3708 N. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60613 773.975.0264 boieditorial@aol.com Publisher Editor
Mike Macharello Rick Karlin
Design & Layout JR Garcia
Roberto Balderas
Advertising Bill Gubrud, Manager Freddie Bain Korey Neibarger Kyler Powell
bill@boimagzine.com freddie@boimagazine.com korey@boimagazine.com Kyler@boimagazine.com
Photographers Freddie Bain Korey Neibarger George St. George
Tim Hite - MTMChicago Frank Failing
Editorial Contributors Dennis Michaels
Harry Taunt
IML Program Guide Photography RVJ Studios
Special thanks to Chuck Renslow, RJ Chaftin and the IML team for bringing such a great event to Chicago and for providing us with the opportunity to work with you again on this project! - Mike Macharello and the BOI Magazine staff -2010
Welcome from IML iml staff conferences & Events judges tally masters about the leather market leather market vendor list leather market booth listing vendor map iml 2009 farewell message mr. bootblack contest master’s & mistress’ bios Restaurant guide iml dining spotlight iml 2010 dj profiles chicago leather bars Iml 2010 entertainment IN THE KNOW, ON THE GO BARS & CLUBS DIRECTORY
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n behalf of the entire Leather World, let me officially welcome you to Chicago! As this is the year 2010, I feel a little like I should also welcome you to Planet Earth as well. This year, IML is billed as a “Leather Odyssey,” a moniker that you must agree is appropriate. The last 32 years of IML have been nothing short of just that, an odyssey. From the very beginning, IML weekend has surfed the historical, political, social and emotional waves that have swept our communities and yes, even our planet. Call it a soap opera…call it a novella…call it the longest running reality television program…but International Mr. Leather has always been a snapshot of our combined Leather Spirit. On the occasion of our 25th anniversary, our good friend Joseph Bean authored an historical record of the first quarter century of International Mr. Leather. If you haven’t read it, it’s something you need to. It chronicles our spirit incredibly well and I hope that Joseph updates it one day in the not too distant future. It’s important. It helps us remember where we’ve come from and with whom we’ve been traveling. Looking back helps us to honor and celebrate and reminds us from what we’ve hopefully learned and grown. We can never change the past, it’s part of our story. But it’s important as it helps us make choices as we march into the future. As to the present, the IML weekend always takes care of that on its own! It seems like when you put thousands of leather kin in the same place, they 12 boi
inherently know what to do. All of you are here, now…in the present. Are you enjoying your time in Chicago this weekend? We do hope so…we work hard at it. And, on behalf of the City of Chicago, be assured, all of you are most welcome. The city’s gay and leather communities have always embraced this celebration and you are always welcome, any time of the year. This year, International Mr. Leather looks to the future with excitement and anticipation. It is our ardent desire that we, the fetish community and IML not just survive, but thrive in the years ahead. Personally speaking, it is my deepest hope that IML celebrates its 50th Anniversary, and beyond. And why not? Many have heard me say it before, but I never truly expected IML to become this big and last as long as it has. So, anything is possible and I truly hope we can! This year I have taken several steps to insure that International Mr. Leather will be here long into the future. I believe strongly that our odyssey continues. It must. But I cannot do it alone…your continued support is necessary because you are the very people we strive to represent. So, as you enjoy the many parties, events, time in the Vendor Market and other social pursuits, remember that you do so on the backs of so many others who came before you and invested in our past. Remember them and what their work, activism and participation 5 or 10 or even 32 years ago made possible all that we have now. Now, its your turn. Help write the future of not just IML, but of the entire fetish community…all over the world! Go back to your home towns and back to your friends and spread the word. Join us! Welcome to IML 32! Fraternally, Chuck Renslow Founder and Executive Producer
Executive Producer Chuck Renslow IML Coordinator R J Chaffin * Leather Market Coordinator Bob Graves Stage Event Designers and Coordinators Paul Sullenger | Gary Chichester Den Daddy Joey McDonald * Sponsorships & Marketing Jon Krongaard * Judge Coordinator Billy Lane Ticket Sales Bob Scarano Official Photographers Ron Volanti | Paul Kubek Event Security David St. Martin Volunteer Staff Coordinator Mike Hollar 14 boi
Headquarters Office David Ciganek Web Designer Dan Nash Registration Coordinator Tony Brown Market Day Pass John Trzaska Transportation Coordinator John Weiler Interpreters Kirk Hamlin | Andreus Campos Music Director Ted Eiel Bootblack Coordinators David Hawks Robin Hearn IML Help Desk Jason Hendrix
* IML Executive Committee
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26 9 p.m. - 4 a.m. Welcome IML Party Touche, 6412 N. Clark One of Chicago’s most established leather bars welcomes visitors and contestants with a kick-off party THURSDAY, MAY 27 9 p.m. - 11 p.m. IML 2010 Pre-party and Jeffrey Payne Roast Leather Archives, 6418 N. Greenview Must be 18 or older. Complementary light buffet, beverages and door prizes. General seating first come, first served. Limited reserved priority seating available at leatherarchives.org/giftshop/ roast.htm FRIDAY, MAY 28 11 a.m. - Noon Leather Recovery Meeting Buckingham Room (West Tower) A 12-Step recovery meeting that welcome all programs and people seeking support in a sober environment during all the IML festivities 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. “You Are The Reason” Leather Market Stage Author/Speaker Jonathan Craig discusses seven secrets to healthy livingand will selling and autographing his book. 18 boi
3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Out For Laughs - The Land Cruise Grand Ballroom The filming of a comedy/ reality series following two comedians (Shann Carr and Ken Cypert) to the nation’s best gay parties and destinations 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Leather Recovery Meeting Buckingham Room (West Tower) 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Rubber Meet & Greet Acapulco Room (West Tower) The Chicago Rubbermen host the gathering of kinky & horny rubberists! 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. IML Opening Ceremonies Grand Ballroom Introductions of contestants and judges. Doors open at 8 p.m. Event begins at 9 p.m. Sponsored by I D Lube 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. Woof Camp Regency Ballroom A (West Tower) Music, fun and fellowship for all handlers, pups, dogs, and friends. Open to the public. 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. Gear Blast IML 2010 Regency Ballroom B (West Tower) Hot guys in sports, protective, rubber, leather, lycra and other pervy types of gear will keep this party going. Get in gear and party with other like-minded guys who enjoy and appreciate gear.
10 p.m. - Midnight MAUL Uniform Party Regency Ballroom C (West Tower) A meet and greet for lovers of all types of uniforms: police, military, leather, sports, and more! For more information on MAUL go to uniformleague. org. 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. San Francisco Party Crystal Ballroom San Francisco invades IML! Folsom Street Fair and Magnitude invite you to play with hundreds of hot, filthy leathermen, sweating to the sounds of DJ Sean Greene . Get a taste of the world’s sleaziest city. 11 p.m. - Midnight Leather Recovery Meeting Buckingham Room (West Tower) SATURDAY, MAY 29 11 a.m.- Noon Leather Recovery Meeting Buckingham Room (West Tower) 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Mr. Marcus, A Celebration of Life Grand Ballroom Come and celebrate the life of Mr. Marcus. The event will be hosted by Audrey Joseph, Queen Cougar, and Frank Norwicki 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. People of Color Leather Caucus Wrigley Room (West Tower) Come out for lively discussion
and fellowship at this annual event. Meet and greet notable men and women in the People of Color Leather Community. Sessions to be facilitated by Mufasa, Onyx founder and Mr. World 2006 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Chicago Hellfire Club Social Toronto Room (West Tower) Meet and greet the members of Chicago Hellfire Club, a BDSM Club. Now in its 39th year 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Windy City Boys Troop Cocktail Hour Acapulco Room (West Tower) Windy City Boys Troop hosts its annual boy cocktail party.
dress-code: leather breeches and/or uniform and boots. The BLUF Social is presented by, Nikitas Chondroyannos (BLUF 026) in cooperation with BLUFCHICAGO.com* 8 p.m. - Midnight International BootBlack Reception Toronto Room (West Tower) Join the Contestants as they celebrate the 18th anniversary of the International Bootblack competition. Mingle with bootblacks from across the nation and help raise travel funds for this year’s winner. Hosted by IML.
