Adelaide’s Diverse and Resilient Leather Community

If you’ve ever been curious about exploring the kink or leather scenes in Adelaide, the city’s 2021 nonbinary titleholder says it’s a much more accessible community than you might think.

“I’d always been attracted to the leather community and leather itself. It’s such an amazing textile – the smell, the feel, being wrapped in it is amazing.”

Cherrie Rogers has held the Ms Adelaide Leather title for two years running, but they didn’t really explore the community until a 2018 event afterparty.

“There was just this room full of leather clad women and AFAB (assigned female at birth) nonbinary people and I just froze for a moment.”

“I remember texting my partner at the time and saying I’m surrounded by these sexy leather people – I’m in trouble, haha.”

Despite Adelaide running the country’s only nonbinary leather title, keeping the tight knit community engaged without a dedicated kink and fetish venue comes with its challenges.

“We’ve had to fight for so much throughout the community history that we continue to have that strength and resilience. Adelaide’s a little different compared to the eastern states.”

“In Melbourne, there’s The Laird which is always a venue for leathermen. We have most of our events at a local pub that supports us and embraces us. We don’t actually have a fixed venue that is for us.”

Despite this, the titleholder thinks the leather community is as accessible and welcoming as ever.

“When I first started, all I had was a pair of leather motorcycle gloves. Fifteen dollars from a local bike shop. Yes, leather can be expensive, but you don’t need to own leather to be part of the leather community.”

“Don’t let the leather itself be a barrier.”

Cherrie Rogers is the 2021 Ms Adelaide Leather titleholder. They originally spoke with one of the SAMESH team here.