MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin Leather Pride is entering a new chapter with a new name, expanded mission and nonprofit structure aimed at broadening outreach across Wisconsin’s leather, fetish and kink communities.

The organization announced this month that Wisconsin Leather Pride, LLC will transition to Wisconsin Alliance of Leather and Kink, or W.A.L.K., operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Leaders say the change is designed to strengthen the group’s long-term sustainability while creating a more inclusive structure for participation and leadership.

Formerly operating as Wisconsin Leather Pride (WLP), the organization said W.A.L.K. will continue hosting contests and community events while removing gender- and sexuality-based participation barriers historically associated with some leather title systems.

“Following Wisconsin Leather Pride Weekend 2026, we will officially introduce our new logo and corporate name: Wisconsin Alliance of Leather and Kink (W.A.L.K.),” the organization said in a press release. “This change marks a new era of growth, inclusion, and service to our community — while staying true to the traditions and spirit that brought us together.”

The organization said participation in contests and events will be open to all Wisconsin residents regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, national origin or veteran status.

W.A.L.K. leaders also said the organization intends to address “antiquated contestant requirements rooted in prejudice” and improve the experience of underrepresented and marginalized people within leather and kink spaces.

The first event under the new organizational structure will be Wisconsin Leather Pride Weekend 2026, scheduled for Nov. 13–15 in Milwaukee. Organizers said additional details and registration information are available through the organization’s website.

Wisconsin Leather Pride first launched in 2019 as what organizers described as a largely self-funded event. In 2023, production and ownership transitioned to a new leadership team operating under an LLC structure. According to the organization, leadership changes in 2025 prompted discussions about creating a new corporate framework that better aligned with the group’s mission and future goals.

Organizers said securing nonprofit status made sense as the organization expanded beyond event production into broader educational and community-building efforts.

In addition to statewide outreach, W.A.L.K. said it plans to collaborate with regional and national organizations to promote inclusiveness across the broader leather and kink community nationwide.

More information about the organization and Wisconsin Leather Pride Weekend 2026 can be found at WisconsinLeatherPride.com.