Tony DeBlase is a central and enduring figure in modern Leather history, best known as the designer of the Leather Pride Flag—one of the most widely recognized and unifying symbols within the global Leather, kink, and BDSM communities. His work provided Leatherfolk with a shared visual language of identity, pride, and continuity at a time when visibility and cohesion were urgently needed.
Emerging from the post-Stonewall Leather scene of the late 1970s and 1980s, DeBlase was active in bars, clubs, and social organizations that shaped the developing Leather community. This period was marked by cultural expansion as well as profound loss, and DeBlase’s involvement reflected an Old Guard–informed understanding of Leather as a culture rooted in earned identity, mutual respect, erotic authenticity, and responsibility.
In 1989, Tony DeBlase unveiled the Leather Pride Flag at the International Mr. Leather competition in Chicago. The flag features horizontal stripes of black and blue with a central white stripe and a red heart. Rather than assigning rigid meanings to each element, DeBlase intentionally left the symbolism open to interpretation, allowing individuals and communities to find personal and collective meaning within the design.
This deliberate openness allowed the Leather Pride Flag to be embraced across diverse identities, roles, and practices. The flag quickly became an international emblem, flown at events, bars, marches, and ceremonies, and remains one of the most enduring cultural artifacts in Leather history.
DeBlase consistently emphasized that the Leather Pride Flag was meant to unite rather than divide. He resisted efforts to over-define or gatekeep its meaning, believing that Leather identity is lived and demonstrated through conduct rather than imposed doctrine. This philosophy closely aligns with traditional Old Guard principles that prioritize integrity, service, and accountability.
Beyond the creation of the flag, Tony DeBlase remained a respected presence within the Leather community, supporting dialogue, education, and the preservation of Leather history. His contribution is singular yet profound: he provided Leatherfolk with a symbol that transcends geography, language, and generation.
Today, the Leather Pride Flag stands not as a replacement for local traditions or earned titles, but as a shared banner of recognition and belonging. Tony DeBlase’s legacy endures through this symbol—one that reflects Leather at its best: chosen family, earned trust, erotic truth, and responsibility to one another.