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.
Highwaymen TNT in 2001, from the Vern Stewart collection at the LA&M. Highwaymen TNT is a leather club that was founded in 1978 in Washington DC. #LeatherCommunity
November 29, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Highwaymen TNT in 2001, from the Vern Stewart collection at the LA&M. Highwaymen TNT is a leather club that was founded in 1978 in Washington DC. #LeatherCommunity
![Close up of a white man, hang on his hip, jeans unbuttoned, shirt tugged up. Text: [One curious aspect of AIDS education campaigns devised by advertising agencies contracted by governments is their failure to take into account any aspect of the psychic but fear. An industry that has used sexual desire to sell everything from cars to detergents suddenly finds itself at a loss for how to sell a condom.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreifqv6ncxh3exd6zq7ecblikubseonvf3p447lkikudpvzwutunwka@jpeg)
Joe Casey was a brother of the New York Renegades, associate of the Chicago Hellfire Club, and former officer of Cycle MC and Wheels MC of New York.
![[Joe Casey, aka Hank Gray, passed away Monday, November 29 from complications due to a recently discovered spinal tumor. He was a member of New York Renegades and an associate of Chicago Hellfire Club.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreihyo5n664x5xwdah5qiod3jzid46raqrqhqroh7xw3k4j6ce44hsm@jpeg)
November 29, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Joe Casey was a brother of the New York Renegades, associate of the Chicago Hellfire Club, and former officer of Cycle MC and Wheels MC of New York.
Looking to support small queer businesses this Black Friday? Get gifts for the kinky folk in your life at LA&M’s Gift Shop! 🎁
Check out this year’s Holiday Collection and fill up on the new pins, patches, and shirts we have in stock!
Check out this year’s Holiday Collection and fill up on the new pins, patches, and shirts we have in stock!
November 28, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Looking to support small queer businesses this Black Friday? Get gifts for the kinky folk in your life at LA&M’s Gift Shop! 🎁
Check out this year’s Holiday Collection and fill up on the new pins, patches, and shirts we have in stock!
Check out this year’s Holiday Collection and fill up on the new pins, patches, and shirts we have in stock!
Scott Rodriguez was an activist and leather community leader in Seattle. Rodriguez co-owned The Cuff bar where he raised funds for LGBT-friendly politicians and causes. He was a board member of Hand Off Washington and chair of Seattle Pride Festival.
![[Scott Rodriguez gave us a reason to be proud by Matt Nagle and Bruce Amsbary. A pillar was knocked out from under Seattle' GLBT community last week when Cuff co-owner and community leader Scott Rodriguez passed away. Friends close to Scott told the SGN that his health status and cause of death are being withheld in respect to the wishes of his mother.
To many in the Seattle GLBT community Scott was someone who operated in the background, barely noticed. But to many others, Scott was a visible and invaluable resource. From Hands Off Washington to the Northwest Gay Radio, the Pride Festival and the leather community, Scott was enthusiastic, inspiring, and tireless.
One longtime friend, Tony Glandon (aka Gumby) noted, "No matter what people asked he would help if he could, whether it was donating money or time. When he and (Cuff co-owner) Tim (Franulovich) started the beer bust at The Cuff following the Pride Parade he wanted to created a place for people to go and it has...]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreiemuzqqp4cbul2ln6xlv2qexeor6nvmqiakfwl5vvk46f3ascvrxu@jpeg)
November 27, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Scott Rodriguez was an activist and leather community leader in Seattle. Rodriguez co-owned The Cuff bar where he raised funds for LGBT-friendly politicians and causes. He was a board member of Hand Off Washington and chair of Seattle Pride Festival.
Winter is coming and you don't want to forget to keep your leather and boots looking good throughout the season!
Joining us at our Holiday Fetish Fair are Bootblacks Tito Joey and Wren!
Find them among the rest of our Holiday Fetish Fair vendors on Dec. 7th, 12 - 6pm!
Joining us at our Holiday Fetish Fair are Bootblacks Tito Joey and Wren!
Find them among the rest of our Holiday Fetish Fair vendors on Dec. 7th, 12 - 6pm!
November 26, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Winter is coming and you don't want to forget to keep your leather and boots looking good throughout the season!
Joining us at our Holiday Fetish Fair are Bootblacks Tito Joey and Wren!
Find them among the rest of our Holiday Fetish Fair vendors on Dec. 7th, 12 - 6pm!
Joining us at our Holiday Fetish Fair are Bootblacks Tito Joey and Wren!
Find them among the rest of our Holiday Fetish Fair vendors on Dec. 7th, 12 - 6pm!
