Chicago Becomes the Global Epicenter of Leather and Kink:
As summer approaches, Chicago steps fully into its prime, transforming into one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. The lakeside breeze turns warm, the skyline gleams, and the city prepares to roll out the red carpet to thousands of visitors arriving for Memorial Day Weekend, a high-octane takeover of the city’s streets, bars, and clubs by the global leather and kink community.
Chicago A City Built for Celebration
While the pulse of the community can be felt across Chicago’s most legendary LGBTQ+ spaces as the bars of Northalsted and Andersonville transform into a sea of gear and a city-wide festival atmosphere that runs day and night, the energy of the weekend is anchored by the Global Kink and Leather (GKL), ready to redefine the holiday experience offering a modern, inclusive, and electrifying weekend for those who live for the music and the gear.
Chicago’s most respected LGBTQ+ events producers are coming together to create one of the most exciting and transformative weekend experiences for Memorial Day Weekend 2026, taking over the most incredible and MASSIVE spaces in town bringing fresh new experiences and for a weekend that will get everyone wanting to move to live in Chicago for the rest of their lives.
IML Chicago A Weekend of Tradition and Competition:
While the parties reach new heights, the weekend also honors its roots through the International Mr. Leather (IML) competition. For over four decades, this world-renowned contest has brought together contestants from across the globe to showcase their commitment to the community. The competition remains a pillar of the weekend, celebrating the history of the leather titleholders and the enduring legacy of the contest itself.
While Chicago hosts the historic International Mr. Leather (IML Chicago) contest and competition, a legendary title event that has defined leather culture since 1979, the city itself becomes much bigger than a single ballroom stage.
The competition remains a pillar of the weekend, celebrating the history of the leather titleholders and the enduring legacy of the contest itself. IML remains one of the most recognized leather competitions in the world, drawing contestants and spectators globally. The contest celebrates leadership, community, and leather pride at its highest level.
