Flash Back Gallery - IML IMBB, Part I of II
We take you back through Chicago, International Mr. Leather and International Mr. Bootblack. Our photo files on IML are huge. There is so much we have to do it in two segments. We only can touch the surface of Leather's premier convention.
Scroll down to the Flash Back Gallery to see photos, from each year and a link to IML IMBB where you can find out more about IML IMBB which will be held in Chicago in November.
Russell Sweeney
The Leather world is sad to learn of the sudden passing of Mr. New England Leather 2017 and First Mate 2016 Russell Sweeney in early May. He lived in Boston, Massachusetts where he was a member of the Bay State Marauders. Russell is survived by his partner, Scott Boucher.
Sanctuary LAX Celebrates with Restart opening party
By Jay Moyes
This Saturday night, May 15, at 9 PM, Mistress Cyan and the Sanctuary Studios LAX family will be celebrating their reopening for public parties with Restart, their first public party since the pandemic lockdown over one year ago.
"Yes, we have been given clearance by the Los Angeles Department of Public Health to open our doors and host our first event in more than 14 months," said Mistress Cyan, Founder and CEO of Sanctuary Studios LAX. "On May 14, 2011, Sanctuary Studios LAX celebrated its grand opening. Now 10 years later, almost to the day, we celebrate the long-awaited re-opening of Sanctuary...."
Guests must be fully vaccinated and over the age of 18. Attendees are asked to have their ID and Covid Vaccination Card with them; without these credentials, entry cannot be permitted, due to Health Department Guidelines. Tickets can only be purchased in advance.
For purposes of the Health Department protocol, people are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at more than two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or more than two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson or Janssen).
There will be complimentary soda and water, and complimentary beer and wine for guests age 21 and over.
Go to https://www.sanctuarylax.com/events/35614
Mates Leather Weekend
Mates Leather Weekend will be held September 30 through October 4 in Provincetown MA. Mates Leather Weekend is a kick-back, have a good time, meet some hot new friends weekend for those who want to hang out, socialize, relax or party with other like-minded people in Leather, Rubber and Uniforms. The First Mate contest is always a hit as are plenty of cocktail parties and other socials.
Mates Leather Weekend is brought to you by Rick Conley, longtime Provincetown resident and Leatherman. There are several hotels, so check the links below for their information. Fundraising is for the benefit of the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod.
"I take great pride in the quality of men and women who attend MLW. There is no attitude here, just folks that are down-to-earth, friendly, and nice to view. It takes a lot of effort to put on an event like this. I hope you enjoy it." said Mates Leather Weekend producer Rick Conley."
https://www.matesleatherweekend.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/402687466428652/
What's the Difference Between a Fantasy, Kink, and Fetish?
What is a kink, really? How about a fetish — how are they different? And where do fantasies fit in? All the deets, here.
By Gabrielle Smith for Shape.com via NSCF
"Society is finally progressing into a freer idea of what sex can be (?). What may have started with 50 Shades of Gray is slowly growing into a larger movement of sexual liberation, pleasure equality, and more accepted exploration into all things sex.
If you're interested in dipping your toe into the world of kink — or are curious how to label your own sexual interests — it's natural to want to understand the lingo. After all, you'll need the right words to describe..."
Read the rest, including a video at https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/sex-and-love/what-is-kink-vs-fetish-vs-fantasy
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Empire City MC - Trains, Trains, Trains
Empire City MC - Trains, Trains, Trains have a special place in many motorcyclist’s hearts – big, loud, powerful and hard to stop, are attributes that certainly can be attributed to both trains and motorcycles. When I first came out as a gay, leather biker-bear, I noticed there were a similar number of interests and pastimes shared in the community, trains were one of them. David S (Utica Tris MC), Bob K and Tom J (Unicorn MC) and dozens of others love trains and their history – from riding them to keeping log books of “train spotting” where they denote the carriage numbers as they roil past… why haven’t we done a train-oriented ride yet?
Well, that’s changing in 2021, as we’re going to have two of them this year! Three lucky members and friends of ECMC will be acting as engineer, coal man (fireman) and jump seat on“611”, the last F-series steam locomotive in May on a one-hour journey. That’s all well and good, but what about everyone else?
