Timeline

Leather Archives & Museum
Serving the Fetish World

Timeline Table of Contents

Timeline Homepage: Introduction

Previous: Timeline Page One: 5000 BCE - 1969

Previous: Timeline Page Two: 1970 - 2004

	2005
	2006
	2007
	2008

**2005**
Time	Event
2005, :	The Lexington Lyons L/L Club of Lexington, KY published a cookbook, A Matter Of Taste: Feasts from the Lyons Den.
2005, :	After almost four years of being a productive member of the business community in Allentown, PA, through its Bureau of Planning and Zoning, the City of Allentown forced the closing of Leather Masters II, a Leather/BDSM/Fetish shop.
2005, :	Fetish Diva Midori released a new book in August entitled Wild Side Sex: The Book of Kink Educational, Sensual, and Entertaining Essays. Midori is an educator and writer on s/m, fetish and human sexuality. She has traveled the world presenting to universities, the s/m community, media and the greater society, and lives in San Francisco. Also, Alex Wisniowski introduced his second documentary, "My Leather Jacket II: More Stories from the Road".
2005, :	Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced that his office will specifically target beastiality, urination, defecation, as well as sadistic and masochistic behavior, in pursuing new obscenity prosecutions. The Department of Justice began recruiting in late July for a new anti-obscenity squad to pursue obscenity prosecutions, and the FBI announced in September that it was forming an anti-obscenity task force to crack down on pornography.
2005, :	After being in the same location on 7th Street for some 14 years, Mr. S relocated two blocks away to a 28,000 square foot retail and manufacturing space. The building would house both Mr. S and Madame S under one roof.
2005, Jan.:	The Vancouver Men in Leather celebrated their First Anniversary and AGM at the end of January.
2005, Jan. 1:	Bob Gunther died due to emphysema on January 1. He was the founder and owner of the Sling bar on Western Avenue in Hollywood, CA. He served as president of Avatar Club Los Angeles, president of Somandros, and was on the Christopher Street West board for several years.
2005, Jan. 5:	The death at 2:34 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5, of John Klamik - better known as "Sean", the artist. An artist and activist, John succumbed to pneumonia at West Anaheim Medical Center in Anaheim, California following a series of strokes and a diagnosis of lung cancer, listed as the official cause of death. John was born on July 22, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois, where he studied at the world-famous Art Institute. He moved to California in the mid '60s, settling in West Hollywood, which, next to Chicago, was his favorite city in the world.
2005, Jan. 6:	Billy Collison passed away on January 6 and was connected to so many in so many ways including Centaur MC, Academy of Washington, Theatrical Drag Entertainment Organization, Atlantic States Rodeo Association, Regional Rodeo Organization and Brother, Help Thyself. Billy held the title of Mr. BHT one year, won during one of these events by raising money and performing. Billy came on the BHT Board of Directors as the representative of Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association. Billy had been a Rodeo Director and Assistant Rodeo Director, both major jobs. When he was appointed to BHT, he served as a director, vice president and other positions.
2005, Jan. 21:	Jimmy Lee Murray lost his battle with the virus on the night of January 21, 2005. He worked for six years as the Chicago House and Social Service Agency facilities manager. He was recognized by the Gay Chicago Magazine Awards as Employee of the Year. Jimmy was the first Mr. Ebony in Leather and was an early International Mr. Cheeks and Chaps titleholder, and was Mr. North Atlantic Leather 2000.
2005, Jan. 30:	The 501 Eagle in Indianapolis caught fire. The fire was found to have started on the second floor in the office area due to a faulty paper shredder.
2005, Feb. 11:	A new group, known as PerverCity, presented Bondage and Bonbons at the Center for Sex and Culture in San Francisco, CA.
2005, Feb. 4-6:	LIFE Detroit held its first Detroit Area Rough and Kinkfest (DARK) Weekend.
2005, Feb. 20:	With a fiery flash and a puff of smoke culminating seven years of intense fundraising, the Leather Archives & Museum loudly took ownership of their permanent home on Sunday, February 20. A capacity crowd filling the Etienne Auditorium watched as LA&M President and Founder Chuck Renslow set afire the paid-off mortgage.
2005, Feb. 25-27:	The 15 Association of San Francisco celebrated its 25th Anniversary.
2005, Mar.:	The Philadelphians MC commemorated their 30th Anniversary with a weekend-long celebration that drew Leatherfolk from across the Mid Atlantic region to the City of Brotherly Love. During their entire 30-year history, the Philadelphians MC have been avid fundraisers and staunch supporters of a variety of local charities.
