I just donated to @leatherarchives.bsky.social as they seek to remodel their facility. It's a worthy kinky cause: leatherarchives.org/renovation/#...

⛓️ Best wishes to the one and only Leather Archives on their 35th anniversary — and an ambitious renovation project that will create a whole new visitor experience! ⛓️ @leatherarchives.bsky.social

Warren Ennis was president of the California Motor Club and an honorary member of Warlocks MC and Satyrs MC. Ennis volunteered at many bike events. He owned a kitchen and restaurant design business in Los Angeles.

Quote from The Taming of the Id: Feminist Sexual Politics, 1968-83 by Alice Echols (in Pleasure and Danger ed. Carol S. Vance, 1984). Photo from Hogtie Vol 2 No 2 (1972).

Robert Opel (left) was a photographer and owner of Fey-Way Studios in San Francisco, the city's first gay erotic art gallery.

Wes Randall was a manager of The Cuff. He was titled Washington State Mr. Leather 1991 and Northwest Drummer 1995. He co-founded Generic Leather Productions, Seattle Men in Leather, and Washington State Leather Pride Week. Randall died of AIDS on July 6, 1999. 🖤

We have multiple events to get kinky at this week! Wednesday, July 8th -> Gear Happy Hour at Chicago Eagle, 4 - 7pm. Join us for our first weekly social at the Chicago Eagle! The perfect way to let off some steam halfway through your week.

Joni Perry (center) was titled Ms. Georgia Olympus, International Ms. Olympus Leather 2000 and International Ms Leather 2001.

This Wednesday, meet us at @chicagoeagle for our first Knotty Nights class after the new Gear Happy Hour! Wednesday, July 8th, 7-8:30pm. Our first class is called “Intro To Bar Bondage” w/ @myfroghashat.bsky.social 🪢🖤💙

The renovation is off and running!

Mason Timmons was an officer of The Journeymen and an associate member of the Utica Tri's MC and Rochester Rams. Timmons was titled Mr. Upstate New York 1996 and competed at Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather and International Mr. Leather.

Another film to put on your radar that we are excited about! I WANT YOUR S*X opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, July 31. There is a chance to attend a special advanced screening ahead of the official opening on Monday, July 27! #IWantYourSex #IWYS

Eddie Cunningham (right) worked in printing and publishing. He co-founded the Celestial Krewe de Cuir with his partner Wally Sherwood (left) and was involved with many leather events and clubs. Cunningham organized the Northern California Leather Awards benefit. Cunningham died on June 2, 1999. 🖤

We’re excited to partner with @chicagoeagle for a new weekly social, Gear Happy Hour! Join us for Gear Happy Hour at the Chicago Eagle every Wednesday from 4 - 7pm! Stay afterwards from 7 - 8:30pm for special Kink Classes happening throughout the month:

Benjamin Feathers, aka Pup Fenrir, was a manager at Men's Room Chicago for six years. He was involved in the Chicago leather community and could often be found at Sidetrack, Charlie's Chicago or The Cell Block. Feathers died on July 1, 2023. 🖤

Happy Birthday, Dom! Dom “Etienne” Orejudos was an artist, ballet dancer, and choreographer. He co-founded International Mr. Leather with Chuck Renslow and through his published art helped to popularize leather culture from the 1960s through the 1980s.

Saikatsu taught rope bondage classes at Black Heart in Toyko and wrote a series of instructional articles for SM Mania Club. He was trained by Akechi Denki in the early 1980s. Photo by Sin. Saikatsu died on July 1, 2024. 🖤

Happy July! Our building may be closed for renovations, but we still have a lot of events around Chicago! View what’s happening here and get more details at our events calendar on our website 💙🖤⛓️ Leatherarchives.org

Cathy Caruso was a leatherwoman from Seattle. Cathy owned several customized classic cars and was always the last rider in the Dykes on Bikes contingent of the Seattle Pride Parade.

Quote from Dry Bones Breathe by Eric Rofes (1998). Photo by Malexpress Ltd from Mach magazine (1983).

Barry Joseph "Biejay" Brewitt served in the Army Medical Corps and worked for Westin Hotels. Biejay was a cofounder and long-time officer of Tribe MC, and a member of the Chicago Hellfire Club.

Jason Hall was titled Mr. Philadelphia Leather 2015 and competed at International Mr. Leather where he made a speech denouncing body shaming in the community. He was the director of Curatorial Affairs and Education for the Battleship USS New Jersey. Hall died on June 28, 2018. 🖤

Happy birthday, Thom! Thomas Raymond Dombkowski (right) was a leatherman and HIV/AIDS activist.

