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Mid America Fists In Action

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Mid America Fists In Action
AbbreviationMAFIA
Formation1978; 47 years ago (1978)
Founder
Location
Websitemafiaff.org

Mid America Fists In Action (MAFIA) is a 501(c)(7) nonprofit organization for men interested in fisting.[1][2][3][4] MAFIA was founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1978. Membership is open to adults age 21 or older, subject to approval by the board of directors.[2]

MAFIA provides opportunities for members and non-members alike to meet, play, and socialize.[5][6] The organization proclaims a commitment to "a vibrant, social, and affirming approach to fisting culture—one that prioritizes care, especially for bottoms, and champions intimacy, education, and celebration."[7]

History

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MAFIA was founded in Chicago, Illinois in July 1978 by Glynn "Sudsy" Sudbery and Gene Simonar, among others.[8][9][10][11] Sudbery served as president.[12] By July 1979, MAFIA counted members in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada.[13]

The club initially met for "MAFIA night" on Wednesdays at Touché, a leather bar in Rogers Park.[14] MAFIA night quickly caught the attention of gay magazines such as Club Scene and Drummer. In 1980, Drummer reported that "a red bandana and a clean ass are de rigueur."[14] In 1983, Club Scene reported that the gatherings included drawings for "prizes and surprises," and added "You're never quite sure what that group will do."[15]

MAFIA initially held an annual "Summerfist" party to celebrate its anniversary.A[9][16] Events have been open to non-members since MAFIA's fifth anniversary Summerfist in 1983.[9] In addition to two fisting parties, Summerfist 1983 featured biking events, brunch, cook-outs, sit-down dinners and a weekend-long beer bust.[9] The celebration also featured "fisting games" and "people games" such as Find the Popper Top, "Oh My God! I'm Out of Crisco," and "Oops, My Douche Fell."[9]

Members in Colorado formally established a Denver chapter in 1984 that later disbanded.[17][18] By 1986, the self-described "Men of MAFIA" included more than 100 members in 22 states and four countries.[10][17] Since 1992, MAFIA has hosted an annual "Black Hole" party during International Mr. Leather.[10]

MAFIA's surviving records are spread across various institutions including The ArQuives,[19] Australian Queer Archives,[20] Cornell University Library,[13] History Colorado,[18] Kenneth Spencer Research Library,[21] and Leather Archives & Museum.[10]

Founders

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Glynn "Sudsy" Sudbery

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Main article: Glynn Sudbery

Glynn Orville Sudbery was born on June 27, 1942 in Metairie, Louisiana. After moving to Chicago, he became active in the city's leather and fisting scenes. He volunteered at Howard Brown Health Center and served as press coordinator for International Mr. Leather in 1982. Sudbery died in 1984 from AIDS-related complications. He is interred at Garden of Memories cemetery in Metairie. Following Sudbery's death, MAFIA established an award in his honor.[12]

E. Gene Simonar

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Emerson Gene Simonar—better known as Gene Simonar[22] and Sir Gene[23][24]—was born on August 22, 1927 in Green Bay, Wisconsin to Lawrence and Leah Simonar.[25][26] He attended Bethel Academy in Arpin[27] and later worked as a clerk for Economy Boys, Inc. in Green Bay.[28] Simonar represented Cycle MC—a New York-based motorcycle club—on the Atlantic Motorcycle Coordinating Council (AMCC).[29][30][31] He was a charter member of Second City MC, the first gay motorcycle club in the Midwest, founded in 1965.[32][33][23] He later co-founded and served as president of Chicago Knight MC, Chicago's second motorcycle club, in addition to co-founding the Mid-America Conference and Chicago Conference of Clubs.[34][32][23] Simonar died on March 14, 1980 in Chicago.[32] He is buried at Fort Howard Cemetary in Green Bay.[26]

See also

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Notes

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^A In 1982, a fisting club calling itself the Knights of the Golden Eagle formed in Denver and announced plans to hold a "Winterfist" party in December;[35] it is unclear whether this club bore any connection to MAFIA's Summerfist parties and Denver chapter or was simply coincidental.

