CHICAGO – The Leather Archives & Museum announced this week that International Mr. Leather weekend raised $78,000 for the LA&M during its 2014 event. In addition to donations from visitors to the IML Leather Market, funds were raised at a CLAW Nation silent auction, a roast of the outgoing International Mr. Leather (Andy Cross) and International Mr. Bootblack (Sammy) and other fundraising events.
Executive Director Rick Storer said “IML weekend celebrates so much of what is great about leather and fetish culture. This year, part of that greatness was a record fundraising effort to support the work of the Leather Archives. This support, combined with donations from individuals, organizations and grants makes our history come alive.” Proceeds from IML weekend account for approximately 27% of the museum’s 2014 budget.
In addition to fundraising events, hundreds of attendees enjoyed LA&M exhibits and programs at the IML host hotel and the museum itself. Programs included a screening of the new documentary “Folsom Forever”, an exhibit of Chicago Hellfire Club history and a discussion about leather history and collective memory.
