Midwest Leather Kink Alliance
Bambi Twist (she/they)
Bambi Twist joined the kink and leather communities in 2021, carrying forward a legacy of love, affirmation, and Leather family tradition. As a young Black person raised in a deeply supportive environment, she brings a grounded, lived perspective on identity, gender, and freedom. In 2024, they stepped into education by facilitating Littles Roundtable honoring their desire to serve and uplift the community that continues to inspire them. Expanding to teaching about age play, age regression and different types of play on black and brown bodies. Now she’s proudly representing as Austin Person of Gear 2026, the first femme presenting black person to hold this title.
Master Damascus and slave Demir International Master/slave 2026
Master Damascus and slave Demir have been on their leather journey together since 2014, when they first connected with the Daddy/boy community in Dallas, Texas. Since then, their dynamic has evolved into a deeply rooted Master/slave relationship. Together, they embody service, integrity, and joyful chaos. They are the 2026 International Master and slave and the 2025 SouthWest Master and slave.
Both proud transgender men, they are committed to bridging the gap between the M/s and queer communities—bringing visibility, education, and authentic representation to the spaces they serve. Damascus, a Marine Corps veteran, mental health advocate, and little, is known for his quiet strength, unwavering values, and deep compassion. Demir, a loyal and vibrant slave, brings joy, anticipation, and a healthy dose of puppy mischief to their dynamic. Their connection blends discipline, love, and laughter in a way that is both grounded and powerful.
They are members of MAsT Colorado Springs and Voodoo Leatherworks. Together, they founded Haus Valhalla and created Leather and Lager, a monthly event at the Denver Eagle aimed at uniting the leather, kink, and M/s communities in an inclusive and welcoming space.
When not engaged in leather life, you’ll find them adventuring outdoors with their fur-kids, supporting fellow veterans and kinksters, or spending time with their “spawns.” Their journey is rooted in service, visibility, and the belief that growth and connection transcend identity, experience, and background.
Finn Gerhardt
Finn Gerhardt is a leatherperson, bootblack, activist, performer and educator from the great state of Maryland. They teach classes ranging from Electro-Play and Sonophilia to Public Speaking and applying Theatrical Principles to Kink. Finn is currently serving as International Person of Leather 2026, where their platform, “Don’t Look Away,” emphasizes the importance of bearing witness in fighting propaganda and speaking truth to power. Finn is a proud Thaddy to their Boi, Matt, and always tries to leave the world a little shinier than they found it.
Gidget
Gidget (she/her) is a Kansas City native, a little, a switch, a Lady, a liver-transplant survivor, and, most importantly, a mom of her biological son and two husky mixes. She's the driving force behind the Midwest Leather Kink Alliance as its owner and serves as the Executive Producer for both the Midwest Master/slave and Midwest Person of Leather contests.
Gidget's journey is marked by a history of challenging norms and a deep commitment to marginalized communities. From her early "brat" days, where she found loopholes in college rules, to her extensive volunteer work, she has consistently championed those in need. This includes helping unhoused individuals find stability and supporting pregnant teens with crucial resources when they faced ostracization from her church.
After discovering the BDSM and leather community later in life, Gidget realized she'd been living its principles all along. She found her true calling, pouring her heart into organizing events like Show Me Leather and Midwest Leather Kink Alliance to foster unity and connection within the Missouri and Midwest community. Gidget firmly believes that everyone is enough and has a place. She lives by the principle, "Everyone has a seat at the table, and everyone is welcome," encouraging authenticity and self-acceptance for all, regardless of perceived "norms" within the leather world. Her favorite quote is A dream is a wish your heart makes - Disney’s Cinderella
Boy Hayd
Boy Hayd is a sex educator, drag king, and trans advocate. He has a passion for helping people understand their bodies and the bodies of their partners in order to have the most fun, as safely as possible. As a trans man in today's political and social environment, he believes the only way to counter hatred and miseducation is to have open, honest conversations that breed understanding, compassion, and empathy.
Levi
Levi found Leather community nearly 25 years ago and immediately recognized it as home. For the past 19 years, he has had the honor of belonging to his Sir, Tomo, and offers devoted service, grateful obedience and steadfast surrender as his Majordomo. Levi has been a Leather educator and an organizer since 2002. He is the Associate Producer and Majordomo for South Plains Leatherfest, and a Battalion Commander for the D.U.C. He has “flagged left” for the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, International Ms Leather/Ms Bootblack Weekend (“Pantheon of Leather Award, Large Event of the Year”), Play House Studios, Northwest Leather Celebration, and SF Queer Leather Happy Hour.
