John Doan is a Leatherman who honors the traditions of history while embracing the evolution of leather culture. He began his journey as a Leatherman approximately eighteen years ago. That journey started with a partner in Washington, D.C., before he eventually returned to Houston, Texas. There, he helped found the Houston Warriors in 2013 and served as Vice President in 2014 before relocating to Atlanta, Georgia. That decision led to many lasting friendships and strong connections within the leather community. John also took an active role in the Houston Council of Clubs’ (HCC) trademark event, Let Us Entertain You (LUEY) 2014, which celebrated the organization’s 42nd year. In 2014, John’s career brought him to the Atlanta community, where he pledged and became a member of the Atlanta Panthers Leather/Levi Club. His pledge project benefited American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER), an organization that supports LGBTQ veterans who were dishonorably discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT), helping them pursue reversals of those discharges while also providing public relations support for those currently serving.

Following the passing of his club brother and friend, Alan Penrod—International Leather Sir 2011 and President of the Panthers—John felt called to step up his presence and leadership. He took on oversight of Panther Bar Nights, supported Halloween weekend events from 2016 to 2017, and provided counsel in 2018. John also assumed responsibility for the Panthers’ Leather Float in the 2016 Atlanta Pride parade, where it earned third place among nonprofit entries for Best Float—the highest placement the organization had achieved. That same year, he was honored with the Panther of the Year Award, voted on by the full membership. He has also held leadership roles within the Panthers, serving as Treasurer in 2016 and Vice President in 2017, where he took responsibility for the Panthers’ 30th Anniversary celebration.

John has participated in additional fundraising efforts, including Leather & Lace from 2017 through 2019, which helped raise money for organizations such as Lost-n-Found Youth, supporting homeless LGBTQ youth, and the Sharon Saint Cyr Fund, which assists deaf individuals in accessing hearing aids and interpreters. John personally donated paintings to raise money for these auctions and paired those contributions with live singing performances. He also enjoys attending national and international events throughout the year, including ILSb/ICBB.

Sir John enjoys teaching workshops on BDSM 101, spanking, and nipple play. He also served on the People of Color (POC) panel discussion at ILSb/ICBB 2018 in Dallas, Texas. His personal BDSM interests include impact play, spanking, flogging, whipping, paddling, caning, and fisting. He has previously served as guardian to his former ward, boy adam, as well as mentor to a boy in training, boy rick, who was new to being openly gay and to Leather/BDSM/kink. Over the course of his life as a Dominant, he has personally collared two boys—boy randy and boy michael—who have since been released. He currently has a collared boy, boy brian, and has maintained that relationship for more than two years.

Sir John firmly believes that being a decent person, whether in Leather or vanilla life, is rooted in making honest impressions and authentic connections. He strongly believes that embracing leather culture was the right path for him and that his lifestyle choice helped save him. While he encountered prejudice and racism within the broader gay community, he found the Leather community to be a healthier and more supportive environment for himself and those he cares about. John values the diversity and range of relationship styles within the D/s lifestyle and believes that the play, sex, relationships, and human connection within that world have created an energized and meaningful life for him—one he attributes to Leather.
John previously served as President of the National Leather Association–International (NLA-I) for four years, completing both terms. He believes that his years of effective communication with community leaders, club members, and collaborators contributed to stronger connections between younger, newer members and the broader Leather community. Like NLA-I founder Steve Maidhof, John believes the organization should function as a network through which members can support one another wherever they are—through friendship, play, guidance, and protection. It is important to him that every Leather person feel connected and included. Having also served in leadership within a long-established MC club such as the Panthers, he understands how important heritage is to NLA-I and its membership. Under his leadership, the annual Living in Leather event—which celebrates erotic/Leather/BDSM/kink writers, artists, and activists—transitioned to a virtual format, allowing more members and community participants to attend and engage. John has also connected local community events with Leather-centered programming, creating greater exposure and deeper conversation. He brought fresh energy to the NLA-I Executive Board and its direction through these passions and ideas, with a focus on creating projects that attract and welcome new members. In 2022, Sir John was unexpectedly invited to serve on the judging panel for MIR 26. The director of MIR and the Judges Coordinator felt that a Leatherman’s perspective would be valuable in evaluating the contestants, and he was honored to accept. The experience was both a privilege and a meaningful opportunity. He formed strong connections with his fellow judges and built friendships that have lasted well beyond the event.

He continues to foster friendships, conversation, and community engagement through weekly Movie Nights and monthly Leather and Kinksters Dining Out gatherings. These events create space to connect, share, celebrate, and support one another. For John, this is how community is built: by showing up, staying active, and creating opportunities for people to come together. He believes this is how leaders move, protect, and guide those within their circles.