On March 30 The Leather Archives and Museum, 6418 N. Greenview Ave., and Trident International Windy City hosted the 12th Annual Trident Cupcake Wars. The yearly fundraiser hosts leather, kink and other LGBTQ+ social organizations in a friendly baking competition to raise money for Broadway Youth Center.
This year eight competitors slugged it out for the Master Baker cap, along with awards for most money raised and audience favorite. Audience members purchased a scorecard and were invited to sample the offerings, then make their choices while a team of judges picked their favorites as well.
Contestants in this year’s event included Titans of the Midwest, Illinois Bear Contest, Second City Sisters (a Chicago offshoot of the national Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence), Leather 6410, Illinois Gay Rodeo Association, Chicago Hellfire Club, Imperial Court of Illinois, and Onyx. The participants also auctioned off individual cupcakes and services to raise money.
The auction provided plenty of surprises with Justin’s (of Chicago Hellfire Club)’s grapefruit infused cupcake with handmade chocolate gold encrusted coins grossing $70, with Brad (of 6410) for his chili cheddar corn muffin and several items from his store bringing in $80.
The big winner for the auction was Major/Minor of Onyx for his extravagant chocolate cupcake with his services as a noted chef thrown in as part of the prize. Bidding went up to $100 for the entire package.
The trophy winners were all over the place with Major/Minor grabbing “fan favorite” with Duncan of yhe Imperial Court taking second and Cheshire of The Illinois Bear Contest taking third.
For “most money raised,” Emily of Illinois Gay Rodeo Association won, followed by Brad of 6410 and Major/Minor of Onyx. For the judges’ selection, Emily found herself returning to the podium as her victory upset eight-time winner Brad of 6410 with Second City Sisters in second and Chicago Hellfire Club in third. Over $12, 000 was raised by the end of the competition.
Trident International Windy City is a pan-sexual social organization based in Chicago and founded in 1993. Apart from meeting as a social group, Trident sponsors small scale fundraisers to assist in the LGBTQ+ community, with its Chili Cookoff set for the fall.
