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About Chuck Renslow

Chuck was one of the most consequential leathermen of the long 20th century; his impact was vast and spanned many decades. He left indelible marks on so many areas of leather social life, among them: producing iconic gay male erotica, running one of the earliest and longest lasting leather bars, and building the leather contest system from a big but mostly local party into a major international institution. But to my mind, his most significant contribution was his role in establishing and maintaining the Leather Archives and Museum. Chuck gave the LA&M its legal corporate structure, but in addition he quietly made sure it had enough funds to operate for many years. He also made the LA&M the ongoing beneficiary of IML. Although many others, such as Tony DeBlase, made key contributions to the LA&M, Chuck did more than any other single individual to grow the LA&M and to secure its future. In doing so, he made it possible to secure a future for the leather past.
- Gayle Rubin

Short Biography

Chuck Renslow (August 26, 1929 – June 29, 2017) was a pivotal force in establishing gay and leather culture in the U.S., particularly in Chicago. He was a photographer, businessman, and activist, known for his early homoerotic male physique photography and for founding influential institutions such as the Gold Coast bar, one of the first leather bars in the U.S., and Man’s Country bathhouse. In 1979, Renslow launched the International Mr. Leather (IML) competition, which became a cornerstone of the leather community worldwide.

Renslow also co-founded the Leather Archives and Museum in 1991 with Tony DeBlase, preserving the history and culture of leather, kink, and BDSM communities. Beyond his contributions to the leather scene, Renslow was a dedicated activist, playing a key role in Chicago's gay rights movement. He published GayLife newspaper, founded several gay magazines, and was deeply involved in local and national politics, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. Over his lifetime, he built a business empire that included bars, gyms, photo studios, and publications.

He was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 1991 and received numerous awards for his contributions to the gay and leather communities.

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His Published Biograpghy

Tracy Baim and Owen Keehnen Leatherman: The Legend of Chuck Renslow. (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform: Scotts Valley, CA, 2011) ISBN-10: 1461096022. ISBN-13: 978-1461096023

Book Cover

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Videos

Chuck Renslow Chicago Eagle Interview (11:36)
from Leather Archives & Museum
Dec 11, 2014
To celebrate the Eagle Rises on December 13, 2014, LA&M volunteer Christina interviewed Chuck Renslow on the history of the Gold Coast and the Chicago Eagle leatherbars in Chicago.

IML’s Tribute to Chuck Renslow (9:41)
from Leather Archives & Museum
Dec 11, 2014

Chuck Renslow Talks about Unity (9:58)
from Leather Archives & Museum
Mar 28, 2008 In his key note speech to the attendees of Kinky College in 2006, Chuck Renslow talks about unity among the Leather Community.

A Fireside Chat with Chuck Renslow (58:57)
from Leather Archives & Museum
Apr 18, 2015

Out in Chicago - Chuck Renslow (1:10)
Oct 7, 2011
Chuck Renslow, North Side, describes the dynamics of multiple relationships as a Leather Daddy.

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