2005, Mar. 7:	Jeffrey L. Bays (Daddy Jeff) was killed in a traffic accident in Las Vegas, NV. Jeff was survived by his partner, Stan Harrell. Jeff was Mr. Drummer Texas 1997-1998.
2005, Mar. 11:	New York artist Albert Crudo had two of his paintings vandalized at an Upper West Side cafe, La Fenice 2012 Broadway, NYC. The painting, entitled "The Nature of the Beast: Parts I, II, III" has been causing quite a stir among patrons since it's installation in early December.
2005, Apr. 8-9:	The first Mr. Midwest Leather Contest was held at One Flite Up in Dubuque, IA.
2005, Apr. 22-24:	The Regiment of the Black and Tans, a Los Angeles uniform club currently celebrating its 30th year, held its annual Spring Maneuvers at various locations around the Los Angeles area.
2005, Apr. 29-May 1:	The Fourth Annual CLAW (Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend) held April 29 - May 1, with proceeds benefiting the Leather Archives & Museum and other charities.
2005, Apr. 29-30:	Dynamic Diversions, a BDSM event for women only sponsored by American Leather Woman 2001 Phyllis Darcy and her partner Piper Fairbanks, made its debut in Denver, CO.
2005, May. 7:	The Leather Archives and Museum opened the Uniforms Gallery, which exhibited uniforms along with media and artifacts related to uniforms.
2005, May. 8:	The Tom of Finland Foundation, based in Los Angeles, CA, held its spring Tom's Bar in the Faultline parking lot in celebration of the birthday of the man whose illustrations played a major role in shaping the image of a Leatherman, Tom of Finland. The Foundation was celebrating its 20th year.
2005, May. 9:	Mark Richard Isenberg, a founding member of Leatherpost.com died on May 9, 2005 due to complications from a heart attack.
2005, May. 13:	Palpable Testosterone was an introduction to the homoerotic work of Chicago artist Etienne. The exhibit opened Friday, May 13 at the 1926 Exhibition Studies Space in Chicago, IL.
2005, May. 20-22:	The Tom of Finland Foundation presented its Fifth Annual New York Erotic Art Fair at the LGBT Center in Manhattan. More than 40 artists from the United States and Europe displayed and sold their works.
2005, May IML:	Attendees of the 27th annual International Mr. Leather (IML) weekend raised $40,000 for the Leather Archives and Museum.
2005, May:	Mr. Chicago Leather 2005 Jeff Willoughby established the Leather Quilt Project in the Spring of 2005.
2005, May. 16:	Robert Davolt died of cancer on Monday night, May 16 at Davies Hospital in San Francisco, CA. Davolt was best known as editor of Drummer Magazine, his book Painfully Obvious: An Irreverent & Unauthorized Manual for Leather/SM, recent editor of Bound & Gagged Magazine, Board member of the Leather Archives & Museum, holding the San Francisco Leather Daddy XIX title in 2003, and wrote numerous columns and articles for a variety of publications. He was born in Renton, WA on June 27, 1958. At 17, he joined the United States Navy, stationed on small ships patrolling the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. While in Wisconsin, Robert won the Wisconsin Leather Daddy title in 1995 and competed at International Mr. Leather. Robert was survived by his loving partner of seven years, Joe Granese of San Francisco.
2005, Jun. 25:	Bound & Gagged magazine suspended publication immediately after Issue 106 in June 2005.
2005, Jun.:	As of June 23, the U.S.C. Title 18, Section 2257 adult material record keeping and labeling law was expanded to include the Internet. These regulations updated the record keeping requirements of the Child Protection and Obscenity Enforcement Act of 1988. Barbara Nitke and the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court of the District Court's decision in the Communications Decency Act (CDA) challenge. Their appeal contended the District Court applied an incorrect legal standard for determining whether protected material was improperly banned under the CDA. The District Court also committed legal error in finding that many local communities do not have predetermined standards of obscenity that can be verified and then ruling the plaintiffs failed to prove what those standards were.
2005, Jun. 27:	A fire struck the Iron Eagles home bar, the 540 Eagle, in Canton, OH, and it was a total loss. Lost in the fire was the complete seven-year history of The Iron Eagles - the club's colors, their many trophies and awards, and archives, along with the Colors presented to both The Iron Eagles and The 540 Eagle from other Clubs.
