Leather Archives & Museum
@leatherarchives.bsky.social
A Chicago-based research archive, library and museum dedicated to the preservation of leather, kink, fetish and BDSM community history.
Peter Tolos aka RubberBear published Rubber Rebel Magazine and founded Vulcan America Magazine with his partner Tim Brough. Tolos designed rubberwear and costumes for feature film and television. He created the Rubber Pride flag with Scott Moats and invented a popular form of liquid latex.
February 1, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Peter Tolos aka RubberBear published Rubber Rebel Magazine and founded Vulcan America Magazine with his partner Tim Brough. Tolos designed rubberwear and costumes for feature film and television. He created the Rubber Pride flag with Scott Moats and invented a popular form of liquid latex.
George Whaley was an accountant and board member of the Gay Male S/M Activists. He was known for his whip skills and volunteered with a team that helped maintain antique city clocks. His friend Ray described him as "one of the kindest, most generous, warmest, and most genuine men I have ever met."
February 1, 2026 at 8:35 PM
George Whaley was an accountant and board member of the Gay Male S/M Activists. He was known for his whip skills and volunteered with a team that helped maintain antique city clocks. His friend Ray described him as "one of the kindest, most generous, warmest, and most genuine men I have ever met."
Quote from the introduction to Bi Any Other Name ed. Lani Ka'ahumanu and Loraine Hutchins, 1991. Photo by Ziegfried Brahm from Boudoir Noir No 16 (1997). #Bisexuality #Biphobia
![Two white people grin, close to kissing. One wearing sunglasses and one wearing a partial face mask that frames the eyes. Text: [We do not deny that in actuality some bisexuals /are/ too bound by traditional binary gender assumptions, just as many gay, lesbian, and heterosexual, and some trans people are too. Bisexuals, however, have been in the forefront of exploring desire and connection beyond sex and gender. When anyone accuses bisexuals, uniquely, as more binary and more transphobic than other identity groups, such targeting is not only inappropriate but is also rooted in biphobia -- a fear and hatred of bi people for who we are and how we love.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreicxmzslju3catg3fnrnhkjszpmhyd6z5uufkpdy77w3nmuptqjmdq@jpeg)
January 31, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Quote from the introduction to Bi Any Other Name ed. Lani Ka'ahumanu and Loraine Hutchins, 1991. Photo by Ziegfried Brahm from Boudoir Noir No 16 (1997). #Bisexuality #Biphobia
CHICAGO LEATHER PRIDE WEEKEND is back for 2026!
💙🖤💙🖤
Join us in Chicago, IL for the kickoff to Leather Pride Month for May 1st to 3rd.
Get ready for loads of fun, games, entertainment, socials, and community!
Weekend Passes and tickets go on sale March 1st, 2026.
ChicagoLeatherPride.org
💙🖤💙🖤
Join us in Chicago, IL for the kickoff to Leather Pride Month for May 1st to 3rd.
Get ready for loads of fun, games, entertainment, socials, and community!
Weekend Passes and tickets go on sale March 1st, 2026.
ChicagoLeatherPride.org
January 31, 2026 at 3:19 AM
CHICAGO LEATHER PRIDE WEEKEND is back for 2026!
💙🖤💙🖤
Join us in Chicago, IL for the kickoff to Leather Pride Month for May 1st to 3rd.
Get ready for loads of fun, games, entertainment, socials, and community!
Weekend Passes and tickets go on sale March 1st, 2026.
ChicagoLeatherPride.org
💙🖤💙🖤
Join us in Chicago, IL for the kickoff to Leather Pride Month for May 1st to 3rd.
Get ready for loads of fun, games, entertainment, socials, and community!
Weekend Passes and tickets go on sale March 1st, 2026.
ChicagoLeatherPride.org
Kalel Rojas was a community activist, bartender, performer, and titleholder. He contributed to the Vision For Reform project and was a member and event organizer with B & Dee’s Baltimore Love. The Kalel Rojas Thanksgiving Food Drive was renamed in memory of his work with B & Dee's.
