Community outrage over Los Angeles Leather Coalition’s apparent transphobia
BY MARK ARIEL
Transphobic comments made towards Mister Sister Leather 2024 J Carter at a Los Angeles Leather Coalition board meeting have created an uproar within the community.
In response several groups and community members have distanced themselves from the LALC, including The Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, ONYX Southwest and others.
The Sisters posted the following announcement online.
“For 28 years the mission of The Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence has been to expiate stigmatic guilt and promulgate universal joy. We have worked hard to gain the trust of our community and to honor our commitment to support our entire queer family which indivisibly includes our transgender family members.
Transphobic statements made to our title holder, J Carter, Mister Sister Leather 2024, at the March public meeting of the Los Angeles Leather Coalition (LALC) make it apparent that the LALC Board of Directors do not fully share this commitment.
Pursuant to the conduct witnessed at this meeting and a lack of substantial response after, the Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence regret to inform that we will be removing ourselves from our position as a Community Partner of the LALC.
After public accountability and transparency were requested in writing, we received a response from the Board Chairman that we felt was substandard. While the response, a written apology to J, was a step in the right direction, it did not represent the LALC Board taking public accountability, did not address the transphobia experienced from more than one member of the LALC Board, did not repair the damage caused by the statements and actions of the LALC Board, and certainly did not identify how LALC would commit to addressing future practices.
The entire membership of the Los Angeles Sisters are shocked and saddened by this instance of open transphobia and are committed to ensuring that all of our title holders are treated with the respect and dignity afforded to everyone who bears our sash, as well as all members of our leather community. We stand with J. Carter, Mister Sister Leather 2024, 1st runner up to Mister LA Leather 2024, fully and completely.
The Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence do not tolerate transphobia at any level and vow to stamp this out at every opportunity. Respecting our trans siblings is not up for debate or discussion. Trans and nonbinary individuals are valid, visible, and loved exactly as they are.
We reaffirm our commitment to our title holder and to the whole of our LGBTQIA+ community. We will continue to require accountability at all levels.”
In an interview with THE FIGHT, ONYX Southwest President Chad Onyx said: “ONYX Southwest is an inclusive and diverse organization. We represent all people of color and marginalized groups. When our siblings are hurting, we are hurting. However, before we rush to judgment, we first want to hear all the perspectives. We heard the side of J. L. Carter (Mr. Sister Leather 2024), we heard the community outrage, and we wanted to hear LALC’s side. We did on April 15, and we were shocked by what we didn’t hear, and that was accountability or a plan of action. We are not comfortable being a part of anything that doesn’t align with our values. Until there is equity and equality for all, then we won’t feel comfortable being a community partner. We can’t be that organization that stands for everyone and sits idly by and does nothing in this case. We stand in solidarity with our trans siblings and always will.”
When asked how the LALC could rectify this situation, Chad said: “First off, they’ve got to learn from their past slip-ups and actively work to avoid making the same ones over and over again. Second, they need to listen to the concerns of the community they claim to stand for and promptly figure out a plan of action when they mess up. Third, they should stop shielding certain individuals they think are untouchable and treat everyone with equal respect. And finally, they’ve got to prioritize the community. After all, isn’t the LALC supposed to be all about the community?”
The Los Angeles Leather Coalition Responds
Dear Community Partners and Community,
“…Recent comments made by our Board Chair, Robert Green, have deeply hurt and disappointed members of our community. We want to express our sincerest apologies for any harm caused by these insensitive remarks. As an organization dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, we recognize the importance of acknowledging and addressing such incidents as the one involving Mr. Sister Leather 2024, J. Carter, with transparency and urgency.
Effective immediately, Robert Green will no longer serve on the board of the Los Angeles Leather Coalition. We understand that leadership carries a profound responsibility to uphold our values of authenticity, inclusion, and respect for diversity. Mr. Green’s comments do not align with these values, and we are committed to taking decisive action to uphold the integrity of our organization. Gabriel Green, the current Vice-Chair will step up and serve as interim Chair immediately.
Moving forward, we are renewing our unwavering commitment to support all aspects of the LGBTQ+ community. We recognize that trust is not earned overnight, but we are dedicated to rebuilding it through our actions. To this end, all of our leaders will undergo comprehensive training to ensure a deep understanding and embrace of our organizational values. We will also empower them to serve as champions for authenticity, inclusion, and healthy conversations that embrace diversity and equity.
Furthermore, we are taking proactive steps to ensure accountability and transparency within our organization. We are in the process of partnering with an external advisor to audit, assess, and objectively guide our thinking towards consistent accountability. This advisor will provide invaluable insights to help us strengthen our policies and practices, ensuring that they reflect the values of our community.
We understand that healing and rebuilding trust will take time, but we want to assure you that our efforts are swift and immediate. We are committed to fostering a culture of openness, respect, and inclusivity within the Los Angeles Leather Coalition. We are deeply grateful for the feedback and concerns expressed by our community members and sponsors, and we are fully committed to listening, learning, and growing from this experience.
The LALC fully stands behind our titleholder, Mr. Sister Leather 2024, J. Carter and his decision to celebrate his body during the Mr. LA Leather 2024 Contest. We are proud of him and how he represented himself, not only as a contestant, but as a member of our transgender community. We want to make it clear that we do not support anyone with transphobic views or opinions. These views and opinions are not in line with the values of LALC and have no place within our organization or the community we love and support.
In closing, we want to reaffirm our dedication to serving the diverse and vibrant LGBTQ+ community of Los Angeles. Together, we will continue to work towards a future where everyone feels valued, respected, and included.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors
Los Angeles Leather Coalition
Gabriel Green, Mistress Cyan, Frank Cavallo, Jonathan Wright, Carolyn Stimson, Francisco Perales
