LRA-Chicago TRANSALL play party this weekend

CHICAGO — Do you like a bit of KINK with your Gender play? Come out to the oldest pansexual BDSM club in Chicago for our first Trans(itions)(parent)(former)(sexual)(gender)(anything) Night!
LRA will be open to all (members and non-members) for socialization and PLAY on Saturday, April 9, 2016 from 8 PM to 2 AM for our first TRANSALL night!

Transgender, Crossdresser, Transvestite, Gender Fluid, Transsexual, Gender Queer, He-She, Queer, Sissy, Androgynous, FtM, MtF…

New power exchange discussion group starting in Chicago

CHICAGO — Chicago Power Exchange (formerly the D/s Roundtables discussion group) is excited to announce our next meeting and new schedule!

But wait! What is Chicago Power Exchange? It is a discussion and social group for everyone 18 and over who is involved in, exploring, or curious about power exchange relationships. This includes M/s, D/s, Sir/ boy, and Trainer relationships, as well as relationships that defy labels but incorporate consensual power exchange. Attendees do not need to be actively in a relationship to attend, and all levels of experience (including none!) are welcomed.

RAD Remedy's 2nd Birthday Party

CHICAGO — After a long week (and perhaps a day of tax prep), come re-live your childhood at Remedyland – a carnival of the games you grew up with – Hungry Hungry Hippos, Chutes and Ladders, and Don’t Break the Ice just to name a few. We’ll also have a silent auction filled with heaps and heaps of cool things!

Through the generous donation of an anonymous benefactor, everything we raise will be matched up to $2,000 so please engage in copious bidding wars on our behalf.

Food and drinks will be provided!

All funds will go to support RAD Remedy’s mission of connecting trans, gender non-conforming, intersex, and queerfolks to accurate, safe, respectful, and comprehensive care in order to improve individual and community health. To find out more about RAD Remedy and our current projects, check us out at www.radremedy.org

Suggested sliding entrance fee of $50-$25 - RSVP now at remedyland.brownpapertickets.com!

The event is wheelchair accessible (using main door of the building) and open to all ages. A note for those consuming our libations: please be 21 or older with ID and please drink responsibly.

RAD Remedy

Touché to host Bear All, April 23

CHICAGO — Touche will host a list of bear musicians with their Bear All event on April 23 in Chicago. Comedian Bryan Dowling will be the host with The Pleasure Centers, Mister E Machine, Ben Walter, and Scott Free performing.

The show starts at 10 pm at 6412 N. Clark in Chicago.

The performers are:

Leadership change at Chicago Puppy Patrol

Pup Tork

CHICAGO — Justin Hartman, aka Pup Tork, announced last week that he would be stepping down as secretary of the Chicago Puppy Patrol, one of the most active clubs in the city and one of the country’s biggest pup groups.

Tork made the announcement in an open letter to the CPP’s Facebook group last week. He stated that his commitments, which include being a board member of the International Puppy and Trainer Contest, a director for the Illinois Pup and Trainer contest, plus membership in the Windy City Boys Troop, just didn’t allow him to give his position in the CPP the attention it deserved.

Rough Crowd April: Foundations of Rough Body Play, April 10

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Inaugural Mr. Illinois Bear contest on April 15

CHICAGO — After years without a local bear contest, the first Mr. Illinois Bear and Illinois Bear Cub contests will be at Jackhammer on April 15.

Contest organizer Scott Turner, himself a former International Bear, said he started organizing the contest because there was no state or local bear contest anymore. The contest will also be a fundraiser for co-sponsor the Imperial Windy City Court’s charities (Autism Speaks and Vital Bridges) plus the court’s scholarship fund.

The winners will get medallions and patches, along with gift certificates from bear themed t-shirt vendors, gift cards from various local bars, Bear Skin undergear, $50 each from Jackhammer and adult DVDs with more prizes being added in the run-up to the contest.

(Editor's note: Great Lakes Den and Windy City Banner are media sponsors of the contest.)