January 30, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Kalel Rojas was a community activist, bartender, performer, and titleholder. He contributed to the Vision For Reform project and was a member and event organizer with B & Dee’s Baltimore Love. The Kalel Rojas Thanksgiving Food Drive was renamed in memory of his work with B & Dee's.
Roz Vecchio was a freelance photographer and worked for the King County Library System in Seattle. Roz photographed events with the National Leather Association.
January 30, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Roz Vecchio was a freelance photographer and worked for the King County Library System in Seattle. Roz photographed events with the National Leather Association.
Meet and Greet the The Cuff before the Washington State Ms. Leather 1997 contest, from Spencer Bergstedt's photograph collection at the LA&M. #LeatherEvents
January 29, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Meet and Greet the The Cuff before the Washington State Ms. Leather 1997 contest, from Spencer Bergstedt's photograph collection at the LA&M. #LeatherEvents
The Gold Coast staff in 1977. Photograph by A Thousand Words Unlimited from the Chuck Renslow collection at the LA&M. #LeatherBars #ChicagoHistory #ChicagoBars
January 28, 2026 at 6:58 PM
The Gold Coast staff in 1977. Photograph by A Thousand Words Unlimited from the Chuck Renslow collection at the LA&M. #LeatherBars #ChicagoHistory #ChicagoBars
Lois K. Hiers was a leatherwoman, a registered nurse in emergency medicine and critical care, and volunteer at many leather, LGBT, and HIV/AIDS events in New York. An AIDS memorial quilt panel was created by her lover Lenny Waller after her death on January 28, 1997.
January 28, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Lois K. Hiers was a leatherwoman, a registered nurse in emergency medicine and critical care, and volunteer at many leather, LGBT, and HIV/AIDS events in New York. An AIDS memorial quilt panel was created by her lover Lenny Waller after her death on January 28, 1997.
Legionnaire ONYX was titled Mid-American Leatherman 1999 and Leatherman of Color 2006. He was the longest active member of the Midwest chapter of Men of ONYX.
January 27, 2026 at 11:18 PM
Legionnaire ONYX was titled Mid-American Leatherman 1999 and Leatherman of Color 2006. He was the longest active member of the Midwest chapter of Men of ONYX.
The Bears are coming out of hibernation to meet, mingle, and probably mate.
LA&M is excited to welcome the weekly Bear Happy Hour Chicago, from 5-9pm on Thursday, January 29th. Everyone is welcome!
It will be a bit different from a typical Bear Happy Hour event, but loads of fun!
LA&M is excited to welcome the weekly Bear Happy Hour Chicago, from 5-9pm on Thursday, January 29th. Everyone is welcome!
It will be a bit different from a typical Bear Happy Hour event, but loads of fun!
January 27, 2026 at 1:25 AM
The Bears are coming out of hibernation to meet, mingle, and probably mate.
LA&M is excited to welcome the weekly Bear Happy Hour Chicago, from 5-9pm on Thursday, January 29th. Everyone is welcome!
It will be a bit different from a typical Bear Happy Hour event, but loads of fun!
LA&M is excited to welcome the weekly Bear Happy Hour Chicago, from 5-9pm on Thursday, January 29th. Everyone is welcome!
It will be a bit different from a typical Bear Happy Hour event, but loads of fun!
Happy Birthday, Wally! Wally Sherwood (left) was a journalist involved in dozens of clubs and events in New Orleans and SF. He celebrated his birthday with a Wally Look Alike contest that raised thousands of dollars for charity. He was appointed to the Human Rights Commission of SF.
January 26, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Happy Birthday, Wally! Wally Sherwood (left) was a journalist involved in dozens of clubs and events in New Orleans and SF. He celebrated his birthday with a Wally Look Alike contest that raised thousands of dollars for charity. He was appointed to the Human Rights Commission of SF.
