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International Mr. Leather invades Chicago this weekend
May. 22, 2013 - , International Mr. Leather welcomes the leather and fetish world to Chicago this Memorial Day Weekend as more than 50 contestants from across the U.S. and around the world will compete for the title of International Mr. Leather 2013.
IML began in 1979 when about 400 gay leathermen gathered in Chicago. Today, the event has grown to be an annual tradition for the leather community drawing contestants and thousands of attendees to the Windy City over Memorial Day Weekend. Once an event for "hardcore" leathermen, IML has expanded in recent years to include a more diverse crowd from the experience to the curious.
IML XXX5 will be held Friday, May 24 through Monday, May 27 in Chicago. The Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, 540 North Michigan Avenue, is the official host hotel for the weekend.
The Mr. Leather Contest is Sunday, May 26 at The Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. Beverly McClellan, who made the final four on NBC's The Voice, will provide entertainment. International Mr. Leather contestants are judged on a variety of criteria including community involvement, speech, presentation and overall presence.
This year's judges are: Woody Woodruff, Farmington Hills, MI – International Mr. Leather 2012; Pup Nitro Hankinson, Atlanta, GA – Co-Founder of the Hotlanta Rubber and Gear Club
and International Leather boy 2011; Hardy Haberman, Dallas, TX – Author, Filmmaker and "Pain Technologist"; Uwe Langer, Hamburg, Germany – Founding Member of Spike Hamburg; Murray Lavigne, Ottawa, Ontario – Past President and Executive Board Member of the
Ottawa Knights, Past Producer of Mr. Leather Ottawa (MLO); Patrick Mulcahey, San Francisco, CA – Lecturer, Presenter and Program Director of the San Francisco Leathermen's Discussion Group; Brent Seeley, Portland, OR– Mr. Oregon State Leather 2009 and Vice President of Blackout; Leather Productions; Rik Newton-Treadway, Baltimore, MD – Community Activist and President of Hooker and Boys; Lolita Wolf, New York, NY – Presenter, Author, Blogger and everyone's favorite 'Leather Yenta'.
The popular Leather Market, where attendees can view the wares of over 100 official IML vendors, will take place in the 5th and 7th floor ballrooms of the host hotel.
Last year's event drew more than 15,000 leatherfolk from around the globe.
Fri., May 24
8 - 11 p.m.
IML XXX5 Opening Ceremonies
Get to know the contestants, judges, and ultimately, the new International Mr. Leather, to be chosen at the contest on Sunday.
The Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave.
Single tickets available ONLY at 5th floor Ticket Sales Desk, Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, 540 N. Michigan Ave. (IML host hotel)
Sat., May 25
3 - 5 p.m.
Chicago Hellfire Club Annual IML Cocktail Social
Meet and greet the members of the Chicago Hellfire Club, now celebrating its 42nd year at this annual Club charity fundraiser.
4th Floor Ballroom, Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, 540 N. Michigan Ave. (IML host hotel).
Sun., May 26
5 - 9:30 p.m.
35th Annual International Mr. Leather Contest
Doors open at 5 p.m., contest begins at 6 p.m. Entertainment by Beverly McClellan. Proudly sponsored by Miller Lite.
The Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St.
Buses start from host hotel at 4 p.m.
9 p.m. - 4 a.m.
IML Victory Party
Spanish DJ Dani Toro makes his Chicago debut as the new International Mr. Leather is celebrated. More info at www.circuitmom.com
House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St.
Mon., May 27
8 p.m. - 4 a.m.
Black and Blue Ball
Featuring DJs Matthew Harvat and Ralphi Rosario. More info at www.circuitmom.com
Castle Nightclub, 632 N. Dearborn St.
IML Leather Market
Fri., May 24, Noon - 7 p.m.
Sat., May 25, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sun., May 26, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Mon., May 27, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
International Mr. Leather 2013 includes a full weekend of events, view complete listings on CalendarQ from ChicagoPride.com and Windy City Times.
For a complete guide to IML, pick up the current issue of Nightspots magazine, which is the official guide to IML XXX5, available at the host hotel and normal locations. You can also download the full guide at www.windycitymediagroup.com/images/publications/nightspots/2013-05-15/current.pdf.
CDPH: Meningococcal disease case reported in Chicago
May. 22, 2013 - , The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has reported a single case of meningococcal disease in a man, known to be a gay resident of Chicago, similar to those reported among gay and bisexual men in Los Angeles and New York earlier this year.
