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.
Dr. David Lourea was an HIV/AIDS activist, elementary school teacher, and co-founder and chair of The SF Bisexual Center. Lourea worked on on Dianne Feinstein's AIDS Education Advisory Committee and presented workshops at clubs in SF. He co-hosted fundraiser play parties with The Pig Family.
![[Who: The Pig Family, Daddy Pig Irwin ("Butthead" Toy), Boy Pig David Lourea ("Butthead" in Training), "Butthead" Pig Cubby, Mama Sow "Butthead" Jenne Blade.
What: An evening of Butthead Swine Debauchery... a play party.
Where: At our Sty... "Swinehaven"
When: Friday, December 13 - doors open 8:30 to 10:30pm
Why: Because we're pigs.
How: Any way youy want... as long as it's safe sane, sober, consensual and downright nasty!
RSVP: A MUST to Ms. Blade [redacted] by December 5 - no reply, no entry.
And: in celebration of the holiday spirity, please bring in an unmarked envelope your donation to Project Open Hand for their PWA Holiday Dinner.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreic2dac4zdrj3momtephouomavs7snz5jdzu4eto3v7jprnh674gxy@jpeg)
November 10, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Dr. David Lourea was an HIV/AIDS activist, elementary school teacher, and co-founder and chair of The SF Bisexual Center. Lourea worked on on Dianne Feinstein's AIDS Education Advisory Committee and presented workshops at clubs in SF. He co-hosted fundraiser play parties with The Pig Family.
Kevin Lowery was a member Baltimore Leather Association of the Deaf. He was an advocate for ASL interpreters and founded the Mid-Atlantic Deaf and Interpreter Fund for LGBT events. Lowery taught sign language classes at the Pride Center.
![[On November 10th the Mid-Atlantic Leather community lost Sir Kevin Lowery who worked to make sure that LGBT events were welcoming and accessible to the deaf community.
I have known Kevin for many years and would see him often. He was a member of the Leather club BLADeaf (Baltimore Leather Association of the Deaf) and for a short time wrote a Leather column for the Baltimore Gay Life newspaper under the name Sir K.
He taught sign language classes at the GLCCB (now the Pride Center of Maryland). He was also the sign language interpreter for countless LGBT events.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreibwqmcwzw7w2rhceexsxwmjs2ryzzalpvvx64f67ehmjbfmnkezru@jpeg)
November 10, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Kevin Lowery was a member Baltimore Leather Association of the Deaf. He was an advocate for ASL interpreters and founded the Mid-Atlantic Deaf and Interpreter Fund for LGBT events. Lowery taught sign language classes at the Pride Center.
Tim Starkey, pictured here with International Ms. Bootblack KD, was titled Mr. Boston Leather 2009 and International Mr. Bootblack 2010. Tim travelled widely and was an active member of the leather community. He received two community service awards.
November 9, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Tim Starkey, pictured here with International Ms. Bootblack KD, was titled Mr. Boston Leather 2009 and International Mr. Bootblack 2010. Tim travelled widely and was an active member of the leather community. He received two community service awards.
Ellen Willis was a feminist theorist, cultural critic, professor of journalism, and an unapologetic defender of sexual freedom and diversity.
November 9, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Ellen Willis was a feminist theorist, cultural critic, professor of journalism, and an unapologetic defender of sexual freedom and diversity.
Due to the winter storm watch and Chicago’s unpredictable weather, the cigar social at LA&M tomorrow is CANCELLED. 😢❄️🥶
We hope this isn’t the end of outside cigar season here in Chicago! Stay tuned for a future cigar social.
We hope this isn’t the end of outside cigar season here in Chicago! Stay tuned for a future cigar social.
November 8, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Due to the winter storm watch and Chicago’s unpredictable weather, the cigar social at LA&M tomorrow is CANCELLED. 😢❄️🥶
We hope this isn’t the end of outside cigar season here in Chicago! Stay tuned for a future cigar social.
We hope this isn’t the end of outside cigar season here in Chicago! Stay tuned for a future cigar social.