9 p.m. – 2 a.m. CODE Party Regency Ballroom C/D 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. CODE is a strict dress code “Kink Crusaders” event with sports, rubber, Grand Ballroom skin, uniform, construction or IML documentary showing leather gear strictly enforced! how the IML titleholders, CODE is thrown by and for and Chuck, are warriors and gear freaks, with lots of hot leaders of the leather/kink men, hot music and hot play. A community. special expanded IML edition of CODE will feature a live 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. lineup of TitanMen in bondage IML Pecs & Personality Contest and SM scenes. For more Grand Ballroom information visit codedc.com IML contestants are judged on their appearance and stage 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. presence. Onyx Party Doors open at 8 p.m. Crystal Ballroom A/B Contest begins at 9 p.m. The weekend isn’t complete without hot leathermen at the 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. Onyx Old School Dance. BLUF Social Gathering Crystal Ballroom C 11 p.m. – 2 a.m. BLUF is an international club The Texas Party Deep in the for men who enjoy wearing Heart of Leather breeches, leather and Regency Ballroom A/B uniforms. The organization Hosted by Jeffery Payne boasts a network spanning Mr. Texas Leather 2009 and more than 40 nations International Mr. Leather worldwide. BLUF is one of the 2009 with Jack Duke Mr. Texas strictest dress-code clubs in Leather 2010. It will be a the world and as such would fundraiser for Hearing from the like to remind all attendees Heart. to respectfully adhere to their
11:00 - Midnight Leather Recovery Meeting Buckingham Room (West Tower) SUNDAY, MAY 30 11 a.m. - Noon Leather Recovery Meeting Buckingham Room (West Tower) 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. International Mr. Leather Contest Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. Contest begins at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Miller Lite Colton Ford headlines with DJ Ted Eiel, djtedeiel.com 9 p.m. – 4 a.m. IML Victory Party House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St. DJ Matthew Harvat www.circuitmom.com 11 p.m. - Midnight Leather Recovery Meeting Buckingham Room (West Tower) MONDAY, MAY 31 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Leather Recovery Meeting Buckingham Room (West Tower) 8 p.m. - 4a.m. Black and Blue Ball Excalibur Nightclub, 632 N. Dearborn St. DJs Sin Morelle and Phil DaBeatz
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SHAWN CARROLL Shawn Carroll has been involved with the leather community for many years, holding the titles of Canadian Leather Man 2005 and Mr. Ottawa Bear 2008. In 2005, as Mr. Cellblock 2005, Shawn won the title of Mr. Leather Ottawa 2005, and represented his community proudly at International Mr. Leather 2005. “Carroll lives in Ottawa with his husband/daddy Warren, and is a former member of the Ottawa Knights. He has traveled to many leather events and has served as a judge for Mr. Leather Ottawa, MidAtlantic Leather, and Mr. San Francisco Leather. His great passion is for “the documentation and preservation of our leather history.” His IML speech about acceptance and his own personal body-image issues won him both acclaim and respect in the International Leather Community. He is a living example of the diversity within leather culture and why we must learn to accept diversity rather than judge it: not fitting the “Tom of Finland” ideal does not stop someone from making valuable contributions to our community.
LAURA ANTONIOU Laura Antoniou is the author of the well-known Marketplace series of erotic novels, and is featured in “Writing Below the Belt: Conversations with Erotic Authors by Michael Rowe and The Burning Pen: Sex Writers on Sex Writing”, by M.Christian. Laura was also a columnist for Girlfriends magazine from 1995-1997, the submissions editor for Badboy and BiCurious magazines from 199596, a regular contributor to The SandMUtopia Guardian from 1993-2000 and a columnist for Alt.com in 2008. As a presenter, panelist, contest judge, emcee and keynote speaker, Laura has appeared at dozens of conferences for more than twenty years, both entertaining and delivering an occasional verbal indictment. Laura lives in Queens, NY with her wife Karen, and happily serves as boy to Kim Attica. Friends have called her all sorts of names. Current favorites being “Renaissance Perv” by Fetish Diva Midori, “Good Boy!” by Kim and of course, “best thing that ever happened to me” by Karen.
DEMETRI MOSHOYANNIS A native New Yorker, Demetri Moshoyannis is now a permanent California resident, and currently serves as the Executive Director for Folsom Street Events. He brings 16 years of nonprofit exe. Demetri has worked at Folsom Street Events to breathe new life into the agency, and under his direction the organization has created new areas at the Folsom Street Fair such as; Venus’ Playground and the Erotic Artists’ Area, and has also attracted topname entertainment to the Fair. In addition, he created new events such as Bay of Pigs™, the Official Saturday Night Event over Up Your Alley® weekend, a formal leather dinner and a leather/GLBT city tour during San Francisco Leather Week. In 1997, Demetri joined the Men of Discipline in New York City and became an active member of the leather community. He is also a founder of the Men of Discipline San Francisco. He has presented at various conferences, including the Leather Leadership Conference 12 in San Francisco, CA, and InterPride in St. Petersburg, FL. He lives in the Castro with his sexy partner Josh and dogs Buddha and Sandwiches. He enjoys indie dance music, international travel, independent film and drinking beer in his underpants. boi 21
JEFFREY PAYNE International Mr. Leather 2009 After growing up in a Louisiana orphanage, Jeffrey Payne went on to attend Louisiana Tech University, and eventually settled down in New Orleans, where he headed the compliance program for the Louisiana Department of Labor, but was forced to relocate to Dallas, Texas when Hurricane Katrina shook the city. Jeffrey and his partner David Roy founded the Sharon St. Cyr Fund, with the vision of supporting the Leather Archives & Museum, the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF), and “Hearing from The Heart” – a program to assist persons within our community with hearing impairments. Jeffrey is honored to hold the titles of Mr. Dallas Eagle 2009, Mr. Texas Leather 2009 and International Mr. Leather 2009. He is an active member of the Leather Knights, Dallas Area Male Naturalists, National Leather Association and many other organizations,. He enjoys volleyball, water volleyball, being a pastry chef, practicing massage therapy and, of traveling. Jeffrey is married to David Roy, they share their home in Dallas with boy Adam and their four children, Isabella & Lucy (miniature Dachshunds) and Korbin & Konner (miniature Poodles).
CHAD NEAL Chad Neal began his leather journey a decade ago. Upon discovery of the kinship of the leather tribe, he has been bound to the community ever since. Involved in many Midwestern leather contests, Chad has served as an executive producer, judge, judge’s boy, titleholder, sash widow and a contestant coach. Proud of his roots in the Oklahoma leather community, he maintains an alumni membership with Tulsa Uniform Leather Seekers Association. His community service work focuses on fundraising for local charity organizations. As an advocate of recovery oriented mental healthcare services, he is honored to serve trauma survivors and people who are recovering from mental illness and substance abuse. Chad currently lives in Kansas City, MO with Richie Johnson, his partner of eight years, and their two dogs Rocket and Boomer.
GENE ROMAINE Gene Romaine is the President of Generic Leather Productions of Washington, its mission is to produce events to raise money for charities benefiting the sexual minority community. His titles include Northwest Mr. Drummer 2001 and Washington State Mr. Leather 2004, and he was awarded the Pantheon on Leather – Northwest Regional Award for 2008. Gene is a former President of the Seattle Men In Leather. He is the proud Patriarch of the Dragon Clan – a leather family whose raison d’etre is to promote camaraderie for proven leaders in the leather community. Proud to be a member of Mama’s Family, Gene holds the nickname of “Mama’s Generic Leatherman,” and he regularly presents workshops on various types of BDSM techniques. When he is not working to promote sex positive culture, spending quality time with his leatherboy or attending almost any BDSM event he can, Gene works as a trust officer for a large national bank.
DANIEL RUESTER No stranger to the European leather community, Daniel Ruester, aka Mama´s German Daddy, was born in Berlin and has lived in both Cologne and Frankfurt. As a Founding Member of Folsom Europe, he also served that organization as President/Producer and has also served as President of Folsom Europe Events. He has been equally active in various community sport organizations including the Bidding Committee for the 1999 Eurogames, the Frankfurt Volleyball Verein and, and also served as a Delegate of the European Gay & Lesbian Sports Federation at The Hague. He also competed in the Eurogames, winning medals in 1995 and 1996, and was a Bronze medalist at the Gay Games in Amsterdam in 1998. He has volunteered for both SchwlPS e.V in Cologne (HIV/AIDS outpatient care and for Checkpoint, the GLBT Center in Cologne. Presently, Daniel is serving as President of Folsom Europe Events and is on the Board of Governors of the Leather Hall of Fame in Cleveland. He was the winner of the International Pantheon of Leather Award in 2006.
WILLIAM SCHENDEL Born in Indiana, William “Rubberwilli” Schendel now resides in Chicago. He attended Indiana University and was a founding member of HEADSPACE, an organization for IU students interested in exploring safe, sane and consensual BDSM play. He was also involved in “Lascivious Exhibitions,” a group of individuals who threw annual fetish events. It was at one of their events that he was first introduced to liquid latex, beginning his rubber adventure. He won the title of Mister International Rubber 2003. In 2005 he took on the role of MIR Weekend Coordinator. In May 2009, Willi was appointed chief operating officer and co-owner of MIR Contest LLC, the parent organization of Mr. International Rubber and Rubber Blowout Weekend in Chicago. He is the former vice president and webmaster for the Chicago Leather Kennel Club and has appeared in several Rubbermen & Rubberzone fetish videos. He is honored to serve as a judge for IML and wishes all of the contestants a wonderful weekend and personal growth from this experience.