2005, Jul.:	The Rochester Rams held their 30th Anniversary, Run XXX.
2005, Jul. 1:	The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) and the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced that they formed a partnership. Also, the renowned Gauntlet II Leather bar, in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles, CA changed hands.
2005, Jul. 1:	Hudson, curator and owner of Feature Inc., a gallery influential in the early recognition of artist Tom of Finland, has donated two pivotal drawings by the artist to the Permanent Collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
2005, Jul. 22:	The Harbor Room in Milwaukee, WI celebrated its Fifth Anniversary.
2005, Jul. 21:	The 15th Annual International Deaf Leather Contest was held in conjunction with the International Deaf Bear Contest at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, DC.
2005, Aug. 5-7:	Rodeo Riders Chicago celebrated their 30th Anniversary with The Antique Rodeo Run in Chicago, IL.
2005, Aug. 14:	Pistons bar in Long Beach, CA celebrated its 10^th Anniversary with a low-key buffet and door prize giveaway.
2005, Aug. 18-19:	The Knights of Leather of Minneapolis, MN celebrated their milestone 20th Anniversary with a beer bust at the Minneapolis Eagle on Thursday night, August 18 and a fantasy and demo night at the Bolt Underground on Friday night, August 19.
2005, Sep. 1:	Frank Blondale and Dan Majewski bought the Cell Block in Chicago, IL from founder Roger Hickey and took over operations.
2005, Sep. 3:	The Chicago Leather Club held its first Back To School Dash. The sold out one-day run featured presentations from community educators on diabetes in the scene, building dungeon furniture and Leather history. The Back To School Dash also included a lunch barbeque at Touche' and a homemade pasta bar dinner at Man's Country. The evening was topped off with an erotic hypnotist and an open bar at the Chicago Eagle. All funds raised were donated to the Leather Archives & Museum.
2005, Sep. 15-16:	The LA&M Film Series resumed with SandMutopia University, Rope that Works being shown in the Etienne Auditorium at the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago, IL.
2005, Oct.:	A new organization named the San Francisco girls of Leather (SFgoL) was open to Leather girls, people whose primary self-identity was a girl. SFgoL defines the term Leather girl as openly as possible.
2005, Oct. 14:	THOR (Trust, Honor, Order, Respect) of Orange County, CA held their first Top auction at Pistons in Long Beach.
2005, Nov. 8:	Jay Borne, owner of Second Skin Leather and a great contributor to the New Orleans/Southeast Leather community, died Tuesday, November 8 at his home. He fell from his roof while doing repairs in Louisiana. Jay Borne was 51 years old.
2005, Nov. 10:	The New York boys of Leather is formed by five founding members.
2005, Nov. 9:	David Barker, longtime Hayward resident, passed away on Wednesday morning, November 9. He had been battling AIDS for 23 years and recently cancer. David was one of the original members of the Alameda County Leather Corps and was President of ACLC twice, in 2000 and 2004.
2005, Nov. 11:	Oakland, CA, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force presented its first annual Leather Leadership Award posthumously to Dr. Tony DeBlase, co-founder of the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago and creator of the Leather Pride Flag. The award, presented in Oakland at the Task Force's 18th Annual Creating Change Conference, was accepted by DeBlase's partner of 24 years, Dr. Andrew Charles.
2005, Nov. 14:	The Chicago Hellfire Club, a brotherhood of men who share interests in gay male BDSM, voted at their Monday, November 14 meeting to support a group of charities that support the gay, Leather/SM/Fetish communities with donations totaling over $6,000 for the Leather Archives and Museum, the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, Lambda GLBT Community Services, the 15 Association of San Francisco's Sorrell Fund, GMS/MA's Hocutt-Ferguson Fund, and the Chicago MAFIA's Windhorse Fund.
2005, Nov. 18-24:	The DC Eagle in Washington, DC celebrated its 35th Anniversary.
2005, Nov. 26:	Mr. Triangle Denver Contest celebrated its 10th Anniversary.
2005, Dec. 2:	In a daring daylight raid, thieves got away with a major piece of art from The Barracks Bar in Palm Springs, CA on Friday, December 2. The piece of erotic art, interpreted by local artist William "Taurus" Webster from an original by Stephan, was secured by screws to the outside wall of the bar inside a locked patio area. The thieves removed part of the patio's wooden fencing to gain access to the area. The crime happened between 8:30 AM when the bar's cleaning man finished his work and 1 PM when the day barman arrived.
