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Leatherman

 Leatherman
type
FeatureClass
 Leatherman
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Leatherman
 Leatherman
page
Leatherman
 Leatherman
comment
The LGBT community has a variety of subcultures and groups. One component has historical roots in the BDSM community and to biker culture, resulting in a noticeable number of gay men wearing a LOT of cured animal hide in suggestive cuts.
The leather tradition is generally traced back to gay servicemen returning from World War II. They became the biker gangs of The '50s, and the subculture grew from there. The BDSM part sort of merged in later, though it's not a bonafide requirement that a leatherman be into kink. In fact, some of the older leathermen (the "old guard") have few, if any, BDSM tendencies. Just a strict code of honor, obedience to tradition and hierarchy and a strict set of rules.
A related but distinct group are bears, masculine types with body hair, heavy-set builds, and/or "traditionally" masculine behaviour. There is a lot of overlap between the two groups, but the same way not all leathermen are into BDSM, not all bears are into leather. Both groups formed in part because the gay community itself had developed certain stereotypical expectations — typically, hairless young "metrosexuals". Or drag queens.
The defining characteristic of both groups was a certain visibly identifiable look and behavior. Which, of course, meant that once TV got around to even acknowledging that there was a gay subculture, these two were mashed together as possibly the stereotype to portray, after "classical" gay archetypes. Especially if the setting involved jail at any point. The popularity of The Village People and the artwork of Tom of Finland probably helped.
Needless to say, character development seldom proceeds beyond "big, hairy, aggressive gay biker".
It isn't really clear why this archetype never spread to the fantasies of straight women, even though there's nothing inherently gay about it aside from the stigmas attached to it. Gay women, on the other hand, have their own Distaff Counterpart in the form of the "leatherdyke" archetype. Much like the overlap between the leatherman and bear subcultures, leatherdykes have a good deal of overlap with butch lesbians.
May or may not be Hell-Bent for Leather. Not to be confused with the multitool of the same name. Or Leatherface.
Compare Manly Gay and Macho Camp.
 Leatherman
fetched
2024-02-11T04:46:12Z
 Leatherman
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2024-02-11T04:46:12Z
 Leatherman
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 Leatherman
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 Leatherman
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 Leatherman
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 Leatherman
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TheRoadWarrior
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FlamboyantGay
 Leatherman
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DBTropes
 Leatherman / int_1925916d
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Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_1925916d
comment
The Vinguri in the "Escape From the Bloodkeep" sidequest season of Dimension 20 are an Ambiguously Gay version of this except for their Leader Leiland who is definitely so.
 Leatherman / int_1925916d
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_1925916d
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 Dimension 20 (Web Video)
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Leatherman / int_1925916d
 Leatherman / int_34e5ea29
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Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_34e5ea29
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Referenced in a Mr. Show sketch in which a heavy metal band plays Fire Island to a packed crowd of leathermen.
 Leatherman / int_34e5ea29
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_34e5ea29
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 Mr. Show
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Leatherman / int_34e5ea29
 Leatherman / int_34fd3cf6
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_34fd3cf6
comment
Meatwad from Aqua Teen Hunger Force became this temporarily. Ironically, in an attempt to prove his heterosexuality when Shake accused him of bisexuality.
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_34fd3cf6
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1.0
 Aqua Teen Hunger Force
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Leatherman / int_34fd3cf6
 Leatherman / int_366a284d
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_366a284d
comment
Dante in the Fist of the North Star anime looks nearly exactly like the picture, just tint his hair blue and make the mustache bristle-ier. He also kisses his victims full on the mouth.
 Leatherman / int_366a284d
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1.0
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 Fist of the North Star (Manga)
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Leatherman / int_366a284d
 Leatherman / int_37ea664b
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_37ea664b
comment
X-Factor's and formerly X-Force's Shatterstar wears primarily white leather outfits with some suggestive seam placement.
 Leatherman / int_37ea664b
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1.0
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 X-Factor (Comic Book)
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Leatherman / int_37ea664b
 Leatherman / int_397c7840
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_397c7840
comment
Marshal Law is straight, but several characters assume he is gay because he dresses like this.
