09/15/2025
A Heartfelt Thank You from Indiana Leather & Kink Weekend
As we reflect on this year’s Indiana Leather & Kink Weekend, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. This event could not have happened without the countless hands, hearts, and souls who stepped up, gave of themselves, and made this weekend shine.
First and foremost, to our volunteers—thank you. Without you, this event simply would not be possible. You gave your time, your energy, and your presence to uplift our entire community. Your willingness to step in wherever needed, your smiles, and your dedication kept the spirit of the weekend alive. You are the heartbeat of this event, and we are endlessly grateful.
To our sponsors, both for this weekend and for our fundraising events throughout the year—thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your generosity, resources, and belief in our mission help us keep building a safer, stronger, and more inclusive community. Every raffle basket, every dollar donated, every banner hung, and every moment of support directly fuels the success of events like this one. You allow us not only to host a weekend filled with education, celebration, and connection, but also to keep growing and giving back to the community we love. We are proud to stand alongside you and deeply grateful for your partnership.
To our bootblacks, who tirelessly polished our leather and in doing so polished our pride—you embody the artistry and devotion that keep leather vibrant. We loved seeing you shine in the spotlight, sharing your passion for leather so that all of us could enjoy it. Thank you for carrying forward such a beautiful and important tradition.
To our vendors, thank you for bringing your incredible inventory, for enduring long hours, and for creating spaces where our community could support you and each other. Your presence enriches every event you attend, and we are deeply appreciative of the work you put in to make this weekend possible.
To our coordinators—both those officially recognized and those who quietly slipped into the role when needed—you are the foundation that kept everything steady, strong, and organized. Your talents, creativity, and commitment exceeded expectations once again. Thank you for bringing the puzzle pieces together to create such a powerful, seamless event.
To Step Up Testing, thank you for being with us, offering free STI testing, and helping to make our community safer. Your continued support of our events is a gift that cannot be measured. We see you, we appreciate you, and we thank you deeply.
To our educators, your classes enriched this weekend more than words can say. Education is one of the most important parts of what we do, and we expanded this year specifically so we could offer even more opportunities to learn. The feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, and we thank you for stepping up to build knowledge, safety, and growth in our community.
To our contestants, you left your hearts and souls on that stage. You allowed yourselves to be seen fully—vulnerable, powerful, and authentic. That courage is not only admirable but inspiring. We are so proud of each of you, and we cannot wait to support you on your journeys ahead. You have earned every bit of recognition and celebration that comes your way.
To our community, from near and afar, you are the reason for this event. You showed up, you filled the classes, you celebrated with us, and you reminded us why we do what we do. We are building community, one event at a time, with education at the heart of it all. Your feedback, your presence, and your energy keep us moving forward, and we thank you for making this space vibrant and alive.
Finally, to our producers, Jay and Spaz—thank you. Your vision, your willingness to listen, and your ability to adapt and shape events to the needs of our community are extraordinary. You are pillars of strength, rebuilding leather, kink, inclusion, and acceptance within our communities. You are the rocks that ground us and the boulders that keep us strong. Tirelessly planning down to the smallest detail, you delivered a contest and a weekend smoother than ever. Congratulations to you both for a job more than well done.
This weekend was not just an event—it was a celebration of who we are, what we love, and the strength of our community. From every thank you spoken to every embrace shared, from education to play to celebration, we continue to grow together. And for that, we are profoundly grateful.
— With love and leather,
Indiana Leather & Kink Weekend
