In memoriam [17-11-1980 / 18-2-2023]
On 18 February 2023 Axe Leito passed away. The board, staff and volunteers of Pride Amsterdam are deeply shocked. We will terribly miss his generous laugh and infectious enthusiasm. We wish Robin, his family and friends and the leather community of which he was so proudly a part much strength in coping with this enormous loss. In 2020 Axe was appointed Pride Ambassador on behalf of the leather community, a role he filled with great enthusiasm. Axe had previously been chosen as Mister Leather Netherlands and in that role he quickly became a figurehead for the leather community. He was a role model and an example to many. As Pride Ambassador Axe was active not only in the Netherlands. Born in Curaçao, he also involved the Caribbean part of the Kingdom in his activities. He gave interviews for television and newspapers there and, alongside his passion for leather, spoke openly about topics such as HIV and condom use. Of course he brought a large supply of condoms to promote safer sex. His time in the military and his deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq taught him what freedom means — a freedom he wished for everyone and fought tirelessly for.
You can watch and read the interview with which we introduced Axe as Pride Ambassador below.
Interview: Paul Hofman
Axe Leito is a man with a mission. Together with the five other ambassadors, Mr Leather Netherlands 2019 is a leading face of Pride Amsterdam. In an open conversation the 39-year-old leatherman tells all about his youth, work, goals and plans. “Leather is my lifestyle.”
He was very surprised when he was asked to be an ambassador for Pride this year. “I could hardly believe it,” he bursts out in the lobby of the Student Hotel. The new hotel hosts many Pride events this year. His friends, unlike Axe himself, had expected it.
Sexy
Axe rushes in. His schedule has filled up at lightning speed since he was elected Mr Leather Netherlands 2019. Proudly he says he is the first Antillean to be chosen for the title. He was shortly seen before our interview in an exciting and very sexy act in the first Gaycircus of the Netherlands. The act by his partner and Axe drew much admiration. “About two years ago we met. My partner Robin is also a leatherman,” he reveals. “We’re getting married this summer. And yes, leather will play a part in that too.” They can’t wait to say their vows. “We complete each other perfectly,” he says with a laugh.
Axe was born in Curaçao and grew up as an only child. One month before he was born his father tragically died in an accident. His mother remarried. He spends his childhood on the Caribbean island and is his mother’s apple of the eye. Axe was thirteen when the family moved to the Netherlands. He spent his adolescence in The Hague where he attended secondary school.
Military
As a little boy he had one dream: to become a soldier. Uniformstriggerhim from a young age. Despite his mother’s objections that dream came true when he turned eighteen. “I saw that iconic photo of Princess Diana and wanted to become a mine specialist. My mother didn’t like it. I promised her I would give up that job but still join the army.”
As a boy Axe sometimes showed feminine traits. In the Antillean macho world that was not accepted. Softly: “People strongly believe that you can literally beat thegaynessout of someone. That’s when I learned to fight for my freedom and self-worth.”
At eighteen Axe came out. Not long after he began working in a leather shop in The Hague, and soon developed a preference for leather. “Leather is wonderful. By now my partner and I share a large wardrobe. It’s really bursting. Coincidentally we also happen to be the same sizes.”
Freedom
At 24 he joined the military. Axe was soon deployed to countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq where he enjoyed himself among the tough men. The armed forces meant a lot to him — he served for over fourteen years. Looking back: “I experienced firsthand what it feels like to be doing something good.” As an example he mentions how a critically ill village chief came to the compound. They were able to help him immediately with his acute appendicitis. “That was so beautiful, we won the hearts of the village.”
About Afghan women: “In the camp they could take off their face coverings. They removed their burka and you could see how beautiful these women were. It’s such an impressive feeling when people can be themselves. That is true freedom.” He falls silent for a moment.
Dream
He has since sailed on a boat during many Canal Parade. That he will sail on the lead boat this year with the other ambassadors during the Canal Parade is a dream come true. “This will be my highlight.” He eagerly awaits it. Laughing: “Each year I’ve moved a little further forward.” Excited, Axe talks about those magical moments he has felt when the boat passed under the bridge into the canal: “That feeling can’t be put into words. It’s fantastic!”
Leatherpride
In the autumn of 2018 he was named Mister Leather Netherlands, a role he fulfilled with pride. It took him from Alkmaar to Zwolle. He has one goal in his sights: to break the taboo around the leather fetish. He adds immediately: “But I also want to build bridges between different fetish scenes like leather, puppies, rubber and sports.” Has anyone ever said an unkind word? “No, never.”
As Mister Leather Netherlands he put the leather scene in the Netherlands on the map. Passionately: “My idea for a female counterpart to my title has been a great success. Now there is Miss Leather Netherlands. That didn’t exist before!”
He is also proud of taking part in the annual Remembrance Day on 4 May. “Last year I was allowed, for the first time, to lay a wreath on behalf of the fetish community at the Homomonument.” That the leather scene is still looked at strangely in the Antilles angers him. “There it’s still a far-from-my-bed show. It’s seen as something new and strange.”
Putting it in perspective: “Leather and heat don’t go well together. You sweat a lot in your leather outfit.” That a dark-skinned person received the title Mr Leather Netherlands was big news. It’s a title you don’t get easily. Axe appeared on Antillean radio and television and spread his message. “Every time I had to explain again. But the truth is everyone has a fetish.” During those interviews he also shed light on topics like HIV/AIDS, PrEP and safer sex. After his appearances on the island people would shyly approach him and ask where they could buy leather. “That means a lot to me. There’s really nothing strange about it.”
Second skin
That leather is his body and lifestyle is not seen as strange in the Netherlands. “In fact I came out twice: first as a gay man and later also as a leatherman.” About the leather scene in the eighties and nineties he says: “That was a different time, the leatherman back then was pure macho. You wouldn’t dare to address him easily. That has totally changed.” Proudly he shows a photo on his phone of a little boy on his arm wearing a leather cap. “Leather forms my second skin.”
By day Axe works for customs where he is very happy. “My employer has no problem with it.” During Pride Amsterdam he will make appearances at many events. “I’m someone who always pays attention to detail and commits to a good cause. I’m really looking forward to it.”
With his ambassadorship Axe will undoubtedly make a difference this year. He can’t wait to get started. “I am more than the image, I have an incredible amount to share.” We will hear more from this tough, sexy and distinctive ambassador who brings leather closer. Visibility and acceptance remain his main priorities. The leather community could not wish for a better champion.
Pride ambassador since 2021
