David Weeble, Mr. Leather Europe 2025: A European Voice in Chicago

David Weeble, Mr. Leather Europe 2025, has just announced that he will be attending International Mister Leather (IML) in Chicago next month. His decision comes at a time when the LGBTQ+ community is facing growing threats—not only in the United States but across Europe as well.

In his statement, David acknowledges the weight and complexity of the moment: several European sash siblings have chosen to withdraw from the competition due to concerns for their safety and the increasingly hostile political climate. But David has made a different choice: to show up, to represent, to resist.

“I believe that my non-attendance would achieve nothing for LGBTQ+ people in the USA. All it would do is remove a Queer European voice from a global stage.”
— David Weeble

At Leather Club Roma, we respect every individual decision made by our siblings in the European fetish scene. But we also want to proudly and openly say that we support David’s choice: showing up and being visible, especially in difficult times, is a political act—and a powerful one.

And we are twice as proud, because an Italian titleholder will also be competing at IML 2025, carrying with him not only the Italian flag, but also the courage of someone who chooses to be present and vocal in a sensitive and uncertain moment. Together, they bring a message of resistance and resilience, standing up for a fetish Europe that refuses to be silenced by fear or hate.

David will not walk alone. He carries with him the stories, the struggles, and the hopes of the entire European leather community. And we will be there cheering him on, from afar, knowing that visibility is resistance.

In Leather Solidarity. Always.

Full statement by David Weeble (Mr. Leather Europe 2025)

“As Mr Leather Europe 2025 there is an expectation that I will compete at International Mister Leather in Chicago in a few weeks. I am aware that several of my European Sash Siblings have withdrawn from the competition, but I am also aware of the title holders who still plan to attend, represent and compete. I support each of them in whichever path they have chosen. This is a difficult and scary decision for us all.
My decision is clear. I will attend IML next month. I will represent the ECMC and the European Leather community in its broadest sense. I believe that my non-attendance would achieve nothing for LGBTQ+ people in the USA. All it would do is remove a Queer European voice from a global stage. It is not just American policies which are attacking us; with the Transphobic re-defining of Woman in the UK yesterday, and the banning of Pride in Hungary, I believe that we must speak up and take space at every opportunity.
I remain in regular contact with all potential European candidates and have raised our concerns of safety when travelling into the USA, and while attending IML with the organisation itself. All is being done within their control to support us with this.
I appreciate the support you give to us and hope this will continue during these challenging times.

In Leather Solidarity
David Weeble
Mr Leather Europe 2025”