ROBERT VALIN Robert Valin, won the title of Mr. Eagle NYC 2005, - an experience that profoundly changed his life. Following his title year, Robert created Leather Invasion to bring about new and alternative ways for those interested in the lifestyle to socialize. He served as judge for Mr. New Jersey Leather 2006 and Mr. Leatherman Toronto 2009, In February 2007 Robert was awarded the Pantheon of Leather Award for Excellence in Community Service. As an advocate for the advancement of queer youth empowerment, Robert has worked alongside such organizations as Live Out Loud, The Harvey Milk School and the NGLTForce. He has been a committee member of NYC’s annual Leather Pride Night and is creative director of New York Leather Weekend. A self-proclaimed Leather Bear, Robert runs Truck Stop, the popular monthly party catering to the Leather & Bear crowd as well as Urban Bear Weekend NYC, celebrating its 2nd year this May. As a graphic artist, in 2009 Robert launched URSA Creative which aims to bring together creative artists to offer services that cater to the unique and specialized needs of our community.
GEORGE BROWN This is George Brown’s second year working with the IML team. Over the years, George has worked with many different contests, the most recent being Mister International Rubber (MIR) held in Chicago. He has volunteered for several local organizations including the Make a Wish Foundation and the Red Cross, and is active in fund raising for other nonprofit organizations. George was CellBlock Leatherman in 2005, and is proud to be a part of the leather community. He is the co-owner of House 5863 Bed and Breakfast located in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood, and also works as the IT Administrator of Rent Smart Chicago.
LINCOLN CALCAVECCHI Lincoln Calcavecchi says that he had always been attracted to the leather man and “those” bars, but his friends always squinched up their faces like they smelled something yucky whenever he mentioned them. Then Lincoln met this guy in a bathhouse. Actually, Lincoln met him twice: in October and November of 2002. After the second meeting, the guy told Lincoln “to meet me out front”, and when he came out in leather pants, a vest and boots… well, that was it! The guy that was in leather – that’s Todd. So Lincoln has “been involved” in the leather community since 2002. The first leather contest he attended was Mr. Texas Leather, and then on to IML – both when Stephen Weber won – followed by ILS/b. Lincoln did a stint as a collared boy to Todd for eight months, and at the end of that time said, “take this damned thing off me!” and he has since changed roles. As Mr. Gulf Coast Florida Leather 2005, he went on to place fifth at IML in 2006. Lincoln and his husband Todd have produced three Mr. Gulf Coast Florida Leather contests. Most recently, they worked with the Ybor Eagle of the GaYbor District Coalition in historic Ybor City – east of downtown Tampa, where they co-produced the first Mr. Ybor Eagle contest. Lincoln prefers to be an outsider, helping where and when he feels moved to do so. If you look at his “Mama’s Family” name you’ll understand: Wolverine.
IML PAST WINNERS 1979 David Kloss, San Francisco, CA 1980 Patrick Brooks, Sydney, Australia 1981 Marty Kiker, San Francisco , CA 1982 Luke Daniel, San Francisco, CA 1983 Coulter “Colt” Thomas, Houston, TX 1984 Ron Moore, Denver, CO 1985 Patrick Toner, San Francisco, CA 1986 Scott Tucker, Philadelphia, PA 1987 Thomas Karasch, Hamburg, Germany 1988 Michael Pereyra, San Diego, CA
1989 Guy Baldwin, Los Angeles, CA 1990 Mark Ryan, Boston, MA 1991 D Cannon, Hollywood, CA 1992 Lenny Broberg, San Francisco, CA 1993 Henri ten Have, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 1994 Jeff Tucker, San Jose, CA 1995 Larry Everett, Collinsville, OK 1996 Joe Gallagher, New York, NY 1997 Kevin Cwayna, Minneapolis, MN 1998 Tony Mills, Washington, DC
1999 Bruce Chopnik, Denver, CO 2000 Mike Taylor, Columbus/ Cincinnati, OH 2001 Stefan Müller, Munich, Germany 2002 Stephen Weber, Dallas, TX 2003 John Pendal, London, UK 2004 Jason Hendrix, Washington, DC 2005 Michael Egdes, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 2006 Bo Ladashevska, Montreal, Canada 2007 Mikel Gerle. Los Angeles, CA 2008 Gary Iriza, Palm Springs, CA 2009 Jeffrey Payne, Dallas, TX
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The Leather Market is without a doubt the most popular feature of the weekend, serving as the social and commercial center of IML. A great introduction for firsttime IML attendees and curiosity seekers, it never fails to entertain grizzled veterans. More than 100 leatherrelated business eagerly tempt attendees with the latest products, presented in a range of impressive displays. You name it and you can probably find it at the Leather Market : clothing, footwear and accessories; dungeon equipment, gadgets and toys; niche magazines, DVDs, CDs; and, of course, plenty of condoms and lubes.
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Leather Market vendors cover most every fetish element of the scene and boldly wear or demonstrate the products that they are selling. Attendees often don leather and fetish gear as they browse and shop. It is not uncommon to pass by guys demonstrating how restraint tables work or testing out certain paddles and whips on eager participants. Competitors for the International Mr. Bootblack competition have chairs set up in the Leather Market and provide a firm and thorough boot polishing to all who require such services. Hosted at the Hyatt Regency Chicago (Lower Level) located at 151 East Wacker Drive, the Leather Market runs Memorial Day weekend from Friday May 28 through Monday May 31, 2010. It is open to the public and requires a day pass to enter. There is a $5 suggested donation with all proceeds going to the Leather Archives and Museum. See the following pages for vendors and market hours.
Acme Toy Company Evanston, IL Booth# 627-629-726-728 theacmetoycompany.com
Bondagejeopardy.com Portland, OR Booth# 909 bondagejeopardy.com
Adonis Leathercrafters Indian Rock Beach, FL Booth# 900-902 leathercrafters.com
Bonding Co. Miami, FL Booth# 110-112 leatherbonding.com
Alt.Kilt Madison, WI Booth# 904 altkilt.com
Bootleg Life Berwyn, IL Booth# 822
Dirty Boyz Play Clean Milan, MI Booth# 212 dirtyboyzplayclean.com
BootWerks Hinton, WV Booth# 417 bootwerks.com
Dominic Ford 3D Porn New York, NY Booth# 811-813-910-912 dominicford.com
BoundGods.com San Francisco, CA Booth# 304-306 boundgods.com
Dr. Joel Kaplan, Inc. San Diego, CA Booth# 706 drjoelkaplan.com
Boy Butter New York, NY Booth# 924 boybutter.com
DungeonBeds, LLC San Francisco, CA Booth# 101-103-200-202 dungeonbeds.com
C3 Casual Clothing Company Indianapolis, IN Booth# 905 C3casual.com
E7 Gear Yonkers, NY Booth# 804-806-808 e7gear.com
Carrara Designs Bethanienlei Booth# 308 carrara-designs.be
Eagle Leathers Chicago, IL Booth# 812
Andre’ Whips/Master Andre’ Repentigny,QC Booth# 901 masterandre.com Aneros Houston, TX Booth# 907 aneros.com Arcane’s Attic New Marshfield, OH Booth# 105 arcanesattic.com B.A.R.E. Restraints Corp. Toronto, ON Booth# 823 sensualeroticproducts.com BDG Sales Tamaqua, PA Booth# 715-814-816-818 bdgsales.com Bear Ink Augusta, GA Booth# 723-725
Centaur Entertainment Ft. Lauderdale, FL Booth# 810 centaurmusic.com
Beartshirts.com Indianapolis, IN Booth# 903 beartshirts.com
CheapLubes.com Portage, IN Booth# 404-406-408 cheaplubes.com
Bijou Chicago, IL Booth# 611-609-607 bijouworld.com
Chicago Department of Public Health Chicago, IL Booth# 620 cityofchicago.org
Blue Diamond Trading Co. Island, IL Booth# 708 bluediamondtradingco.com
Chicago Dragons Rugby Football Club
Chicago, IL Booth# 820 chicagodragons.org
Chicago Hellfire Club Chicago, IL Booth# 732 CJ’s Leather Denver, CO Booth# 601-603-700-702 cjsleather.com
Erotic Writers Chicago, IL Booth# 914 aderangedmind.net Exotic-Erotics Shelbyville, KY Booth# 506 exotic-erotics.com Folsom Street East New York, NY Booth# 210 folsomstreeteast.org Folsom Street Events San Francisco, CA Booth# 1010 folsomstreetevents.org boi 27
Fort Troff Atlanta, GA Booth# 613-615-617-619-621-623714-716-718-720-722-724 forttroff.com GayMart Chicago, IL Booth# 815 Got Kilt? White Lake, MI Booth# 817 got-kilt.com Hands For Hire Chair Massage Niles, IL Booth# 512
Leather Archives & Museum Chicago, IL Booth# 1004-1005 Leather Creations Vernon, CT Booth# 800-701-703-705-707-709-711 leathercreations.com Leather Masters Dallas, TX Booth# 327-329-428-430 LeatherMasters.com LeatherSmith Albuquerque,NM Booth# 824
Heartwood Whips Orange, VA Booth# 410 heartwoodwhips.com
