Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, will host Leather 101, a four-week lecture/discussion series on the history of the leather community, 7-9 p.m. beginning Wed., April 22.
Leatherman Mark Austin (Finalist, 2007 IML) and Mistress Joanne Gaddy (retired Mistress of IML) will welcome all LGBT, straight or questioning leather novices as they discuss four important eras in leather history—the beginnings of leather post-WWII; the leather world during the gay-liberation movement; the loss of many in the leather community to complications of HIV/AIDS; and the influence of the internet on the leather community.
Admission is $5. For more information and to RSVP, contact Tom Ballentine at tballentine@centeronhalsted.org or call 773-472-6469 ext. 245.