Published in the May 2025 Edition
By Rodney Burger
On April 24th Velvet-Storm was sashed International Ms. Leather 2025 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Just over a week later, I was honored to have our new titleholder, a proud non-binary Puerto Rician, sit down for an interview.
When writing interviews, I usually take a chronological approach and would construct a timeline from their birth in Camden, New Jersey to the day our titleholder was selected. I found that Velvet-Storm is both complex and down-to-earth. Although we only spoke for an hour, this interview is going to stay with me for a long time.
On one hand, Velvet-Storm is a throwback to the titleholders of the past, who built a solid resume and did the work before seeking a big leather title. We’ve all seen the contestants who see a title as a start in the leather community. Velvet-Storm has been doing the work in the community for years having been Ms. New Jersey Leather 2017 and Leather Woman of Color 2019. When Velvet-Storm saw a need for more diversity and representation in our area leather clubs, they co-founded the Mid-Atlantic ONYX Pearls, a group for woman and non-binary people of color with a motto of “Educate, Empower, Explore.”
On the other-hand, Velvet-Storm also brings the spirt of the new generation of leather folks, who often feel unseen and left behind. Velvet-Storm doesn’t feel the need to be constantly standing around in full leather. Velvet-Storm’s deep love for the leather community is inside and not just an outfit. Velvet-Storm is shaped, not just by the strong values learned in the military, where they felt woman were not wanted, but also the compassion for people, who like them, struggle with anxiety and mental health. Those “visible invisible disabilities.” Velvet-Storm is passionate about the importance of boundaries and consent and provides instruction in these areas.
Having first been introduced to the leather community in the 1990’s when a pardner took them to San Francisco’s Folsom Street Fair, Velvet-Storm always knew they were kinky. A seven-year D/S relationship helped them grow. Velvet-Storm “learns from watching people, both elders and the younger generation.” When Velvet-Storm completed their title year as Leather Woman of Color 2019, they felt ready to run for International Ms. Leather, a “legacy title” Velvet-Storm holds in high regard after knowing many of the past titleholders. Then the pandemic hit along with personal health issues and a busy college schedule. Time went by, as it so often does. Someone even told them that they are now too old to run for International Ms. Leather. But Velvet-Storm does not listen to negative people and doesn’t feed into negative energy. They have discovered the power of meditation and box breathing, a deep breathing exercise where you inhale, hold, exhale, and hold for a count of four seconds each. It has helped anxiety that began a while ago when they encountered a burglar in their home. Velvet-Storm meditates twice a day and it has helped with relaxation and staying centered.
Although Velvet-Storm has only been IMsL 2025 a short time, they already have made lots of plans including New Jersey Leather Pride, World Pride in Washington, New York Pride, Southeast Leather Fest, Fetish Festival in Tokyo, and much more. Velvet-Storm doesn’t just attend events, Velvet-Storm volunteers and helps with the work. This is a strong unapologetic, outspoken modern International Ms. Leather, who has been sashed at the perfect time in our history. For Velvet-Storm the time is now.