LeatherWerks Hinton, WV Booth# 612-614-501-503-505-500502-504-415-417 leatherwerks.com
Howard Brown Health Center Chicago, IL Booth# 616-618 howardbrown.org
Locked In Steel Hudson, NH Booth# 411-413 lockedinsteel.com
I-D Lubricants Santa Ana, CA Booth# 423 idlube.com
Lockergear Pittsburgh, PA Booth# 906-908 lockergear.com
Inn Leather Ft. Lauderdale, FL Booth# 911 innleather.com
M. Forero Naperville, IL Booth# 421 sophiaforero.com
Jewelry By Ponce Happy Valley, OR Booth# 1006 Jewelrybyponceportland.com
Manhunt Cambridge, MA Booth# 114 manhunt.net
Juliry Pittsburgh, PA Booth# 310-312
Man’s Country Chicago, IL Booth# 217 manscountrychicago.com
Killerbob Graphics San Francisco, CA Booth# 215 killerbob.com Le Chateau Exotique Ltd & LCE Ltd New Hope, PA Booth# 507-509-511-513 fetishwear.com 28 boi
Marvelous Mayhem Snellville, GA Booth# 116-118-120 marvelousmayhem.com Metals Jewelry Chicago, IL Booth# 916-918
Mid American Fists In Action (MAFIA) Chicago, IL 633 mafiaff.org Midnight Blue’s Houston, TX Booth# 216-218 MidnightBlues.net Milwaukee Pridefest Milwaukee, WI Booth# 420 Mr International Rubber Chicago, IL 1008-1009 mirubber.com Mr. Friendly Kalamazoo, MI Booth# 920 Mrfriendly.info Mr-S-Leather San Francisco, CA Booth# 201-203-205-207-300302-304-306 Mr-S-Leather.com MT Leather Products Cincinnati, OH Booth# 624-622 mtleather.com Nasty Pig New York, NY Booth# 303-305-309-311-313 nastypig.com NCSF National Coalition for Sexual Freedom Skokie, IL Booth# 819 ncsfreedom.org Next Door Magazine New York, NY Booth# 425 nextdoormagazine.com Northbound Leathers Toronto, ON Booth# 401-403-405-407-409 northbound.com
NY Jox-Bodyworksman N. Bergen, NJ Booth# 400 nyjox.com
Semmerling & Schaefer Mask Studios Chicago, IL Booth# 320 Maskartists.com
Off Ramp Leathers San Francisco, CA Booth# 1007 offrampleathers.com
Shel-don Chicago Chicago, IL Booth# 107-109-111 shel-don.com
PaddleWerks Hinton, WV Booth# 415 Paddlewerks.com
SLS Specialty Houston, TX Booth# 508-510 slsspecialty.com
Palm Springs Piercing Palm Springs, CA Booth# 414-416-418 pspiercing.com
Square Peg Toys.com Idyllwild, CA Booth# 208 squarepegtoys.com
Passional Boutique Philadelphia, PA Booth # 422-426
Squirt.org Toronto, ON Booth# 802 squirt.org
PJUR Group/Lucom USA Miami Beach, FL Booth# 717-719-721 pjurusa.com Priape Inc Montreal, QC Booth# 801-803-805-807-809 priape.com Rage Rubber St. Cloud, FL Booth# 712 ragerubber.com Rainbow Rope.com/Kinky Medical.com
Oceanside, NY Booth# 115-117 rainbowrope.com Raw Candles.com Chicago, IL Booth# 314-316 rawcandles.com
Steamworks San Francisco, CA Booth# 825 steamworksonline.com Steel Mill Media St. Cloud, FL Booth# 710-712 steelmillmedia.com Steve’s Leather New York, NY Booth# 209-211-213 The Kink Shop Shreveport, LA thekinkshop.com The Leather Journal Los Angeles, CA Booth# 713 theleatherjournal.com
The Leather Man, Inc New York, NY Booth# 315-317-319-321-323 theleatherman.com TLS Rubbergear Houston, TX Booth# 214 TLSRubbberGear.com Toolworks Chicago Willowbrook, IL Booth# 119-121 floggers.com Torvea-Achella Tucker, GA Booth# 219-221-223 torvea.com Tribal Son Ft. Lauderdale, FL Booth# 412 tribalson.com Tulip Toy Gallery Chicago, IL Booth# 605 mytulip.com Ultimate Jock Chicago, IL Booth# 419 ultimatejock.com Utilikilts Co LLC Seattle, WA Booth# 318 utilikilts.com Woink Woink San Francisco, CA Booth# 402 woinkwoink.com
Rebel X Clothing Company Long Beach, CA Booth# 427 rebelx.net
The Leather Market at the Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago
Recon.com Chicago, IL Booth# 727-729-731-826-828-830 recon.com
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Rubio Leather New York, NY Booth# 100-102-104-106-108 rubioleather.com
A Day Pass is required to enter the Leather Market There is a $5 suggested donation with all net proceeds goingto the Leather Archives & Museum Hours of the IML 2010 Leather Market Friday May 28 Noon-7pm Saturday May 29 11am-7pm Sunday May 30 11am-5pm Monday May 31 11am-4pm No one under 21 - I.D. REQUIRED boi 29
Acme Toy Company - 627-629-726-728
Dominic Ford 3D Porn - 811-813-910-912
Adonis Leathercrafters - 900-902
Dr. Joel Kaplan, Inc - 706
Alt.Kilt - 904
DungeonBeds, LLC - 101-103-200-202
Andre’ Whips/Master Andre’ - 901
E7 Gear - 804-806-808
Aneros - 907
Eagle Leathers - 812
Arcane’s Attic - 105
Erotic Writers - 914
B.A.R.E. Restraints Corp - 823
Exotic-Erotics - 506
BDG Sales - 715-814-816-818
Folsom Street East - 210
Bear Ink - 723-725
Folsom Street Events - 1010
Beartshirts.com - 903 Bijou - 611-609-607
Fort Troff 613-615-617-619-621-623 714-716-718-720-722-724
Blue Diamond Trading Co - 708
GayMart - 815
bondagejeopardy.com - 909
Got Kilt? - 817
Bonding Co. - 110-112
Hands For Hire Chair Massage - 512
Bootleg Life - 822
Heartwood Whips - 410
BootWerks - 417
Howard Brown Health Center - 616-618
BoundGods.com - 304-306
I-D Lubricants - 423
Boy Butter - 924
Inn Leather - 911
C3 Casual Clothing Company - 905
Jewelry By Ponce - 1006
Carrara Designs - 308
Juliry - 310-312
Centaur Entertainment - 810
Killerbob Graphics - 215
CheapLubes.com - 404-406-408
Le Chateau Exotique Ltd & LCE Ltd 507-509-511-513
Chicago Department of Public Health - 620 Chicago Dragons Rugby Football Club - 820
Leather Archives & Museum - 1004-1005
Chicago Hellfire Club - 732
Leather Creations - 800-701-703-705-707 709-711
CJ’s Leather - 601-603-700-702
Leather Masters - 327-329-428-430
Dirty Boyz Play Clean - 212
LeatherSmith - 824 boi 33
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LeatherWerks 612-614-501-503-505-500-502-504-415-417 Locked In Steel - 411-413 Lockergear - 906-908 M. Forero - 421 Manhunt - 114 Man’s Country - 217 Marvelous Meyhem - 116-118-120 Metals Jewelry - 916-918 Mid American Fists In Action (MAFIA) - 633 Midnight Blue’s - 216-218 Milwaukee Pridefest - 420 Mr International Rubber - 1008-1009 Mr. Friendly - 920 Mr-S-Leather - 201-203-205-207-300-302 304-306
Priape Inc - 801-803-805-807-809 Rage Rubber - 712 Rainbow Rope.com/Kinky Medical.com - 115-117 Raw Candles.com - 314-316 Rebel X Clothing Company - 427 Recon.com - 727-729-731-826-828-830 Rubio Leather - 100-102-104-106-108 Semmerling & Schaefer Mask Studios - 320 Shel-don Chicago - 107-109-111 SLS Specialty - 508-510 Square Peg Toys.com - 208 Squirt.org - 802 Steamworks - 825 Steel Mill Media - 710-712 Steve’s Leather - 209-211-213
MT Leather Products - 624-622
The Kink Shop - 220-222
Nasty Pig - 303-305-309-311-313
The Leather Journal - 713
NCSF National Coalition for Sexual Freedom - 819
The Leather Man, Inc - 315-317-319-321-323
Next Door Magazine -425 Northbound Leathers - 401-403-405-407-409 NY Jox-Bodyworksman - 400 Off Ramp Leathers - 1007 PaddleWerks - 415 Passional Boutique -422-426 Palm Springs Piercing - 414-416-418 PJUR Group/Lucom USA - 717-719-721
TLS Rubbergear - 214 Toolworks Chicago - 119-121 Torvea-Achella - 219-221-223 Tribal Son - 412 Tulip Toy Gallery - 605 Ultimate Jock - 419 Utilikilts Co LLC - 318 Woink Woink - 402
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As I write this article, I sit in my living room with a huge smile and a perplexed look in my eyes. The smile is because I’m home, an occurrence that allows me to be with my husband, my boy, and our four puppies...a rare event over this past year of travel. My perplexity is due to being asked to write a passage about my IML title year in no more than 500 words. I am not sure how I will accomplish this task. How does someone share an experience he never believed would be a reality? How does a person summarize representing IML at 47 events stretching over five continents, ten countries and 34 cities, 213,000 air miles equating to eight trips around the world, countless emails, speeches, hugs, and photographs? How do I relate the one-on-one conversations with individuals regarding their own journeys, lending a shoulder to cry on, an ear to vent, a smile and a kind word that allowed them to know whatever it was that ailed them 44 boi
would one day pass? How does a person describe times, which allowed him to laugh so hard he peed himself? (It’s a good thing he flags yellow.) How does one convey the opportunity that allowed him to assist others to express themselves and help them in their journey so they were able to reach their full potential and the moments in which the same people reached back and allowed him to express himself and helped him reach his full potential? How do I write about the love I have felt from every corner of the globe only to return home after each trip, to feel an even deeper love from my local community than when I left? How do I express that the relationship I have with my husband is stronger today than the day I began this journey?
