This information was retrieved from: http://www.zoominfo.com/ CachedPage/?archive_id=0&page_id=661170653&page_url=// www.midlandlink.org/hisection3.html&page_last_updated=2004-0409T03:31:19&firstName=Motor&lastName=Amsterdam Contact: info@leatherhistory.eu www.leatherhistory.

eu
Continuation, 1992-93, by Rainer Lachmann
1992 11th ECMC Bike Run Organiser: SLM Stockholm; dates: 29-31 May; venue: Furudals Bruk in the province of Dalarna, an old iron works which was now a conference centre and museum, but also with a banqueting suite and a sauna! In the following week there was an optional tour to the island of Gotland in the Baltic, going back on the ferry to Stockholm for SLM Stockholms ECMC event, Baltic Battle. 19th AGM Date: 3 October 1992 Venue: Novotel, Carrefour de lEurope, Route Nationale 370, Aulnay-sous-Bois, near Paris (France) Hosting Club: ASMF Paris Chairman: Pierre-Yves Rou (ASMF Paris) Minutes: Franois Berthelot (ASMF Paris) and Marion Pohle (MS Amsterdam) ECMC Secretary: Rainer Lachmann (Loge 70 Schweiz/MS Panther Kln) interim Secretary following Beat Redis death Attendance: Members: MSC Belgium, Loge 70 (Schweiz), MSC Suisse Romande, Black Angels Kln, FLC Frankfurt, LC Stuttgart, LFRR Essen, LM Dsseldorf, MLC Mnchen, MSC Berlin, MSC Hamburg, MSC Hannover, MS Panther Kln, A-Mens Club Aarhus, SLM Kbenhavn, ASMF Paris, MCRA Lyon, East Mercia MSC, Manchester Super Chain MSC, Midland Link MSC, MSC Hallamshire, MSC London, MSC North-East, MSC Scotland, RMC, SNC London, Sussex Lancers MSC, The London Blues, MSC Iceland, MS Amsterdam, MS Rotterdam, The Rurals MC, SLM Stockholm, MSC Finland Members represented by proxy: MSC Rhein-Main Frankfurt by LFRR Essen; MSC Sd-West Lahr by LC Stuttgart (these two proxies were transposed in the original minutes); NLC Franken by MLC Mnchen Candidates (full membership): Bournemouth Leather MSC, IMC Milano, SLM Oslo Candidates (probationary membership): LMC Vienna Absent: East Anglia Bikers Observers: MLC Veneto; MSC Rote Erde Dortmund (not minuted) Two less than happy memories of this AGM were the awful hotel a Formule 1 near the Charles deGaulle airport and the time spent on buses on the Peripherique, but the dinner was excellent and the show was most entertaining! Rainer Lachmann of Loge 70 and MS Panther Kln had taken on the task of acting as ECMC Secretary on an interim basis after the death of Beat Redi earlier in 1992 and had experienced some difficulty in getting hold of the ECMC papers. The accounts showed that ECMC funds now stood at more than Sfr 6200, well up from the Sfr 3600 a year before. All the candidate clubs were elected. MSC London, supported by The London Blues, and MS Panther Kln both offered to host the Secretariat for the next two years, and MS Panther

Kln was elected, with Rainer Lachmann as Secretary. MSC Suisse Romande was chosen to host the 1993 AGM, with several provisional bids for 1994. The Rurals MC was elected to host the 1993 Bike Run in competition with East Mercia MSC. The contribution was not increased. A proposal from ASMF Paris that the Secretariat should be held in rotation by all member clubs in alphabetical order was defeated. The London Blues asked ECMC Clubs to show solidarity with the British clubs by not sending information to the London commercial club Backstreet, whose owner discriminated against British ECMC clubs. It was left to the Secretary to obtain more information. Midland Link spoke in memory of Beat Redi and Tom of Finland who had both died since the last AGM. SLM Kbenhavn and SLM Stockholm introduced the newly-formed ToE (Top of Europe) umbrella organisation for the Scandinavian clubs. The SNC Trophy was awarded to SLM Stockholm. 1993 12th ECMC Bike Run Organiser: The Rurals MC; dates: 4-6 June; venue: a castle at Oteppe, in the Belgian Ardennes mountains. Brilliant weather, with up to 35 degrees centigrade for part of the following week which saw an extended tour of the Netherlands, to Zeeland ending in Ommen. 20th AGM Date: 9 October 1993 Venue: Caserne de la Pontaise, Avenue des Casernes, Lausanne (Switzerland) Hosting Club: MSC Suisse Romande Chairman: Andr Monnet (MSC Suisse Romande) Minutes: Jost Halstenberg (MS Panther Kln) ECMC Secretary: Rainer Lachmann (MS Panther Kln/Loge 70 Schweiz) ECMC Secretary Assistants: Wolfgang Doll and Kurt Holler (both MS Panther Kln) Attendance: Members: MSC Belgium, Loge 70 (Schweiz), MSC Suisse Romande, FLC Frankfurt, LC Stuttgart, LFRR Essen, LM Dsseldorf, MLC Mnchen, MSC Berlin, MSC Hamburg, MSC Hannover, MSC Rhein-Main Frankfurt, MSC Sdwest, MS Panther Kln, NLC Franken, A-Mens Club Aarhus, SLM Kbenhavn, ASMF Paris, MCRA Lyon, East Mercia MSC, Midland Link MSC, MSC London, MSC Scotland, RMC, SNC London, Sussex Lancers MSC, The London Blues, IMC Milano, SLM Oslo, MS Amsterdam, MS Rotterdam, The Rurals MC, SLM Stockholm, MSC Finland Members represented by proxy: MSC Hallamshire by East Mercia MSC, Manchester