Kurt Allen was a father, husband, real estate broker, volunteer and fundraiser with programs for at-risk LGBTQ youth. He was titled Mr. Leather64TEN 2018.
January 26, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Kurt Allen was a father, husband, real estate broker, volunteer and fundraiser with programs for at-risk LGBTQ youth. He was titled Mr. Leather64TEN 2018.
Eric Lawrence (left), photographed here with his newly wed husband Ira C. Smith by Rich Stadtmiller, cofounded LeatherWerks and was involved with South Florida Gay Pride and other organizations. Lawrence and Smith were co-founders of the Leather Masked Ball, an annual fundraiser for charity.
January 25, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Eric Lawrence (left), photographed here with his newly wed husband Ira C. Smith by Rich Stadtmiller, cofounded LeatherWerks and was involved with South Florida Gay Pride and other organizations. Lawrence and Smith were co-founders of the Leather Masked Ball, an annual fundraiser for charity.
Come warm up with the Chicago Rubber Club and choose your pill. The Matrix screens tonight at 7pm. Tickets available at leatherarchives.info/matrix
January 24, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Come warm up with the Chicago Rubber Club and choose your pill. The Matrix screens tonight at 7pm. Tickets available at leatherarchives.info/matrix
Members of Trident International, a leather club that was founded in 1973 in Montreal. Trident chapters were established across North America. Photo from the Don Warden collection at the LA&M. #LeatherClubs
January 24, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Members of Trident International, a leather club that was founded in 1973 in Montreal. Trident chapters were established across North America. Photo from the Don Warden collection at the LA&M. #LeatherClubs
Quote from Loaded Words by Greta Christina (in PoMoSExuals, 1997). Photo from Restraint No 20 (1991).
![Close up of a white persons soles, their ankles bound and suspended with chains. Text: [Heavy players in the S/M community put down lighter players by saying "Oh, she's just into bondage - she's not really a sadomasochist," and progressive gay activists dismiss conservative or apolitical people in the community by saying, "He may be homosexual, but I wouldn't call him gay." People place a high positive value on certain words; when they hear them used to describe people they ridicule or despise, the words themselves seem devalued.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreih6llfv2w2ww6euv2dektixr6vpfqzbpdshqtahxn4xpsmfehb54i@jpeg)
January 23, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Quote from Loaded Words by Greta Christina (in PoMoSExuals, 1997). Photo from Restraint No 20 (1991).
Quote from Normate Sex and Its Discontents by Abby L. Wilkerson (in Sex and Disability ed. Robert McRuer and Anna Mollow, 2012). Photo by Christian Holzknecht from Skin Two No 42 (2002).
![Three white woman, one bound in rope sbd sitting by a table of medical supplies, one standing and holding a tool on a tube to a laying woman’s face. Text: [The medicalization of nonnormative sex also plays a major role in its privatization, with "patients," isolated from others like them, treated as individuals with unique pathologies rather than as members of groups who can provide various forms of support to each other.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreicvshrh5dfltdj3foqpakzabkjgkaeh3zjmsueqjnqo5o6moi6ql4@jpeg)
January 22, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Quote from Normate Sex and Its Discontents by Abby L. Wilkerson (in Sex and Disability ed. Robert McRuer and Anna Mollow, 2012). Photo by Christian Holzknecht from Skin Two No 42 (2002).
Mark Ensinger, born today on January 22, 1935, operated a private play space called Fountains of Pleasure No 6 outside of Detroit. He hosted monthly play parties for men and organized an annual event called Algolagnic Atelier from 1985-2005.
January 22, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Mark Ensinger, born today on January 22, 1935, operated a private play space called Fountains of Pleasure No 6 outside of Detroit. He hosted monthly play parties for men and organized an annual event called Algolagnic Atelier from 1985-2005.
TONIGHT! Warm up from the cold by getting hot with some bondage! 🥶🔥
Class starts at 7pm. Bring a friend!
Class starts at 7pm. Bring a friend!