2005, Dec. 3:	Nancy Alperin and Kendra Keller claimed they were fired after they refused to expose their bosoms to the primate, and after reporting sanitary problems at Koko's home in Woodside, an upscale town south of San Francisco. The pair claimed they were threatened that if they "did not indulge Koko's nipple fetish, their employment with the Gorilla Foundation would suffer," the lawsuit alleged.
2005, Dec. 10:	The Ottawa Knights hosted its 25th Annual Toys for Tots Fundraiser at Centertown Pub in Ottawa, Canada. 940 toys were collected and $2,220 in cash donations were received for the Children's Aid Society of Lanark County and were distributed to the children and their families in the Perth, Smith Falls Region.
2005, Dec. 12:	Folsom Street Events announced the selection of Demetri Moshoyannis as executive director.
2005, Dec. 28:	United States District Court Judge Walker D. Miller issued a long-awaited ruling December 28th, 2005 on the Free Speech Coalition's motion for a preliminary injunction in Free Speech Coalition v. Gonzales, the trade association's challenge to U.S.C. 18 2257, the federal labeling and record keeping regulations.

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**2006**
Time	Event
2006, :	45 Years: Satyrs Motorcycle Club, Badger Flat Run, Los Angeles, CA. 30 Years: Corn Haulers LL, Cornball '06: XXX Wedding, Des Moines, IA. 20 Years: International Ms Leather, Omaha, NE. 15 Years: Three Rivers Leather Club, Pittsburgh, PA; Leather Archives and Museum, Chicago, IL. 10 Years: Leathermen's Discussion Group, San Francisco, CA; Mr. and Ms Oregon State Leather, Portland, OR; Mates Leather Weekend, Provincetown, MA; Mr. International Rubber, Chicago, IL. 5 Years: San Diego League of Gentlemen, San Diego, CA; CLAW (Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend), Cleveland, OH; Southern California Leather Gathering, Whittier, CA; Great Lakes Leather Alliance Weekend, Indianapolis, IN.
2006, :	Ringold Alley closed in late Spring after serving San Diego's Leather community for about five years.
2006, :	Mr. Eagle NYC Robert Valin has launched the NYC Leather Invasion Group composed of diehard leather people who are attempting to revive the "old days of leather" interaction.
2006, :	Leather Sins, a pansexual BDSM group in the Chicago Area completes its adoption of the Museum Store at the Leather Archives & Museum.
2006, :	Passing of Jan Lyon. Jan was a founding member of the National Leather Association in Seattle where she lived in 1986.
2006, Jan. 26:	Wally Sherwood, a Leatherman whose efforts at fundraising befitted the Leather communities of San Francisco, CA and New Orleans, LA over the last 30 plus years, died from renal failure in the early morning of January 26 in Dallas, TX.
2006, Jan. 28:	The U.S. Justice Department subpoenaed Google to compel the Internet search engine to turn over records on millions of its users' search queries. NCSF believes that Internet users have the right to an expectation of privacy in their web use, and supports Google's refusal to comply with the subpoena.
2006, Feb.:	First Anniversary celebrated by MAsT: Central NJ. MAsT is a community-inclusive support group for those who identify as owner/master/mistress or property/slave.
2006, Feb. 4:	The Arts and Entertainment Center saw a representation of the entire San Diego GLBT Community as the first San Diego Leather Community Awards was held.
2006, Feb. 10:	Race Bannon and the National Coalition of Sexual Freedom (NCSF) announced the transfer of management of Kink Aware Professionals to NCSF. The Kink Aware Professionals program was founded and had been managed by Race Bannon for many years.
2006, Feb. 10:	NCSF releases an Action Alert regarding TV's "Dr. Phil" and his latest hour-long special, where polyfidelity issues are discussed and "Dr. Phil" tells the couple, and the viewing audience, that polyfidelity is nothing but "cheating".
2006, Mar.:	The US Supreme Court refused to hear the Barbara Nitke case against Alberto Gonzales and his Communications Decency Act.
2006, Mar. 15:	The new reality show, Top Chef, airing on the Bravo Channel featured the Mr. S Leather and Madame S store in San Francisco, CA for its one-hour second show in the series. This show was filmed in the store in November.
2006, Apr. 5-7 :	International Ms. Leather returns to its birthplace, San Francisco, CA under the direction of Glenda Ryder.