Super Chain MSC by The London Blues, MSC Iceland by SNC London, Bournemouth Leather MSC by unknown? Candidates (full membership): LMC Vienna Candidates (probationary membership): MSC Rote Erde Dortmund, Severn Link MSC, Verulam MSC Absent: Black Angels Kln, East Anglia Bikers, MSC North-East Observers: MSC Madrid, MLC Veneto Guest speaker: Henri ten Have, International Mr Leather 1993, of MS Amsterdam and National Leather Association (USA) The 20th AGM was held in a military academy, although the dinner and party took place in a disused salt mine, a lengthy bus ride away. The 20th anniversary was marked by a special display of the past AGMs, and MSC Suisse Romande presented delegates with special bottles of anniversary wine. The leather flag was displayed at an AGM for the first time. The Secretary gave out the new pre-numbered ECMC membership cards, to be completed with a photo of the member and the name of the issuing club. The card would remain valid as long as it was renewed every year with that years validation sticker. LMC Vienna became a full member, and there were three new probationary members: MSC Rote Erde Dortmund from Germany, and two British clubs, Severn Link MSC (Bristol) and Verulam MSC (St Albans). It was decided to extend the formal period of application for AGMs and Bike Runs from one to two years, starting from the 1994 AGM. For 1994, SLM Stockholm was chosen to host the AGM, and East Mercia MSC was awarded the bike run. MS Amsterdam was given the first option to host the 1995 AGM. It was agreed that as from this AGM, probationary member clubs would have to pay the ECMC membership contribution. The contribution was changed to a flat rate of DM 50 for all clubs irrespective of size, but in future membership cards would be paid for at the cost of DM 1 per

card. Requested by ASMF Paris, the main theme for discussion was the possible engagement of the ECMC in party or lobby-group based political activities concerning such issues as gay rights with particular emphasis on rights for leathermen and SM gays. Henri ten Have, the International Mr Leather 1993 who also represented the American NLA (National Leather Association) presented a statement which argued in favour of increasing political involvement. The conclusion was that it would be difficult for the ECMC to take up any political issue, and it should be left to member clubs individually to decide. Henri offered to become a focal point and clubs could contact him individually. Midland Link gave an update on the Operation Spanner case. The SNC Trophy was again awarded to MSC Finland, specifically for their activities in support of leathermen in their neighbouring states in the Baltic, and in Russia.

Continuation, 1994-2001, by Anders Ditlev Clausager

1994 13th ECMC Bike Run Organiser: East Mercia MSC; dates: 3-5 June 1994; venue: Castleton Youth Hostel, The Peak District. The evening entertainment was in typical professional East Mercia style, including Alan Morrison as Nana Mouskouri! After the weekend, there was an optional tour of Wales. 21st AGM Date: 8 October 1994 Venue: Norra Latin Conference Centre, Drottninggatan 71B, Stockholm (Sweden) Hosting Club: SLM Stockholm Chairman: Johan Kronqvist (SLM Stockholm) Minutes: Jost Halstenberg (MS Panther Kln) ECMC Secretary: Rainer Lachmann (MS Panther Kln/Loge 70 Schweiz); standing down ECMC Secretarys Assistant: Eckhard Essert (MS Panther Kln) Attendance: Members: LMC Vienna, MSC Belgium, Loge 70 (Schweiz), MSC Suisse Romande, FLC Frankfurt, LC Stuttgart, LM Dsseldorf, MLC Mnchen, MSC Berlin, MSC Hamburg, MSC Hannover, MSC Rhein-Main Frankfurt, MSC Sdwest, MS Panther Kln, A-Mens Club Aarhus, SLM Kbenhavn, ASMF Paris, MCRA Lyon, Bournemouth Leather MSC, East Mercia MSC, Midland Link MSC, MSC London, SNC London, The London Blues, IMC Milano, SLM Oslo, MS Amsterdam, MS Rotterdam, The Rurals MC, SLM Stockholm, MSC Finland Clubs represented by proxy: LFRR Essen by FLC Frankfurt, East Anglia Bikers by MSC London, MSC Hallamshire by East Mercia MSC, MSC Scotland by East Mercia MSC, Sussex Lancers MSC by MSC London, MSC Iceland by SLM Kbenhavn Candidates (full membership): MSC Rote Erde Dortmund, Severn Link MSC, Verulam MSC Candidates (probationary membership): LCH Hamburg, MSC Madrid, MLC Veneto, SLM Malm Absent: Black Angels Kln, NLC Franken, Manchester Super Chain MSC, RMC Observer: LMC Estonia An interesting feature of this AGM was that accommodation was in a former prison. The menu for the official dinner included the Swedish speciality elk. At this AGM, the custom of lighting an oil lamp (donated by SLM Stockholm) in memory of our dead friends was introduced. A newcomer was LMC Estonia which for the first time attended an ECMC AGM as observer. The Secretary mentioned that he had completed a review of ECMC history, and this had been translated into English. New ECMC membership cards now cost DM 2 each. Although the accounts showed a credit balance of DM 2300, DM 2900 was owed to the outgoing secretary, so the ECMC was in debit. A lapsed member club, MSC South-West, wanted to be reinstated but was asked to re-apply for probationary membership. MSC Rote Erde Dortmund, Severn Link MSC and Verulam MSC became full members, and four clubs became probationary members: LCH Hamburg, MLC Veneto, MSC Madrid and SLM Malm. Trent MSC of Nottingham in England, a prospective ECMC member, had been expected at this AGM as an observer, but did not attend. Rainer Lachmann was standing down as ECMC Secretary, and SLM Kbenhavn and Lars Wredstrm were chosen to replace him. Lars spoke about the need for the

