Our adventures at International Mr. Leather continue!
As you recall from our last story, we are in Chicago, Illinois attending this wacky and wonderful event. Let’s see what’s going on, shall we?
Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign
Men, men, men, men…
If you want to attend an event that is 99.9999% female-free, then this is the place to be. And there is so much happening here, we need signs to keep track of it all.
Non-stop fun at IML.
We have workshops, social events, contests, vendors, and, of course, plenty of balls.
Most of this stuff is leather.
This community is the only one I know of where calling someone a pig is a term of endearment.
Yes, it really is a museum.
The Leather Archives and Museum reminds us of the wealth of information housed in an unassuming building in Chicago. “Making leather, kink, BDSM, and fetish accessible through research, preservation, education and community engagement.” We have been there; it’s worth a visit if you are ever in Chicago.
All kinds of fun!
You just have to consider that it’s a big world and there’s something for everybody.
The fun never ends!
Raw Rods or ADBL. In both cases, click at your own risk.
I don’t know, and I didn’t ask.
After you try to figure out this one, notice the American Airlines guy. Just to his left is a display of Video Head Cleaner. Because it’s 1996, right? Yeah, I suspect that doesn’t mean what I think it means.
Wanna join my club?
I think this is an organization that imports tropical fruit for homosexual men to enjoy. Of course, I could be wrong.
Yes, they sell leather at International Mr. Leather.
You are probably thinking, “Those models look pretty gay.” And you are correct. Remember, however, that those are professional leather models. The real leather guys look more like the guy in the lower right corner.
There is a lot going on here…
Have sex in groups: Since two people can constitute a group, it could have just read, “Don’t have sex alone”.
Daddy bait could mean anything, and the behavior associated with it could be anything.
Notice the diversity of head gear. I can understand the leather caps, but why wear dorky baseball caps?
And, yes, that is a female woman person.
I’m not going in this room.
This is stupid. Every room at this hotel has a bathroom with a functioning toilet. So why would anyone come to this room just to take a dump? Man, homosexual men just don’t get it.
Buying a Harness
Almost everything here is by men for men, but I do find a small, out-of-the way booth where a woman from Mischievous Creations fashions custom-made harnesses, mostly for women.
Taking confession is a benefit of being a holy man.
So I put on a harness-fitting top and go to get fitted. Unsurprisingly, there is no line.
This is how gods get dressed: they stand there, and someone creates the clothes on them.
Individual rings are added and subtracted; but mostly added.
Working out the details.
Getting all the strands where they need to go is complicated. Plus, my boobs are significantly larger than any pecs, so there are a lot of adjustments that need to be made.
Ta da!
Here we have the final result. What do you think?
Bootblacking
A bootblack is a person who enjoys taking care of leather, and sometimes provides that endeavor as a service for those who have leather that needs caring.
Bessie needs lovin’.
Bessie, my leather skirt made from one piece of one cow, is both a challenge and a thrill for my bootblack.
Spray and shine.
Rather than using the time-honored spit shining method of bring the best out of leather, today’s modern artist uses a bottle of water that is sprayed on. Good thing, too, because Bessie would dehydrate the poor girl.
Rub it in, rub it in.
Mostly, boot blacking involves rubbing the leather.
You go, girl!
She seems to be spending a lot of time on my backside. Well, I guess that’s where most of the leather is.
Bessie has a train.
This whole process takes about 30 minutes. She is very thorough.
This is not usually what I mean when I say I am scissoring someone.
Tiny threads must be accounted for.
More boot blackery.
Yes, there are also male boot blacks.
I’m shiny.
Before long, my leather tuxedo jacket shines like, well, shiny leather.
Okay, enough boot blacking. Time for a photoshoot!
Rainbow Scarf Photoshoot
When visiting Scandinavia a while ago, I purchased a rainbow scarf at a gay pride event. I have it with me now, so let’s have some fun with it!
All the colors of the … Pride flag.
You would think that, with modern science and such, one could make a rainbow scarf with the colors of the rainbow. But, perhaps those colors are trademarked or something.
Wheeee!
I’m showing my Pride, Chicago-style.
Where are all the people? Maybe they don’t like sunny, warm weather here…
Yes, the horizon is tilted, but it makes me look like I’m running downhill.
I’m bringing a little color to this place.
The Windy City isn’t very windy today, so I have to pretend.
Taking a break.
Even professional rainbow scarf models need to take a break after running around Grant Park.
Somewhere, over the rainbow…scarf.
Here is that Indian guy again, stretching as if pulling a bowstring and wearing a full feather hat.
Adjusting the girls.
Scoops. Get it? Ha ha. I crack myself up.
The Fountain of Buckingham.
You may remember from our last article that the buildings at night are brightly lit. However, in the day, I am by far the brightest thing around.
Rainbow scarves are good for sitting, too.
As you ladies (and some gentlemen) know, sitting in a short skirt on, well, everything, can have some hygiene issues. Bringing your own scarf solves that problem!
Smile.
My shoes look like they have little spikes on them, but it’s just shiny beads.
Yup, you need a scarf to pose in a short skirt.
We hired special security to keep all cars and people away from us during the photoshoot. Or so it seems…
This pose again.
Remember the Purple Tights photoshoot from the last article when I was standing like this in purple tights and people in cars honked at me? Well, it’s happening again.
The real Chicago.
We find a spot showing the filth and disgusting conditions of the City, and do our best to bring a little grace and charm to the place. I think it works, don’t you agree?
The end.
My husband always insists on a photograph like this to end any thong/bikini or short skirt series. I oblige, as long as I can still show my rainbow scarf I got in Scandinavia at a gay pride event. Look closely; can you see it?
Pets
People like pets. And some people like being pets…as our long-time readers already know! Well, leathermen are no exception.
Perfect play place fur pets.
It’s early, and the pets are still gathering.
Notice the stylized Leather flag with the bone…which, in my opinion, given the activities here, should be the official flag.
Let the fun begin!
All pets are allowed, but we see only puppies and an occasional trainer.
You are happy I put that star there.
You know how dogs sniff each other’s butts to help recognize them…?
Just good, old-fashion fun, amirite?
A sign of the times.
You might think, “Those lucky Chicago pups! They have their own club!” But, chances are, there are pet events in your town. Because everyone loves pets.
Who’s a good boy!
See the joy and connection between the owner and his pup? This is why they do this. Love: it’s universal.
That’s all for now, but come back next time when we attend the International Mr. Leather contest!!