 Leatherman / int_397c7840
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_397c7840
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 Marshal Law (Comic Book)
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Leatherman / int_397c7840
 Leatherman / int_3cd90f30
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_3cd90f30
comment
This is one of the many, many gay stereotypes unintentionally evoked by Tobias on Arrested Development. See the above quote. He even joined a barber shop quartet of leathermen.
 Leatherman / int_3cd90f30
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_3cd90f30
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 Arrested Development
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Leatherman / int_3cd90f30
 Leatherman / int_463cfe3a
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_463cfe3a
comment
Wolf O'Donnell in Star Fox and Super Smash Bros. is increasingly this with each new outfit, providing a (possibly) heterosexual example.
 Leatherman / int_463cfe3a
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_463cfe3a
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 Star Fox (Franchise)
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Leatherman / int_463cfe3a
 Leatherman / int_4dfe66d9
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_4dfe66d9
comment
David from the Furry comic Associated Student Bodies, the resident macho type. In one story, he takes the protagonist Daniel to the local leather bar, dressed in full leatherman attire himself. Daniel's reaction to the outfit:
 Leatherman / int_4dfe66d9
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_4dfe66d9
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1.0
 Associated Student Bodies / Comicbook
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Leatherman / int_4dfe66d9
 Leatherman / int_55e5cc1f
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_55e5cc1f
comment
In A Couple of Guys, Eric and Joey enjoy wearing leather. This includes going to a leather bar, as well as annual trips to Chicago for its (real life) annual leather convention.
 Leatherman / int_55e5cc1f
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_55e5cc1f
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1.0
 A Couple of Guys (Comic Strip)
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Leatherman / int_55e5cc1f
 Leatherman / int_6b85085e
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_6b85085e
comment
Hsu Hao in Mortal Kombat.
 Leatherman / int_6b85085e
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_6b85085e
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1.0
 Mortal Kombat (Franchise)
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Leatherman / int_6b85085e
 Leatherman / int_6c1d09b3
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_6c1d09b3
comment
Flak the weapons dealer in Fallout 3. The player character in Fallout 3 and New Vegas, can be this if they like (and are male); a lot of raider armor in particular is suited to it. And then there's the Confirmed Bachelor perk, which gives you some rather suggestive dialog choices with men.
 Leatherman / int_6c1d09b3
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_6c1d09b3
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 Fallout 3 (Video Game)
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Leatherman / int_6c1d09b3
 Leatherman / int_6d229244
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_6d229244
comment
In A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge, Coach Schneider is revealed to be one when Jesse encounters him at the underground club.
 Leatherman / int_6d229244
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_6d229244
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1.0
 A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge
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Leatherman / int_6d229244
 Leatherman / int_74276cae
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_74276cae
comment
Trey from Noah's Arc posed as one of these for a calendar shoot.
 Leatherman / int_74276cae
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_74276cae
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1.0
 Noah's Arc
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Leatherman / int_74276cae
 Leatherman / int_775cd181
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_775cd181
comment
Ash from the third edition of Streets of Rage. Only in the Japanese version, though.
 Leatherman / int_775cd181
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_775cd181
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 Streets of Rage (Video Game)
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Leatherman / int_775cd181
 Leatherman / int_87158bf2
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_87158bf2
comment
Adrian Adonis originally wore a black leather jacket and cap to the ring, long before he became the Camp Gay "Adorable Adrian".
 Leatherman / int_87158bf2
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 Leatherman / int_87158bf2
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 Adrian Adonis (Wrestling)
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Leatherman / int_87158bf2
 Leatherman / int_8dba224e
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Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_8dba224e
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One episode of The Cleveland Show had Roberta give Junior a makeover that got him mistaken for a lesbian. After the plot has concluded, Junior remarks that the next time he gets a makeover, there should be no doubt that he's a man who likes the ladies. Cut to Junior entering the house dressed like Glenn Hughes. "Why do I listen to you?!?"
 Leatherman / int_8dba224e
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 Leatherman / int_8dba224e
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 The Cleveland Show
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Leatherman / int_8dba224e
 Leatherman / int_8e569dee
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_8e569dee
comment
The Mad Max franchise's aesthetic, and the trope it codified, owes a lot of inspiration to this trope mixed with Scavenged Punk.