ECMC Secretary to take a lead on human rights issues that affected members of the ECMC clubs. For 1995, MS Amsterdam was chosen to host the AGM, while MSC Belgium was chosen over LC Stuttgart to host the 1996 AGM. An offer was received from AG Motorsport, a branch of the SKVdC which included many German gay bikers, to organise a bike run for the ECMC, and MS Amsterdam volunteered to get a group together to organise the 1995 Bike Run. (In the event, the 1995 Bike Run was hosted by ASMF Paris.) The contribution was not changed. On a proposal from MSC Belgium, it was decided that ECMC member clubs should not prevent their members from being members also of other ECMC clubs. Tony Brown of Midland Link gave an update on the Spanner Case, he was now intending to take this to the European Court. MSC Finland introduced the new logo for the ToE (Top of Europe). MSC London asked ECMC Clubs to continue the boycott of the Backstreet club. The SNC Trophy was awarded to MSC Rote Erde Dortmund. 1995 14th ECMC Bike Run Organiser: ASMF Paris; dates: 21-25 June; venue: a youth hostel in Savines le Lac in the French Alps. This run was unusually organised in mid-week, with tours through the mountain passes, ending in Aixles-Bains. 22nd AGM Date: 4 November 1995 Venue: The Arena, sGravezandestraat 51, Amsterdam (The Netherlands) Hosting Club: Motor Sportclub Amsterdam Chairman: Siebe Terpstra (MS Amsterdam) Acting chairman: Joop Timmer (MS Amsterdam) Minutes: Corstiaan de Regt (MS Amsterdam) and the ECMC Secretary ECMC Secretary: Lars Wredstrm (SLM Kbenhavn) ECMC Secretarys Assistant: Morten Kjr Petersen (SLM Kbenhavn) Attendance: Members: LMC Vienna, MSC Belgium. Loge 70 (Schweiz), MSC Suisse Romande, FLC Frankfurt, LC Stuttgart, LFRR Essen, LM Dsseldorf, MLC Mnchen, MSC Berlin, MSC Hamburg, MSC Hannover, MSC Rhein-Main Frankfurt, MSC Rote Erde Dortmund, MS Panther Kln, NLC Franken, A-Mens Club Aarhus, SLM Kbenhavn, ASMF Paris, MCRA Lyon, East Anglia Bikers, East Mercia MSC, Manchester Super Chain MSC, Midland Link MSC, MSC Hallamshire, MSC London, MSC North-East (but see below), MSC Scotland, RMC, Severn Link MSC, SNC London, Sussex Lancers MSC, The London Blues, Verulam MSC, IMC Milano, MSC Iceland, SLM Oslo, MS Amsterdam, MS Rotterdam, The Rurals MC, SLM Stockholm, MSC Finland Clubs represented by proxy: MSC Bournemouth by Verulam MSC, however this proxy was deemed invalid Candidates (full membership): LCH Hamburg, MSC Madrid, MLC Veneto, SLM Malm Candidates (probationary membership): Essex Leather MSC Absent: Black Angels Kln, MSC Sdwest, MSC Bournemouth; also MSC North-East, however this club had folded in 1993. In the minutes of the 1995 AGM, MSC North-East is listed as being both present and absent! Observers: Kellan Farshea of Countdown on Spanner, Gay Skinhead Group, Yannik Dumont of Projet X MS Amsterdam hosted this AGM in the Arena, a former nunnery which was now a youth hostel, and with every part of the weekend on the same premises, it went very well. For the first time, a request was made not to smoke during the AGM. The Secretary mentioned having been in contact with WHO to have the diagnosis of SM as a psychiatric disorder removed from their classification. For the first time, the Secretary presented professionally audited accounts. These showed a loss for the year of almost Dkr 11,000, and a deficit of over Dkr 2000. The four clubs listed above were approved as full members. Essex Leather MSC became a probationary member, despite a speech by their President lasting more than ten minutes! It was decided to delete Black Angels Kln from the ECMC membership list. Manchester Super Chain MSC was chosen to host the 1997 AGM. MSC Hamburg