2006, Apr. 7:	At the 10th annual Leather Leadership Conference, held in New York City April 7-9, 2006, Matt J donated the banner used for the leather, fetish and sm contingent of the 1993 March on Washington. “We found it when we were cleaning out the Leather Pride Night storage container” Matt commented. The banner is in excellent shape and has been well-preserved during LPN’s custody. The banner measures 20’ x 4’, and will be displayed in the LA&M lobby after processing.
2006, Apr. 7-9:	Nearly 350 people attended the 10th Annual Leather Leadership Conference in New York City, where the first conference was held in 1997. In attendance at the Hotel New Yorker in midtown Manhattan were elected leaders and active members of dozens of SM/Leather/Fetish groups, as well as individual community members, from 26 US states, Washington DC, three Canadian provinces and Germany.
2006, Apr. 20:	The passing of International Mr. Leather Judge Emeritus Thom Dombkowski on Thursday morning, April 20 at his home in Chicago, IL. Thomas Raymond Dombkowski was born in Rochester, N.Y., June 28, 1950, to Bernard and Helene, now deceased. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame and a law degree from DePaul University. Thom left a career with the Internal Revenue Service to devote himself to the needs of people living with AIDS.
2006, Apr. 22:	Charlie Matula and business partner Vince Quattrocchi, along with bar manager Hunter Fox, announced that the Los Angeles Leather bar Gauntlet II would become the Eagle LA.
2006, May:	Ray Castro has been the official portrait artist for some of the Leather world's most prestigious contests including International Ms Leather, International Master and slave, International Leather Sir and Leatherboy, Ms World Leather and Mr. Leatherman Toronto. Titleholders for these events have all received portraits of startling vision and passion that captured their unique qualities as champions in Ray Castro's own style. In celebration of this, the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago, IL hosted a special exhibition of Ray Castro's works during International Mr. Leather Weekend in May.
2006, May IML:	One of Chuck Renslow’s dreams came true… Who would have guessed that a small contest, held in the Gold Coast would have exploded into the largest leather event in the world and that the contest would be held at one of the premier theatres in the US, the Chicago Theatre.
2006, May 12-13:	The Bellingham Leather Men celebrated its First Anniversary the weekend of May 12-13 at Warehouse Studios.
2006, May 17:	The Leather Archives and Museum celebrated its 15th Anniversary at International Mr. Leather 2006 at the Palmer House Hilton.
2006, May:	The Chuck Renslow President’s Award is presented to CLAW Directors Dennis McMahon and Robert Miller for their continued support of the Leather Archives & Museum. Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend has donated over $10,000.00 to the LA&M since its inception.
2006, Jun. 16:	Tennessee Raptors was formed in Nashville. Espousing Old Guard or Traditional Leather values, the group had its first bar night on June 16 at their home bar, The Chute Complex.
2006, Jun.:	In San Diego, CA Pleasures and Treasures opened at the end of June. This was only a couple of months after Ringold Alley closed. Pleasures is owned by Bill Freyer of Red Hankies of San Diego fame.
2006, Jun.:	Alex Werner develops a new Road Show exhibit for the Leather Archives & Museum called "Women of Leather". It makes its debut at International Ms. Leather in July.
2006, Jun. 26:	Ramon (Ray Ray) Thomas passed away late in the afternoon of June 26th after a very brief illness in Palm Springs, CA. He was 50 years old. Memorial services were held at the Leather Archives & Museum. Ray Ray's involvement with IML goes all the way back to the very first weekend in 1979. In past years, he worked as our Food and Beverage Coordinator and, most recently, as the Co-Coordinator in charge of the Day Pass/Wristband Registration area. He was a longtime member of the Chicago Leather community and a member of what has come to be called "The Chicago Leather Family." He was very active with the "12 Step Recovery" community, and helped many newly sober Leather folk to understand they could have a life in Leather and Recovery. Ray Ray and his partner John moved to Palm Springs early in 2005 to begin a new life out in the desert.
2006, Jul. 28:	A Taste of Cine Kink - Chicago, presented by the Leather Archives and Museum, showcased feature films and videos from the best of Cine Kink NYC, the really alternative film festival, with topics that include SM, Leather and Fetish, swinging, non-monogamy and polyamory, and gender bending.
2006, Jul. 29:	The Leathermen's Discussion Group celebrated its 10th Anniversary at San Francisco's Gay and Lesbian Center.
2006, Aug. 30:	Kink Blamed for Hurricane Katrina: Southern Decadence, a world-famous LGBT event, was slated to start August 31st. According to an evangelical Christian group that regularly demonstrates at LGBT events, "Hurricane Katrina has put an end to the annual celebration of sin."
