Halp! I'm new to Leather/kink and feeling lost… stray

For those who are newer to the Leather scene and/or kink community, how do we find or build comfort? What are some tips that have worked for you? Are there rumors that you've heard about Leather or kink but aren't sure whether they're accurate? This will be an inclusive forum in which to safely discuss concerns and build community in a roundtable style discussion.