and MS Panther Kln were jointly chosen to host the 1996 Bike Run, and LC Stuttgart offered to host the 1997 Bike Run. After some debate it was decided to increase the ECMC membership fee from Dkr 200 to DKr 250. Because of the circumstances of the new club in Estonia, it was debated whether the requirement for a minimum membership of 15 should be retained, but it was agreed that this was only a recommendation. SLM Oslo introduced a proposal for a guideline that the Secretary of the ECMC could co-ordinate work for human rights on behalf of our clubs and their members, and this was agreed. MS Amsterdam had revived the Mr Leather Europe contest as part of the AGM event this year, and it was decided to continue with this as an annual ECMC event. MSA donated the contest and the title to the ECMC. MSC Belgium recommended the use of the Internet and e-mail for communications between clubs. Midland Link proposed lifting the boycott of the Backstreet club in London, and this was agreed. The representative of the Countdown on Spanner campaign gave a long speech. For the first time, Projet X (a French magazine) was present as an observer at the ECMC AGM. SNC presented a love bowl to MSA (accepted by their secretary, Marion Pohle) to mark MSAs 25th anniversary. The SNC Trophy was awarded to Midland Link MSC. 1996 15th ECMC Bike Run Organiser: MSC Hamburg/MS Panther Kln; dates: 21-28 June; venue: Schleiden, in the Eifel mountains; about 100 participants. Saturday tour through the Eifel, evening entertainment by the male choir of MSC Rote Erde Dortmund. In the following week, tours through the Ardennes. 23rd AGM Date: 12 October 1996 Venue: Hotel van Belle, Chausse de Mons 39, Bruxelles (Belgium) Hosting Club: MSC Belgium Chairman: Daniel Dumont (MSC Belgium) Minutes: Franque Hertel (MSC Belgium) ECMC Secretary: Lars Wredstrm (SLM Kbenhavn) standing down Attendance: (listed by new system by ID numbers): Members: MS Amsterdam, MS Rotterdam (missing from attendance sheet), The Rurals MC, MSC Belgium, ASMF Paris, MCRA Lyon, LC Milano, MLC Veneto, Loge 70 (Schweiz), MSC Suisse Romande, LMC Vienna, SNC London, MSC London, RMC, The London Blues, MSC Bournemouth, East Mercia MSC, Manchester Super Chain MSC, Midland Link MSC, MSC Scotland, Severn Link MSC, Sussex Lancers MSC, SLM Kbenhavn, Mens Club Aarhus, SLM Stockholm, SLM Malm, SLM Oslo, FLC Frankfurt, LC Stuttgart, LCH Hamburg, LFRR Essen, LM Dsseldorf, MLC Mnchen, MSC Berlin, MSC Hamburg, MSC Rote Erde Dortmund, MS Panther Kln, NLC Nrnberger Lederclub, MSC Iceland Members represented by proxy: MSC Rhein-Main Frankfurt by MSC Berlin Candidate (full membership): Essex Leather MSC Candidates (probationary membership): LC Saar, MEC (France) (not elected), EDLGC (England) represented by Sussex Lancers MSC (not elected), SLM Gteborg Absent: MSC Madrid, East Anglia Bikers, MSC Hallamshire, Verulam MSC, MSC Hannover, MSC Sdwest (folded in 1996), MSC Finland Observer: Yannik Dumont of Projet X While the AGM and the accommodation were in the hotel, the dinner (which was excellent) and the party were held in a film studio. The AGM opened with a query about the minutes secretary appointed by MSC Belgium, but although not a member of an ECMC Club she was confirmed (and produced some very good minutes!). There were two slightly different versions of the minutes of the 1995 AGM but this was resolved amicably. The Secretary stated that there were 47 clubs with 5800 members in the ECMC. He hoped that an MSC club was being formed in Northern Ireland. From a deficit of more than Dkr 2200 at the start of the year, the ECMC now had a balance of almost Dkr 4500. Essex Leather MSC became a full member. The application for probationary membership from EDLGC (European Deaf Leather Gay Club) which was represented by Sussex Lancers MSC did not reach the 75 per cent requirement. The application from the French rubber club MEC (Mecs en Caoutchouc)

was rejected because this club insisted that visitors from other ECMC clubs must comply with their strict rubber dress code. SLM Gteborg and LC Saar became probationary members. Manchester Super Chain MSC was confirmed as the host of the 1997 AGM, and Loge 70 was chosen over SNC London to host the 25th AGM in 1998. LC Stuttgart presented their plans for the 1997 Bike Run, and SLM Stockholm said they might apply for the 1998 Bike Run. The Secretary introduced a new budget proposal on the principle that clubs should pay for the number of annual validation stickers which they buy at the cost of 1 Swiss Franc each, and this was agreed. The Secretary was standing down, but despite an alternative offer from MSC Belgium, SLM Kbenhavn was elected to continue to hold the Secretariat, with Benn Lohse as the new Secretary. As an application from a Swedish lesbian leather club LASH had been expected, there was debate about whether lesbian clubs should be accepted in the ECMC. It was suggested that a change to the Constitution should be discussed at the following AGM. There was some discussion of the Mr Leather Europe contest, also about linking this contest with the Mr Drummer contest. MSC Belgium expressed its regret over the cases of paedophilia in Belgium and asked that the listing YG (young gays) be deleted from the Spartacus guide. Loge 70 presented the updated version of their Safer Sex fr Ledermnner book and announced that a French version was in preparation. The idea of producing an English version was informally discussed for the first time. The SNC Trophy was awarded to FLC Frankfurt. Midland Link informed the meeting that after nine years, the Spanner case would be heard at the European Court of Human Rights. 