The Chicago Den will be going on hiatus for the time being. Monetary and time limits have forced us to take some time off in our coverage of the Chicago leather community.

The site will remain online and work will continue on videos we have been producing.

(Chicago Den photos by Tom Wray)

From Jeff Willoughby:

Just wanted to say Thanks to all of the folks who helped with our Annual CLAW Nation Party @ Touche. If I leave anyone out please forgive me. It does not mean that your contribution was\is any less than others. I just forgot to thank you is all. Thanks to your generosity we were able to raise over $1500 for BeHIV. So here goes...
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The Leather Archives & Museum is pleased to announce the launch of our new Research Services Program! An extension of the services already provided by our dedicated staff and volunteers, our goal is to make our vast collection of BDSM materials more accessible to the public.

Our new program is staffed by a diverse group of professionals and volunteers, bound together by their desire to serve your research needs. You can easily reach us via our web site, telephone, e-mail, and even online chat. Calls and e-mails are accepted during our operating hours of Thursday-Friday 11AM-7PM, and Saturday-Sunday 11AM-5PM.

Live, online chat is available on Sundays from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM CT during our testing of this service. Online chat hours will be expanded in the future. We are using cutting-edge Meebo technology that allows users to chat live with our researchers directly from our web site. No software or messenger accounts are required, and since you can reach us from home, even clothing is optional!

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From Larry G.:

The L.R.A. successor to one of Chicago's oldest BDSM Social Clubs in furtherance of its mission of providing educational and social opportunities to the Chicago Alternative Community proudly announces EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT CORSETS OR THE TIES THAT BIND on February 28, 2009.

The LRA is honored to have Gary and Dianne of Skyscraper heels share their wonderful knowledge regarding this very erotic piece of attire. Gary has been the owner and impetus behind Skyscraper heels for the last eleven years. Through his hard work he has provided shoe and boot lovers with wonderful hand made American products in all widths and sizes. Thanks to Gary Chicagoans also have access to Vollers’ line of corsets. Vollers is one of the premier corset makers in Great Britain manufacturing amazing garments since 1899. If you have always been curious about these wonderful and erotic garments you do not want to miss this!!!

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CLAW Nation Chicago is one week away and the prizes are piling up for this event with the addition of a Vintage Motorcycle. Details are below. The Men of ONYX Chicago and the Windy City Boys Troop will be joining us for a great evening of fundraising for Better Existence with HIV. More information for BeHIV can be found at www.behiv.org.
 
FEBRUARY 28, 2009
TOUCHE CHICAGO
6412 N. CLARK
 
The party will start at 10PM in the club room at Touche with the Sponsor's Cocktail Reception. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple with limited open bar courtesy of Touche and complimentary buffet donated by Ole Ole located at 5413 N Clark St, Chicago, IL. The first 50 people will get a special gift from Touche, Kaos Kontrol and Better Existence with HIV! At midnight we move the party to the front of the bar with raffles and jello shots by the Men of ONYX and Windy City Boys Troop. Our grand prize again will be a 19" Flat Screen Television! Other prizes include passes to Steamworks, a two night stay at House 5863, JVC DVD\VCR Combo unit, 4 $50 bar tabs for Jackhammer, $50 Gift Certificate from Caliber Leather, Toys from Leathersport and 2 $50 gift certificates from Vex Clothing! Our Hot Jock Contest will take place at 1AM...the winner gets a CLAW Package!!!
 
AS IF THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH!!!!! READ ON
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We’re halfway through the work week and you should be thinking about what you’re going to do this weekend.  Of course there’s the usual, laundry, shopping and house chores to catch up on. You aren’t working all week to do just that are you?

Thought so. 

That’s why we’ve been planning some fun stuff at Touché this weekend for you to come out and cut loose.  After all, Mardi Gras will be in full swing in New Orleans and if you’re like me are still here in Chicago but just as eager to party.  So let’s get wild!!!

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Hurry Almost Sold Out!

SINSations In Leather 2009!
March 6-8, Chicago Area

SINSations 2009 is featuring a HUGE Fetlife party and "meet and greet" where you'll meet founder John Baku and hundreds of Fetlife members (fetlife.com) looking to meet new play partners!