In July we’re having a train weekend, will be sleeping in caboose carriages which have been converted into motel rooms, and we’ve reserved the entire Presidential Carriage on the 611 Train for our group of up to 20 persons! We’re inviting everyone, biker or not, to come along with us. Information is in the attached flyer. We hope you get on the list before it’s full.
SLFC - Worldfetish Show Contest
By Henricus Van Tilburg
The Second Annual World Fetish Contest will be held May 15 and is produced by the Spanish Leather and Fetish Community. The estimated six hour show will begin at 11 AM PDT and is free. Check out the links below for more details.
The Eurovision Song Contest is an international song competition organized annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and featuring participants representing primarily European countries. Each participating country submits an original song to be performed on live television and radio, transmitted to national broadcasters via the EBU's Eurovision and Euroradio networks, with competing countries then casting votes for the other countries' songs to determine a winner. The 2020 version was cancelled due to the pandemic.
So SFLC organized the Fetish version of it, since last year and we had the same success right away and we never expected that. Last year there were 40,000 viewers.
https://www.slfc.es/?fbclid=IwAR0oQYis1NRgLiU_QSVGZqJoxbYbnNuY-4L1y3Wvlsfr--uiBZAm6mjYzCM
https://www.facebook.com/events/823680521556188/
Leather Archives - Leather Laptop Variety Show
The Leather Archives & Museum is presenting Leather Laptop Variety Show on May 20 starting at 8 PM EST as part of its celebration of 30 years in the Lether community. The Show will be co-hosted by Choc Trei and Heather Raquel, and will feature hot, kinky fun and games, a fabulous opening act with special guests Joey McDonald and the beautiful Alexandra St. James.
Leather Laptop shows are presented every third Thursday by the LA&M. Go to the link below on the day of the event to get a Zoom location.
http://www.leatherarchives.org/
Titans of the Midwest - Self-Education Classes
Join the Titans on Monday, June 7 at 5 PM PDT for a discussion on the book White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. These events are intended to be a space to help us educate ourselves so we can ensure that marginalized voices have a seat at the table, but beyond that, are supported and valued. The Titans will talk about chapters five and six. If you have additional questions, or need financial support obtaining the books due to COVID-19, please reach out to Joel Nelson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or slave adeena at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Titans of the Midwest are proud to have created and support ongoing kink classes at events around the country under the KINK U brand. If you are interesting in attending or teaching a class, please contact us!
https://www.facebook.com/events/555399775448205/
http://titansofthemidwest.org/
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Bike Stop establishes GoFundMe campaign
The Bike Stop, Philadelphia's oldest Leather bar, is Crowdfunding for its survival. A GoFundMe campaign hopes to raise $40,000 to help give the “freaks and the geeks” a home for another 38 years.
Help Save the Bike Stop The 2020 year has been more than devastating to the members of our community on a level that is hard to describe. We closed our doors on March 16, 2020 and walked away from a place many of us call home in hopes that as the pandemic raged on we’d take care of our friends and neighbors. Once we re-opened despite our due-diligence, dedication to COVID compliance, and trying our best to bring you The Bike Stop you know and love but with very limited resources and minimal support from the government we’ve not been able to manage losing almost a years worth of revenue. While the government must view us as collateral damage this space stands as a strong hold to many members of the LGBTQ community and has worked diligently to preserve our history, evolve with the present, and build collectively towards an intersectional future. Once gone Leather bars don’t find their way back and we won’t go down without a fight! We just need your help About Us: Since it’s inception in 1982 the Bike Stop has been committed to serving the leather, fetish, and BDSM communities of Philadelphia and beyond.
Fetish Men San Diego - Zoom night and Trade Alley
On Wednesday, May 19 at 7 PM PDT, Fetish Men San Diego will present Benefits of a Play Name or Alias via Zoom with Robert Black who is a Leatherman, BDSM porn actor, and host of the podcast Sexual Heroes. Join Fetish Men San Diego as Robert shares how the creation of a separate identity impacted his journey in Leather/BDSM.....and life.