Aubrey Hart Sparks was a writer and activist. He held 4 leather titles including Seattle Mr. Leather and was a co-director of the Leather Pride Project. From 1999-2004, he produced Aubrey's Playroom, an internet talk show. Sparks founded The Tony DeBlase Memorial Scholarship Fund.
November 26, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Aubrey Hart Sparks was a writer and activist. He held 4 leather titles including Seattle Mr. Leather and was a co-director of the Leather Pride Project. From 1999-2004, he produced Aubrey's Playroom, an internet talk show. Sparks founded The Tony DeBlase Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Allena Gabosch was a sex-positive activist, business owner, and educator. Gabosch co-owned the Beyond the Edge Cafe in Seattle, was the executive director of the Lesbian Cancer Project, and founder and executive director of the Center for Sex Positive Culture.
November 25, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Allena Gabosch was a sex-positive activist, business owner, and educator. Gabosch co-owned the Beyond the Edge Cafe in Seattle, was the executive director of the Lesbian Cancer Project, and founder and executive director of the Center for Sex Positive Culture.
LA&M will be closed for Thanksgiving this week! We will reopen Friday, Nov. 28th. Join us that evening for our Gear Night! Weather permitting, we will also have our cigar patio open as well for a cigar social!
November 24, 2025 at 5:56 PM
LA&M will be closed for Thanksgiving this week! We will reopen Friday, Nov. 28th. Join us that evening for our Gear Night! Weather permitting, we will also have our cigar patio open as well for a cigar social!
Ollie Allman was a member of Centaur MC.
November 24, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Ollie Allman was a member of Centaur MC.
Howard Fleming (left), pictured here with his partner Roger, was a charter member of the Utica Tri's, and member of the Rochester Rams, Ottawa Knights, and American Legion. Fleming co-produced American Brotherhood Weekend.
November 23, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Howard Fleming (left), pictured here with his partner Roger, was a charter member of the Utica Tri's, and member of the Rochester Rams, Ottawa Knights, and American Legion. Fleming co-produced American Brotherhood Weekend.
Quote from On Becoming a Leatherwoman by Michele A. Buchanan. Photo by Efrain J. Gonzalez from Buchanan's collection at the LA&M. #LeatherWomen
![Michele is a Black woman with a serious expression and short hair. She is wearing pearls and a floorlength robe or dress with a V-neck and stiff collar. She is sitting on a floral patterned chair next to a candelabra. Text: [When you are no longer willing to be someone else and live someone else's life in return for respectability, when your mind and your body are so changed that both a kiss and a blow can make you vibrate, when you find yourself on the street in plain clothes in a strange city and you see a man or woman dressed in leather and you meet that person's eyes and nod, and that person nods back, then you have become a leatherwoman.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreid7f5s32akk2l25pbtx4kzt36t22ijvfn6v4lbnzmlznhb3c2grli@jpeg)
November 22, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Quote from On Becoming a Leatherwoman by Michele A. Buchanan. Photo by Efrain J. Gonzalez from Buchanan's collection at the LA&M. #LeatherWomen
Bedford Elias Aiken III, better known as Skip Aiken, was a gay activist. He was a computer programmer and volunteer sign language interpreter. Aiken was one of the first members of the Society of Janus, and was an active member of the Gay Men's Chorus and Alcoholic's Anonymous.
![[Many Janus members will be grieved to learn of the death of Skip Aiken, former member of Janus, and writer of at least one of our position papers which is still in print. Skip died on November 22, during a coronary surgery, according to a notice in the Bay Area Reporter of December 5.
He was a Quaker, opposed war, loved to wear military uniforms, and fervently believed that taking personal responsibility is more empowering and effective than marching in the streets.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iyfco36opjofallgh4axztsd/bafkreic7fdkswvz4bc7ewdou5auy2biawvtde7xhqhgxrlmqlqrwqsbabm@jpeg)
November 22, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Bedford Elias Aiken III, better known as Skip Aiken, was a gay activist. He was a computer programmer and volunteer sign language interpreter. Aiken was one of the first members of the Society of Janus, and was an active member of the Gay Men's Chorus and Alcoholic's Anonymous.
Happy Stuffing Day from the LA&M! According to Days of the Year, "the best way to celebrate stuffing day is to spend the whole day doing new and innovative things with stuffing!"
Artwork by Dom "Etienne" Orejudos, from his collection at the Leather Archives & Museum.
Artwork by Dom "Etienne" Orejudos, from his collection at the Leather Archives & Museum.
November 21, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Happy Stuffing Day from the LA&M! According to Days of the Year, "the best way to celebrate stuffing day is to spend the whole day doing new and innovative things with stuffing!"
Artwork by Dom "Etienne" Orejudos, from his collection at the Leather Archives & Museum.