Though a lifelong New Yorker, Levi currently lives in the Bay Area of California. Outside of the dungeon, Levi serves as Director of Operations for a globally renowned business school. As a player, Levi is "the quiet one" who you might not guess to be a Bootblack, a switch, a smartass, and a shit-stirrer in all the right ways.
Master Lucian Raven and His slave celina Raven
Master Lucian Raven and His slave celina Raven have been in a 24/7, Owner/property, ageplay+ dynamic since August 2024 and currently serve as your 2025 Midwest Master and slave. A mutual passion for service, education, and advocacy brought them together and they’ve continued to build on and strengthen these passions. Navigating disability is central to their relationship and how they interact in the community. They strive to authentically highlight the impacts of various disabilities on dynamic structure and protocols.
As a TNG couple, they strive to incorporate tradition and honor the history of the Master/slave community while also representing the values of those just coming in. They enjoy being Bratty, flirty, giggly and sassy - showcasing safety in soft and joyful moments. Together, Lucian and celina bring a unique blend of experience, passion, and commitment to their title, enriching the community through their advocacy, consultation work, and education.
Mando
Mando is the inaugural Wisconsin Fetish titleholder. He has a passion for education people on kinky cosplay that is fun, sage and consentual. He flasgs more colors than the rainbow and is active in the Madison knik/leather community. Mando enjoys integrating his love of Star Wars with his kink side. In his perosnl life he is very active politically. In addition for bein g an LGBTQ advocate he also works to help the unhoused in his community have a voice
Sir Merrell
Merrell is a photographer and educator in the leather community, known for powerful, consent-driven imagery and inclusive teaching. My work honors leather history while celebrating expressions of kink, identity and connection. My passion is to help new people enter the community.
Daddy Nick
Daddy Nick the Gender Fluid Ginger Handler of the Midwest. He was the inaugural North Star Handler 2019-2022, and the inaugural Midwest Handler 2019-2023. He has worked on the boards of Midwest Pet and Handler Contest and is currently affiliated with Wisconsin Leather Pride, as the title holder Liaison. Over the course of his growth within the pet community he has a passion for promoting inclusion and creating safe spaces so that everyone can experience the pet and handler community.
He helped find a safe place for the WATCH Moshes (Women and Trans Critters and Handlers) in Minneapolis, he’s designed two booklets to showcase the non cis male members of our community, one Booklet for non cis gay male pets and handlers, and the other for non cis gay male bootblacks. He is also working to bring additional visibility to Female-Identified, ENBY, or Trans Critters and Handlers with social media postings entitled Let’s Make F.E.T.C.H Happen.
One thing that Daddy Nick wants you to know is that regardless of how you identify, what kinks you are into, or what scenes you are a part of, is that you matter and You Are Welcome Here.
Persephone (she/they/fae)
Persephone discovered the BDSM community in 2005, igniting an unrelenting thirst for knowledge that has never waned. Eager to learn, she identifies on the right side of the slash. Thriving as a skilled performer, educator, and producer, she shares her wisdom with passion, aiming to enrich her community through education. Wearing many hats, from leader to model, she indulges in diverse hobbies like aerial silks, yoga, art, and dance. Persephone's dynamic presence and dedication to learning fuel her hope to inspire and uplift those around her.
Pup Spartan
Spartan is a Wisconsin-based leather, kink, and pet play educator, titleholder, and community volunteer dedicated to fostering authenticity, creativity, and accessibility. His work focuses on helping people explore identity, archetypes, and self-expression in ways that are personal, sustainable, and affirming.
As a neurodivergent community member, Spartan brings lived experience into his teaching. He emphasizes practical tools, adaptable frameworks, and inclusive approaches that respect different communication styles, sensory needs, and learning preferences. He is especially passionate about supporting those who may feel outside traditional molds and helping them discover that their differences are strengths.
Spartan has taught and co-taught classes and panels at regional events, where his approachable, honest style helps create spaces where participants feel welcome to ask questions, experiment, and grow. He believes education should be collaborative, engaging, and grounded in real experience.
Outside the classroom, Spartan actively volunteers, organizes community initiatives, and fundraises for local causes. His work is rooted in service and in building stronger, more connected communities.
