P R E S S R E L E A S E
Leather Hall of Fame 2018 Inductee List
December 10, 2017
The Leather Hall of Fame honors and preserves the legacy of the extraordinary people and organizations that have significantly shaped the history of the leather/BDSM communities worldwide since 1950. We are pleased to announce the 2018 inductees: International Mr. Leather (IML), Black Leather in Color, The Society of Janus (SoJ).
International Mr. Leather (IML)
IML "created" the national leather community. Started in 1979 by LHOFers Dom Orejudos (inducted 2013) and Chuck Renslow (inducted 2008), IML quickly became the first leather event to draw thousands of gay leather men from different places. Held annually over Memorial Day weekend, entire hotels in downtown Chicago transformed into leather alternate realities. The IML contest quickly became a big show on a big stage. It inspired leather title holders who were often sexy, charismatic, community leaders. Many great leather contests and events have been created since IML began; all of them in some measure inspired by IML and often founded and championed by IML participants.
Black Leather in Color
Black Leather in Color was a magazine, begun in 1994, and published somewhat irregularly at least into 2000. The tag line was "Leather on the Cutting Edge for People of Color and Their Friends." Published by a collective based in New York City, Black Leather in Color was a potent intervention with several agendas: to extend the presence of and give recognition to people of color within leather communities, to oppose racism within leather populations and to oppose anti-SM assumptions within communities of color. BLIC had a huge range of articles: features on prominent leatherfolk of color, warnings about the rising tide of right-wing anti-gay and anti-SM activities, reports on the Spanner case, as well as educational articles, art, photography and fiction. Black Leather in Color was a remarkable and pioneering publication.
The Society of Janus (S0J)
The Society of Janus is a California based BDSM education and support group, and the second oldest BDSM organization in the United States. It was founded in 1974 by the late Cynthia Slater (LHOF inductee 2014) and Larry Olsen. SoJ is nonprofit, volunteer-run and describes itself as “devoted to the art of hot, safe, consensual and non-exploitative BDSM.” The Society publishes Growing Pains, an influential and practical newsletter and community calendar. As an organization SoJ has an historic commitment to being open to persons of all genders and sexual orientations.
The Leather Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Brunch will be held during CLAW 18, April 29, 2018 in Cleveland. This marks the tenth year of the LHoF—rounding out a total of 30 inductees. 2018 is also the year of organizations being recognized (only 3 of the first 27 inductees were organizations). To learn about the Leather Hall of Fame’s previous inductees, or to make a future nomination, please visit www.leatherhalloffame.com.