The judges for the first contest are:

• Jeff Willoughby, Mr. Chicago Leather 2005
• Justin Herren, Mr. Fetish Jackhammer 2015
• Pup Ryker, Mr. Heartland Leather 2015
• Eric Masters. Mr. 501 Eagle 2016
• Christopher Clai 

Three local bears have already signed up to compete and Scott said the community response has been very good.

“We anticipate a good turnout for this event,” he said. “Being its first year and fairly quickly organized, we hope to grow it more in the coming years.”

The event page for the contest is at https://www.facebook.com/events/1506248489678679/.

April 2016 Workshops and Events at Early to Bed

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International Mr. Leather announces 2016 emcees

Lenny Broberg

CHICAGO — International Mr. Leather announced the emcees for the 2016 contest through their Facebook page today. The emcees will be Thib Guichard-Callin and Lenny Broberg.

IML management said this in their announcement:

Lenny Broberg, IML 1992 will be lending his smoky voice and infectious snark once again! Joining him this year will be French Native, Thib Guicherd-Callin! Currently a resident of San Jose, California, Thib earned 1st Runner-Up at International Mr Leather 2013.

"We are delighted that they will be co-hosting the ceremonies throughout the weekend, creating a fun-filled, sexy atmosphere that will be most enjoyable to all in attendance!," said IML Executive Producer, Chuck Renslow.

IML will be at the Congress Hotel May 27 through 20.

Thib Guicherd-Callin

Words that Bind: An Erotic Literary Event at LA&M

CHICAGO - Join us for a panel reading and discussion of erotic works by six poets, fiction writers, playwrights, graphic novelists and more, exploring the intersection of sexual desire and literature representing the LGBTQQIAA spectrum. 

Panelists include: Dale Lazarov; Nikki Patin; Philip Dawkins; and others. (See bios below.)

A Q and A follows the event, with a reception in the Guest Artists Gallery featuring beer, wine and other refreshments, as well as a chance to mingle with the night's readers. Women and Children First Bookstore will also be hosting an erotic book fair pop-up with items for purchase during the reception.

Tickets: $12 general admission, $5 for museum members and students with valid ID. Event is 21+ only, and admission includes two drink tickets.

GEAR - PIT Contest with Mr. Chicago Leather Todd Harris

CHICAGO - Last Tat-Tuesday of the month is GEAR and we celebrate scent with our infamous ArmPit Contest. This month, the brutally hot, TODD HARRIS (Chicago Mr Leather 2016) is our celebrity guest judge... WOOOOOOF! 

Come get into a little Tuesday night trouble with us, the Replay Beer & Bourbon crew. Behind the bar this week are bartenders Ryan Willing, Keith Stryker, and bareback, Victor Giorgio aka Beverly Lately. Our door whore is Richard Streetman and our foul-mouthed host, Debbie Fox is up to no good! So swing by Tuesday night from 7pm - 2am for an inked up night of debauchery!

GD2 Newcomers Social: Meet & Greet and More, April 9

CHICAGO - We had another great turnout for March's social. Nearly 75 people, with LOTS of newcomers, and of course our friendly staff and many members to welcome them.
Thank you to everyone for bringing your kinky selves and your delightful kink-filled energy to GD2!
We look forward to a big turnout for April's social!

***************

Do you want to meet other kinky, sex positive people but aren't sure where to start?
Are you curious about what a sex positive BDSM/kink club is like but nervous about attending one while it is in full swing?

Illinois Leather Family 2016 chosen in Chicago

The new Illinois Leather Family (from left): Trainer - Sir Krystoff, Puppy - Pup Scout, Ms Leather Pride - Sarah Sloane, and Leather Sir - Sir Shadi (Photo courtesy of Slade Travis)

CHICAGO - The new Illinois Leather Family was chosen at the Leather Archives & Museum in Chicago on March 19. It was the first contest under the newly formed Illinois Leather Alliance.

The new titleholders are:

IL Puppy - Pup Scout
IL Trainer - Sir Krystoff
IL Ms Leather Pride - Sarah Sloane
IL Leather Sir - Sir Shadi

The winners will go on to represent Illinois at the Great Lakes Leather Weekend in Indianapolis.