Artwork by Dom "Etienne" Orejudos, from his collection at the Leather Archives & Museum.
Today on this day in 1982, The Border Riders MC and the San Francisco Eagle had a Chicken Fundraiser for the Kaposi's Sarcoma Foundation, with chicken, a beer bust, and surprises.
November 21, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Today on this day in 1982, The Border Riders MC and the San Francisco Eagle had a Chicken Fundraiser for the Kaposi's Sarcoma Foundation, with chicken, a beer bust, and surprises.
James Seabourn aka Sinbad was was a board member of Oklahoma Power Exchange and Oklahoma LeatherFest.
November 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
James Seabourn aka Sinbad was was a board member of Oklahoma Power Exchange and Oklahoma LeatherFest.
Today on this Day in 1994, The Black Guard of Minneapolis had their 18th annual Chili Feed, a fundraiser with kegs, chili, happy hour, chili, door prizes, chili, their famous jail, and chili.
November 20, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Today on this Day in 1994, The Black Guard of Minneapolis had their 18th annual Chili Feed, a fundraiser with kegs, chili, happy hour, chili, door prizes, chili, their famous jail, and chili.
Sadao Hasegawa was an influential Japanese gay artist. He has his first solo exhibition in 1973 and was published in Japanese gay magazines. Hasegawa's influences included Go Mishima, Tom of Finland, Tamotsu Yato, mythology and spirituality.
November 20, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Sadao Hasegawa was an influential Japanese gay artist. He has his first solo exhibition in 1973 and was published in Japanese gay magazines. Hasegawa's influences included Go Mishima, Tom of Finland, Tamotsu Yato, mythology and spirituality.
Tammad Rimilia aka "The Gentleman Barbarian" published essays and instructional guides about bondage, the kink community and other topics online throughout the 1990s.
November 20, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Tammad Rimilia aka "The Gentleman Barbarian" published essays and instructional guides about bondage, the kink community and other topics online throughout the 1990s.
George Edward Saunders Whiting was a gay leather activist. He served in the Royal Air Force during World War II before settling in British Columbia. Whiting founded Vancouver Activists in S/M (VASM) in 1982 and was presented with two Pantheon of Leather awards.
November 20, 2025 at 3:43 PM
George Edward Saunders Whiting was a gay leather activist. He served in the Royal Air Force during World War II before settling in British Columbia. Whiting founded Vancouver Activists in S/M (VASM) in 1982 and was presented with two Pantheon of Leather awards.
Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded in 1999 to mourn and honor those whose lives have been lost to transphobic violence.
November 20, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded in 1999 to mourn and honor those whose lives have been lost to transphobic violence.
Frazier Botsford was a musician, voice actor, and kink community organizer. He founded and helped operate The Crucible in Washington DC and was one of the creators of Camp Crucible and the Leather Flea & Play party.
November 19, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Frazier Botsford was a musician, voice actor, and kink community organizer. He founded and helped operate The Crucible in Washington DC and was one of the creators of Camp Crucible and the Leather Flea & Play party.
We are happy to partner with Heaux History to collect donations!
Stop by the Leather Archives & Museum to put your donations in the drop off bin this week!
Cash donations also welcome at $HEAUXHISTORYPROJECT (Cashapp or Venmo)
Stop by the Leather Archives & Museum to put your donations in the drop off bin this week!
Cash donations also welcome at $HEAUXHISTORYPROJECT (Cashapp or Venmo)
November 18, 2025 at 8:55 PM
We are happy to partner with Heaux History to collect donations!
Stop by the Leather Archives & Museum to put your donations in the drop off bin this week!
Cash donations also welcome at $HEAUXHISTORYPROJECT (Cashapp or Venmo)
Stop by the Leather Archives & Museum to put your donations in the drop off bin this week!
Cash donations also welcome at $HEAUXHISTORYPROJECT (Cashapp or Venmo)
Check out these fetish hankies from The Haunted Disco! They made them by licensing a few pieces of Etienne's art and they turned out great!
Check them out here -> www.thehaunteddisco.com/collections/...
Check them out here -> www.thehaunteddisco.com/collections/...
November 18, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Check out these fetish hankies from The Haunted Disco! They made them by licensing a few pieces of Etienne's art and they turned out great!
Check them out here -> www.thehaunteddisco.com/collections/...
Check them out here -> www.thehaunteddisco.com/collections/...
Loren Rex Cameron was a photographer, educator, and trans activist. Cameron's autobiographical book of portraiture, Body Alchemy, was published in 1996.
November 18, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Loren Rex Cameron was a photographer, educator, and trans activist. Cameron's autobiographical book of portraiture, Body Alchemy, was published in 1996.