IML Prohibits Unsafe Sex Vendors

International Mr. Leather 2010 will prohibit vendors that distribute bareback pornography or promote unprotected sex, according to a letter sent to IML vendors and posted on website Chicagoist.

"For many years, our organization has always preached the importance of safe-sex," says IML coordinator R.J. Chaffin. "It has been on the lips of many people, [the fact that] we speak out on safe-sex, but allow vendors to promote bareback videos. The time has come for us to take a stand on the issue. It affected about three of our vendors and in fact, most vendors were pleased to see us take action on this matter. I would say for every negative e-mail we've received, we've received 15 supportive emails and letters," says Chaffin.

International Mr. Leather -- the largest annual gay leather event in the world -- has been held over Memorial Day weekend in Chicago since 1979.