Leather Club Roma Joins Confederation of European Rubber Clubs

Leather Club Roma (LCR) is proud to announce that it has officially joined the European Confederation of Rubber Clubs, marking a significant milestone in the club’s history. This development comes after a months-long process initiated at the very first meeting of LCR’s newly elected board earlier this year. At that inaugural board meeting in February, the leadership outlined a bold vision for greater international engagement – and affiliating with the European Confederation of Rubber Clubs was at the top of the agenda. Now that vision has been realized: LCR’s membership in the Confederation has been formalized and confirmed, opening an exciting new chapter for the club and its community.

The European Confederation of Rubber Clubs (ECRC) is a newly formed pan-European alliance of fetish clubs focused on rubber gear, kink, and community. Founded by a coalition of clubs from across Europe, the ECRC’s mission is to foster collaboration, coordinate events (such as the renowned Mister Rubber Europe contest), and strengthen the bonds among the continent’s rubber-fetish enthusiasts. By joining this alliance, Leather Club Roma becomes part of a growing family of organizations dedicated to elevating the rubber scene on an international scale. For a club like LCR – a non-profit association long devoted to promoting leather & fetish culture in Italy and beyond – this membership is a natural extension of its commitment to inclusivity and outreach. It signals to the world that the Roman fetish community is eager to contribute to, and learn from, the wider European rubber family.

From Vision to Reality: A Board Initiative

The journey to ECRC membership began as soon as LCR’s new board took office. On February 8, 2025, Leather Club Roma held elections that brought in a fresh leadership team full of energy and ideas. In their very first meeting, the new board members – led by newly elected President Simone – underscored the importance of strengthening international ties. They recognized that while LCR has long been active in European networks (the club has been a member of ECMC, the European confederation of leather/fetish clubs, since 2001), there was an opportunity to do more specifically for the rubber community. Joining the European Confederation of Rubber Clubs quickly emerged as a top priority. It was a chance to formally connect with like-minded clubs across Europe who share a passion for latex, rubber, and fetish gear, and to ensure that Italian rubber enthusiasts have a strong voice on the European stage.

What followed was a diligent application and vetting process over the spring and early summer. The LCR board prepared the necessary documentation, highlighted the club’s many rubber-focused activities, and engaged in productive dialogue with the Confederation’s founding members. By demonstrating LCR’s active role in Italy’s rubber scene and its alignment with the Confederation’s values, the club earned enthusiastic support from the ECRC council. This month, the membership became official – a moment of pride and validation for LCR’s leadership and members alike. What started as an ambitious idea in a boardroom has now become reality. The club celebrated internally upon receiving the formal acceptance, and today we are thrilled to share the news with the entire community.

A Milestone for Leather Club Roma

For Leather Club Roma, joining the European Confederation of Rubber Clubs is far more than just adding another affiliation to its resume – it’s a milestone that carries deep significance. LCR has always strived to be a home for all facets of the fetish community. Founded in 1999, the club’s mission is to develop and promote gay leather, BDSM, and fetish culture within Italy and Europe. Over the years, while “leather” may be in our name, LCR has warmly embraced enthusiasts of rubber, latex, uniform, puppy play, and more as part of our family. In fact, some of our own past and present board members have been prominent “rubbermen”: one former LCR Vice President even held the title of Mister Rubber Italia in his day. The club also has a proud history of supporting rubber-focused events – for example, LCR co-organizes the annual Mister Rubber Italia contest alongside Leather Friends Italia, which selects the Italian rubber community’s representative for European and international competitions. This long-standing involvement demonstrates that rubber culture has always been an integral part of LCR’s identity.

Becoming a member of the ECRC now formally cements LCR’s commitment to the rubber fetish community. It sends a clear message: Leather Club Roma is dedicated to serving all fetish enthusiasts, whether their gear of choice is cowhide or neoprene. For our club’s members, this affiliation will bring tangible benefits. What does ECRC membership mean for LCR and its members? A few key advantages stand out:

• International Collaboration: LCR will now collaborate closely with rubber clubs across Europe on joint initiatives and events. We’ll have a seat at the table in discussions about pan-European fetish gatherings, contests, and campaigns, ensuring Italy’s perspective is well represented.

• Enhanced Visibility: Being part of a Europe-wide confederation raises LCR’s profile on the international stage. This can attract more visitors and friends from abroad to our events in Rome, and in turn, encourage our local members to explore the vibrant rubber scene across different countries.

• Member Opportunities: Our members will gain easier access to information about rubber events and resources around Europe. As an ECRC member club, LCR can share with its members exclusive invites or discounted entries to partner club events, tips for attending foreign fetish weekends, and maybe even organize group visits. The membership makes it simpler for an LCR member to feel at home in any European city’s rubber community, knowing we are all connected.

• Community Growth and Learning: Through the Confederation’s network, LCR can exchange best practices with other clubs – whether it’s effective ways to run fetish parties or ideas for community outreach and inclusion. This knowledge sharing will help us improve our own local events and initiatives. It also means we can contribute our experience (for instance, in hosting Fetish Pride Italy or charity campaigns) to benefit clubs in other countries. In short, we’ll grow stronger together.

For LCR as an organization, this step is also personally gratifying. Many of us on the board came of age in an era when international fetish connections were harder to forge – one had to travel to meet fellow kinksters abroad. Today, through alliances like ECRC, we can help bridge distances and bring the global fetish brotherhood closer to home. The sight of Leather Club Roma listed among Europe’s leading rubber clubs is a proud one for all who have been part of our journey. It reflects decades of hard work by volunteers and members who believed in building a community that transcends borders. This is indeed a milestone moment, and it energizes us to aim even higher.