stone on a path that will continue? How does anyone condense such an experience into 500 words? I suggest to you it is not possible. Simply stated: To David, thank you for being my understanding and devoted husband and for allowing me to grow and flourish in this journey. To Adam, thank you for being the best boy this Daddy could ever wish for. To Isabella, Konner, Korbin and Lucy, our four-legged babies, thank you for your unconditional love every time I walked through the front door. And finally to my community, a special heartfelt thank you for being my brothers and sisters and allowing me to be a part of your family. All my life I have dreamed of being a member of a family. Thank you for making my dream a reality.
How do I describe the reasoning behind my launching of the SSC Fund, a charity that supports three main benefactors: the Leather Archives & Museum, the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, and Hearing from the Heart? How can I summarize a journey that others say is over, when I know it is only the beginning; a simple yet powerful stepping
Your Leather Brother, Jeffrey
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lthough this year is almost at an end, the journey continues. Traveling to events throughout North America; coaching and mentoring, judging contests and attending fundraising events, I have been amongst an incredible group of leather men and women who have supported my efforts as International Mr.Bootblack 2009 and whom have had an impact on my leather journey. It has been an honor to serve the International community with my co-titleholder Jeffrey Payne along with so many other international, regional and local titleholders. I would like to acknowledge and thank the many sponsors who have supported my fundraising efforts
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for various charities this year. A special thank you to Northbound Leather and George Giaouris for my title vest and to Leather Werks for my International Mr.Bootblack 2009 backpatch. To my Toronto sponsors, Mr. Leatherman Toronto Competition Inc – (MLTC) and the Black Eagle Toronto thank you for your continued support. Carlos Fileti and the staff of the Black Eagle, Toronto have been instrumental in helping raise the profile of the Bootblack titleline and have assisted in helping raise thousands of dollars for my chosen charity Casey House Home Hospice. It has been an honor to be the first MLTC titleholder to win the International Mr.Bootblack title.
And finally to the class of 2010, I wish each of you who are competing for the title great success and fun. This is a weekend that will prove memorable as you will meet people who will impact your journey and life. Thank you for the incredible opportunity to serve the international community as International Mr.Bootblack 2009. In Brotherhood, McG International Mr. Bootblack 2009 Chair of the Titleholder Support Group - The Black Eagle Toronto Bootblack Toronto 2009 Mr. Bootblack Eagle 2009 “Mama’s Don Juan” “Mama’s McG”
Inductee, Free Speech Coalition’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the only model in the gay porn industry that has won back to back awards in 2002/2003 as GAYVN performer of the year.
MICHAEL BRANDON Michael Brandon’s career spans across the globe and close to 2 1/2 decades. His well defined body, short brown hair, baby blue eyes, and a monster size personality are just a few of the things that make Michael Brandon a leader in adult entertainment. He is 6’0” and 180 lbs of pure masculinity. He got his first taste of the industry in the late 80’s but a life of drugs took him away from hardcore sets for ten years. Thankfully he made a stunning recovery and by March of 2000 he was back and better than ever. Not satisfied with being just a porn star, Michael is also a very successful producer. Investing and becoming part owner of both Monster Bang Videos and Raging Stallion Studios, this stud had a big part in hand selecting the models that work for the studio. He is a successful performer with several industry awards, including 2003/2004 Cybersocket Best Porn Star Site, 2002 Grabby Performer of the Year and 2003 Hall of Fame 50 boi
Michael is a passionate person both in his professional and personal life. By lending his name and energies to countless charity events as a performer, producer & host, he’s become a staple in the philanthropy world. Helping to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for an array of causes in the LGBT community. Bringing his fan base together in a venue allows for a win-win situation all round. The charity wins, the fans win, the venue wins and, of course, Michael wins because he gets to be upclose and personal with a fan base that he truly appreciates and loves.
World Leather 2004. She has traveled extensively with her boy Michael, talking incessantly to anyone and everyone about HIV Vaccine Clinical Trials. She estimates that they talked to nearly half the attendees of Folsom 2004 (one on one; not from a stage). They’ve traveled coast to coast; and attended many events and runs; presenting at some, speaking at others, and recruiting for the vaccine trials at all of them. She is a founding member of NLA-I Philadelphia, an Associate Member of The Men of Onyx as well as a member of Mama’s Family and the “Middle Aged Guard (thanks to Laura Antoniou). She was honored to be a part of the illustrious contestant wrangler crew at IML. She received the Pantheon of Leather President’s Choice Award in February of 06. Last year she was Judges’ Coordinator for IML. She has judged at Great Plains Olympus, Mr. Cleveland Leather, OLA, SouthEast Leatherfest, ICBB 06, Southwest Bootblack 07 and Mr. Missouri Leather 07 and is Head Judge Emeritus for Mr. Ohio Leather. After having the privilege of serving as MC for MLT for two years she was thrilled to be asked to judge.
KAREN CRECELIUS The illegitimate love child of Oscar Wilde and Dorothy Parker, Karen Crecelius was first runner up to Ms
The loves of her life are her partner boy and spouse Michael, The Best Boy in the Whole Wide World, and her daughter. She heads a Leather Family founded on the traditions of Honor and Service, Responsibility and Duty.
Dining Out AMERICAN___________ Ann Sather 929 W. Belmont | 773.348.2378; 3416 N Southport | 773.404.4475; 5207 N Clark | 773.271.6627; 3411 N Broadway | 773.305.0024 These bustling hot spots, serving traditional Swedish pancake house fare, are open only for breakfast and lunch and are best known for hearty daytime offerings and their homemade cinnamon rolls. Chicago Diner 3411 N. Halsted | 773.935.6696 This world famous vegetarian restaurant offers vegan and organic offerings using the protein-based meat substitute seitan. Organic beers, wine, and spirits are also available. Crew 4804 N. Broadway | 773.784.2739 More than just a sports bar, the menu includes a variety of hamburgers, sandwiches, salads and comfort food. Deluxe Diner 6349 N Clark | 773.743.8244 Perched kittycorner from Jackhammer and Touché, the diner’s “open 24 hours on the weekend” status is perfect after a night of dancing and partying. Featured menu items include breakfast skillets that are served anytime.
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Golden Nugget Family Restaurants 2720 N. Clark | 773.929.0724, 2406 W.Diversey | 773.252.8903, 1765 W. Lawrence | 773.769.6700. Established 40+ years, these places are a great place for after bar dining as they are all open 24-7, and all have free parking. The large menu is sure to please. Everything is housemade, known for fluffy buttermilk pancakes, but dinners are hearty as well. 441 N Halsted | 773.348.9696 This Boystown eatery Halsted’s Bar & Grill 3441 N Halsted | 773.348.9696 This Boystown eatery serves up a wide array of tasty appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, and popular comfort food items at very reasonable prices in a fun and inviting atmosphere. Beers on tap are aplenty and the weekend brunch draws an attractive crowd. Hamburger Mary’s 5400 N Clark | 773.784.6969 This fun and popular Andersonville restaurant features a wide array of burgers and sandwiches along with an interesting selection of tasty appetizers. Horizon Café 3805 N. Broadway | 773.883.1565 This long-time popular Lakeview family restaurant serves up big portions of creative homestyle dishes as well
Dining Out as healthy fare (broth-based soups and whole wheat tortilla wraps) and at affordable prices. Breakfast, including multigrain pancakes and egg white omelets, served all day long. Delivery available.
Melrose Restaurant 3233 N Broadway | 773.327.2060 This Lakeview institution has been catering to the afterbar crowds for decades, serving breakfast anytime along with typical diner fare. Open 24 hours,
IHOP 3760 N Halsted | 773.296.0048 More than a pancake house, this 24-hour Boystown institution serves up affordably priced appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees that are sure to satisfy varying after-bar wants and needs.