2006, Sep.:	The Leather Archives & Museum publishes a special edition of the Leather Times to commemorate its 15-year anniversary. This full color issue contained a timeline of the LA&M along with photos from opening day on Clark Street, the ribbon cutting at 6418 N Greenview and memories from staff and volunteers.
2006, Sep. 1-4:	The Satyrs Motorcycle Club's Badger Flat Run took place September 1-4 near Huntington Lake northeast of Fresno, CA. This was Badger's 45th year.
2006, Sep. 8-10:	The Corn Haulers LL of Des Moines, IA reached a milestone with Cornball '06: XXX Wedding at the Hotel Fort Des Moines, IA. The weekend will also see the 2006 fall MACC Conference.
2006, Sep. 15:	The San Diego Leatherboys held their founders meeting and first bar night at the San Diego Eagle.
2006, Sep. 17:	The 15th Annual Leather Walk saw over $21,000 raised for the AIDS Emergency Fund and the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund.
2006, Sep. 20:	Closing of the Triangle Bar in Denver, CO.
2006, Sep. 22-23:	The Chicago Leather Club held their 2006 Mini Run in Chicago, IL, which benefited the Leather Archives & Museum.
2006, Sep. 25:	The Denver Triangle closed its doors for good on or about September 25. The Triangle had served the Leather community for over 30 years and was the oldest gay bar in Colorado.
2006, Nov. 1:	The Free Speech Coalition announces its selection of Diane C. Duke as its new Executive Director.
2006, Nov. 27:	Andrew Charles passed away on Monday, November 27, 2006 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 67. He is survived by his partner of five years, Thom Butts, and his mother, Carol Goettel in Chicago.

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**2007**
Time	Event
2007, Jan. 23:	The Windy City Boys Troop celebrated five years recently with a private dinner at T's Restaurant in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago.
2007, Jan. 24:	The Chicago Leather Kennel Club has signed its charter, making it a fully functional leather organization in Chicago.
2007, Feb. 3:	Bondage Video Company Too Much Even For San Francisco... Kink, which distributes its videos on X-rated Web sites with names such as Hogtied and Men in Pain, bought the old State Armory in the Mission District for $14.5 million, saying the vacant building's dark Moorish architecture would make a perfect backdrop for fetish films.
2007, Mar.:	Alden Spafford was killed in a motorcycle accident on a freeway in the East Bay.
2007, Mar. 21:	Mr. Marcus Hernandez, columnist for the Bay Area Reporter, celebrates his 75^th birthday.
2007, Mar. 23-25:	25th Anniversary of the Mr. and Ms. Washington State Leather Contest at the Cuff Bar in Seattle.
2007, Mar. 25:	The LA&M hosts its first wedding today, between Joseph and Leslie and ordained by Mistress Joanne C. Gaddy.
2007, Apr. 10:	The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) announces that Kink.com has become its newest Corporate Sponsor.
2007, May 22:	Release date of the DVD, Mr. Leather, a documentary by Jason Garrett about the contestants vying for the Mr. L.A. Leather 2003 title.
2007, May 30:	$50,000 was raised for the Leather Archives & Museum during International Mr. Leather 2007, held over Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago. Over $29,000 was raised through daypass admissions to the infamous IML Leather Market. The remaining $21,000 was raised through a fetish gear auction, individual contributions and other fundraisers. The museum will use these funds to support its core mission of preserving and providing access to leather and fetish culture and history. The Leather Archives & Museum thanks the organizers and attendees of International Mr. Leather 2007 for their generous support of the institution.
2007, Jun. 5:	MidTangent Productions (MTP) presents their third annual production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM: A QUEER TALE. This wild adaptation, written and directed by Tony Lewis, is an adrenaline-fueled and modernized twist to the Bard’s crazed classic. It is thought-provoking, fun and even a bit heartbreaking. This year MTP decided it was time to start giving back to the LGBT community that has supported us these past few years. The show’s themes of sexuality, personal rights and forbidden desire made the Leather Archives & Museum a natural fit.
2007, Jun. 11:	Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho was arrested by a plainclothes police officer investigating complaints of lewd conduct in a men's restroom at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, according to a report just issued by Roll Call.
2007, Jun. 16:	The Leather Archives & Museum auctioned off a 1998 convertible Toyota RAV4 automobile to raise funds for the organization. The RAV4 was donated to the museum by a local Chicago man for fundraising purposes. The LA&M received $6,500.00 for the automobile.
