Once again, Chuck Renslow, President of IML (and self-proclaimed world representation of all leatherman) is trying to force the leather community to do as he commands, as you can see in the note below from IML's home office:
Dear Vendors:
On behalf of International Mr. Leather, Inc., I would like to thank you for your past support and in particular for your participation as a vendor in our annual Leather Market. We are writing you today to inform you of a policy change affecting next year (2010) and all future markets.
Though we are now three decades into the HIV/AIDS epidemic, no cure has been found. The CDC and local health officials inform us that new infections are on the rise. And, while we have had some success developing medications that might make infection more manageable, that accomplishment comes at a price. Not having experienced the deaths - the loss of loved ones -- which preceded these medications, we have an entire generation who may not fully appreciate or comprehend the severity of the situation.
Too many in our community believe HIV/AIDS is curable or manageable. Too few understand that HIV/AIDS infections dominate life. We believe that it is our duty to inform and educate. Several years ago when “Meth” was the scourge of our community, IML drew a line in the sand and raised awareness and used all our influence to try and stop this addictive madness. As is the case with HIV/AIDS, we believe it is our further obligation to do everything in our power to prevent future infections.
To that end, after considerable discussion, the Executive Committee of International Mr. Leather has decided that it will no longer allow participation in the IML Leather Market by any entity which promotes barebacking or distributes/sells any merchandise tending to promote or advocate barebacking. This restriction will also apply to distribution of gifts, post cards or any other information via our facilities.
This policy takes effect immediately.
Sincerely,
Chuck Renslow, President
International Mr. Leather
Although I don't personally agree with barebacking/barebackers, outlawing the sale of bareback media at IML is unconscionable. He's not going to stop nor prevent barebacking, just as he didn't stop the use/sale of methamphetamines in the leather community three years ago with his little speech about the evils of them. He's only going to push the barebacking community deeper underground.
It's virtually the same as when Rudy Giulian closed all the bath-houses in NYC when the AIDS epidemic started. It didn't stop sex from happening -- it just pushed it underground. When something is underground and hidden from view, there's no way to easily educate men who are partaking in such events...
Barebacking videos, photos and stories provide a safe alternative to the real thing. Any adult (and only adults are allowed into the marketplace) knows the risks of barebacking. Censoring barebacking media from IML is NOT the answer!!
If Chuck succeeds in getting his way, what's next? No fisting or watersports? No bondage or S&M? This is a slippery slope, Chuck. Who are you to dictate to the leather community what they can buy, watch or do behind closed doors?
Furthermore, consider that IML (in general) has been losing touch with it's roots, as can be seen in what Vern Stewart wrote: "For many hardcore leather men attending IML 30, thoughts and questions ranged from; is this a costume party? to, what has cartoon characters and spider man dress ups have in common with leather? The curious came in droves and departed with their mouths hanging open. Hardcore leather men, spent most of the weekend shaking their head and ‘ trying to remember if ever in their life had they ever dressed like who they were looking at. Leather has taken on a completely new look with the youth of today. Our future leather leaders will have their work cut out for them in attempting to bridge the gap from yesteryear to the future."
Spiderman costumes? What's next? Wonder Woman?
For the past ten years, the IML beauty pageant (contest) has been a joke. Most people going to IML don't bother going to the contest portion of the event -- they go to the leather market, local bars and private parties in the host hotel... Over the same weekend is the Chicago Bear Weekend. At least they're more masculine than someone in a Spiderman outfit!
You'll find me at Bear Weekend instead in 2010!
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![]() Happy American Independance Day I just locked in a trip to Boston, London (Sept '09) and San Francisco (Folsom St '09) into Where's Chaz! Check my schedule at http://chazhome.com/WheresChaz -- maybe I'll be in your neighbourhood soon! I rode my motorcycle from Manhattan, NY to Lyndonville, NY on Thursday/Friday with a Thursday night stop-over in Hemlock, NY, then drove straight home from Lyndonville, NY to Manhattan yesterday (the 28th of June). I just managed to stay behind of one storm-front and ahead of another storm-front, thus avoiding wet roads, rain and nasty riding conditions.
