Most people who signed Joe Laiacona's petition to run for state representative of the 40th District probably had no idea they were supporting a historic campaign. That's because Laiacona didn't tell them. One evening in August I followed the 62-year-old as he hoofed it down Sacramento between Irving Park and Addison. Wearing a short-sleeve plaid shirt tucked into jeans, he said almost exactly the same thing to anyone who'd open the door: "Hi, I'm Joe Laiacona. I'm running for state rep of the 40th District, and I'm wondering if you'd like to sign my petition. It doesn't mean you'll vote for me. It just means you'll have a choice."
The Political Art of Domination: a leather master's historic run for office
Joe Laiacona may well run unopposed as the Democratic candidate for state rep in Illinois' 40th, a predominantly blue-collar district on the northwest side. Laiacona, an openly gay man, has made a bid challenging the registered voter status of incumbent Deborah Mell, an out lesbian. All this legal maneuvering has political junkies hooked. Add in that Laiacona is also a "leather master" who has published seven books on BDSM and role playing, and for sixteen years wrote a column called "Leather Views" for Gay Chicago Magazine and, well... Woo boy!