The 540 Club aka 540 Eagle was Canton's oldest gay bar when it was destroyed by a fire early on June 27, 2005. The archive of The Iron Eagles leather club was lost in the fire. Article text from The Leather Journal Issue 184.

Leathers is around halfway for its donation fund to @leatherarchives.bsky.social. you wanted a faggot games here's your faggot game. halforc.itch.io/leathers

Our Gear Night continues while we are closed for renovations! Grab your favorite gear and join us on the last Friday of every month, from 6-9pm. At a new location, at @gerberhart 🖤💙

Leather - It’s Not What You Wear, It’s Who You Are! Have you ever wondered what the leather lifestyle is about? Where did it come from? What does it “mean” to be leather?

Join us this Thursday, June 18th, at @gerberhart for our monthly Fetish, Erotic, and Kinky Figure Drawing class. This program is available both in-person and online! Space is limited in person so register for your spot early! Registration is required for this event!

Due to the predicted bad storm heading our way this evening, we are cancelling and rescheduling tonight’s FEK DRAW event!!! ⛈️ ☔️ This month’s FEK DRAW is rescheduled to next Thursday, June 18th, from 7-9pm at the Gerber/Hart. Registration is live on our website’s event calendar.

FEK DRAW continues while we are closed for renovations! Now on the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Gerber/Hart Library and Archives! @gerberhart Space is limited and pre-registration is required for our events at the Gerber/Hart. Go to our events page to register today before it fills up!

Quote from Come Hither by Gloria G. Brame (2000). Photo from Kinky No 5 (1975).

It was a great joy to host Eve Beatrice Weiner’s solo show, Interval: Portraits Thus Far. Not our last, but the final exhibition in LA&M’s pre-renovation space. Thank you to all who visited and left your mark on the walls. We hope to see you in 2027. 🌹🩸🖤

Hot Ash Smokes tonight! 7pm-until, cigars on the patio at Jackhammer. Hole opens at 9pm. Do with that as you wish.

LA&M may be closed, but we aren't going away! Join us for a program....just be sure to check the location! Some may be online, some at @jackhammerchicago.bsky.social and some at Gerber Hart Library and Archives! Note that registration is required for many. Register at leatherarchives.libcal.com

Stop by this weekend!

Daddy Caspian was titled Texas Leatherman 2003. He was involved with the Houston Outdoor Group. Article text from the Leather Journal.

Amy Crowder was a corsetière and owner of Wasp Creations, located in Kansas City and later New York.

The 2026 Sling Raffle is underway. Come see us in the IML vendor mart or get your tickets online at leatherarchives.info/slingraffle

Happy Birthday, Colt! Colt Thomas was titled International Mr. Leather 1983. He was 23 and a medical resident at the University of Texas at Galveston.

Bob Toner was a bartender, manager of Wolf's, and co-owner of The Loading Zone in San Diego. He helped raise funds for Auntie Helen's and the AIDS Emergency Fund.

G.L. Leyner was an LGBT activist, writer, and theatre producer. He volunteered for AIDS Project LA and Los Angeles Gay Rodeo and was a member of Congregation Beth Chayim Chadashim. His short stories and articles were printed in Fetish, Drummer, CUIR, Mach and other publications.

Quote from Sadomasochism and the Magic Kingdom by Donald L. Miesen (3rd revision draft, Society of Janus, 1984).

Every Wednesday in May, our friends at @steamworkschi.bsky.social is donating 5% of their door sales to LA&M. Charitable giving never felt so good!

John Prather was a former contestant handler for International Mr. Leather, long-time volunteer for the LA&M, and helped raise funds for charities including TPAN and Howard Brown Health.

Get your raffle tickets for this years sling from @jimsupport.bsky.social sling will be shipped to the winner. Tickets available at IML or online at leatherarchives.info/slingraffle

Stop in and see us before we close for renovations!

Dann Sivers was titled Mr. Colorado Leather 1994. He was active in the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association.

Andrew Harwin (right) was a former board member of Folsom Street East and the Gay Male S/M Activists.

Bill Robbins co-founded Studworks, a leather store in Seattle, and Excel Nursing Service with his partner Lee Willis. Robbins was a charter member of Seattle Men in Leather and a member of Mid-America Fists in Action and TRUST.

Happy Birthday, Vern! Vern, pictured here with Mister Marcus Hernandez, was a leather community journalist, photographer, bar manager, contest judge, and event producer.