Orange 3231 N. Clark | 773.549.4400 This homey restaurant specializes in breakfast on a daily basis and hosts a full house on weekends for brunch. Unique menu items include green eggs and ham (eggs scrambled with basil pesto and pancetta), jelly donut pancakes, Chai tea-infused French toast, and pan-seared grit cakes.
Joey’s Brick House 1258 W. Belmont | 773.296.1300 “Thelonious Brunch” with live jazz on Sundays features menu items such as a Cajun Scramble with andouille sausage, Crab Cakes Benedict, and the Hobo Skillet. Brunch includes 15 varieties Long Island Ice Teas. Kit Kat Lounge 3700 N. Halsted | 773.525.1111 Providing the best of diva entertainment along with a full dinner menu, they offer ½-price cocktails and Buy 1 Get 1 Free Entree on Wednesdays.. M. Henry 5707 N. Clark | 773.561.1600 This popular Andersonville outpost serves breakfast and lunch daily and features creative fare such as dulce banana rumba French toast, and pancakes with warm blackberries and vanilla mascarpone cream. Additionally there are many vegetarian dishes and traditional menu items like threecheese omelets. Minibar Café 3341 N. Halsted This attractive and sophisticated space serves gourmet bruschettas, cheeses, paninis, and entrees as well as an impressive selection of wines by the glass from around the world. The Sunday brunch is tasty and impressive. Nookies Tree 3334 N. Halsted | 773.248.9888 A regular haunt for the locals of Boystown and popular with hangover recoverers, this upscale diner serves made-toorder omelets, pancakes, waffles and crepes and other brunch fare all day. And it’s open 24 hours on weekends.
Queens Tavern & Bistro 750 W. Cornelia | 773.248.8333 Occupying the old Cornelia’s space, this charming new eatery is warm and inviting and features a value menu filled with both bar food and entrée items as well as daily specials. Stella’s Diner 3042 N. Broadway | 773.472,9040 Fine diner dining features fresh salads, a large selection of wraps, sandwiches, hearty entrees, pastas, and homemade deserts. Tweet 5020 N. Sheridan | 773.728.5576 This Uptown favorite uses organic ingredients when possible to create brunch items such as buckwheat pancakes, Danish beignets, Belgian waffles, and an impressive assortment of breakfast burritos and egg Benedict dishes. Wilde Bar & Restaurant 3130 N Broadway | 773.244.0404 This cozy upscale Irish pub offers a laid back and warm atmosphere and a wide ranging menu that is sure to please. Expect updated versions of pub favorites like chicken pot pie, meatloaf dinner, fish & chips, burgers and salads.
ASIAN_______________ Jitlada Thai House 3715 N Halsted | 773.388.9988 This quaint family-owned eatery features Asian favorites such as pad Thai, pineapple fried rice, crab ragoon, pot stickers, tempura and nine spice curry items. Delivery available. Pingpong 3322 N. Broadway | 773.281.7575 This popular Lakeview restaurant features high-quality PanAsian cuisine in a hip and modern atmosphere as well as top-notch people-watching both those in the restaurant as well as any number of hotties walking by outside. Delivery available. Young’s Chinese Restaurant 3949 N Ashland | 773.248.7998 While Chinese takeout is sometimes a bad and poorly tasting stereotype, this well-regarded
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outpost has earned a stellar reputation for great tasting food and delivery so quick you’ll swear there must be a wok in the car.
ITALIAN_____________ Anna Maria Pasteria 4400 N Clark | 773.506.2662 Owned by sisters who hail from the Basilicata region of southern Italy, this neighborhood gem creates homemade modern and traditional Italian dishes that are authentic, delicious, and best of all: inexpensive. Angelina Ristorante 3561 N Broadway | 773.935.5933 Hosting the coolest and hippest Sunday brunch crowd in Lakeview, the menu includes Eggs Benedict, Fritattas, Croque Monsiuer and Mufalatta sandwiches, almondcrusted stuffed French Toast, and the free flow of Champagne Mimosas. Brunch here is loud, raucous and FUN! Great for dinner, as well. Panino’s Pizzeria 3702 N Broadway 773.472.6200 Panino’s has established itself as a Boystown favorite with its varied menu selections, including gyros and burgers, pasta entrees, and of course pizza. Delivery available.
MEDITERRANEAN____ Andies 1467 W Montrose | 773.348.0654; 5253 N Clark | 773.784.8616 Specializing in Mediterranean and vegetarian cuisine, specialties of the house include
steak kabobs, gyros, and poultry dishes such as Greek Chicken and Lebanese Style Chicken Kefta Kabob. And as befits the cuisine, desserts include a very tasty baklava. Istanbul 3613 N Broadway | 773.525.0500 Specializing in Turkish and Mediterranean cuisines, this recent addition to the lakeview dining scene has been attracting patrons with a varied menu, generous portions, and affordable prices.
MEXICAN Cesar’s 2924 N. Broadway | 773.296.9097; 3166 N Clark | 773.248.2835 This family-owned operation offers an enticing menu full of delicious Mexican recipes, popular house specialties, irresistible desserts, and their signature “Killer Margaritas.” Fiesta Mexicana 2423 N. Lincoln | 773.348.4144 and 4806 N. Broadway | 773.769.4244. Not your typical late-night taco joints, these neighborhood favorites serve up traditional Mexican dishes and seafood specialties. Open until 2am (3am on Saturdays) Mayan Palace 2703 N. Halsted Known to be one of the very best Mexican restaurants in the city, the focus is on using fresh, high-quality ingredients for its “south of the border” cuisine. Portions are generous and the cool Margaritas dubbed “The World’s Best!”
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$$ = expensive (more than $50 a person) $ = moderate ($20-$50 a person) ¢ = inexpensive (less than $20 a person) * all prices are for a typical meal and a drink (where applicable)
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hicagoans are passionate about our food. Ask a group of us about where to get the best pizza in town or the proper toppings for a hot dog and you’re certain to start a spirited discussion. There’s no shortage of restaurants, delis, diners and bistros, many places popular with our community are located in our dining guide. Here are a few more of our favorites in areas you’re likely to visit during IML weekend.
downtown area, but for a good cheap meal visit the gourmet food court on the lower level of Macy’s. You can even get to it from the hotel via the underground passage known as the Pedway.
Andie’s ¢ 5253 N Clark St. 773.784.8616 Mediterranean food ranging from Middle Eastern to Italian.
Rockit Bar $ 22 W. Hubbard St. 312.645.6000 The hippest place in town to get a great burger.
A Taste of Heaven ¢ 5401 N. Clark St. 773.989.0151 The best scones in town, as well as terrific breakfast and lunch dishes.
Near the Hotel
Room 22 $$ 22 E. Hubbard St. 312.527.4900 Oprah’s favorite chef, Art Smith, owns this place. He’s a member of the Chicago’s Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame and knows how to do comfort food.
Big Jones $ 5347 N. Clark St. 773.275.5725 The Big Easy in Chicago, you’ll feel as if you’re in New Orleans.
You’ll find everything from haute cuisine (Tru for the most memorable meal you’ll ever have, at $150 a person or more) to street food (Portillo’s, 100 W Ontario, for that highly debated hot dog). Oh, and the best Chicago style pizza? Well it’s got to be pan pizza, which is eaten with a knife and fork, the leading contenders are Uno’s (29 E. Ohio) and Lou Malnati’s (439 N. Wells) both are a short walk from the hotel. Bin 36 $$ 339 N. Dearborn 312.755.9463. If you’re a fan of the grape, this is the spot for you. Brazzaz $ 539 N. Dearborn St. 312.595.9000 Gauchos serve endless supplies of meat, carved from spits tableside. The salad bar, included with meals, is also served a la carte and is a vegetarian’s delight. Catch 35 $ 35 W. Wacker Dr. 312.346.3500 The freshest seafood and a great piano bar. Frontera Grill/Topolobampo $$/$ 445 N. Clark St., 312.661.1434 Superstar chef Rick Bayless offers a gourmet take on Mexican food with this pair of restaurants. Service and atmosphere are at two different levels, but the places share a kitchen. You do the math. Heaven on Seven ¢ 111 N. Wabash Ave 600 N. Michigan 312.263.6443 Yes, Chicago can do Cajun food right. The Wabash location is on the 7th floor of an office building. Macy’s ¢ 111 N. State St. 312.781.1000 Chain restaurants are plentiful in the
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Sushi Samba Rio $$ 504 N Wells St 312.595.2300 The sister location to the Sex and the City New York hangout. Check out the rooftop deck. Vermillion $$ 10 W. Hubbard St. 312.527.4060 Indian-Latin American fusion cuisine sounds like an unusual pairing, but it works wonderfully.
Boystown
Calo Ristorante ¢ 5343 N. Clark St. 773.271.7725 A classic Italian pasta joint, legendary for ribs and pizza. Charlie’s Ale House ¢ 5308 N. Clark St 773.751.0140 Good pub fare with a great sidewalk patio. Hopleaf Bar ¢ 5148 N. Clark St. 773.334.9851 Check out the dining room on the upper level for authentic European fare.