 Leatherman / int_8e569dee
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_8e569dee
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 Mad Max
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Leatherman / int_8e569dee
 Leatherman / int_8e641b80
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_8e641b80
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Several appear in the Ms. Tree story "Skeleton in the Closet", attempting to rough up Mike, Jr. after he is exposed as a homophobe.
 Leatherman / int_8e641b80
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_8e641b80
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 Ms. Tree (Comic Book)
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Leatherman / int_8e641b80
 Leatherman / int_9ec61fa1
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_9ec61fa1
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Matthew from NewsRadio once dressed up as what he insists was a "motorcycle enthusiast" for Halloween. In fact, the words "Butch Biker" was written in rhinestone on the back of his jacket just so people wouldn't be confused. It didn't work and he couldn't understand why.
 Leatherman / int_9ec61fa1
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 Leatherman / int_9ec61fa1
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Leatherman / int_9ec61fa1
 Leatherman / int_a002daa9
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_a002daa9
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X Japan, especially 87-92 for almost everyone at one point or another, but the ones that really took the trope and ran with it were Toshi and Taiji.
 Leatherman / int_a002daa9
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_a002daa9
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 X Japan (Music)
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Leatherman / int_a002daa9
 Leatherman / int_a0112f3d
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Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_a0112f3d
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Paul Phoenix from Tekken is a heterosexual example, having worn plenty of studded leather outfits across the series.
 Leatherman / int_a0112f3d
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_a0112f3d
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 Tekken (Franchise)
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Leatherman / int_a0112f3d
 Leatherman / int_a7a4366c
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Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_a7a4366c
comment
Blur the Lines has quite a few, including a BSDM leather daddy and a biker.
 Leatherman / int_a7a4366c
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_a7a4366c
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 Blur the Lines (Webcomic)
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Leatherman / int_a7a4366c
 Leatherman / int_ac5ace8e
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Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_ac5ace8e
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Angels in America features a scene in which Louis has sex with a random leatherman in Central Park. The character is aptly named "(leather)man in the park", and is supposed to be played by the actor who plays Louis' ex-lover Prior.
 Leatherman / int_ac5ace8e
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1.0
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 Angels in America (Theatre)
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Leatherman / int_ac5ace8e
 Leatherman / int_b0fc9724
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_b0fc9724
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There was a short-lived Saturday Night Live recurring sketch called "Leatherman" about a man (played by Jimmy Fallon) who owns a leather clothing store.
 Leatherman / int_b0fc9724
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_b0fc9724
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 Saturday Night Live
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Leatherman / int_b0fc9724
 Leatherman / int_b126b2d9
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Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_b126b2d9
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Aqua Regia has Daniel, wearing a leather jacket, biker gloves, combat boots, tight leather chaps in some images, with black jeans beneath. Like Paul Phoenix, it's also a heterosexual example.
 Leatherman / int_b126b2d9
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_b126b2d9
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 Aqua Regia (Webcomic)
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Leatherman / int_b126b2d9
 Leatherman / int_bc109059
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Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_bc109059
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Freddie Mercury of Queen adopted leather outfits during the supporting tour for Jazz, keeping the garb throughout the early '80s.
 Leatherman / int_bc109059
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_bc109059
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 Freddie Mercury (Music)
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Leatherman / int_bc109059
 Leatherman / int_bcb32dc6
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_bcb32dc6
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Shadowrun canonically has an entire motorcycle gang of leathermen in Seattle. The Leather Devils draw on the long tradition of gay motorcycle clubs but have also veered into outlaw motorcycle club activities, mainly with a tilt towards vandalism, blackmail, prostitution, and porn production. And yes, they're all men.
 Leatherman / int_bcb32dc6
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_bcb32dc6
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1.0
 Shadowrun (Tabletop Game)
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Leatherman / int_bcb32dc6
 Leatherman / int_ca540ab0
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_ca540ab0
comment
Leatherboy was a rather notable version of this when he tried out for the Great Lakes Avengers. Turns out he wasn't the gay member.
