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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
In-Page Table of Contents
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.
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

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.
Links
More About Chuck Renslow
- A Hero Leaves Us: Leather Folk on the Passing of Chuck Renslow by Race Bannon for the Bay Area Reporter on July 9, 2017
- Charles “Chuck” Renslow
- Legendary Chicago businessman, activist Chuck Renslow dies by Tracy Baim for the Windy City Times on June 29, 2017
- Chuck Renslow, Chicago gay community icon and International Mr. Leather contest founder, dies at 87 by Bob Goldsborough for the Chicago Tribune updated on June 3, 2018
Related Links
Further Reading on Leather and BDSM History
- The Leather History Timeline by Tony DeBlase and others
- The Leather History Timeline for Texas
- Marginalia on the Old Guard, Leather Traditions, and BDSM History by Ambrosio
- EvilMonk.org's History section contains additional resources including various articles about the "Old Guard," the Black Rose, Greenery Press, Wonder Woman, the DSM, and much more.