Leather Archives & Museum

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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. 🖤

Ron is a muscular Black man with a mustache, smiling and raising his arm to applause. He is wearing a leather vest, cap and x chest harness. [Text from Ron's IML speech: Growing up gay isn't easy. Growing up in leather is even harder. We've come a long way, but we have a lot farther to go. Whether in leather or in lace. Whether in white collar or in blue, we need to talk to each other to try to understand each other, to work together, to strengthen the bonds we have already fashioned. If we use our god-given gifts: our intellects to know what is right, our wills to do what is right with compassion and love, we will better ourselves and the world around us. As International Mr. Leather I hope to bring all minorities together in the brotherhood we share.]

Ron Moore was a member of the Denver Gay Men's Chorus and the Metropolitan Community Church. He was titled Mr. Leather Colorado 1984 and was the first Black leatherman to be titled International Mr. Leather in 1984.

Photo of Dick from Metro Weekly. McHugh died of lymphoma on February 25, 2001. Did you know Dick? Share photos and stories about him with the LA&M to help preserve his memory in the community archive. 🖤

Richard is a white man in his 60s with a short beard and strong brow. He is wearing a button up shirt, leather vest, watch, and jeans. He is sitting in a chair posing for a metro weekly cover.

Richard McHugh was the "Mr. Fix-It" and eventual owner of the DC Eagle. McHugh hosted benefits at the bar for charitable organizations including Brother Help Thyself and Food for Friends. He was involved in the gay rodeo and supported the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association.

Jason, photographed here by Rich Stadtmiller, died on February 25, 2013, the day after his 38th birthday. Contact the LA&M to help preserve his memory in the community archives. 🖤

Jason is white and has short cropped auburn hair and beard and a nose ring. He is wearing a red latex shirt and a black latex bodysuit and an international rubber sash and a chain with a lock around his neck.

Jason Lawrence Lynch was a founding member of New England Rubber Men and involved with the Rubber Men of San Francisco. He was titled Mr. International Rubber 2013.

Sunday, Mar. 1st: Flogging 201 - Florentine Double Your Fun, Kink Klass w/ Master Leather Redux and Raea, 3 - 4:30pm. The focus of this class will be on how to do the Florentine technique or using two floggers at the same time. Bring your floggers and be ready to learn how to Florentine together!