Sydney Leather Pride Association (SLPA) has been around since 1990. It was started by six people who all had one thing in common – they loved their leather BDSM.

20 years later and SLPA is still educating the community about leather, fetish and BDSM through their annual Leather Pride Week, which features parties, life drawing classes, workshops on dungeon safety – even a formal fetish three course meal.

The official launch is at The Clarence Hotel. Proceeds from the night will go towards sending Alan Norman, Sydney’s Mr Leather, to the International Mr Leather competition (IML) which takes place in Chicago from 21 – 25 May. This is the first time in seven years that Sydney’s had a representative going to the competition! Let’s help Alan get over there, and put us back on the map!

The Launch is on at the Clarence Hotel, May 2 from 9pm.

This year the Midnight Shift will again host Leather Pride Fair Day – a fun day with featuring Sandy Bottom and Sandi Hotrod, selected leather community stalls and competitions like best tattoo, best hog tie, best leathers and best uniform. There’s also a swap meet table, so bring your pre-loved leathers and gear along.

Leather Pride Fair Day is on at Midnight Shift, May 3 from midday to 6pm.

The Leather Pride Artspace is back again this year at the Aurora Gallery in Newtown. The week long exhibition features talents from the Sydney leather community. The Aurora Gallery is at Twenty 10, 43 Bedford St, Newtown. Opening night is Monday May 4 from 7pm.

Artspace is open Tuesday to Friday from 5 – 9pm. Entry by gold coin donation.

Due its success last year, Leather Life Drawing is back again. Bears, butches, femmes and leathermen – all from the community – will be posing. Accomplished artists and beginners are all welcome! So start sharpening those pencils!

Leather Life Drawing is on at Aurora Gallery, May 5 from 7pm. Bookings essential – curator_leather_ pride@yahoo. com.au

There’ll be a Formal Fetish Dinner on Thursday May 7 at Coffee Cup in Surry Hills. The extravagant three course dinner will be prepared by chef ‘Boston Dave’, who was trained in the United States by some of the world’s top chefs. BYO alcohol, modern Australian cuisine with full vegetarian options available. Wear your finest leather, rubber, uniform or fetish gear.

SLPA Formal Dinner is on May 7 from 7pm, Coffee Cup on Crown, 368 Crown St Surry Hills. $60 per head. Bookings essential – rod@rodspark.com

Leather Pride wraps up on Sunday May 10 with a hot, dirty, dungeon dance party upstairs at Midnight Shift – Black Indulgence. Being a school night, it starts at 5pm, and finishes at 11pm. DJs are Chip and Mark Alsop, and there’s a hot bondage and fetish show promised too.

Black Indulgence is on May 10 from 5pm. Tickets are only $25 for non-members or $20 for SLPA members and concession.

For the full Sydney Leather Pride Week calendar click here.