see how many members there are in the leather and bear community. The fact that we all came together for the purpose to provide love, support, and show that we are here and we are not going anywhere sends a strong message. It also showed that no matter where you live or what your background is, we all were there for a purpose that we do exist and we have a growing community that will not be ignored.

Hunter Green: What's was your favorite part of pride this weekend?

Mr. Fire Island Leather 2025 (Derek): My overall favorite part of pride was just seeing how many people from around the world came to DC to support the LGBTQIA+ community and to provide love and acceptance. I met a couple from The Netherlands that didn’t realize that the event was going on that weekend, but they were excited to know that it will be held in Amsterdam next year and they plan to attend it.

A Joyful Reflection

World Pride 2025 was a whirlwind of joy, pride, and unity. For the Veteran’s Leather Alliance, this incredible event highlighted our commitment to fostering connections within the leather community and supporting one another.

Jason "Hunter Green" Sexton at the Rainbow Road at World Pride 2025

The weekend served as a beautiful reminder of standing together in love and solidarity. We are excited to carry the energy and enthusiasm from this gathering into our own initiatives and upcoming events.

Though the parades have ended and the parties have wrapped up, the spirit of togetherness and pride will remain with us. Here’s to future events where we can honor our identities, share our stories, and build an even stronger community.

Until next time, keep celebrating love and diversity!