References

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  1. ^ Navin, Helen (1981-03-01). "Medical and Surgical Risks in Handballing: Implications of an Inadequate Socialization Process". Journal of Homosexuality. 6 (3): 67–76. doi:10.1300/J082v06n03_06. ISSN 0091-8369 – via Taylor & Francis.
  2. ^ a b "Mid America Fists In Action". mafiaff.org. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  3. ^ MID AMERICA FIST IN ACTION. Other names: MID AMERICA FISTS IN ACTION INC. EIN: 47-1908992. Internal Revenue Service.
  4. ^ Suozzo, Andrea; Glassford, Alec; Ngu, Ash; Roberts, Brandon (2013-05-09). "Mid America Fist In Action". ProPublica. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  5. ^ "IML 2017: International Mr. Leather in Chicago". Windy City Times. 2017-05-24. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  6. ^ "Schedule of Events - MIR Contest - Saturday - MAFIA Welcomes MIR Party". MIR. 2024. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  7. ^ "M.A.F.I.A." Bluesky. 2025-04-17. Retrieved 2025-04-18. Rooted in history, community, and connection, we at M.A.F.I.A. have long embraced a vibrant, social, and affirming approach to fisting culture—one that prioritizes care, especially for bottoms, and champions intimacy, education, and celebration.
  8. ^ Rhodes, Dave (1988-09-30). "1988". The Leather Journal. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  9. ^ a b c d e Ash, Donovan F. (1983). "M.A.F.I.A. Celebrates 5th Anniversary" (PDF). Club Scene (12). Houston, Texas: Alan Lipkin & Dan McIver: 9–10 – via Houston LGBT History.
  10. ^ a b c d "Mid America Fists In Action". Leather Archives & Museum. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  11. ^ "Chicago Knight MC". Leather Archives & Museum. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
  12. ^ a b "Glynn Sudbery". Leather Archives & Museum. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
  13. ^ a b M.A.F.I.A. directory. Vol. 1. Chicago: Mid America Fists In Action. July 1979. Retrieved 2025-04-14 – via Cornell University Library.
  14. ^ a b "TOUCHE'". Drummer. 5 (38). San Francisco: Alternate Publishing: 48. 1980.
  15. ^ Webster, Gerry "G.W.", ed. (1983). "Chicago... Our Kind of Town" (PDF). Club Scene (8). Houston, Texas: Alan Lipkin & Dan McIver: 20 – via Houston LGBT History.
  16. ^ "M.A.F.I.A. news (PB-14839)". Leather Archives & Museum. 1986. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
  17. ^ a b "The Men of M.A.F.I.A. Congratulate The Members and Associates of The Chicago Hellfire Club on Your 15th Anniversary!". Inferno XV Official Program. Chicago, Illinois: Chicago Hellfire Club. 1986.
  18. ^ a b "M.A.F.I.A. News". History Colorado Online Collections Portal. Object ID SER.1537. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
  19. ^ "Mid America Fists in Action Inc". The ArQuives. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  20. ^ "Periodicals" (PDF). Australian Queer Archives. 2021-02-10. p. 103. Retrieved 2025-04-12.
  21. ^ Mid-America Fists in Action (M.A.F.I.A.), Box: 22, Folder: 57. Papers of Bruce McKinney, RH MS 1164. University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library.
  22. ^ "State of Wisconsin Brown County Circuit Court Branch IV Probate Branch". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 1980-05-28. p. B-9 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ a b c "The Inner Cycle" (PDF). Wheels. Cycle M.C., Incorporated: 13, 17. October 1972 – via Empire City M.C.
  24. ^ Sir Harry (June 1972). "Chicago Knights" (PDF). Wheels. Cycle M.C.: 27 – via Empire City MC.
  25. ^ "Emerson Gene Simonar." Serial Number W99. Order Number 12512. National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Draft Registration Cards For Wisconsin, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 672. National Archives and Records Administration
  26. ^ a b "E. Gene Simonar". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 1980-03-17. p. B-7 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "Visitors End Holiday Trips". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 1946-01-05. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ Wright's Green Bay City Directory, 1956. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Wright Directory Co. 1957. p. 427 – via Ancestry.com.
  29. ^ Kjelland, Richard (1969-10-12). "Minutes of "Unofficial" Meeting Held Sunday October 12, 1969 in Denver of the AMCC" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-04-21 – via Empire City Motorcycle Club.
  30. ^ Fitzmaurice, Bill (1969-06-21). "Atlantic Motorcycle Coordinating Council Meeting Minutes" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-04-21 – via Empire City Motorcycle Club.
  31. ^ "Atlantic Motorcycle Coordinating Council". amcc76.org. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  32. ^ a b c "Leather Archives & Museum". Bluesky. 2025-03-14. Retrieved 2025-04-20. Gene Seminar was a charter member of Second City MC, the first gay motorcycle club in the Midwest. Seminar was the first president of Chicago Knight MC, a founder of the Mid-America Conference and Chicago Conference of Clubs, and a charter member of Mid America Fists in Action. Seminar died on March 14, 1980. Email photos and memories of Gene to the LA&M to restore his memory in the community archives.
  33. ^ "Second City MC". Leather Archives & Museum. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
  34. ^ "Chicago Knight MC". Leather Archives & Museum. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
  35. ^ John, Bill (1982). Webster, Gerry "G.W." (ed.). "Knights of the Golden Eagle Forms" (PDF). Club Scene. Houston, Texas: Alan Lipkin & Dan McIver: 8–10 – via Houston LGBT History.
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