Leather Archives & Museum

Lou died of AIDS on March 2, 1991. Donate photos and memories of him to the LA&M to help preserve his memory in the community archive. 🖤

[FTM 15 In Memoriam April 1991. Two services were held for Louis Sullivan on Friday, March 15, 1991. One was a large service held at the Neptune Society Columbarium. However, and earlier service for approximately twenty people was also arranged aboard a small double tiered boat which departed from Pier 40 in San Francisco. The boat service was powerful precisely because Lou had planned all of the details himself. He had requested a party and a celebration in which his ashes would be scattered in the San Francisco bay. Indeed most everyone felt Lou's presence, and an intermingling sensation that this was the way he wanted things done....]

Lou Sullivan was a visionary gay trans activist, writer, speaker, and organizer who advocated for the recognition of gay trans people.

Illustration of a blonde woman with a perm and two vertical chains. Text: human digest presents kinks. hurt me so good baby I want to feel it. Why I love. Shave her she’ll love it.

Cover of Human Digest Presents Kinks (Winter 1983), from the LA&M collections. #Eighties #HumanDigest

Navy blue round patch with white stitching of New York skyline.

Excelsior MC is a men's leather club founded in 1975. Excelsior's charitable beneficiaries today are: New Alternatives, the Arts Project of Cherry Grove, and the Fire Island Artist Residency. Patch from the LA&M club colors library. #LeatherClubs

Andy died on March 5, 2015. Email photos and memories of Andy to the LA&M to help preserve his memory in the community archives. 🖤

Andy is a white man with short gray hair and a thick brown mustache. He is wearing a collared shirt, tie and vest and a studded leather sash. He is standing at a microphone next to a similarly dressed butch person.

Andy Anderson (right) was president of the Canadian Leather Alliance, director of the Mr. Leatherman Toronto Contest, and worked with the Toronto Pride Committee, the AIDS Committee of Toronto, and Casey House.

See post text.

Pair of black boots and folded leather garment.

⏱️ March 13, 2026, 5pm-7pm

⭐ Opening reception for Interval: Portraits Thus Far

Allen died on on March 4, 2022. Did you know Burke? Write down your memories of her and send them with any photos to the LA&M to preserve her memory in the community archive. 🖤

[Angie Burke Allen March 4, 2002 by Rik Newton Treadway. It is with sadness Hooker and Boys Ministries informed us the passing of their friend and clubling Angie Burke Allen. Her sunrise was in January 1953 and her sunset March 4, 2022. Our condolences to her wife Jan Dodi and family and friends. May her memory be a blessing to them and all who knew her. We love you baby. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made via Venmo to Overlea-Arts Fest Angela Burke Memorial Artist Fund.]

Angie "Burke" Allen was a member of Hooker & Boys Ministries, a charitable leather club based in Baltimore.

Gelbert died on March 4, 2023. Email photos and memories of Bruce-Michael to the LA&M to help preserve his memory in the community archives. 🖤

Gelbert is white and has white chest and shoulder hair. He is wearing a leather vest, upper arm band and cap. He is sitting on a bed in a small bedroom. Second photo of two leather title sashes on the bed.

Bruce-Michael Gelbert was a community activist and leatherman. He joined the Gay Activists Alliance at the age of 19 in 1971. He was a performer and journalist of community theater and the opera. Gelbert was interviewed for Indiana Yellow Study No. 6, a film by Vincent Tiley and Bryson Rand.

Lithgow died of AIDS on March 3, 1994. Did you know David? Write down your memories of him and send photos to the LA&M to help preserve his memory in the community archive. 🖤

[Leather United Chicago Newsletter Vol 5 No 2 April 1994. Passings. Our condolences go out to the family and many, many friends of David Lithgow who left us saddened on March 3rd. David fought a valiant battle with AIDS for several years. All who knew him knew that he was honest, tough, willing to fight for what he believed in, and a very caring and loving man. David had been a member and past president of Chicago Hellfire Club before his resignation due to his deteriorating health, and he and his partner, Don Ferreira have been long time members of LUC. He was a hell of a man and I am proud to say I knew him. I for one will not soon be able to fill the void his passing has left in my life.]