 Leatherman / int_ca540ab0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Leatherman / int_ca540ab0
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1.0
 Great Lakes Avengers (Comic Book)
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Leatherman / int_ca540ab0
 Leatherman / int_cfb3439a
type
Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_cfb3439a
comment
Rob Halford plays the leader of the fire barons (essentially wearing his old outfit) in Brütal Legend. Interestingly, he also plays a preening Hair Metal singer, and the fire barons hate him.
 Leatherman / int_cfb3439a
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_cfb3439a
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1.0
 Brütal Legend (Video Game)
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Leatherman / int_cfb3439a
 Leatherman / int_d9c602eb
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Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_d9c602eb
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Mr. Slave on South Park.
 Leatherman / int_d9c602eb
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_d9c602eb
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 South Park
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Leatherman / int_d9c602eb
 Leatherman / int_df7e11cd
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Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_df7e11cd
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The cast of Manly Guys Doing Manly Things includes Max, who ironically enough turns out to be totally straight and extremely weirded out by the fact Commander Badass and his fellow Manly Guys are more open to the idea.
 Leatherman / int_df7e11cd
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_df7e11cd
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 Manly Guys Doing Manly Things (Webcomic)
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Leatherman / int_df7e11cd
 Leatherman / int_e141bf1
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Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_e141bf1
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The Ben Stiller Show features a Beverly Hills, 90210 parody sketch in which one of the high school students dresses and acts, rather inexplicably, like a leatherman. He's played by Bob Odenkirk.
 Leatherman / int_e141bf1
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 Leatherman / int_e141bf1
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 The Ben Stiller Show
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Leatherman / int_e141bf1
 Leatherman / int_e5ea79ee
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Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_e5ea79ee
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The Midnighter from The Authority embodies this trope. He's also a Batman Parody, only with the Ho Yay between him and the Superman Substitute as canon rather than subtext.
 Leatherman / int_e5ea79ee
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1.0
 Leatherman / int_e5ea79ee
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 The Authority (Comic Book)
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Leatherman / int_e5ea79ee
 Leatherman / int_e63a01cc
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Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_e63a01cc
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In Cruising (1980), Al Pacino plays a rookie cop who must go undercover in the New York leather scene in order to catch a serial killer.
 Leatherman / int_e63a01cc
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Leatherman / int_e63a01cc
 Leatherman / int_e73c6a6f
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Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_e73c6a6f
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The protagonist of Kenneth Anger's 1963 short film Scorpio Rising is implied to be an early-era Leatherman and is outrighted stated to be a Greaser Delinquents style rebel. The early leathermen of the 1950's and 1960's were often bikers, rockers, and greasers. On a more meta-level, Scorpio Rising was very popular in the actual gay leather scene of the 1970's and influenced leather fashions at the time.
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Leatherman / int_e73c6a6f
 Leatherman / int_ec28245c
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Leatherman
 Leatherman / int_ec28245c
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One of the last episodes of Dragon Ball Z has a World Tournament challenger named Otokosuki (Japanese for boy-love) who seems to take a liking to Trunks. He doesn't wear a jacket, but otherwise fits the archetype.
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The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Leatherman
processingCategory2
Always Male
 Great Lakes Avengers (Comic Book) / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Marshal Law (Comic Book) / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Ms. Tree (Comic Book) / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Sandman Mystery Theatre (Comic Book) / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 GreatLakesAvengers
seeAlso
Leatherman
 A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Mad Max / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior / int_6679436
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Leatherman
 Police Academy / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Querelle / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Scorpio Rising / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Gilded Rose / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 EverybodyKnowsYourFlame
seeAlso
Leatherman
 GreatLakesAvengers
seeAlso
Leatherman
 HardGay
seeAlso
Leatherman
 Verona Beach 04 (Roleplay) / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Law & Order / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Noah's Arc / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Our Flag Means Death / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Tales of the City (2019) / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 The Sopranos / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 TV Tropes Superhero Team / Sugar Wiki / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Charlie Ninja (Video Game) / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Samurai Shodown (Video Game) / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 5 Second Films (Web Video) / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Where the Bears Are (Web Video) / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 Buster Wilde Weerwolf (Webcomic) / int_6679436
type
Leatherman
 T.U.F.F. Puppy / int_6679436
type
Leatherman