Durk Dehner, a co-founder of the Tom of Finland Foundation, was recently removed as a judge for the International Mr Leather (IML) competition after images surfaced of him wearing Nazi symbols on multiple occasions.
The controversy erupted following a social media post by Pup Diego Onyx, the reigning Mr Bullet Leather 2024, who shared photos of Dehner donning a swastika pin and a leather hat adorned with the Nazi Eagle (parteiadler).
Pup Diego and others criticised IML and Tom of Finland for their failure to prevent such behaviour, highlighting the emotional labour placed on younger, marginalised members of the leather community.
“It really shouldn’t take younger trans POC people in the leather community to do the work that an organisation as big as IML should be doing itself,” wrote Diego. He expressed deep frustration at the incident, adding, “Do better everyone.”
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IML, founded in 1979, is a renowned celebration of the leather, kink, fetish, and BDSM communities. Hosted annually in Chicago over Memorial Day weekend, it draws a diverse crowd of contestants and spectators.
David Ronneberg, IML’s executive director, addressed the scandal in a statement posted via Facebook.
“Hate has no place at IML. Period, full stop,” Ronneberg wrote, without naming Dehner directly. He emphasised that anyone wearing symbols of hatred, including Nazi regalia or MAGA hats, “has NO place at the table, NO voice in the conversation, and can fuck right off.”
He extended his gratitude to those who brought the matter to light, acknowledging their role in holding IML accountable. “We must do better,” he concluded.
The Tom of Finland Foundation also issued a statement regarding the Nazi symbols which some criticised as insincere. The Foundation is known for preserving and promoting queer erotica, particularly the works of artist Touko Laaksonen (known as Tom of Finland).
Laaksonen’s imagery of hyper-masculine white men, often depicted in military or authoritarian clothing, has long been both celebrated and controversial, sparking debates on whether it challenges or perpetuates systems of abuse and power.
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