Lakeview, the neighborhood in which you’ll find the majority of the gay bars also is home to hundreds of restaurants. These places are all an easy walk from the bars on Halsted.
La Tache $ 1475 W. Balmoral Ave. 773.334.7168 A classic French bistro.
Arco de Cuchilleros $ 3445 N. Halsted St. 773.296.6046 Authentic Spanish tapas right in the middle of Boystown.
Rogers Park Home to both Jackhammer and Touché as well as the Leather Museum and Archives this north side neighborhood features a number of wonderful dining spots.
The Bagel ¢ 3107 N. Broadway 773.477.0300 The most authentic Jewish deli in town.
Heartland Cafe ¢ 7000 N. Glenwood Ave. 773.465.8005 An old hippie hangout that’s made it this long because the food is good and cheap.
Yoshi’s Café $$ 3257 N. Halsted 773.248.6160 The father of French-Asian fusion cuisine still excels at is craft.
Andersonville
If Boystown is where our community likes to play, Andersonville (along with neighboring Uptown and Edgewater) is where we like to live.
Morseland ¢ 1218 W. Morse Ave. 773. 764.8900 A neighborhood pub with food better than it needs to be. Uncommon Ground $ 1401 W. Devon Ave. 773.465.9801 Sustainable cuisine doesn’t have to be fancy and overpriced.
PHIL DABEATZ TED EIEL MATT HARVAT SIN MORENA PHIL DABEATZ Whether spinning live or compiling CD’s, DJ Phil DaBeatz leaves his audience with no choice but to “feel the beats.” 2010 has already been a year of accomplishments for DJ Phil DaBeatz, with each passing week his fan base continues to grow and recognize why his sets lead one on a magical, hot and sweaty musical journey. The DaBeatz revolution is taking Chicago by storm with his unique revival of Chicago’s Tribal and Circuit House. In April 2009, DaBeatz was signed to Centaur Music, the #1 global GLBT record label, and was voted “Best Club DJ” by the Chicago Free Press, both allowing him to share his passion for Techno, Dance, Electro and Progressive House music creating “hot, high energy, and big sound” DJ sets with club goers and music fans every time he spins. DaBeatz’ high profile residencies, including Hydrate (Chicago), Minibar Ultra Lounge (Chicago), Mad Boy Cruises and Armani Exchange, The Victor Hotel, Regent Media (Out Magazine), JBar, Red Bull, REELing, Macy’s, Nordstrom and Pretty Boy Magazine, have showcased his diverse talents to passionate audiences. TED EIEL One of the brightest talents on the DJ scene today, Ted Eiel has more than 15 years of club and radio experience, He has spun his supersonic sets of sexy, dirty beats at top-tier venues in the US and Europe. In the past 4 years, he’s headlined some of the biggest leather and bear parties in the US: Folsom Street Fair, Lazy Bear Weekend, Sanctuary (SF), Provincetown Bear Week, SWEAT (Boston, Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale) Eagle LA’s Meat Rack, Up Your Alley’s Bay of Pigs (SF) and Winter Party’s Leather Ball. Ted’s also spun internationally playing both
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Megawoof! and Tonker in the UK and events in Canada. His 2009 closing party for IML, The Black and Blue Ball was voted one of the best events of the decade in Chicago. This year, he’ll be headlining Europe’s largest gay pride in Madrid, Spain and Ted has an aggressive, masculine sound that has been inspired by underground tracks drawn from classic house, electro, disco and rock. His music has been described as “muscle house” for men: sexy, funky, chunky house with an emphasis on dirty bass lines, melodic vocals and an intense energy that brings everyone to the floor. MATT HARVAT With his first DJ gig in a club more than 26 years ago, Matthew Harvat has used every fad, style and genre of music to excite his audiences. His role as performer/ producer/DJ Circuit MOM, the last 12 years has given him a vast educational experience in the music sounds that matter. His award winning IML performances, events and DJ sets are known worldwide. Since bursting onto the dance floor and club scene as promoter, producer, DJ and performer in 1997, Harvat has crossed the U.S. and Canada perfecting his many talents as the force to keep up with. Producers and DJ’s have recorded special songs and allowed Matthew to use unreleased songs to showcase in his shows and DJ gigs that in turn have gone to #1 on the dance charts. “Absolutely Not” by Deborah Cox, “Beautiful” by Donna Summer and “Real Love” by Deborah Cooper are just a few. By working with top name DJs in the business, Matthew has developed a synergy of tribal, house, anthems, vocals and classics that keeps everyone’s hands in the air and the dance floors packed. He has gathered rare mixes from the personal collections of today’s hottest producers to use in his own sets to keep his audiences screaming for more. Taking inspiration from his mentors and spending so much time on dance floors across America, this DJ
performer has developed a special way to make everyone feel welcome with his music sets because he not only plays the music but lives it as well. After heading up the producer/DJ duties for the now legendary Excalibur party the past 5 years, the House Of Blues Victory Party will now showcase this Chicago native’s talent to a new audience. www.circuitmom.com* SIN MORENA Born and raised in New Jersey, Sin is no stranger to the music industry This Artist/DJ has been in the recording studio writing, producing arranging, records for the likes of Sony, Universal, Warner and BMG Entertainment Sin signed his world wide music publishing deal with one of the most powerful music companies in the world, Warner/Chappell Music in 1996. He is currently working on a Mariah Carey remix for” Fly Like a Bird” and is getting ready to release a single on Roger Sanchez’ own Stealth records and is currently working with Kristine W, and Deborah Cooper, writing and producing, all day everyday Sin also has a track on the Junior Vasquez album out on Tommy Boy Records, called Generation Next, has done work for Madonna’s “Give it to Me. Since has worked with the biggest name sin the business, including; Tony Shimkin (Madonna, Cathy Dennis) Shep Pettibone (Madonna, Janet Jackson) Junior Vasquez (John Cougar Mellencamp, Cyndi Lauper) Robbie Nevil (Babyface, Luther Vandross) Tommy Faragher (Taylor Dayne, B.B King) Peter Zizzo (Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne) Paul Rein (Christina Aguilera) Jimmy Grieco and Ray Contrares (Jennifer Lopez, Santana) Tony Moran (Gloria Estefan, Michael Jackson) Johnny Jam & Delgado (Aqua, Jon Secada) Chris Cox & Barry Harris (Thunderpuss) Mel Cheren (Keep on Dancin Paradise Garage) Roger Sanchez (Grammy Award Winner) He has been awarded an ASCAP Gold Album on Universal Music and won a Scandinavia 2001 N.A.R.S (Grammy).
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Chicago’s Leather Bars
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eave it to the city that was known for its stockyards to have a long history of supporting gay bars. The first leather bar, The Gold Coast opened just north of downtown in the mid-1970s. Although that location is now a bank (storing a whole different kind of “family jewels” in the lower level vault), Chicago’s leather bars have kept in step with the GLBT community, moving farther north to the Roger’s Park and Lakeview neighborhoods. Cell Block 3702 N. Halsted St. 773.665.8064 cellblock-chicago.com Now celebrating its 15th year, Cell Block is the only leather bar located in the Halsted Street gay bar strip known locally as “Boystown.” The venue boasts a front bar, back bar and the popular CB’s in the rear. Cell Block is open until 2 a.m. (3 a.m. on Saturday) and will be hosting several special events during IML weekend. Cell Block is located steps away from The Center on Halsted, Chicago’s GLBT community center.
Jackhammer 6406 N. Clark St. 773.753.5772 jackhammer-chicago.com Located on the far north side of the city, in the Rogers Park neighborhood, Jackhammer is a popular nightclub serving a diverse customer base. The main room features a dance floor and stage, while the upper level is home to a sports bar. The beer garden is a favorite gathering spot in warmer weather. “The Hole”, located on the lower level and enforces a strict leather/fetish dress code on Friday and Saturday nights, and has a great mix of guys in leather, fetish gear, jeans and military wear. Jackhammer is open until 4 a.m. (5 a.m.) on Saturdays and will be hosting several special events during IML weekend. Touché 6412 N. Clark St. 773.465.7400 touchechicago.com Chicago’s leather bar since 1977, Touché continues to be the center of Chicago’s leather/fetish community.
