John Doan is a Leatherman who honors the traditions of history, as well as embraces our evolving leather culture. He started his journey as a Leatherman about fourteen years ago. The journey began with a partner from D.C, before moving back to Houston Texas. He helped found the Houston Warriors in 2013 and served as Vice President in 2014 until his move to Atlanta, Georgia. This choice has led to many lasting friendships and co-conspirators in living his life in leather. John took an active participation in Houston Council of Club’s (HCC) trade mark event “Let Us Entertain You” (LUEY) 2014 celebrating their 42nd year. In 2014, John’s career took him to the Atlanta community, where he pledged and became a member of the Atlanta Panthers Leather/Levi club. His pledge project benefitted American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER), assisting LGBT veterans who were dishonorably discharged do to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) by reversing the charges, as well as, having public relations representative for those currently serving.
After the passing of his club brother and friend, International Leather Sir 2011 and President of the Panthers, Alan Penrod, he felt the need to step up his presence. Taking initiative, he took on oversight of the Panther Bar Nights, Halloween weekend in 2016 - 2017, and provided counsel in 2018. John also took on the responsibility of the Leather Float for the Panthers in the Atlanta Pride parade 2016, taking third place among nonprofits for best float. This was the highest they had ever placed. In 2016, he was honored with the Panther of the Year Award, voted on by the full members. He has held offices in the Panthers including Treasurer in 2016 and the Vice President in 2017, taking responsibility for the Panther’s 30th Anniversary celebration.
John has participated in other fundraising events such as Leather & Lace in 2017 through 2019, which helped to boost the funds for organizations such as Lost and Found, helping shelter homeless LGBTQ youth, and Sharon Saint Cyr Fund that assists those who are deaf in accessing hearing aids and interpreters. John personally donated paintings raising money both years for their auctions, coupling that with live singing performances. He enjoys attending both national and international events throughout the year, such as ILSb/ICBB.
Sir John enjoys teaching workshops on BDSM 101, spanking, and nipple play. He served on the People of Color (POC) panel discussion held at ILSb/ICBB 2018, in Dallas, Texas. His personal BDSM tastes are in impact play, spanking, flogging, whipping, paddling, caning, and fisting.
He has previously been the guardian of his former ward, boy adam, as well as a boy in training, boy rick, who was new to being openly gay and to Leather/BDSM/kink. He has personally collared two boys over his time as a Dominant, boy randy and boy michael, who have been released.
Sir John firmly believes that being a decent person in Leather or vanilla life is about making honest impressions and connections. He is a strong believer that he chose the right path for himself by embracing the leather culture and he believes his lifestyle choice saved him. John found prejudice and racism within the overall gay community, however did not see it as prevalent in the Leather community creating a healthier environment for him and those he cares for to thrive. John enjoys the diversity and relationship styles within the D/s lifestyle and believes that the play, sex, relationships, and connections have created an energizing life for him and he attributes that to Leather.
Currently, he is the President of National Leather Association-International (NLA-I). He is confident that his years of good communications with past projects, club members, and community leaders has helped give way to success between the younger and newer members of the Leather community. Like the founder of NLA-I, Steve Maidhof, John believes the NLA-I should be a network of members that are able to access each other wherever they are, lending to friendships, play, guidance, and protection. It is important to him that every Leather person feel they are connected to each other. Having been part of the leadership in a MC club of similar age like the Panthers, he understands how important heritage is to NLA-I and to its membership. John is, currently, on his last term for his presidency. The Living in Leather annual event, celebrating erotic/Leather/BDSM/kink writers, artists, and activists has gone virtual. This helped many members and community members to attend and participate. John has paired other events in his local community and Leather, allowing exposure and conversations. He has instilled a fresh energy into the NLA-I Executive Board and its direction with the above passions and ideas. He feels that every Leather person should be part of NLA-I and wants to focus on creating projects to attract new membership. As his last term with NLA-I wraps up, there will be more to come!