The Trade Alley Fetish Fair will be on Friday, May 21 at The Morrow, 1271 Uiversity Avenue from dusk to 10 PM. This safe social outdoor event will include live demos, cigar area, bootblack, visuals and table service. No cover.
Grabby Award winner and GayVN Award nominee Robert Black has appeared in more than 50 adult films and was named a ZEUS boy of the Year. He has been featured in magazines including Honcho, Bound & Gagged, and International Leatherman. A proud member of the Leather/kink community, he is the host of Sexual Heroes, a podcast with a mission to inform, entertain, and inspire listeners to embrace their sexuality.
Join Zoom meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88118771934 Meeting ID: 881 1877 1934
https://www.facebook.com/groups/129619403750866
Pup 101 - Collars and Ownership
Pup 101 will present Collars and Ownership on Facebook Live on Friday, May 21 from 6-8 PM and is free. Puppy 101 is an education group and open forum for pups and Handlers to share info, ask questions, share resources for puppy gear or anything relating to puppies or the community and get the word out about puppy related events.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1848545875319821
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Flash Back Gallery
IML Part I - 2006-2019
We take you back through Chicago, International Mr. Leather and International Mr. Bootblack. Our photo files on IML are huge. There is so much we have to do it in two segments. There are so many memories to share from this event that we need to break it down into two Flash Back Galleries. What we have to share is about two percent of our photos from the years 2006-2019.
Who can forget to nights numbers are drawn with the contestants making their first stage appearance parading their home country's flags, the Pecs and Personality, barbs from emcees such as Lenny Broberg and Thib Guicherd Callin, the tension mounting as the Top 20 Finalists are announced and when the emcee is at number 19 and 20, More skin and speeches - then the announcement of the IMBB, and later IML, winners.
Some 1,500 participate in the contest and about 18,000 pass through the turnstile in the Leather Market, the biggest store in Leather/BDSM/Fetish, club cocktail parties, the ONYX and San Francisco dances, the Leather Archives & Museum, Touche and Leather64TEN, puppy mosh and rubber/latex parties, unofficial play parties, great restaurants and the City of Chicago in all of its splendor.
Oh, and don't forget the "event" that is the Congress Hotel - schmoozing in front of the hotel all day and night, shenanigans in the stairwells, getting stuck in prehistoric elevators, the huge and ornate main lobby, nooks and crannies, the long hallway, and both restrooms - all sex opportunities, Leathermen and Leatherwomen who has spent a month's paycheck on their finest and sexiest either at home before going to Chicago and/or the Leather Market.
Who is dating whom, who got laid by whom, embellishments of affairs, break-ups and make-ups, broken hearts and never-connections, total fantasies fulfilled, love at first sight at CLAW and get-away-from-me-bitch before IML ends. Meanest question ever asked in front of the Hyatt Regency circa 2007, "You didn't wear that today, did you?" - after nearly $2,000 was spent on the outfit.
IML IMBB has found a long-term home in the Congress Hotel on Michigan Avenue. Before that, the contest weekend was at the Hyatt Regency with stints at the Hilton and Marriott. The last three years, the contest has been held at the Auditorium which is across the street from the Congress. Photos by Marcus Hernandez, Rich Stadtmiller, Steve Lenius and Dave Rhodes. Now, here's IML IMBB, Part I
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
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A Blast From The Past - IML IMBB, Part II
The second half of the IML IMBB Flash Back Gallery will feature 1988 when Michael Pereyra of Fallbrook, CA won the coveted IML title to 2005 when Michael Egdes from Fort Lauderdale, Florida was named International Mr. Leather 2005.
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Links to all Dave Rhodes' Hump Days going back to August 9, 2017
http://www.theleatherjournal.com/op-ed/item/2132-links-to-all-dave-rhodes-hump-day-posts
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The Leather Journal was founded in May, 1987. The Leather community was hungry for news magazine that covered clubs, organizations and events. TLJ has successfully met that need for 34 years. We have adapted to change more than once and when the Internet came about we were there by adding www.TheLeatherJournal.com
