The Defenders has been affiliated with DignityUSA from the beginning and maintains close ties (so to speak) to this very day. Each Defenders Club is associated with a local Dignity Chapter. The primary mission of Dignity is to respectfully dissent from the position of the Roman Catholic Church that homosexuals must be celibate to be followers of Christ. Although its primary interaction is with the Catholic Church, Dignity Chapters welcome men and women of all spiritual traditions. Our debate is, unfortunately, common to many other Christian denominations, and Dignity therefore supports kindred organizations such as Integrity and Lutherans Concerned.

But we are primarily a bridge between the Leather Community and the Christian Community.

The Defenders welcomes all leatherfolk regardless of sexual orientation, spiritual background or gender. We encourage safe, sane sexuality that respects all in recognition of a common Divine source and destiny.