Daytime educational classes for everyone, no matter what your experience level. Friday and Saturday night massive play parties in our 12,000 sq. ft. private play space. Lots of great shopping, surprises and more!

We're Turning Up The Heat!

Event Info is at: http://sinsationsinleather.com/

REGISTER AT: http://sinsations2009.eventbrite.com

Discounted Hotel Rooms & Affordable Meal Packages Still Available

This is a revitalization of the INDIANA LEATHER SIR/boy and MS contest held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The meet & greet will be held on Friday April 10th at Greg's Place in Indianapolis. The contest will be held on Saturday April 11th at the 501 Eagle in Indianapolis.

This is not a contest of outer beauty. This is a contest of inner beauty and Leather Pride.

Are you or someone you know interested in competing? Soon the competition requirements for before and after will be posted here. Until then, any questions can be sent to: indianaleathercontest@gmail.com

We would very much like to thank our sponsors thus far and in no particular order:
MAsT Indianapolis http://www.mast.net/chapters/indy/index.htm
Indy Munch http://home.comcast.net/~indianapolismunch/
IMAS http://www.imas-bdsm.com/
NLA-Indy http://nlaindianapolis.com/

We are supported by many local groups and are always looking for more support. If you are interested in helping out, contributing to the silent auction or assisting in any other way, please contact the email above.

Hurry! SINSations in Leather 2009
REGISTRATION CLOSES NEXT WEEK!

It's going to be HOTTER than ever!
Chicago Area March 6th - 8th 2009
Registration Closes February 25, 2009 at Midnight

Extraordinary Presenter Line-Up
A Huge Meet and Mingle Kick-Off Party
FetLife Get-Together with FetLife Creator John Baku
32 Top Notch Educational Classes, many hands-on!
Fully Equipped, 12,000 Sq Ft. Play Space with Staging Tables!
Fresh New Vendor Marketplace for the best in shopping
Road Show Displays from the Leather Archives and NCSF
Silent Auction to benefit the Leather SINS "We Care Charities"
Many New Surprises for 2009!

We have something for everyone. beginners and seasoned players alike!

Event Info is at: http://sinsationsinleather.com/

REGISTER AT: http://sinsations2009.eventbrite.com
Discounted Hotel Rooms & Affordable Meal Package

TURN UP THE HEAT!

The Leather Archives & Museum Announces:

THE OTHER SIDE OF DESIRE: Four Journeys into the Far Realms of Lust and Longing By Daniel Bergner

Join us the evening of February 26th 7pm until 9pm and meet the author of an amazing new book that is sure to captivate us all

How do we come to be who we are, sexually? How do we cope with the forces of desire? Is it possible to change this most intimate part of ourselves if our sexual desires are at odds with what is considered "normal"? New York Times Magazine staff writer Daniel Bergner raises these questions and many more in THE OTHER SIDE OF DESIRE: Four Journeys into the Far Realms of Lust and Longing

The latest work by this award-winning journalist, THE OTHER SIDE OF DESIRE is an exploration of human sexuality illuminated by four provocative and personal stories of people whose sexual desires fall outside the norm: a devoted husband wracked with anguish over an insatiable foot fetish, a clothing designer who finds ecstasy in the pain of others, a man infatuated with his young stepdaughter, and an advertising director who casts traditionally beautiful models but who is attracted only to amputees. By delving deeply into his subjects' lives, and by talking with modern-day Kinseys-experts in the fields of psychology and neurology who focus on sexual behavior-Bergner raises unsettling questions about morality, responsibility, and sexual longing. Fascinating and profoundly insightful, THE OTHER SIDE OF DESIRE compels readers to look at sexuality-and human behavior-in a completely different light.

Daniel Bergner is a staff writer for the New York Times Magazine and the author of two books of nonfiction, In the Land of Magic Soldiers, a Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year, and winner of an Overseas Press Club Award and a Lettre Ulysses Award for the Art of Reportage,and God of the Rodeo, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. Bergner's writing has also appeared in Granta, Harper's, Mother Jones, The New York Times Book Review, and on the op-ed page of the New York Times.