January 22, 2026 at 5:13 PM
TONIGHT! Warm up from the cold by getting hot with some bondage! 🥶🔥
Class starts at 7pm. Bring a friend!
Class starts at 7pm. Bring a friend!
Arnie Kantrowitz was a writer, activist, and professor of English. Arnie was a organizer with the Gay Activists Alliance and was made an honorary member of the Gay Male S/M Activists in 1986.
![Arnie is white, bald and had a beard. He is standing in front of a wooden lattice wall and holding a certificate. [Our newest honorary member, Arnie Kantrowitz, with the certificate to prove it! Photo by Thor Stockman]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreidky6giq3cvzkc246i2cxsohzbcry6qyb24he5aoedxps65yvuodm@jpeg)
January 22, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Arnie Kantrowitz was a writer, activist, and professor of English. Arnie was a organizer with the Gay Activists Alliance and was made an honorary member of the Gay Male S/M Activists in 1986.
Jimmy Lee Murray (center) was a leatherman, bartender, and softballer. He worked with Gay Chicago Magazine and Chicago House. Murray participated in many charitable fundraisers and raised over $12,000 at one event to buy holiday gifts for clients of the Albany Medical Center AIDS Unit.
January 21, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Jimmy Lee Murray (center) was a leatherman, bartender, and softballer. He worked with Gay Chicago Magazine and Chicago House. Murray participated in many charitable fundraisers and raised over $12,000 at one event to buy holiday gifts for clients of the Albany Medical Center AIDS Unit.
Thomas Smith (right) was the president of the Lexington Lyons and a board member of the Leather Leadership Conference. He was involved in the American Uniform Association, the Bluegrass C.O.L.T.S. and the Nightwings. Smith was titled Mr. Kentucky Leather 1997 and Mr. International Rubber 1999.
January 21, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Thomas Smith (right) was the president of the Lexington Lyons and a board member of the Leather Leadership Conference. He was involved in the American Uniform Association, the Bluegrass C.O.L.T.S. and the Nightwings. Smith was titled Mr. Kentucky Leather 1997 and Mr. International Rubber 1999.
Coming up this week!
Thursday, Jan. 22nd: Knotty By Nature, Bondage Skills w/ The Persian Prince. Join us at 7pm to learn techniques and skills, and to practice your ties with an expert on hand to offer guidance. All experience levels are welcome!
Thursday, Jan. 22nd: Knotty By Nature, Bondage Skills w/ The Persian Prince. Join us at 7pm to learn techniques and skills, and to practice your ties with an expert on hand to offer guidance. All experience levels are welcome!
January 20, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Coming up this week!
Thursday, Jan. 22nd: Knotty By Nature, Bondage Skills w/ The Persian Prince. Join us at 7pm to learn techniques and skills, and to practice your ties with an expert on hand to offer guidance. All experience levels are welcome!
Thursday, Jan. 22nd: Knotty By Nature, Bondage Skills w/ The Persian Prince. Join us at 7pm to learn techniques and skills, and to practice your ties with an expert on hand to offer guidance. All experience levels are welcome!
Flyer from the Wally Wallace collection at the LA&M. The Jockstrap League presents a A Jockstrap Contest at The Desert Rat on West 1st Street at 9th Ave.
![Hand drawn flyer with a shirtless cowboy sitting on a wire fence. Text: [The Jockstrap League presents its first public event, a jockstrap contest, Wednesday 17 May. Prizes. Dirtyest, raunchyest, most ornate, best in elastic, best in leather, invent a category you may win a prize for creativity. Sniff test may be required. Judging 11pm. Reminder! Jockstrap night every Thursday 9-12 at the Mineshaft. Activities informal.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreige4zqhb4el6hf6mmk5ykevdbjvuy6c2q64gikmqagcqlxd6qfkw4@jpeg)
January 19, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Flyer from the Wally Wallace collection at the LA&M. The Jockstrap League presents a A Jockstrap Contest at The Desert Rat on West 1st Street at 9th Ave.