Amy Marie Meek was a leather community organizer and activist. Meek ran the Omaha Players Club and was titled Ms. Nebraska Leather 1992 and International Ms. Leather 1993. Meek produced IMsL from 1995 to 2006 and in 1999 founded the International Ms. Bootblack contest.
November 8, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Amy Marie Meek was a leather community organizer and activist. Meek ran the Omaha Players Club and was titled Ms. Nebraska Leather 1992 and International Ms. Leather 1993. Meek produced IMsL from 1995 to 2006 and in 1999 founded the International Ms. Bootblack contest.
Philip Douglas was a board member of the Gay Male S/M Activists in New York. He was involved with the group People of Color and Friends and co-chaired the "S/M and People of Color" panel at the 1993 March on Washington.
November 8, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Philip Douglas was a board member of the Gay Male S/M Activists in New York. He was involved with the group People of Color and Friends and co-chaired the "S/M and People of Color" panel at the 1993 March on Washington.
SAT, NOV 15 @ 7pm join us at Leather Archives & Museum as FETISH FILM FORUM screens the film most requested by attendees, Rainer Werner Fassbinder's THE BITTER TEARS OF PETRA VON KANT (1972), co-presented by Gerber/Hart Library & Archives!
TIX: leatherarchives.org/events/2025-fetish-film-forum/
TIX: leatherarchives.org/events/2025-fetish-film-forum/
November 8, 2025 at 2:15 PM
SAT, NOV 15 @ 7pm join us at Leather Archives & Museum as FETISH FILM FORUM screens the film most requested by attendees, Rainer Werner Fassbinder's THE BITTER TEARS OF PETRA VON KANT (1972), co-presented by Gerber/Hart Library & Archives!
TIX: leatherarchives.org/events/2025-fetish-film-forum/
TIX: leatherarchives.org/events/2025-fetish-film-forum/
Sidney Morris Fineberg was a playwright and gay rights activist born in Pittsburgh. Morris was one of the earliest members of The Eulenspiegel Society (TES), the first kink support group in the USA. He volunteered as a secretary and correspondent for out of town members.
![Founders Follies by Pat Bond 0069. Pat Bond is the Founder of TES. Passing of a TES Pioneer. I must, first of all, make a brief sad note of the passing of one of the very earliest members of Eulenspiegel, Sidney Fineberg. He interviewed me in our introductory issue of Prometheus, and contributed to our early editions under hte pen name of Simon Veit. I always think of the early core of Eulenspiegel as being myself, Terry Kolb, and Sidney, who quickly became our “Out of Town Secretary,” communicating with those too far away to attend our meetings regularly. (After a couple of months, Pete Wilson, who started our first consciousness raisign groups, was added to this core group.) Sidney was just about the sweetest, gentlest and most self effacing people I ever ran across. I had to insist that he sign his own name rather than mine to letters he had written and sent out to people.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreie3b6b567tiefjnyaig6u7mrnjjpr3mcx524qjhckgesicwjd7myi@jpeg)
November 7, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Sidney Morris Fineberg was a playwright and gay rights activist born in Pittsburgh. Morris was one of the earliest members of The Eulenspiegel Society (TES), the first kink support group in the USA. He volunteered as a secretary and correspondent for out of town members.
Jon "Nature" Grotte worked for Delta Airlines and lived in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. Nature was a founding member of Satyricons MC. He was known for his pink feathered boa, his humor and "devilish ways".
November 7, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Jon "Nature" Grotte worked for Delta Airlines and lived in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. Nature was a founding member of Satyricons MC. He was known for his pink feathered boa, his humor and "devilish ways".
Touko Valio Laaksonen aka Tom of Finland was one of the most influential gay artists of the 20th Century. He artwork introduced many men to the leather scene. He is photographed here with Chuck Renslow and artist Dom "Etienne" Orejudos at International Mr. Leather in Chicago.