David Lithgow was a former president of the Chicago Hellfire Club and a member of Leather United Chicago.

Haruki Yukimura died on March 3, 2016. Photo by Harukumo taken in 2012. Archive photo and memories of Haruki in the community archive. 🖤

Japanese man with a gray mustache wearing a tshirt.

Haruki Yukimura was a rope bondage video producer and photographer. He began working for S&M Sniper in 1982 and taught workshops internationally between 2012 and 2014.

Lynette died on March 3, 2015 at the age of 59. Email photos and memories of Lady Lynette to the LA&M to preserve them in the community archive. 🖤

Lynnette is white woman with straight auburn hair and bangs. She is wearing a white blouse.

Lady Lynette was one of the co-founders of Oklahoma OKPET and the Oklahoma chapter of the National Leather Alliance. Lynette was interviewed by Sarah Humble in 2014.

Ad for Dandyland Pink Party at Jackhammer, March 7th from 2-7pm.

This Saturday you'll find us at @dandyland.bsky.social at @jackhammerchicago.bsky.social and our morals won't be the only thing loose! Stop in and check out this amazing erotic art and gift market, and enjoy the queer celebration!

SAT, MAR 21 at 7pm, FETISH FILM FORUM presents BOTTOM, a documentary about a man who tracks the number of loads. Preceded by "Money Shot Blues & How to Fake Ejaculation," an autobiographical short exploring the director's first mainstream porn shoot. TIX: leatherarchives.libcal.com/event/15518555

Ad for program, text in post.

LA&M is excited to announce the Ron Ehemann Community Leather & Kink Archive Grant Program, helping local communities create capacity to preserve their history. Applications are due April 15th. Visit leatherarchives.info/community for details!

Thanks for coming in!

Excited to announce the 2nd annual Chicago Leather Pride Weekend, celebrating our amazing leather, kink and fetish communities. Visit us online at chicagoleatherpride.org and get your tickets today! #clpw #chicagoleatherpride #leatherarchives

White man wearing a leather jacket and cap licks the boot or leather pant leg of someone standing. Text: [The sexual is unpredictable, irrational, sneaky, and far-reaching. Worse still, it is completely resistant to simple legalism or clear philosophical categories. Most sexual imagery does not have one interpretation but a range of multilevel impacts depending on context, personal taste, and hidden symbolism.]

Quote from Puritans, Perverts, and Feminists by Dorothy Allison (in Skin: Talking About Sex, Class and Literature, 1994). Photo from Toy No 60 (1988).

Sheila died in early 1994. Proceeds of IMsL 1994 were donated to Lyon-Martin Women's HIV Program in memory of Courser. Did you know Sheila? Contact the LA&M to help preserve her legacy in the community archive. 🖤

Sheila is a butch woman with bright short blonde hair and partial arms. She is wearing a leather cuff around one upper arm and a leather vest. She is in the center of a group portrait.

Sheila Courser (center) was a board member of the International Ms. Leather contest. Courser competed in the contest in 1990. She produced the Ms. Bear Leather contest and a Ms. Stripper of the Year performance and contest for both amateurs and professionals.

Eddie died on February 27, 2023. Did you know Eddie? Contact the LA&M to help preserve her legacy in the community archive. 🖤

Eddie is a large tall butch woman wearing a leather sash, button up shirt, leather gloves and vest with dark green side panel, and holding a plaque. She is raising her hand, holding the hand of another butch person. Both wearing medallions.

Uncle Eddie (aka Donna Moran) was titled International Ms Bootblack 2003. Eddie was a member of the Los Angeles Boys of Leather and mentor of new bootblacks in Southern California.

The library is typically open to the public Thursday-Sunday. Access on Wednesdays and early mornings by private appointment.

Close up of two women sitting on a couch. One wearing knee high lace up boots with her thighs bound by a leather strap and arms in a straight jacket. Other wearing thigh high latex stockings and latex underwear and top.

The LA&M Teri Rose Memorial Library will be closed this Saturday from 1pm to 5pm.

The museum galleries will be open regular hours for your enjoyment, 11am to 5pm on Saturday.

Ron died on February 25, 1997. Did you know Ron? Contact the LA&M to help preserve his legacy in the community archives. 🖤