Through teaching, Spartan hopes to empower others to embrace their unique selves, deepen their confidence, and find meaningful connection within leather and kink spaces. He also advocates for accessibility, consent culture, and mentorship, encouraging new voices to step forward. Spartan believes visibility and representation matter, and he strives to model leadership that is compassionate, accountable, and human. Whether teaching fundamentals or advanced topics, he centers curiosity, respect, and the idea that everyone deserves a place to belong together with community and shared growth for all in learning spaces now..
Sir Prussian and slave Lucky Fyre (He/Him) / (They/It)
Sir Prussian Fyre and his slave, Lucky Fyre are your 2025 & 2026 Texas Master/slave titleholders, based in Houston, Texas. He’s a Leatherman, hedonistic sadist, and Army veteran; they’re a devoted Leathergirl, degradation trollop, and proud slave.
Living a 24/7 Primal M/s dynamic, they are devoted to the exploration of edge, the structure of service, and the art of authority exchange. Their path is shaped by a devotion to education, embodied consent, and fun!
Sparkle Fox
Being in the community for close to a decade, Sparkles Fox has been active in the Leather community, and is a member of the House Cyclone a leather house . In 2025 she proudly became Ms. Route 66.In 2024, she proudly became the new Ms. Hidden Door and uses the title to represent the community and her home bar, the Hidden Door in Dallas. In 2018, Fox became Member at Large for the National Leather Alliance in Dallas and has held office as their Social Chair. As the runner-up for Ms Leo in 2022, Sparkles has volunteered for Great Plains Olympus Leather, Beyond Vanilla, and South Plains Leather Fest. She also has taught at Beyond Vanilla and IMsLBB and other events . Her current activities also include assisting with the social group All Leather Social Outing and as Sparkles, Archduchess in the United Court of the Lonestar Empire.
slave sunflower
slave sunflower has been an active and devoted member of the Leather community for more than a decade. Identifying as a slave, masochist, middle, babygirl, puppy, demo bottom, and presenter, she embodies the beauty of versatility and depth within service and play. Her journey reflects a commitment to growth, authenticity, and the many ways individuals can express themselves within Leather culture.
At the heart of sunflower’s path is a deep passion for community service. Whether within Leather spaces or in the vanilla world, she lives by a simple but powerful intention: to make someone’s day and life a little easier through acts of care, consistency, and commitment. This dedication has led her to present, moderate, and volunteer at numerous conferences and events, including FLAME, THRIVE, SouthEast LeatherFest (SELF), Beyond Leather, MsC Worldwide, and the Northeast Conference of Kink (N.E.C.K.), among others.
In 2026, sunflower proudly stepped into the role of Northeast Person of Leather, a title that reflects both her dedication and the respect she has earned within the community. Her leadership extends far beyond the classroom and dungeon. She serves on multiple committees for the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF), sits on the Board of Directors for the Northeast Conference of Kink, acts as Director of Diversity for the Beyond Leather Conference, and supports SouthEast LeatherFest as the Volunteer Assistant.
Though small in stature and soft in voice, slave sunflower’s presence is unmistakable. Her devotion, integrity, and love for the Leather community guide her path as she continues to grow, embodying service not simply as an act, but as a lifelong way of being.
Trainer Liza
A horsewoman her entire life (no surprise that her Mama's family name is Mama's horsewoman), Liza had no name for the pony play she experienced at her all-girls summer camps throughout her youth. Currently, she is the proud trainer of the handsome stallion, Ferdinand (her slave, Jody's alter ego.)
Ferdinand, a big black Percheron, was sired in April 2011 at Beyond Leather. His first pony parade was in April 2012 and has since befriended Littles at IMsL and WILL, demonstrating his counting tricks. His dressage debut at Equus was in 2015 to the Overture of 1812, available on Youtube.
Bambi Twist (she/they)
Bambi Twist joined the kink and leather communities in 2021, carrying forward a legacy of love, affirmation, and Leather family tradition. As a young Black person raised in a deeply supportive environment, she brings a grounded, lived perspective on identity, gender, and freedom. In 2024, they stepped into education by facilitating Littles Roundtable honoring their desire to serve and uplift the community that continues to inspire them. Expanding to teaching about age play, age regression and different types of play on black and brown bodies. Now she’s proudly representing as Austin Person of Gear 2026, the first femme presenting black person to hold this title.
Midwest Leather Kink Alliance is a celebration that provides a safe environment for everyone to learn, educate, and promote inclusivity of all, regardless of gender, sexual preference, or relationship style.