IML

I hated rating I ML with stars– it’s difficult because the star system goes off of your personal preference. I have chosen ⁴⁄₅ stars, which is apparently the equivalent of «Yay! I’m a fan». So I want to also say I am not a fan, but I respect IML and therefore and am going to review it from the perspective of what it is and what it has to offer.
IML stands for International Mister Leather, meaning it is primarily an event for gay males but it isn’t unheard of to see females being voyeurs at some of the resulting festivities. The event is partially a Miss America for the leather sex crowd and partially a festival of sorts that could be compared to the Folsom street fair. If it’s your first time and you aren’t sure if this is your crowd a safe starting point would be the leather mart located in the hotel hosting the IML events. There you will find a large assortment of dirty things that most would keep under their bed (Assuming said item would fit under the bed). One would also get a glimpse into the crowd that attends IML.
All in all IML can be fun and at the very least an experience to remember.
Note that unlike the gay pride parade or market days IML is not in any way child friendly (though the ladder aren’t at all times either)

The event that, in 1979, outgrew the Gold Coast bar it originated in, has over the thirty years since then outgrown a number of Chicago hotels; expanded from twelve contestants the first year to now drawing regularly over 50 or 60 from a number of countries; and now yearly draws thousands of assorted leather folk of all ages, races, genders and kinks to what is now felt by many to be the Leather Family Reunion. Salute!