Solidarity with the puppy community after yet another episode of hate

Leather Club Roma expresses its sincere and heartfelt solidarity with the person from the puppy community who was attacked and with the whole puppy community. We are deeply saddened and outraged by the serious episode of hate that took place in the comments on an Instagram reel featuring an interview with a puppy. No one should ever suffer insults or mockery for their identity or expression, least of all from members of the same LGBTQIAPK+ community. To the person who was hit goes all our support: you are not alone, the fetish and kinky community is at your side.

We join the words of Toffee, president of The Italian Puppy and condemn with absolute firmness these discriminatory and offensive behaviours. Kink and fetish are not “deviances” to be tolerated, but legitimate and precious queer identities, as reaffirmed in our Political Manifesto for Pride Month 2025. In that document we clearly stated that “our practices are not deviance: they are a free and conscious expression of oneself” and highlighted that being kinky is not an illness, but a legitimate part of human and queer experience. No one should be treated as “inconvenient” or “deviant” because of their fetish: people who proudly live their kink contribute to the diversity and richness of the LGBTQIAPK+ community and deserve full and unconditional respect.

It is unacceptable and painful to see such attacks come from within the LGBTQIAPK+ community itself. Unfortunately, we know that fetish and kinky identities are still too often considered “embarrassing” or even “to be hidden” even within the LGBTQIAPK+ community. This episode of internal hate confirms how urgent and necessary it is to continue the political fight for the full inclusion of fetish and kinky people also within the LGBTQ+ world. The fetish and kinky community is not an external appendix: on the contrary, expressions of desire and non-normative sexuality are fully part of the mosaic of queer identities. We are an integral and living part of the LGBTQIAPK+ movement, sharing in its history and its future, and we strongly reject any attempt to marginalise us.

We appeal to all LGBTQ+ associations and organisations to take a clear, public and unequivocal position against every form of kink-shaming, role-shaming and internal marginalisation. It is essential that the whole community stands on the side of inclusion and respect, without ambiguity. We ask LGBTQIAPK+ groups to state publicly that there is no room for shame or contempt towards those who practise kink or fetish. Fetish and kinky culture is founded on principles of consent and mutual respect, and in our Manifesto we “strongly condemned kink-shaming and role-shaming”, practices that are not allowed in our spaces. Now it is time for all components of the rainbow community to do the same, actively promoting safe and welcoming environments for all queer subjectivities.

We also want to recall the central values expressed in the Pride 2025 Political Manifesto – values we consider indispensable pillars for a community that is united and proud of itself: inclusion, visibility, self-determination, culture of consent, community care, a sex-positive approach and rejection of normative conformism. Our daily commitment is founded on these values. Inclusion means that every identity – including the puppy, fetish or kinky one – must have full dignity and space of expression in the community. Visibility means that no one must be pushed into the shadows or made to feel wrong for who they are. Self-determination means that everyone has the right to explore and live their identity and pleasure, with respect for themselves and others. A culture of consent means that relationships and play are always based on mutual agreement and respect for limits. Community care means that we support each other, especially in the face of stigma and attacks, because the strength of the we lies in internal solidarity. A sex-positive approach celebrates free, joyful and responsible sexuality, without taboos or moralism, as a natural and healthy part of life. And the rejection of normative conformism means that we will never agree to conform to a single “acceptable” model of identity or family: the beauty of our community lies precisely in the plurality of experiences and expressions.

To the puppy who suffered these insults we want to say loud and clear: you are not alone. The fetish and kinky community embraces you and will always fight at your side. Let’s turn this pain together into pride and determination: no comment steeped in hate can erase the value of your identity and your courage in showing yourself for who you are. We will keep fighting so that all LGBTQIAPK+ people, including fetish and kinky ones, can walk with their heads held high, side by side, in real and virtual streets, no longer fearing judgement or aggression.

We reaffirm our tireless commitment to promoting a culture that rejects all discrimination and instead celebrates diversity as a richness. Together, we work to build ever more inclusive, safe and proud spaces, where everyone can say “Gear Up. Play Proud. Stand Out.” without fear. It is in this spirit that we will continue our battle for visibility and dignity, certain that love and freedom will win over hatred and ignorance.

Leather Club Roma
Gear Up. Play Proud. Stand Out.