Tony DeBlase designed the leather pride flag and was first shown at the International Mr. Leather Competition in Chicago 1989. The leather flag is not just a gay symbol, although it is most often seen in gay associations.
The leather pride flag is a symbol of leather community for people who like leather, bondage, domination, uniform, cowboys, rubber and other fetishes.
The creator of the flag leaves the interpretation of the colors to the viewer.
But one meaning that comes up often is these descriptions: black is for leather and for permanence; blue is for devotion, loyalty and community; white is for purity and innocence; and the red heart is for the leather people love for each other and for their community.