What is a leather club?
In the queer and kink communities, there is a long history of chosen family. One of the ways these bonds form is through leather clubs.
In short, it is a group formed of like minded individuals, based in the protocol and history of leather and kink culture. Leather itself is seen by some as the spiritual and social part of kink, while BDSM is the interests we have and actions we take as kinky folk. That is not to say that everyone who is into BDSM is Leather, or vice versa. However, these communities and lifestyles are closely intertwined. While the liberation history of the LGBTQ community owes some credit to traditonal leather clubs, they, for the most part, were comprised of and centered gay cis men. There wasn't much focus or care to include non cis folks, especially queer transmasculine and afab non binary folks. That all changed with the creation of La Garou! |
La garou: a history
La Fraternitie du Loup Garou was founded formally in 2003.
The Brotherhood of the Werewolf grew out of the idea that trans leathermen would enjoy their journey in the leather world in the company of people with similar experiences. The pack began to grow to be more than just a good idea when the three founders met. While snowed in at the last True Spirit Conference in 2003, Jake Arthur and Ethan Young met Dale Bogucki and began talking about the idea of a transmasculine specific leather club. It was an idea Jake and Ethan had been discussing for a while. They had already come up with a name, La Fraternitié Du Loup-Garou, a French phrase that means "the brotherhood of the were-wolf." With the addition of Dale to the circle, discussion began in earnest and the pack began to take shape. The charter members found after years, that existing leather clubs and in a wider scope, gay leather culture, were not very accepting of afab trans folk, and in response, formed their own orginization. The original den, Black Swamp, was created to serve the Great Lakes, namely Northern Ohio and Southeast Michigan, but over time independent members began to crop up all over the United States. 2020 will mark our 17th year! |
Club structure and titles
Membership in La Garou
Alpha: full membership
Beta: associate membership
Cub: prospective member
Offical groups made of 3 or more Alpha members are known as Dens
Alpha members without a Den are known as
Lone Wolves
Grey Wolves are Alpha members that have retired and are given emeritus status
Honorary Alpha or Beta status is given to those that have done great service to benefit the club and trans leather community
Full members of La Garou shall be known as Alpha members. To qualify as an Alpha
member, a person must:
- be a afab gender outlaw; that is being designated female at birth but not identifying with that title, either in presentation or gender identity, etc.
- not be a full member of another backpatch levi/leather club;
- express an interest and show by deeds and actions a desire to be a member of
La Garou; - successfully complete the pledge period as a Cub unless the pledge period is
waived under special circumstances; - be voted in by the Pack;
- attend such meetings and events as required of an Alpha member as established
by the Rules and Traditions of La Garou. - pay all dues and fees required of Alpha members as established by the Rules
and Traditions of La Garou.
insignia patch
Prospective members of La Garou shall be known as Cubs.
To qualify as a Cub of La Garou, a person must:
- be afab gender outlaw;
- express an interest and show by deeds and actions a desire to be a member of
La Garou; - be recommended for membership by a current Alpha member of La Garou in good
standing; - complete and submit a membership application;
- be voted in by the General Assembly;
- make an honest attempt to complete all tasks set by the Cub Master;
- attend such meetings and events as required of a Cub as established by the
Rules and Traditions of La Garou. - pay all dues and fees required of Cubs as established by the Bylaws, Rules
and Traditions of La Garou.
and responsibilities as established by the Bylaws, Rules and Traditions of La
Garou.
A Cub is required to wear a pledge pin when attending meeting, functions and events of
La Garou.
A Cub is entitled to attend all meetings, functions and events of La Garou,
however, Cubs may be asked to withdraw from meeting during certain discussions.
Cubs are required to assume service roles at meetings, functions and events as
directed by the Cub Master.
Cubs shall fulfill all reasonable requests made by Alpha members. Cubs may
consult with any officer to determine the appropriateness of any request.
Associate members of La Garou shall be known as Beta members. To qualify as a
Beta member of La Garou, a person must:
- be supportive of afab gender outlaws;
- express an interest and show by deeds and actions a desire to be a Beta
member of La Garou; - be recommended for membership by a current Alpha member of La Garou in good
standing; - complete and submit a membership application;
- be voted in by the General Assembly; and
- pay all dues and fees required of Beta members as established by the Rules
and Traditions of La Garou.
privileges and responsibilities of such members as established by the Rules and
Traditions of La Garou.
A Beta member is entitled to wear the small insignia patch of La Garou.
A Beta member is entitled to attend all meetings, functions and events of LaGarou,
however, Beta members may be asked to withdraw from meeting during
certain discussions.
Active chapters
Great Lakes Region: Gizhi Goomi Den