Photos from my recent trip are online here! CanAm Weekend: 14-18 May 2009 Photos from our trip can be seen here. We also took a helicopter ride -- which you can see in its entirety here. Prop 8 Protest in Union Square: 26 May 2009 On Tuesday we got the devastating news that California upheld Prop 8. We marched and protested in New York. See photos here. ECMC Biker Weekend: 29-30 May 2009 This weekend is the 45th Annual Empire City Motorcycle Club's Bike Blessing and Biker Picnic! For details, please read this or CALL ME! Chaz in Asia: 01-13 June 2009 Tue 02-JUN-09 I arrive in Bangkok around midnight and meet up with KK. - Check into the Babylon B&B Wed 03-JUN-09 Leisurly stroll around Bangkok, dinner with KK's local friends... most likely at the Navy Pier, behind the royal palace grounds, adjacent to the river. Thu 04-JUN-09 Leisure day around Bangkok. Check out of Babylon B&B and check into Dusit Thani hotel. Fri 05-JUN-09 Touring sights outside of Bangkok: the floating market in Damnersaduak, bridge by River Kwai and tiger sanctuary in Katchanaburi. Sat 06-JUN-09 A nice, lazy morning, checkout and last minute shopping. We then depart for Hong Kong. I will be on Emirates EK384, KK will be taking Kenya KQ860. Take express train into Hong Kong island, check into IBIS Northpoint. We'll have dinner and laze around until Susan's arrival (a friend from NYC). Sun 07-JUN-09 Dim sum in Hong Kong with Tina. Most likely going to the south side of the island (Aberdeen or Stanley) for dim sum. May be able to take a sampan ride and see the boat village. Shopping in Stanley Market. Dinner and cocktails in Central/MidLevels on Hong Kong island. Mon 08-JUN-09 Kowloon/TsimSaTsui. Exploring the side streets. Tue 09-JUN-09 A day trip to Macao. Perhaps a little gambling action on the side. Wed 10-JUN-09 Trip to Ocean Park and ride the roller coaster! Thu 11-JUN-09 Hong Kong Disneyland on Lantau Island. Check out of IBIS Northpoint Hong Kong island, check into Novotel Citygate Lantau island. Fri 12-JUN-09 I depart to return home.... Where's Chaz (When in NYC)? Several folks have asked me: Where exactly do I live in Manhattan? Well, here are two angles of my flat: ![]() ![]() The first photo is a view of our building from the south, looking north. The second photo is from the east, facing west. I know my blog entries have been sparse lately -- sorry about that. At least my photo album is filling up!! FYI: Chaz' Jukebox remains OFFLINE until I get a new hard drive for the RAID array for the new Chazhome server. GBBB12 Great British Bear Bash! After recovering from my UK trip (London, Salisbury, Bath, Cardiff, Nottingham and then Manchester for the Great British Bear Bash #12), it was the New Star Trek movie with Empire City Motorcycle Club & the New York Bear Den, The Urban Bear Weekend and Furball in NYC! No time to rest -- it was off to Rochester, NY for the Rochester Rams CanAm weekend (hosted by the Ottawa Knights) for Victoria Day Weekend! Tomorrow it's up to Boston and New Hampshire to get my motorbike out of cold storage for the MMA's Storm the State House run! Then -- I return to NYC Thursday night to pack for Orlando, FL for Memorial Day weekend! ... but wait, there's more! Friday the 29th is ECMC's Bike Blessing at Ty's and then on the 30th, the Biker Picnic! I have ONE day of rest, then it's off to Hong Kong and Bangkok! As always, http://chazhome.com/WheresChaz tells all!
Tomorrow, BBC1 13:45 (EDT), 18:45 GMT+0.
Sorry, the video is blocked (due to copyright) in: Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey and the United Kingdom If you're there, you can see it here! Speaking of piracy, have you seen X-Men Origins: Wolverine yet? ;-) ![]() See more photos on my photo album ![]() Lots of developments, opinions, and reports overnight on marriage equality and efforts to overturn it. With its misleading ad (above right), the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage has tossed a Molotov cocktail into the debate nationwide. Here's info on NOM's new 2M4M initiative (note: takes you to their site) Sounds pretty gay, doesn't it? That stands for Two Million for Marriage. More on that below.
And now, a few updates from across the country: D.C.: The AP looks at the recent decision in D.C. to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states and the looming showdown in Congress over it: "After the legislation receives final approval from the council, which is supposed to come next month, the bill is then subject to a 30-day congressional review. That review could be the new Congress' first opportunity to signal its appetite for re-examining the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars federal recognition of same-sex marriages and allows states to do the same."
Said Culver: “[Opponents] can talk to their legislators about amending the constitution. They will have the option on the ballot in 2010 to call for a constitution convention. So the voters will have an opportunity to weigh in on this.” RALLY: Iowa has not quieted down a bit. There's an impromptu rally today at the Iowa state capitol today where marriage equality supporters and foes are going to face off.
Oh, yes... Happy Birthday Dave Richard!!! ![]() ![]() ... just imagine what 'bottled exchange student' would taste like! ![]() ... yes, that's a Windows XP error on an ATM. ![]() ... Hail Who?!? That's a cute advert next to the church! ![]() Only in New York City do the graffitists correct spelling. No wonder I like it here! |





Did you know that Chaz' Jukebox is back online with more songs than ever?
Sigh... I've joined the rank of non-travelling, ordinary people (at least for now). 




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I am back from England -- however, I'm quite busy catching up on things that have been happening whilst I was away...

Looks like Red Dwarf is finally returning! "Red Dwarf: Back to Earth" is airing in 3 parts in the UK starting this Friday. It seems to be a 3-parter followed by a 'making of' special. Not trying to give away any more of the plot than the title does, but it does involve the crew finally returning to Earth...
Saturday, April 11th from 9pm









