07/30/2026
I am very exited to announce our last persenter Daddy Rod.
Bio
A native New Yorker, Daddy Rod is the co-founder of the ONYX Mid-Atlantic Chapter, where he served as President, and later as Pledge Master. Rod has moderated and presented for a variety of Leather and Kink programs and events: he is known for his spanking classes and Beyond the Red Ribbon, the HIV/STI Prevention workshop developed specifically for the Leather and Kink lifestyle. Rod also co-founded and co-facilitates a monthly podcast, “Listen to Daddy” with his good friend and fellow Daddy, Rob Kreisinger Denk (Mr. Iowa Leather 2015). He is honored to have been the Keynote Speaker for the Leather Solidarity Collective UPRISE! Conference in 2024.
Rod is honored to have served the Leather community as Leatherman of Color 2011 and American Leatherman 2017. Rod is also an alumnus of the MTTA 2008 Masters’ Training. He has previously served as a judge for numerous contests. Rod is proud of winning the Pantheon of Leather Awards for Northeast Regional in 2014, and Man of the Year in 2018. Rod’s kink fetishes include spanking, ass play, flogging and fi***ng.
We Are Here, We've Always Been: An HIV Roundtable (for People Living with HIV ONLY):
Talking openly about HIV in the Leather community is an act of leadership, care, and accountability to one another. This roundtable for PLWHIV will provide a safe space for honest conversations, help break stigma, promote prevention and treatment, and reinforce the values of trust, respect, and informed consent that are central to the community. By sharing our experiences and supporting one another, we strengthen our community and ensure that no one has to face HIV in silence.
Friday, October 2nd, 10:00-11:30am
Beyond the Red Ribbon:
Sexually Transmitted Infections continue to impact many communities in our country, including the Leather and Kink community. But what conversations are we having to prevent its spread in the community? How do we stay safe as we negotiate our Kink Play and different relationships? "Beyond the Red Ribbon" is a facilitated discussion that will provide a forum for the community to explore and address these concerns.
Friday , October 2th, 3:00-4:30pm
Black Men and HIV:
HIV is a topic that rarely gets discussed publicly at Leather and Kink events. Beyond Vanilla will change that. As part of the AIDS Memorial Quilt series, Daddy Rod will share his experiences and observations about HIV from his perspective as a Black man who is an HIV activist and long-term survivor. In sharing his story, Daddy Rod hopes to encourage honest conversations, challenge misconceptions, and remind others that knowledge, compassion, and access to care can save lives.
Saturday, October 3rd, 1:00-2:30pm
