Durk Dehner has cut ties with the Tom of Finland Foundation.
The ToFF cofounder announced in a Thursday Facebook post that he was stepping down as the nonprofit's president and had submitted his resignation to the board of directors, which was accepted.
The move came after International Mr. Leather, the world’s oldest leather competition and conference, removed Dehner as a judge Sunday following resurfaced photos of Dehner wearing Nazi regalia.
In the Facebook post — which was marked private, but a source shared its contents with Out — Dehner apologized for the “detrimental” impact of the fallout on the Tom of Finland Foundation, a nonprofit he cofounded in 1984 that promotes the art and legacy of the late Finnish artist. Tom of Finland's onetime L.A. home, known as Tom House, now hosts ToFF-run artist residencies in addition to an archive. Dehner claimed the foundation “did not approve it nor know about it,” presumably referring to photography in which he wore various Nazi symbols like the swastika and iron cross.
“I have made [it] my life commitment to nurturing the artists that represent us. It is not right nor fair to punish them nor the Foundation that cares for them and their advocates,” stated Dehner in a plea to donors and supporters. “...I very much desire for this event to be transformational, leading to healing and growth for myself, for the foundation and our community.”
“I have violated my own code of ethics, and know that more consciousness is required in a world that does not necessarily like who we are as a people,” he added. “Please accept my most heartfelt apology.”
IML ousted the ToFF cofounder after Pup Diego Onyx, who holds the title of Mr. Bullet Leather 2024, posted several images Saturday of Dehner wearing various Nazi symbols on different occasions. “A huge part of the LA leather community has been keeping this under wraps for far too long and so have many others. Why would anyone feel safe running for a contest if he's a judge?" Onyx captioned.
J.L. Carter, Mr. Sister Leather 2024, also called for the ousting of Dehner last weekend online after the photographs resurfaced; they claimed that they had also witnessed Dehner saying racist marks at a February 2024 event at Tom House.
In a new statement to Out, Carter says they were “very pleased” with IML’s decision and Dehner’s resignation from ToFF, but hoped the foundation’s mission would continue. “I hope that programs like the Artist in Residence, which uplifts and platforms so many POC queer erotic artists and their work, survives this,” Carter says. “For those programs to continue to exist, it was essential that Dehner step aside.”
“For those who spoke up before and weren’t heard, I hope this brings you some sense of vindication, and I’m so sorry that you weren’t listened to before,” Carter adds.
Edward Cella, CEO of ToFF, released a statement Tuesday on Instagram in response to the IML controversy, saying "the harm caused by recent actions requires more than words — it requires sustained effort and accountability" in order "to rebuild trust to ensure that our work supports and uplifts all members of our community including those who are marginalized." The statement did not specifically mention Dehner or the IML incident.
The Tom of Finland Foundation has not yet responded to a request for comment.