Strengthening the European Fetish Community

LCR’s membership isn’t just a win for our club – it’s a positive development for the wider European fetish and rubber community as well. With Leather Club Roma joining, the European Confederation of Rubber Clubs grows larger and more diverse. Italy is already a vibrant player in Europe’s fetish scene, and now, with two major clubs (Leather Club Roma and Leather Friends Italia) united under the ECRC umbrella, the Italian presence within the European rubber network is stronger than ever. This adds rich geographic and cultural diversity to the confederation. Rome’s community has its own flavor and history, and by sharing it with our European counterparts, we enrich the tapestry of fetish culture across the continent.

Collaboration across borders is the core idea behind the Confederation’s creation. Each club that joins brings its unique strengths and experiences. LCR, for example, offers its expertise in organizing large-scale events – such as Fetish Pride Italy, now in its 12th edition – and its experience in fostering unity among various fetish groups (leather, rubber, pup, etc.) under one roof. By contributing to the ECRC, LCR hopes to help create more inclusive, well-rounded events for rubber lovers Europe-wide, where all feel welcome. Conversely, we are eager to learn from other clubs’ successes: be it the way Spanish rubbermen throw a party, or how German clubs engage in advocacy and education. This cross-pollination of ideas ultimately benefits everyone in the community.

The timing of this partnership could not be better. The European rubber scene is experiencing incredible momentum, with Mr. Rubber Europe competitions and fetish weekends drawing attendees from all corners of the map. In fact, Italy will host the upcoming Mr. Rubber Europe 2026 election in December 2025 – a huge honor and opportunity for our country’s rubber community. Leather Friends Italia is leading the organization of that weekend in Padua. This kind of cooperation showcases exactly what the Confederation is about: clubs helping each other across regions to elevate our shared passions. Attendees in Padua will see a truly united Italian effort welcoming Europe’s rubber family – a perfect example of the community warmth and solidarity we strive for.

Beyond events and contests, Leather Club Roma’s voice in the Confederation will also contribute to broader discussions that affect the fetish community. One of the ECRC’s aspirations is to serve as a collective advocate for visibility, acceptance, and rights for kink communities in Europe. Whether it’s exchanging strategies on fighting stigma or collaborating on charitable initiatives (like fundraising for sexual health or LGBTQ+ causes), LCR is eager to lend its perspective and effort. We believe that by standing together with our European peers, we can amplify positive messages about our community: that fetish is fundamentally about freedom of expression, trust, and camaraderie. As a part of ECRC, LCR will continue to champion these values, now with an even louder and more unified voice.

Words from the LCR Board

The leadership of Leather Club Roma has expressed both excitement and gratitude about joining the Confederation. “We see this membership as a milestone in our club’s journey,” said Simone, President of Leather Club Roma, reflecting on the news. “From day one, our new board set out to strengthen connections beyond our borders – and now here we are. Joining the European Confederation of Rubber Clubs allows us to share our passion on a continental scale. We are thrilled to work hand-in-hand with sister clubs across Europe, to learn from them and to contribute our own Roman energy and experience. This is a win-win for everyone: our local members, our friends abroad, and the broader fetish community.”

Stefano went on to add that the move carries an emotional significance for many in LCR: “Leather Club Roma has always been about family and unity. In the leather community we often say ‘we are one tribe’, and the same is true in the rubber community. By joining the ECRC, we’re showing that the fetish tribe has no borders. We’re all part of something bigger, and together we can inspire the next generation of kinksters to be proud and fearless.” The entire LCR Board echoed this sentiment, conveying thanks to the Confederation for warmly welcoming LCR, and to the club’s members for supporting the leadership’s vision. There is a palpable sense of aspiration and hope – that this step will lead to new friendships, learning opportunities, and maybe even more international events here in Rome in the future.

Looking Ahead: A Shiny Future Together

With this announcement, Leather Club Roma looks to the future with renewed energy and optimism. The formalities may be complete, but the real work – and fun – is just beginning. In the coming months, LCR will actively participate in Confederation activities and planning. Our delegates are already slated to attend the next ECRC general assembly, where they’ll meet fellow club representatives to start shaping upcoming projects. We’re also gearing up to welcome visitors during Fetish Pride Italy XII this December, where we plan to host a special moment for Rubber enthusiasts.

For our members and supporters, we invite you to join us in celebrating this achievement. This victory belongs to the whole community. It’s the culmination of years of growth for Leather Club Roma and the start of an exciting new era. By uniting with our European partners, we reaffirm that our community’s spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood is as strong as ever. Whether you’re a seasoned LCR member or a fetish friend from abroad, we hope you share in our enthusiasm for what lies ahead. Together, we will work to ensure that the European fetish and rubber community continues to flourish – with more visibility, more acceptance, and more amazing experiences for everyone involved.

In conclusion, Leather Club Roma’s official entry into the European Confederation of Rubber Clubs is a cause for celebration for Rome, for Italy, and for Europe’s fetish family at large. It exemplifies the mix of institutional progress, community warmth, and aspirational drive that defines who we are. We thank everyone who helped make this possible and look forward to the road ahead. The stage is set for new collaborations and friendships across borders. LCR’s gear is on, our hearts are open, and we are ready to embrace this new adventure – together with all of you. Here’s to a bright (and wonderfully shiny) future!