The contest also had a very successful weekend in fundraising, with more than $2,700 being raised for the travel fund.

GD2 Newcomers Social: Meet & Greet and More, Sat, Mar 12

February's social was a blast! To the 50+ newcomers, it was a pleasure to see your energy and enthusiasm. All of us at GD2 look forward to seeing more of you!
And a big thank you to the 30+ GD2 members, and of course our staff, for being so welcoming and being your usual fabulous selves.
If you haven't been to GD2 before or haven't been in a while, we hope to see you at next month's social!

Kink and Abuse/Assault/Rape Resources

CHICAGO - When abuse occurs, we all agree that it is horrible and should never happen. But it does, and it isn't going to go away.

There are many conversations that can be had about the most effective ways to deal with abuse and how to prevent it, but when we learn of allegations of abuse, first and foremost in our minds should be providing assistance to those in need.

You are not alone.

March CLAW - Where do I fit? March 24 - NEW DATE!

CHICAGO — Join us for a rousing game of where do I fit in the community and what are the roles/names that I attribute to yourself or how others might see you.

We will discuss the various terms used for people in the scene and how we define them and how the "communities" may define them.

CLAW is open to all those 19 and older living their life as a woman or queer identified that are comfortable in a womens space.

We start at 7:30 ish... this month we moved from the 3rd Thursday due to St Pats
https://fetlife.com/events/424839.

If you need the address please RSVP to clawchicago@gmail.com.

LadyMJC312
Chicago Leather Alliance of Women

Mr. Leather 64TEN Contest

CHICAGO - Come and join the crowd as judges select a new title holder that will go on to compete at International Mister Leather in May 2016. Events will be at the Leather 64Ten store and The Jackhammer Complex. 

The judges for the contest are Will Boyd-Bohaczek, Mr Wisconsin Leather 2015; Justin St. Clair, 2014 International Trainer and a producer of the Illinois Puppy Contest; Tina MacKay, deputy director of CLAW 2016; Dan Ronneberg, American Leatherman 2015; and Michael Pacas, Mr. Leather 6410 2015.

Those interested in competing for the Mr. Leather 64Ten 2016 title can pick up applications at the store, or download the application at our website, www.mrleather64ten2016.com.

WINNERS PACKAGE: VALUED AT OVER $4500!!!!

'Raggedy And' previews to benefit Chicago non-profits

Delia Kropp (center) plays poet Ondi Rivers, pictured with her wife Clem (Katurah Nelson) and their son Ben (Averis I. Anderson) in Raggedy And at Pride Films and Plays. (Photo by Paul Goyette)

CHICAGO – Pride Films and Plays is excited to present the World Premiere of David Valdes Greenwood’s comedy Raggedy And, opening March 12, 2016 at Rivendell Theater. Delia Kropp will be the first transgender actress to portray a trans character for a major Chicago stage production. And the previews for the production will benefit two non-profit organizations – Illinois Safe School Alliance on Thursday, March 10, and the Legacy Walk on Friday, March 11 – with $5 from each ticket sold for those performances benefiting the organization.

GD2 Events This Weekend

CHICAGO - Hi everyone! We hope you'll join us at one (or all!) of our events this weekend!

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26GD2 FIELD TRIP: FIFTY SHADES OF SHAKESPEARE
8:00 p.m.
Fizz Bar
3220 N Lincoln
Open to Everyone 21+
GD2 Member Discount
Before coming out to the club, check out this show from (re)discover theatre:
"an orgy of hilarious, powerful, and revealing explorations of gender-roles, sexuality, kink and relationships all told through the bard's sexiest scenes."

Leather Archives & Museum receives The Society of Janus Records and Collection

CHICAGO – The Leather Archives & Museum has received a collection of records and published materials from The Society of Janus. Janus was founded in 1974 by Cynthia Slater and Larry Olsen. SoJ has been providing support and education for people learning about BDSM in San Francisco ever since. Fifteen containers of materials were included in the donation.