Organization | Inducted 2025
ONYX Midwest, founded in Chicago in 1995, is the pioneering chapter of a national leather fraternity dedicated to empowering queer men of color in the kink community. The group was created to provide education, brotherhood, and a bridge for gay, bisexual, and transgender men of color to participate fully in the leather scene. Over three decades, ONYX Midwest has grown into the longest-running leather club for people of color, known for its hospitality and leadership in fostering inclusion, knowledge-sharing, and fellowship across the Midwest.
True to its mission of service and empowerment, ONYX Midwest has spearheaded numerous community initiatives. The chapter partnered with Mr. Chicago Bear 2018 to host a Mental Health First Aid training course, equipping leather community members with skills to support those in crisis. The organization further champions sexual health education by teaming up with groups like Project VIDA to present kink-positive, safer-sex workshops. From 2017-2024, ONYX Midwest has co-hosted Toy With Me, an innovative series that uses kink and sexual education to encourage “spicier” but safer sex practices in the community. These workshops, covering topics from HIV prevention to toy safety, exemplify ONYX’s commitment to education and the well-being of its members and allies. ONYX Midwest members volunteer and fundraise alongside other organizations, lending their energy to causes ranging from youth homelessness to preserving LGBTQ leather history. ONYX Midwest teams regularly participate in Trident International Windy City’s annual charity competitions, which raise funds for vital services like the Broadway Youth Center and the Leather Archives & Museum. The chapter proudly hosts the iconic ONYX Leather Dance party during International Mr. Leather (IML) weekend in Chicago, ensuring that people of color are visibly celebrated in this gathering.
For 30 years, ONYX Midwest has exemplified the values of service, cultural celebration, and brotherhood. Its enduring mission to “Educate, Explore, and Empower” men of color in leather is evident in every workshop taught, every fundraiser held, and every new brother welcomed.