CDPH spokesperson, Brian Richardson, told ChicagoPride.com that this is the only case reported in Chicago this year. "There is no reason to believe that there is an outbreak," he stressed.
Richardson said the man, whose case was reported to CDPH May 12, has fully recovered.
Public health officials have been on alert since Brett Shaad, a 33-year-old West Hollywood lawyer died April 12 after attending an Easter gathering for gay men in Los Angeles.
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can cause the lining around the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed. As many as 1 in 5 people who develop this meningitis have serious complications, including brain damage, hearing loss, learning disabilities and death. If caught early, it can be effectively treated with antibiotics.
Meningococcal disease can be spread through close contact with someone who is infected, especially through coughing, sneezing, and intimate contact like kissing. Health officials note that, though contagious, it is less contagious than the common cold.
Symptoms usually develop over seven to ten days and may include fever, severe headaches and a stiff neck as well as nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, confusion or decreased level of consciousness. People who have certain immune system deficiencies, including those who do not have spleens are at greater risk of infection.
CDPH recommends frequent hand washing, covering your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing and not sharing drinks or cigarettes. They also recommend safe sex practices and awareness of partner health issues.
Richardson said CDPH will have staff available at IML this weekend to answer questions.
If you believe you have been exposed to meningococcal disease or are experiencing the above symptoms, see a medical provider immediately.
CDPH spokesperson, Brian Richardson, told ChicagoPride.com that this is the only case reported in Chicago this year. "There is no reason to believe that there is an outbreak," he stressed.
Richardson said the man, whose case was reported to CDPH May 12, has fully recovered.
Public health officials have been on alert since Brett Shaad, a 33-year-old West Hollywood lawyer died April 12 after attending an Easter gathering for gay men in Los Angeles.
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can cause the lining around the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed. As many as 1 in 5 people who develop this meningitis have serious complications, including brain damage, hearing loss, learning disabilities and death. If caught early, it can be effectively treated with antibiotics.
Meningococcal disease can be spread through close contact with someone who is infected, especially through coughing, sneezing, and intimate contact like kissing. Health officials note that, though contagious, it is less contagious than the common cold.
Symptoms usually develop over seven to ten days and may include fever, severe headaches and a stiff neck as well as nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, confusion or decreased level of consciousness. People who have certain immune system deficiencies, including those who do not have spleens are at greater risk of infection.
CDPH recommends frequent hand washing, covering your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing and not sharing drinks or cigarettes. They also recommend safe sex practices and awareness of partner health issues.
Richardson said CDPH will have staff available at IML this weekend to answer questions.
If you believe you have been exposed to meningococcal disease or are experiencing the above symptoms, see a medical provider immediately.
Bob Costas: Jason Collins is 'perfect' as first openly gay professional athlete
May. 22, 2013 - , Sportscaster Bob Costas believes Jason Collins was the "perfect guy" to become the U.S.'s first openly gay professional athlete.
Collins, a 34-year-old 12-year NBA veteran, came out gay two weeks ago on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
"I think he's a perfect candidate for a couple of reasons," Costas told CNN's Piers Morgan. "One. He's obviously an extremely bright, well educated guy, and he's able to understand, and if he chooses to, speak articulately about the issue. But also, he's been in the league for a long time. So some of these vague notions that players may have – 'Well, geez how will he act in the locker room? [Do] we want to take a shower with him?' – you know, all that sort of thing. Well, wait a minute, not only has he been in the league for 12 years, he's been with a half-dozen teams. He's probably been a teammate of yours or a teammate of someone who you know. And none of these fears has ever come to pass."
"He's the perfect guy to deflect all of these either bigoted, or, let's be kind, some people are uncomfortable and haven't come around on it yet. He's the perfect person to give the lie to those notions," he added.
Collins, a 34-year-old 12-year NBA veteran, came out gay two weeks ago on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
"I think he's a perfect candidate for a couple of reasons," Costas told CNN's Piers Morgan. "One. He's obviously an extremely bright, well educated guy, and he's able to understand, and if he chooses to, speak articulately about the issue. But also, he's been in the league for a long time. So some of these vague notions that players may have – 'Well, geez how will he act in the locker room? [Do] we want to take a shower with him?' – you know, all that sort of thing. Well, wait a minute, not only has he been in the league for 12 years, he's been with a half-dozen teams. He's probably been a teammate of yours or a teammate of someone who you know. And none of these fears has ever come to pass."
"He's the perfect guy to deflect all of these either bigoted, or, let's be kind, some people are uncomfortable and haven't come around on it yet. He's the perfect person to give the lie to those notions," he added.
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