Two weeks ago, I was packing my bag for the trip to Chicago for International Mr. Leather (IML). I had missed IML 2007 due to a family obligation and had been looking forward to IML 2008.
If you are not familar with IML, here is a link where you can find out all about it:
From the moment you enter the front doors of the Hyatt Regency Chicago, you know that you have arrived at IML - seeing the men in leather, uniforms, rubber, etc.
It's always fun to visit the Chicago gayborhood known as Boystown and the bars and clubs there and in the new gayborhood of Andersonville. Some of the bars we visited this trip were CellBlock, Chicago Eagle and SideTrack. Maybe I should always wear my military camos to SideTrack in the future - as I got more attention there than I ever have.
One of the highlights of the weekend was the Chicago Spanking Party at the host hotel. The group has other parties throughout the year, but the annual event during IML is the biggest gathering with over 100 spankos from all over the country. You can get on the email distribution list for the Chicago Spanking Party at this link:
Other highlights of the weekend were the IML Victory Celebration at House of Blues on Sunday night and the Black & Blue Ball at Excalibur on Monday night. Even saw a cute twink getting spanked and strapped by his equally twinky bud at the Black & Blue Ball.
The Leather Market is also a lot of fun with hundreds of vendors and their kinky wares - along with the hot guys you encounter while shopping and cruising around the Leather Market.
I also visited the Leather Archives & Museum [my first time to do so] during the IML weekend. Here is a link to the website for the Leather Archives & Museum:
If you have the opportunity, you should visit the LA&M and see the artwork and exhibits. If you are a fan of Etienne [Dom Orejudos] and his art, it is definitely worth the trip.
I found one of Etienne's works related to spanking and posted it earlier. Here is a link to the earlier post:
I don't attend IML to participate in or see the leather contest - although the winner this year is definitely a hot leather man. Here is a link to a pic of the International Mr. Leather 2008:
IML 2008 was a lot of fun and I am looking forward to 2009.