November 7, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Touko Valio Laaksonen aka Tom of Finland was one of the most influential gay artists of the 20th Century. He artwork introduced many men to the leather scene. He is photographed here with Chuck Renslow and artist Dom "Etienne" Orejudos at International Mr. Leather in Chicago.
Dorothy Allison (top left) was the co-founder of the Lesbian Sex Mafia in New York and an award-winning author. Allison received the Publishing Triangle’s Bill Whitehead Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2024.
November 6, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Dorothy Allison (top left) was the co-founder of the Lesbian Sex Mafia in New York and an award-winning author. Allison received the Publishing Triangle’s Bill Whitehead Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2024.
Thom Saporita was a member of Hot Ash, a board member of GMSMA, and former president and treasurer of Defenders New York. He was credited with revitalizing the Defenders. He did events, press and public relations for GMSMA and the Defenders. Thom received the Barry Douglas Community Service Award.
November 6, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Thom Saporita was a member of Hot Ash, a board member of GMSMA, and former president and treasurer of Defenders New York. He was credited with revitalizing the Defenders. He did events, press and public relations for GMSMA and the Defenders. Thom received the Barry Douglas Community Service Award.
Chris Minor-Mulholland volunteered for Names Project Atlanta and AID Atlanta. He worked for and owned leather related businesses. He was a founding member of Trusted Servants. Chris and Richard were the first couple in San Francisco to be registered as domestic partners on February 14, 1991.
November 6, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Chris Minor-Mulholland volunteered for Names Project Atlanta and AID Atlanta. He worked for and owned leather related businesses. He was a founding member of Trusted Servants. Chris and Richard were the first couple in San Francisco to be registered as domestic partners on February 14, 1991.
Washington State Ms. and Mr. Leather 1996, Hobbit Smith and Vince Sharkey. Photo from Wes Hurley's photography collection at the LA&M. #LeatherContests #LeatherCommunity
November 5, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Washington State Ms. and Mr. Leather 1996, Hobbit Smith and Vince Sharkey. Photo from Wes Hurley's photography collection at the LA&M. #LeatherContests #LeatherCommunity
Terry Thompson was a leatherman and manager of The Plunge, the Arena, and the SF Eagle where he organized parties and founded the Bare Chest Calendar in 1984, a fundraiser that raised over $260,000 for HIV/AIDS charity in 2024 alone.
![Grainy closeup. Terri is white and has a mustache. Text: [Popular San Francisco Eagle Manager Terry Thompson Dies. Terry Thompson, former manager of the Bare Chest Calendar, died on Saturday, November 5. He was surrounded by some of his closest friends.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreih7msx2bv35bmdpytf5nnypuyrzfh5xuxi3pddjx5t3qwftcmti2a@jpeg)
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Terry Thompson was a leatherman and manager of The Plunge, the Arena, and the SF Eagle where he organized parties and founded the Bare Chest Calendar in 1984, a fundraiser that raised over $260,000 for HIV/AIDS charity in 2024 alone.
Jim Jensen served in the United States Air Force and was a district manager and Chemical Dependency Counselor. He was a founding member of Colorado Uniform Men and Denver Leather Association. He was titled Mr. Colorado Leather 1997. Jensen edited the Chain Link newsletter until his hospitalization.
November 4, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Jim Jensen served in the United States Air Force and was a district manager and Chemical Dependency Counselor. He was a founding member of Colorado Uniform Men and Denver Leather Association. He was titled Mr. Colorado Leather 1997. Jensen edited the Chain Link newsletter until his hospitalization.
Walter Wayne Griffin was a leathercrafter and owner of LeatherRack. Griffin opened a shopfront in Hollywood before moving the shop to Griff's bar in Los Angeles. Griffin and his partner Sam Smith were married in 1993 on the patio of Griff's, article from The Leather Journal.
