Jan was most commonly active within the old NLA Seattle. Jan
was a founding member of the National Leather Association in Seattle, where she
lived in 1986. She also was involved in the North East region of the
U.S., later the old NLA Dallas, a previous chapter that is no longer associated
with the NLA International but retains the acronym.
Jan's birth name was Janean Lorene Heck. She went by Janean Heck in her
professional life early on, then shortened it to Jan Heck. She used that name
in her work and community life until 1988, when she won Ms NLA. After winning
Ms NLA, she then adopted her aka (scene name) and separated the names for her
professional life and Leather lifestyle like so many others did. Later, she
legally changed her name to Jan Lyon.
Guy Baldwin and Jan Lyon won the Mr. and Ms NLA titles at the third May Day
(April 28–30, 1989) and held the titles for 18 months as the contest became a
national event, next held at Living in Leather 5.’ Oct 26, 1990. At LIL In a special ceremony, Jan Lyon
presented the NLA with a spectacular, studded leather banner created by Lee
Willis of the Stud Works, now preserved at the LA&M.
Served as Female Co-Chair to the NLA International 1991 - 1992
Jan won the Pantheon of Leather Woman of the Year Award in 1990.
She also served as one of three on the initial Pantheon of Leather Awards
Committee, 1991, to select the first award winners kicking off the still
running annual awards owned by Dave Rhodes.
Recipient of the National Leather Association Lifetime Achievement
Award in 1991.
We have re-named our Woman of the Year award for Jan Lyon to
represent the work on either a local or regional level.