2007, Jun. 21-27:	A display on the Leather Archives & Museum’s Teri Rose Memorial Library won second place at the Diversity Fair at the American Library Association’s 2007 Annual Conference. This prize came with a $200 gift certificate from DEMCO, a library/archives supplier and the Diversity Fair sponsor.
2007, Jul. 1:	10th Annual Butch Revue at the Hole in San Diego. This event is produced by former Ms. World, Annie Romano.
2007, Jul. 1:	In Orlando, Florida, Full Moon Saloon owner Bob Graves announced, rather abruptly, that his 18-year-old bar would close on Saturday July 1.
2007, Jul. 8:	Castro Lions 20th annual Leather & Whatever Auction at the Eagle Tavern. Over $37,000 will be distributed to worthy charities.
2007, Jul. 20:	Police have arrested a San Francisco man on murder charges stemming from what authorities believe was a sadomasochistic bondage session that ended in the victim's death. Terry D. Frazier, 40, was arrested Wednesday in the July 11^th death of former community activist Joe Konopka, 65.
2007, Jul. 21:	AIDS Emergency Fund 25th anniversary gala at the Marriott Hotel in San Francisco. This is a quarter century of AIDS activism.
2007, Jul. 22:	Fifth Folsom Fair North flourishes thanks to perfect weather. The fifth edition of the annual leather fair, FFN drew record crowds to a fenced-off area of Allan Gardens on Jul 22 in Canada.
2007, Jul. 29:	San Francisco Leather Daddy contest celebrates 25-year anniversary.
2007, Aug. 16-19:	The organization for people of color, Black Beat, holds an event in Baltimore, Maryland. Viola Johnson receives the Lifetime Achievement Award.
2007, Aug. 27:	NCSF celebrates 10 years of advocacy.
2007, Aug. 27:	An S&M dungeon run by an Allston-Brighton, MA. couple allegedly trawling the Web for johns was busted by police as part of a citywide crackdown on Internet prostitution postings.
2007, Sep. 14:	The Eagle Tavern in San Francisco celebrates its 10th anniversary.
2007, Sep. 26:	The Miller Brewing Company, a sponsor of Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco, has asked to have its logo removed from an advertising poster that has offended some Christians. However, Folsom Street Events, the non-profit organization putting on the 24th annual Folsom Street Fair put out a press release that indicated the design is the first in a series that draws from well-known paintings, album covers, movie posters or other iconic images.
2007, Oct.:	Touche Leather Bar in Chicago turns 30. Also, Galleria Domain II in Chicago celebrates its five-year anniversary.
2007, Oct.:	A special THANKS! to The Society of Janus in San Francisco for the donation of over 700 books and magazines to the Leather Archives & Museum collections.
2007, Oct. 12:	The Catholic League, Concerned Women for America and Americans for Truth have called for a boycott of Miller Brewing Company because they are one of the sponsors of Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco. "Miller is sponsoring an incredibly outrageous and palpably anti-Christian event," said Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League.
2007, Oct. 18-21:	"Hoedown," the 10th anniversary of Mr. Kentucky Leather in Louisville, KY.
2007, Oct. 20:	CellBlock/Detroit Eagle manager Dan Majewski passes away from a massive heart attack.
2007, Oct. 23:	United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit issued its decision in the case of Connection Distributing Company v Keisler striking down 2257 as unconstitutional on its face.
2007, Nov. 2-4:	Mr. Leather Ottawa contest in Ottawa - their 15th edition by the Ottawa Knights.
2007, Nov. 9-11:	25th Anniversary of the Mr. and Ms. Philadelphia Leather contest sponsored by the Bike Stop.
2007, Nov. 13:	Peter LaBarbera of American’s For Truth tries to stir up trouble for the International Mr. Rubber Contest by posting his usual blatherings on his website mentioning the LA&M and the Center on Halsted… “Rubber-men were treated to the lecture, “A brief history of kink in America,” at the Center on Halsted in Chicago on November 10. History is important to the “fetish community”: this particular presentation was made by the Leather Archives & Museum, a Chicago “museum” that caters to sadomasochists”. With a link in his story that points to the LA&M website. Unfortunately, www.leatherarchives.org only received 8 hits from the link.
2007, Nov. 23:	Bound South and the Leather Masked Ball raises over $8,000.00 for the Leather Archives & Museum.