![Grainy image of four men standing around a microphone stand wearing white shirts and black vests and pants. Text: [Wayne Griffin, second from right, holds up the microphone for Father Joseph at Griffin's wedding to Sam Smith, center. Standing up for the couple are Jack Boujaklian, second from left, and Dr. Michael Goldie, right. The wedding took place a week before Halloween at Griff's in Los Angeles, site of Griffin's shop, Wayne's LatherRack.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreihhluy3wqqrul6slgtjtrrbgfhcshmaobsgfvbw2pr7v4deanv3v4@jpeg)
November 3, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Walter Wayne Griffin was a leathercrafter and owner of LeatherRack. Griffin opened a shopfront in Hollywood before moving the shop to Griff's bar in Los Angeles. Griffin and his partner Sam Smith were married in 1993 on the patio of Griff's, article from The Leather Journal.
Quote from Feminism and Sadomasochism by Patrick Califia (in Heresies 12, 1981). Photo from Bondage Adventures No 8 (Oct 1989).
![White Woman sitting on rocks in flowy white dress by the sea with one leg folded, arms bound behind her back with rough rope from upper arm to wrist. Text: [Long-distance runners are not generally thought of as perverts, nor is St. Theresa. The fact that masochism is disapproved of when stressful athletic activity and religious martyrdom are not is an interesting example of the way sex is made a special case in our society. We seem to be incapable of using the same reason and compassion we apply to non-sexual issues to formulate our positions on sexual issues.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreicrhea26iommbqwverxa5to5ob6tg3orjxrrbv4rfmt7qcg4ij5ba@jpeg)
November 2, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Quote from Feminism and Sadomasochism by Patrick Califia (in Heresies 12, 1981). Photo from Bondage Adventures No 8 (Oct 1989).
David Hawn (right) was titled Great Lakes Drummerboy 1992. He helped found National Leather Association: Indianapolis and served as president. Hawn was active in Justice, Inc, co-owned Leatherman's Image with his partner Ed Tobin, and co-produced Freeze and Sleaze.
November 1, 2025 at 2:55 PM
David Hawn (right) was titled Great Lakes Drummerboy 1992. He helped found National Leather Association: Indianapolis and served as president. Hawn was active in Justice, Inc, co-owned Leatherman's Image with his partner Ed Tobin, and co-produced Freeze and Sleaze.
Ad for a Halloween party at Paddles in New York, with a horror S&M show, hot & cold buffet, and prizes for Best Dom/Sub Outfit, Hottest Dom/Sub Couple, and more. #HalloweenArchives
October 31, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Ad for a Halloween party at Paddles in New York, with a horror S&M show, hot & cold buffet, and prizes for Best Dom/Sub Outfit, Hottest Dom/Sub Couple, and more. #HalloweenArchives
Ad for Sutro Bath's Metamorphosis Halloween party. Sutro Bath House was located on 312 Valencia St from 1974-1977 and 1015 Folsom St from 1977-1984. Sutro was the city's first pansexual bathhouse. #HalloweenArchives
October 31, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Ad for Sutro Bath's Metamorphosis Halloween party. Sutro Bath House was located on 312 Valencia St from 1974-1977 and 1015 Folsom St from 1977-1984. Sutro was the city's first pansexual bathhouse. #HalloweenArchives
Cover of Mistress of Satan's Roost by Jack Kahler (1967), from the LA&M's Teri Rose Memorial Library. #HalloweenArchives
October 31, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Cover of Mistress of Satan's Roost by Jack Kahler (1967), from the LA&M's Teri Rose Memorial Library. #HalloweenArchives
Photo of a mid-1990's Halloween party at The Watering Hole bar in San Francisco, from Vern Stewart's collection at the LA&M. #HalloweenArchives
October 31, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Photo of a mid-1990's Halloween party at The Watering Hole bar in San Francisco, from Vern Stewart's collection at the LA&M. #HalloweenArchives
The Baroness at the October 1995 Goddess Ball at the Palladium in New York. Photo by Mark McQueen from The Baroness collection at the LA&M, latex by The Baroness. #HalloweenArchives
October 31, 2025 at 4:55 PM
The Baroness at the October 1995 Goddess Ball at the Palladium in New York. Photo by Mark McQueen from The Baroness collection at the LA&M, latex by The Baroness. #HalloweenArchives