1997 16th ECMC Bike Run Organiser: LC Stuttgart; dates: 10-13 July; venue: near the source of the river Donau, in Schwbische Alb; participants: 125-150 bikers, and 75-100 pillions or camp followers. Return to the roots in an attempt to keep the cost of the event down, the accommodation was in tents on a camp site, but luckily the weather stayed fine! 24th AGM Date: 23 August 1997 Venue: UMIST (University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology), Renold Building, Sackville Street, Manchester M60 (England) Hosting Club: Manchester Super Chain MSC Chairman: Wassim Malas (MSC MSC) Minutes: James Clavering (MSC MSC) ECMC Secretary: Benn Lohse (SLM Kbenhavn) Attendance: Members: MS Amsterdam, MS Rotterdam, MSC Belgium, ASMF Paris, MCRA Lyon, LC Milano, MLC Veneto, Loge 70 (Schweiz), MSC Suisse Romande, LMC Vienna, SNC London, MSC London, RMC, The London Blues, MSC Bournemouth, East Anglia Bikers, East Mercia MSC, Essex Leather MSC, Manchester Super Chain MSC, Midland Link MSC, MSC Hallamshire, MSC Scotland, Severn Link MSC, Sussex Lancers MSC, Verulam MSC, SLM Kbenhavn, Mens Club Aarhus, SLM Stockholm, SLM Malm, SLM Oslo, FLC Frankfurt, LC Stuttgart, LCH Hamburg, LFRR Essen, LM Dsseldorf, MLC Mnchen, MSC Hamburg, MSC Hannover, MSC Rhein-Main Frankfurt, MSC Rote Erde Dortmund, MS Panther Kln, Nrnberger Lederclub, MSC Iceland, MSC Finland Clubs represented by proxy: MSC Madrid by LC Milano, MSC Berlin by Loge 70 Candidates (full membership): SLM Gteborg, LC Saar Candidates (probationary membership): LMC Estonia, Leather Hands Absent: The Rurals MC Observers: Leguan Hannover, Yannik Dumont of Projet X The AGM was held to coincide with the Manchester Mardi Gras event. The accommodation and the AGM were in the facilities of the UMIST (University) while the formal dinner was in the splendid Town Hall, and the party was held in a marquee. There was a bit of trouble about licensing, and MSC MSC had to ask all participants for an extra contribution so they could serve free drinks. An innovation was to have the AGM proceedings translated into sign language. The Secretary reported that there were now 49 clubs with 3400 members in the ECMC, although MSC Sdwest had closed, and The

Rurals MC was closing. Evidently the new system of payment by membership had convinced member clubs that they should claim more realistic figures for their membership! Despite the lower than expected number of members in the member clubs, the accounts showed a surplus of Dkr 19,000, however much of this would be used in the following year on purchasing a new stock of membership cards. Following the debate about the application from EDLGC in Bruxelles in 1996, Sussex Lancers MSC introduced an amendment to the Constitution which intended to discount abstentions in the votes for admitting new members, and this was accepted. SLM Gteborg and LC Saar became full members, and LMC Estonia and Leather Hands a British club for deaf leathermen, or EDLGC under a new name became probationary members. Loge 70 was confirmed as the 1998 AGM hosts, and SLM Kbenhavn defeated MLC Mnchen to become the 1999 AGM host. SLM Stockholm presented the 1998 Bike Run, and Loge 70 lost to LMC Vienna as host of the 1999 Bike Run. MLC Veneto proposed that the ECMC should host its own homepage on the web, but the Secretary declined this. SNC was opposed to any information on the Internet, or the use of e-mails, but MSC Hannover recommended both. SLM Oslo introduced a proposal to amend the Constitution to include an anti-Nazi paragraph, this was deferred to the 1998 AGM. It was reported that the Spanner Case had been lost at the European Court of Human Rights, and in view of this, Midland Link asked for solidarity with any club member who faced persecution because of his sexual orientation. There was debate about the cost of events, especially the AGM weekend. MCRA Lyon mentioned the idea of having joint events with clubs from their twin cities, Frankfurt, Birmingham and Milano. Loge 70 mentioned that a French version was now available of the Safer Sex fr Ledermnner booklet, to be followed by an Italian version. The SNC Trophy was awarded to Loge 70. 1998 17th ECMC Bike Run Organiser: SLM Stockholm; dates: 19-22 July; venue: an army camp at Vrgrda, in the south of Sweden. Strictly a biking event, some people who turned up in cars were sent packing! The tour finished in Stockholm, to coincide with Europride. 