Pictured The Leather Archives lounge.
The Leather Archives & Museum, 6418 N. Greenview, opened a new exhibition May 25 in its main gallery, according to a press release. The new Oral History Lounge allows patrons to sit and listen to historic interviews from the collections of the LA&M. The first two histories playing in the lounge are from Thom Dombkowski and Janus Ranier. Thom Dombkowski was a Chicago leatherman who served as chief judge of the International Mr. Leather competition for many years. Janus Ranier has been publishing erotic publications and working as a dominatrix in the New York and New Jersey area for more than 40 years. The exhibition will rotate on a periodic basis.
‘The oral tradition is very important to the leather community’ said exhibit curator Jeff Wirsing. ‘The intimacy of sexual exploration leaves gaps in the documentation of this subculture. Oral histories help fill those gaps by recording the memories and emotions of its participants.’ Wirsing serves as the Operations Manager for the LA&M. For more information on hours and visitation to the Leather Archives, please visit www.leatherarchives.org or call 773-761-9200.