2007, Nov. 23-25:	The LA&M Road Show makes its first debut in Canada for the Mr. Toronto Leatherman Competition. This is the first time the LA&M has exhibited in Canada, showing off its new Canadian Pride exhibit.
2007, Nov. 29:	CineKink is back in Chicago. This special showcase featured films and videos culled from the best of CineKink NYC, "the really alternative film festival," with topics that include S/M, leather and fetish, swinging, non-monogamy and polyamory, and gender bending. The films were shown at the Leather Archives & Museum in the Etienne Auditorium.
2007, Dec. 1:	The new owners and producers of ILSb and ICBB, Mark Frazier, Randal Kinnear and Lou Molnar, announce a change to the long-standing "bio-male" requirement for the ILSb contests and float the possibility of moving the content weekend to San Francisco.
2007, Dec. 2:	Jack Mackness, a founding member of Spearhead and co-owner of the legendary Leather bar, the Toolbox, passed away after a battle with cancer at the age of 76. "He was one of the community's elders," says Leatherman and friend David Adkin. "He was a true leader with a generous spirit."
2007, Dec. 17:	NCSF announces the addition of a new, full-time Executive Director, Keith Richie.

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**2008**
Time	Event
2008, Jan.:	The US Supreme Court ruled that the San Francisco Women's Motorcycle Contingent now owns the trademark of Dykes on Bikes. San Francisco Dykes on Bikes Women's Motorcycle Contingent is an organization committed to creating a local, national and international community of women motorcyclists and friends of women motorcyclists. Our mission is to support philanthropic endeavors in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and women's communities and beyond, and reach out to empower a community of diverse women through rides, charity events, Pride events and education.
2008, Jan.:	The Regiment of the Gloves and Garter forms in Los Angeles.
2008, Jan. 4:	Kasidie.com announced its launch of a new online magazine published, edited and written by one of this country's most controversial and misunderstood sub-cultures: Swingers.
2008, Jan. 14:	A German couple were fired from their jobs at a retirement home after using company expenses for an S&M vacation, instead of attending a work-training seminar. Bosses learned that "the middle-aged couple had actually taken a holiday apartment used by devotees of sado-masochistic sex near the Dutch border."
2008, Jan. 18:	In Italy you can legally record a sex tape without consulting your partner, according to the country's supreme court. The court ruled in favor of a man who was being tried for taping his bedroom antics with a former girlfriend without her consent.
2008, Jan. 20:	Ronald "Daddy Clyde" Clark passed away in Jacksonville, FL. He is survived by his life partners, Jim & Wayne.
2008, Jan. 21:	The 21st sees the first national fetish day in the UK and a concept and day that seems to be spreading around the world. The concept first mooted on an Internet forum was simple enough, a proposal that on a specified day anyone in the BDSM / Fetish scene show their support by wearing anything from an item of purple to a full purple outfit.
2008, Jan. 23:	BBC News: A goth man who leads his girlfriend around with a dog lead and collar was stopped from getting on a bus amid fears for passenger safety, a bus firm confirmed. The company said it was writing to Mr Graves "to apologize for any distress caused by the way this matter was handled".
2008, Jan. 24:	Mr. Marcus of the Bay Area Reporter gives an oral history to a crowd of over 40 people in the Etienne Auditorium of the LA&M. Seen that evening, Marcus dressed in drag singing "Down-town" in the movie Men Behind Bars.
2008, Jan. 30:	Scolding Fetish Gets Man in Hot Water: Tokyo - A lonely Japanese man has been arrested for allegedly calling directory assistance thousands of times because he liked to be scolded by female operators.
2008, Jan. 30:	Despite complaints from some alumni, the College of William and Mary is hosting the Sex Workers' Art Show on campus.
2008, Jan. 31:	In a controversial move believed to be a first by an American college, San Jose State University President Don Kassing has suspended all campus blood drives because of a longstanding government policy that bars gay men from donating blood.
2008, Jan. 31:	Some Lego fans are making the famous children's toy "more 'adult.'" The Sun, a U.K. based newspaper recently discovered Lego porn videos on YouTube that include "explicit toy action in animated video spoofs of adult films." One of the videos named, 'Crissy's Lonely Valentine's Night', starring Crissy Canyon as 'Suzie' and Eric Neverhard as 'Phone Guy', features voiceovers and saucy music.
2008, Feb. 1:	Avatar Club Los Angeles, CA celebrates 25th Anniversary.
2008, Feb. 4: