CHICAGO — The Leather Archives & Museum announced today that International Mr. Leather Weekend raised $112,000.00 for the LA&M during the 2017 Memorial Day weekend event.
In addition to donations from visitors to the IML Leather Market, funds were raised at a raffle for a portable sling from Fort Troff, the LA&M annual Silent Auction, along with a matching donation of Day Pass donations from Full Kit Gear as well as funds raised by IMBB 2016 Erick Joseph during his Roast.
“IML Weekend has raised money for LA&M since co-founder Chuck Renslow first announced LA&M’s inception onstage during IML 1992 Weekend–and LA&M has received charitable donations from IML every year since. This devotion to LA&M’s preservation of community history is perhaps best described as ‘amazing,’ and we are continually thankful for the relationship Chuck cultivated and nurtured between IML and LA&M,” says Christina Court, LA&M Interim Executive Director. “Because Leather Archives & Museum is a community-based archive, museum, and library, our institution’s 26-year evolution relies almost exclusively upon the ongoing financial generosity of Leather, kink, BDSM, and fetish events, organizations, and individuals. LA&M’s staff, board and volunteer team are exceptionally grateful for these financial donations as well as all of the annual membership renewals and additional financial gifts we receive during IML Weekend (and continue to receive throughout the entire year). LA&M wouldn’t be where it is or had this kind of institutional longevity without the community’s loving assistance and charitable giving.”
LA&M celebrated 25 Years of International Mr. Bootblack during the weekend with a special Bootblack exhibit in its vendor space–because of its popularity, that exhibit is now expanded and on display in LA&M’s main museum gallery. In addition to fundraising events, hundreds of attendees enjoyed LA&M programs at the IML host hotel and the museum itself.
For ticket and hotel information about IML 2018 (May 24th to 29th, 2018) visit www.imrl.com. To obtain or renew a LA&M annual membership, visit www.leatherarchives.org.
via press release