25th AGM Date: 10 October 1998 Venue: Kunsthaus, Heimplatz 1, 8024 Zrich (Switzerland) Hosting Club: Loge 70 (Schweiz) Chairman: Andres C Nitsch (Loge 70) Minutes: Wolfgang M Weber (FLC Frankfurt) ECMC Secretary: Benn Lohse (SLM Kbenhavn) Attendance: Members: MS Amsterdam, MS Rotterdam, MSC Belgium, ASMF Paris, MCRA Lyon, LC Milano, MLC Veneto, Loge 70 (Schweiz), MSC Suisse Romande, LMC Vienna, SNC London, MSC London, RMC, The London Blues, MSC Bournemouth, East Mercia MSC, Manchester Super Chain MSC, Midland Link MSC, Sussex Lancers MSC, SLM Kbenhavn, Mens Club Aarhus, SLM Stockholm, SLM Gteborg, SLM Oslo, FLC Frankfurt, LC Stuttgart, LCH Hamburg, LFRR Essen, LM Dsseldorf, MLC Mnchen, MSC Berlin, MSC Hamburg, MSC Hannover, MSC Rhein-Main Frankfurt, MSC Rote Erde Dortmund, MS Panther Kln, Nrnberger Lederclub, LC Saar, MSC Iceland Clubs represented by proxy: MSC Madrid by LC Milano, East Anglia MSC by East Mercia MSC, Essex Leather MSC by SNC London, MSC Scotland by SLM Kbenhavn, Severn Link MSC by Midland Link MSC, Verulam MSC by MSC London, SLM Malm by SLM Kbenhavn, MSC Finland by SLM Stockholm (NB: This list is possibly inaccurate as no attendance sheet from this AGM was available) Candidates (full membership): LMC Estonia Candidates (probationary membership): LC Mannheim, LC Dresden Absent: MSC Hallamshire Observers: BLF Berlin, World Pride 2000 (Rome), Yannik Dumont of Projet X, Euro Games 2000 (Zrich)

This was the 25th AGM, and was held in an art museum in Zrich. It deserves mention that there was a cocktail party afterwards, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Zrich, followed by dinner held on an excursion steamer on the lake, and that guests were then transported by special tram to the party venue. The cheapest accommodation offered was in an air raid shelter rented from the civil defence! According to the minutes, 40 full member clubs (and one new full member) were present in person, and seven clubs had appointed proxies, apart from the two applicants for probationary membership. An amendment from SLM Oslo to include an anti-Nazi article in the Constitution was passed, although with abstentions from some British clubs who were reluctant to see the ECMC take a political stance. This subsequently led to heated debate among the FUKC clubs. LMC Estonia became a full member and was warmly welcomed, while LC Mannheim and LC Dresden became probationary members. SLM Kbenhavn and Benn Lohse were re-elected unopposed to hold the Secretariat for the next two years. In a closely contested vote, LC Milano was chosen over the combination of LFRR Essen and MSC Rote Erde Dortmund to host the 2000 AGM. Three British clubs put forward motions concerning the Mr Leather contest, and after much discussion it was decided that all contestants and all jurors should be members of ECMC Clubs. The 1999 Bike Run was awarded to LMC Vienna, but there was no definite applicant for the 2000 Bike Run. There were several proposals for a special badge to mark the 25thanniversary of ECMC, it was decided to produce a pin badge (German: Sticker) to a design by LMC Vienna. On a proposal from SLM Kbenhavn, Tony Brown of Midland Link MSC was appointed Honorary Patron of the ECMC for his courage in taking the Spanner case to the European Court of Human Rights, regardless of the fact that he lost. The English language version of the booklet Safer Sex for Leathermen was presented by Midland Link MSC, Loge 70 and FLC Frankfurt. The SNC International Trophy was awarded to LC Milano. 1999 18th ECMC Bike Run Organiser: LMC Vienna; dates: 1-5 August; venue: the Piberstein castle, partly in ruins, so quite basic, and the water supply ran out 100 participants. Tours through the Austrian Alps and Lower Austria, finishing up with a weekend in Wien. 26th AGM Date: 4 September 1999 Venue: Hotel Cab-Inn Scandinavia, Vodroffsvej 55, 1900 Frederiksberg C, Kbenhavn (Denmark) Hosting Club: SLM Kbenhavn Chairman: Hans Jrgen Nissen (SLM Kbenhavn) Acting chairman: Jesper Jarmbk (SLM Kbenhavn) Minutes: Niels Brandrup (SLM Kbenhavn) ECMC Secretary: Benn Lohse (SLM Kbenhavn) Attendance: Members: MS Amsterdam, MS Rotterdam. MSC Belgium, ASMF Paris, MCRA Lyon, LC Milano, MLC Veneto, Loge 70 (Schweiz), LMC Vienna, SNC London, MSC London, RMC, The London Blues, MSC Bournemouth, Manchester Super Chain MSC, Midland Link MSC, MSC Scotland, Severn Link MSC, Sussex Lancers MSC, Verulam MSC, SLM Kbenhavn, Mens Club Aarhus, SLM Stockholm, SLM Malm, SLM Gteborg, SLM Oslo, FLC Frankfurt, LC Stuttgart, LCH Hamburg, LFRR Essen, LM Dsseldorf, MLC Mnchen, MSC Berlin, MSC Hamburg, MSC Hannover, MSC Rhein-Main Frankfurt, MSC Rote Erde Dortmund, MS Panther Kln, Nrnberger Lederclub, LC Saar, MSC Iceland, MSC Finland, LMC Estonia Clubs represented by proxy: MSC Madrid by LC Milano, East Mercia MSC by SNC London, Essex Leather MSC by RMC, MSC Hallamshire by MSC London Candidates (full membership): LC Mannheim, LC Dresden Candidates (probationary membership): BLF Berlin Observers: SLM Bergen, LCR Roma For the first time, the AGM was hosted by the club which also held the Secretariat, SLM Kbenhavn. The accommodation was in a basic but adequate hotel, the actual AGM in a sister hotel not far away. The dinner and parties were held in a disused factory in the port area. There were a few problems with

