Why Leather?

People see the pride I take in my leathers, the care I show in their upkeep and storage, and the pride in knowing I earned them, and ask, why leather? The leather culture is, historically, a gay male dominated culture. So why would I, a homoflexible, married female identify with the leather community?
Many of us spend a period of time searching for where we belong, where we fit in, where we are the most comfortable. Where we can let our freak flag fly, so to speak.
With the leather community, I have found a place where I am respected for my mind and abilities, where I am accepted, despite my physical differences, despite what makes me different from the average female.
Within the leather community, I have found a place where I can fit in being very protocol driven, I have found a place where a person doesn't look down on you when you say "ask my Master, first," as so many in the general kink community do, even the 24/7 M/s couples. I have found a place where my every kink, no matter what it is, is treated with respect and acceptance, and not horrified shock, as some kinks are even in the general fetish community.
In the world of leather, a person does not have to hide what makes them uniquely them, but rather it is celebrated. Its the fact that, when I say something, it is understood, I don't have to explain it many times over. It is knowing that, when I am introduced to someone who has the title "Master" they have earned it and not just claimed to be a "Master" for status. It is being around "slaves" who know what the title means, and not just playing at it. It is being around "slaves" who don't try to be naughty just to be punished or to test the limits. You see, slaves in the leather community earn that title, too.
It is knowing I can see someone in full leathers and know they share the same pride in them that I do in mine, that they did not just buy them to look cool and fit in, but they know what each and every piece means and how hard it can be to earn them.
So, why leather? Why not?