Home bar of Rodeo Riders Chicago, the fisting club M.A.F.I.A., and the Great Lakes Bears, Touché also welcomes Chicago Hellfire Club, Windy City Bondage Club and several local fetish groups for regular parties. Touché sponsors Mr. Chicago Leather and Mr. Midwest Rubber contests and hosts monthly bear, gear and fetish nights. The front bar includes a pool table, darts and video games. The back bar, known as the Club Room, is always filled with an assortment of leathermen, fetish guys and bears having a great time. Monitors in both rooms screen the latest hot action videos nightly. This year for IML Touché will host its infamous “Full Moon” party on Friday, a Gear Night on Saturday, a “Post Contest Blowout” Sunday, a huge Beer Bust & Cookout on Monday afternoon and wrap up the weekend with a Survivor Party on Monday night. The bar is open late night till 4 a.m. nightly (5 a.m. on Saturday)
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COLTON FORD MANTRYX
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rowing up in Mission Viejo California, Ford listened to mix of R&B (Rufus and Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, the Commodores, Anita Baker, Sarah Vaughn, Smokey Robinson, Al Green) pop (Olivia Newton-John, Cyndi Lauper, Tom Tom Club, Thompson Twins) and rock (Boston, The Police, Pat Benatar, Fleetwood Mac). He also managed to find time for Manhattan Transfer. Ford’s fondness for words and melodies and singing paved the way to performing in dinner theater revues while still in college. A short stint with Jon St. James’ production company (responsible for popdance hits by Stacy Q and others) in the mid-’80s provided Ford with the necessary tools to take a giant step forward. By the late-’80s, Ford had signed a production deal with the company co-owned by hit-making songwriter Denise Rich. In the early-’90s, Ford was confirmed to be the featured male vocalist on Frankie Knuckles’ second studio album, 1995’s “Welcome to the Real World.” In the end, conflicts at the label (Virgin Records) prevented this from happening, and female singer Adeva became the album’s featured singer. Virgin then offered Ford a solo album deal. Unfortunately, this album never saw the light of day. Through the twists and turns of his recording career, Ford never stopped writing songs. In 2002, filming began for the documentary “Naked Fame,” which followed Ford’s transition
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from porn star to singer. Ford’s dance track “Everything” anchored the film, offering viewers the ins and outs of a one-time porn star making the jump (or in Ford’s case, returning) to the world of music. Ford’s single with Pepper MaShay, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” also became a Billboard Top 10 hit. His albums (2008’s “Tug Of War” and 2009’s “Under the Covers”) and several hit songs have brought him thousands of devoted fans around the globe. Ford’s non-X rated acting skills also made their way to TV. Playing the role of Sheriff Trout, Ford appears in all three seasons of here! TV’s on-going campy gay vampire show, “The Lair.” Ford has also had cameos in the films “Another Gay Sequel” and Madonna and Rupert Everett’s “The Next Big Thing.” In addition to his own numerous music videos, Ford starred in the video of Cyndi Lauper’s “Into the Nightlife” also performing on select dates of the Lauper-helmed True Colors 2008 Tour. For those who remain unable to get beyond Ford’s porn star past to focus on his singing present Ford has a few words: “I can’t control how people feel about me, my past and my music. I have always sung and created music, so I just continue to do what I’ve always done. My main concern is to make music that I feel and that I’m proud of. The rest is out of my control. I know that there are some people who aren’t going to be able to see beyond my porn persona, and that’s
ok.” Pausing for a moment, he adds, “I feel, however, that there are far more people out there who are interested in hearing what I can do musically, and are able to look beyond that part of my past. Those are the people I’m looking to reach. I’m doing what I love to do, so at the end of the day, I can say I’m following my heart and living my dream. Isn’t that what we all want for ourselves?” MANTRYX New York’s signature aerialists, the duo known as Mantryx has appeared in more one thousand aerial and ground acrobatic performances throughout the world in the past four years. Repeatedly praised by critics, the act has reached millions live and millions more through appearances on most major television networks. Together, the pair has been hailed as leaders of the new American vaudeville movement.
On the concert and party circuit, they have shared the stage with a “Who’s Who” of A-list celebrities and have been featured in events and campaigns for numerous corporations. Their work has been enjoyed in seventy countries. Mantryx is as thrilled to join the incredible line up of this year’s performances at International Mr. Leather 2010 as IML is to have them.
In The Know… On The Go! WELCOME
All of us at BOI want to extend a hearty Windy City welcome to all the out-of-town visitors who are coming to Chicago over Memorial Day Weekend for the 2010 edition of International Mr. Leather and related events. We’re glad you chose our city to kick off your respective summers and trust you’ll have a fantastic time. Here are some other notable events:
of “Kink Crusaders”…Then it’s off to the “Pecs and Personality” portion of the IML contest… Late night activities at the hotel include the Onyx party, and the Texas “Deep in the Heart of Leather” fundraiser…Up north, Touché hosts “Gear Night”… The neighborhood around the intersection of Belmont and Sheffield will celebrate its annual music fest all weekend., meanwhile the city’s biggest outdoor antique mall, the Randolph Street market Fest kicks off this weekend on the corner of Randolph and Ada… The Grabbys take over Park West, with an after party at Hydrate…
Wednesday, May 26 Touché hosts a “Best of Chicago” welcome party with free goodie bags for out of towners and provides a free shuttle from the Hyatt… Steamworks is rolling out, well not the red carpet, but a weekend long party with an “Invasion” theme.
Sunday, May 30 Start the day off right with Kit Kat’s “divalicious” brunch. Your choice of prix fixe meal with freeflowing Mimosas and Bloody Marys for $25 or order a la carte and you can get the all you can drink deal for just $10 more… Or, if that’s too early for you, check out the free buffet at Big Chicks in Uptown… Then head over to the Congress theater for the big IML contest. followed by the victory party at the House of Blues… Crimson Lounge, conveniently across the street from the House of Blues, hosts “Debauchery” with porn star Matthew Rush… Touché hosts a post-IML Contest Blowout… Smart Bar offers up “Dollar Disco” with a $2 cover and $2 drinks all night long…
Thursday, May 27 Bear Pride Early Bird Party at Touché premiering a new DVD from ButchBear.com and a model search for Bear Magazine and free pizza… Cocktail has hot male dancers… IML 2010 Preparty and Jeffrey Payne Roast at the Leather Archives and Museum… Friday, May 28 IML Opening Ceremonies in the Grand ballroom at the Hyatt includes introductions of contestants and judges… Other IML events at the hotel include The Chicago Rubbermen host a gathering of kinky & horny rubberists in the Acapulco Room, Gear Blast, Woof Camp and MAUL in the Regency Ballrooms, The folks from San Francisco host an event in the Crystal Ballroom Cocktail welcomes porn star Jason Seacrest (not be confused with Ryan Seacrest)… Touché hosts a “Full Moon” party and contest, the winner gets custom made leather chaps from Leather 64TEN… Saturday, May 29 A celebration of the life of Mr. Marcus kicks off at 1 p.m… Other daytime events include a meeting of the People of Color Leather Caucus, Chicago Hellfire Club social, Windy City Boy’s Troop cocktail hour and a screening 66 boi
Monday, May 31 Beer Bust & BBQ at Touché 50¢ Bud/Bud Light drafts served all day, burgers & brats off the grill from 3-7 p.m… Go boi crazy at Cocktail… Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club offers 50% off your entire bill for industry night… The festivities wind up with the “Black and Blue Ball” at Excalibur.
IN OTHER NEWS
It’s not too late to get your tickets to the “Human First” event benefit for the Center on Halsted with special guest Lily Tomlin… About Face Theater’s “Sweet tea-Black Gay Men of the South” runs through May 29… Head over to Sidetrack for the finals of the Bud Boyz 2010” contest. The winner gets an all-inclusive threenight vacation in Cancun… Gay Days in Orlando now spans a full week, June 1-7…
SEEK ‘N HIDE
If you’re on the lookout for IML guys, here are a few events you should check out… On Thursday, May 27 There’s a pre-party and roast for the current IML, Jeffrey Payne at the Leather Archives, 6418 N. Greenview… Of course, all the big stuff happens on Sunday May 30, with the IML contest at 6 at the Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee, followed by a Victory Party at the House of Blues, with Matt Harvat aka Circuit Mom spinning (records, not her pretty booty)… Then the blowout to closeout the weekend, the Black and Blue Ball at Excalibur.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Put a big red circle around July 18 for MTM Chicago’s “Out at Wrigley” event. The event organizers expect 750 ‘mos and dykes to cheer on our Cubbies (and that early in the season they won’t have been able to f**k things up, so you can dream of them in the playoffs) from 500 seats in the park and an additional 250 prime rooftop deck seats. Park seats are $36 and rooftops are $115. Rooftop seat tickets include food and drink and a gift bag… Touche’s “Bear Chested” contest BOTTOMS UP on May 26 coincides Sidetrack is hosting a wine tasting party on with IML. Just a fluke? Wednesday, May 21 as a benefit for Equality Or is the universe Illinois. The $20 contribution gets you samples working in mysterious of lots of great wine and a chance to order a ways… Berlin hosts case of the stuff that you really like… Cute guys the late night cabaret, in Speedos and other swim wear brand will be “Nightcaps” the last strutting their stuff at “Project Swimwear” on Friday of the month. This May 20. Head to Circuit and drop your $5 at the The Puterbaugh Sisters month’s show, hosted by door and enjoy the fashion show. There’s an Adam Guerino, The Puterbaugh Sisters and Greg after party at Rehab afterwards. A portion of the Haus, will feature comedians Bill Cruz and Jerri proceeds benefit for the Center on Halsted… Blank. As if that weren’t reason enough to check Roscoe’s wet boxer contest on Thursday, May 27, it out, I hear rumors about a surprise circus act, should be really interesting with IML in town. too! The show starts at 11 sharp. Do they make leather boxers?