the official dinner because of the catering contractor (did the dessert ever arrive?) but it was all very atmospheric thanks to the candlelight, since there was no electricity! The Sunday brunch was held in the courtyard outside SLM Kbenhavns own clubroom. The Secretary reported that MSC Suisse Romande and Leather Hands had ceased to exist, while East Anglia MSC had merged with East Mercia. There were now 4300 members of 47 full member clubs and two probationary members, the largest numbers being in Scandinavia. It was agreed that ECMC accounts should be in Euros (). The result for the year was Dkr 12,838, or 1700, with a balance of Dkr 20,339 or over 2700. The budget for the coming year predicted a loss of almost Dkr 10,000 or about 1700. A proposal to amend the Constitution so that votes on changing the Constitution should be by secret ballot was defeated. LC Mannheim and LC Dresden became full members, and BLF Berlin became a probationary member. The AGM for 2001 went to LC Stuttgart. The alternative proposal from 69 Club involved hosting the AGM in a Spanish seaside resort. New rules for the Mr Leather Europe contest proposed by SLM Kbenhavn were accepted. MS Amsterdam was chosen to host the 2000 Bike Run but there were no applicants for the 2001 Bike Run. It was agreed that each ECMC club can only have one ECMC sanctioned event per year. Midland Link presented a draft proposal for a new ECMC Constitution, to be considered by the clubs for the next AGM. SLM Kbenhavn proposed a ban on women members in the ECMC Clubs but it was felt that clubs should decide this for themselves individually, and it was decided to discontinue the discussion. SLM Kbenhavn also presented a proposal for an ECMC dress code, but withdrew this in view of negative comments. A proposal to have simultaneous translation of the AGM proceedings into German was not voted on. The SNC International Trophy was awarded to MS Panther Kln. 2000 19th ECMC Bike Run Organiser: MS Amsterdam; dates: 1-4 August; venue: a youth hostel in Chaam in the south of the Netherlands; 90 participants. Tours along the Dutch-Belgian border, and to Zeeland. Entertainment by MSAs own stand-up comedian. Afterwards, there was the possibility of going to Amsterdam to celebrate the 30th anniversary of MSA, and Gay Pride. 27th AGM Date: 19 August 2000 Venue: Star Hotel Ritz, Via Spallanzani 40, Milano (Italy) Hosting Club: LC Milano Chairman: Gustavo Ignoto (LC Milano) Acting chairperson: Rita Glowka-Vangheluwe (LC Milano and MLC Veneto) Minutes: Rita Glowka-Vangheluwe (LC Milano and MLC Veneto) ECMC Secretary: Benn Lohse (SLM Kbenhavn) Attendance: Members: MS Amsterdam, MS Rotterdam, MSC Belgium, ASMF Paris, MCRA Lyon, LC Milano, MLC Veneto, Loge 70 (Schweiz), LMC Vienna, SNC London, MSC London, RMC, MSC Bournemouth, East Mercia MSC, Essex Leather MSC, Manchester Super Chain MSC, Midland Link MSC, Sussex Lancers MSC, SLM Kbenhavn, Mens Club Aarhus, SLM Stockholm, SLM Malm, SLM Gteborg, SLM Oslo, FLC Frankfurt, LC Stuttgart, LCH Hamburg, LFFR Essen, LM Dsseldorf, MLC Mnchen, MSC Hamburg, MSC Hannover, MSC Rhein-Main Frankfurt, MSC Rote Erde Dortmund, Nrnberger Lederclub, LC Saar, LC Mannheim, MSC Iceland, LMC Estonia Clubs represented by proxy: MSC Hallamshire by MSC London; MSC Scotland by East Mercia MSC; MS Panther Kln by LM Dsseldorf; LC Dresden by MSC Hannover, MSC Finland by SLM Stockholm Candidates (full membership): BLF Berlin Candidates (probationary membership): LCR Roma Absent: MSC Madrid, The London Blues, Severn Link MSC, MSC Berlin For the first time, the AGM was held in Italy, hosted by LC Milano, in the heat of August. Despite LCM having been let down by one venue so that the Mr Leather Europe contest could not be held, the organisation functioned very well. Accommodation was in an Ibis Hotel, the AGM and dinner within

walking distance, while the evening parties were reached by shuttle bus. Unfortunately LC Milano did not have exclusive use of the disco booked for Saturday night as promised, so we had to live with the invasion of fluff In another first in ECMC history, the AGM was chaired by a woman, Rita, a Dutch member of LC Milano and MLC Veneto chosen for her excellent command of English. 