The Chicago Hellfire Club is a brotherhood of men who share interests in Gay S/M safe sex. The purpose of the Club is provide education and opportunities for participation in safe, sane, and consensual S/M sex among consenting adult men and to foster communication among them. Aug., 1971 in Chicago: Thirteen men decide to organize a group specifically to hold gay male SM play parties and the Chicago Hellfire Club is created. Chicago Hellfire Club celebrates its 5th anniversary by holding a weekend long event featuring a Saturday night SM party at a remote campground. Called Inferno 5, this is first of what are to become the most infamous and exclusive male SM play events. This is an interview with the last surviving founding member of the Hellfire Club, Tony Philbin

What was the history of gay life/leather life in the 60's and the 70's?
Gay life was very limited, the only place to go was the Gold Coast we recognized each other by patches sewn onto vests and shirts. It was a very close knit circle, you had to fill out an application and have 3 sponsors you were a pledge ship for one year and in that year you had to perform your expert skill to become a full member. In those days that was the only way to be a member.

Well, I was never into Drag Queens, I was in to Motorcycle Clubs and Second City Motorcycle in the County that was originated by Chuck Renslow and in there we did some S&M activity but that wasn't enough.. Renslow told thin that this wasn't going to work. So it grew from there.

What was the evolution of Hell Fire?
In England there was a club called HellFire and we just stole their name. When we started to have parties, they were so popular we had to find places to have them, we had them in peoples homes, then they went weekly, then we went with themes, one week may have been water sports, the next week piercing, fisting and then on from there. And out of that the MAFIA club was a spin off from Hellfire. To be a full Member you have to live in the Chicago area only

Chicago Hellfire Club hosted Inferno 23 in Douglas Michigan. You receive the Caligula Award. Tell us what the Caligula Award is?
The Caligula award is for people who have shown outstanding work and leadership throughout the years in the club.

You are the only remaining original member?
Yes, It gives me no special prestige, but in the club, I am the master!

Were you involved in the origin of IML?
No, I went to a couple of them but never was involved in the actual organization of the International MR. Leather

What is the future of Hell Fire?
Seeing that we have 400 members from all overt the world, I hope that
we can attract many more members to keep them coming back, keep
holding Inferno, and keep including the 27 states and 8 foreign countries
in our activities.

What else would you like our readers to know?
That to be introduced to S&M so that you may find some the same happiness that I have, if you meet someone in a bar, and go home with them make sure you know their limits and yours too. If you come to the Hellfire club, there are Dungeon masters that will always see that nobody is pushed beyond their limits.