39 clubs were present, together with five proxies. The Secretary reported that there were now 4200 members of 49 member clubs, including (in round figures) 1100 in Germany, 700 in Britain, 1750 in Scandinavia and 650 in other countries. The year had yielded a small surplus of 244, so the ECMC had a balance of almost 3000. This however was budgeted to be used up in the coming year, mainly to buy new membership cards. There was by now three proposals for a new ECMC Constitution, by Midland Link, MSC Belgium and MSC London. It was decided to set up a working group to present a joint proposal for the 2001 AGM. BLF Berlin became a full member, and LCR Roma a probationary member. SLM Kbenhavn and Benn Lohse were elected to retain the Secretariat for a further two years, despite an offer from MSC Belgium to take over. LC Stuttgart was confirmed as host of the 2001 AGM, and ASMF Paris was chosen to host the AGM in 2002. The Bike Run was awarded to LFRR Essen for 2001, and MCRA Lyon for 2002. There was discussion of a proposal from SLM Oslo about the Mr Leather Europe contest but it was decided to keep the procedure agreed in 1999. SLM Oslo was asked to work on behalf of the ECMC on the removal of SM as a diagnosed psychiatric disorder by the WHO. On a proposal by MSC Belgium, Marion Pohle of MS Amsterdam was elected Honorary Patron of the ECMC which led to MLC Mnchen walking out. The SNC International Trophy was awarded to LC Milano for the second time. Interlude Following the AGM in Milano, two clubs decided to leave the ECMC, partly because of the election of Marion Pohle as Patron. These clubs were SLM Kbenhavn and MLC Mnchen. This meant that Benn Lohse had to step down as ECMC Secretary. He organised a postal ballot to appoint a successor. There were two candidates, Midland Link MSC and MSC Belgium, of which MSC Belgium was elected, with Chris Bourne becoming the new ECMC Secretary from 1 January 2001. Meanwhile the constitutional working party continued their debate, and met in Bruxelles at the end of February. A first draft was circulated to all clubs for comment by 1 April 2001, while an amended draft incorporating many comments from the clubs was circulated by early July. 2001 20th ECMC Bike Run Organiser: LFRR Essen; dates: 5-9 August; venue: Villa Loewenherz, a bikers hostel in the Weserbergland; 150 participants, although about 50 percent were not members of an ECMC club. Tours through the Weserbergland and the Harz mountains. Afterwards, the option of going on to the European Leather Party of MSC Hamburg. 28th AGM Date: 6 October 2001 Venue: Theater unter den Kuppeln, Grbleswiesenweg 30, 70771 Stetten, (Leinfelden-Echterdingen), near Stuttgart (Germany) Hosting Club: LC Stuttgart Chairman: Heinz Stffler (LC Stuttgart) Acting Chairman: Hubertus Bse (LC Stuttgart) Minutes: Wolfgang M Weber (FLC Frankfurt) ECMC Secretary: Chris Bourne (MSC Belgium) after Benn Lohses resignation Attendance: Members: MS Amsterdam, MSC Belgium, ASMF Paris, MCRA Lyon, LC Milano, MLC Veneto, Loge 70 (Schweiz) (arrived late), LMC Vienna, SNC London, MSC London, RMC, MSC Bournemouth, East Mercia MSC, Manchester Super Chain MSC, Midland Link MSC, MSC Scotland, Severn Link MSC, Mens Club Aarhus, SLM Stockholm, SLM Malm, SLM Gteborg, SLM Oslo, FLC Frankfurt, LC Stuttgart, LCH Hamburg, LFFR Essen, LM Dsseldorf, MSC Hamburg, MSC Hannover, MSC Rhein-Main Frankfurt, MSC Rote Erde Dortmund, MS Panther Kln, Nrnberger Lederclub, LC Mannheim, LC Dresden, BLF, MSC Iceland, LMC Estonia

Clubs represented by proxy: MS Rotterdam by MS Amsterdam, MSC Hallamshire by Manchester Super Chain MSC, Essex Leather MSC by RMC, MSC Finland by SLM Gteborg Candidates (full membership): LCR Roma Candidates (probationary membership): LCNW Bremen Absent: MSC Madrid, LC Saar For the first time since 1991, the AGM was held in Germany. LC Stuttgart which celebrated its twentyfifth birthday organised a highly professional event in some excellent venues, blessed by brilliant weather on the Saturday. This success was not least thanks to the unstinting efforts of their members. MSC Belgium was overwhelmingly confirmed as the holder of the Secretariat for the next two years, with Chris Bourne as Secretary. MSC Berlin, London Blues and Sussex Lancers had closed since the last AGM. The ECMC was in better shape financially than had been feared from the previous years budget, with a credit balance of over 3000, but this was because new membership cards had not been purchased. It was agreed that the ECMC contributions should now be paid in Euros, at the rate of 1 for each member of each club, with 20 as a minimum subscription which would also apply to probationary clubs. The proposal for a new ECMC Constitution was passed with 37 votes for, 3 against and 1 abstention. In addition, the guidelines and standing orders for procedure would be discussed the following year. LC Roma became a full member, and LCNW Bremen a probationary member. For 2003, MSC Hamburg was chosen to host the AGM, and MLC Veneto to host the bike run. LC Saar was closing at the end of the year. Midland Link MSC asked member clubs not to publish clubs postal addresses if they are also private addresses as opposed to PO Box addresses. Midland Link presented the updated ECMC history. The SNC Trophy was awarded to BLF.

This information was retrieved from: http://www.zoominfo.com/ CachedPage/?archive_id=0&page_id=661170653&page_url=// www.midlandlink.org/hisection3.html&page_last_updated=2004-0409T03:31:19&firstName=Motor&lastName=Amsterdam Contact: info@leatherhistory.eu www.leatherhistory.eu