A supporting member usable with an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material (S), the image forming apparatus including a main assembly opening, said supporting member being movable through the main assembly opening between (i) an inside position in which said supporting member is inside the main assembly and (ii) an outside position in which said supporting member is outside the main assembly, said supporting member comprising: a photosensitive drum ; a mounting portion for dismountably mounting a developing cartridge , the developing cartridge including a developing roller configured for contact with said photosensitive drum to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on said photosensitive drum ; and characterized by further comprising: a contacting and spacing member movably provided in said supporting member , said contacting and spacing member being movable between (i) a first position for contacting the developing roller to said photosensitive drum and (ii) a second position for spacing the developing roller from said photosensitive drum , wherein when said contacting and spacing member is moved from the first position to the second position the developing cartridge is supported by said contacting and spacing member , wherein in a state where the developing cartridge is placed on the contacting and spacing member such that the developing roller is spaced from the photosensitive drum , the developing cartridge is positioned above a position where the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum . a photosensitive drum ; a mounting portion for dismountably mounting a developing cartridge , the developing cartridge including a developing roller configured for contact with said photosensitive drum to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on said photosensitive drum ; and characterized by further comprising: a contacting and spacing member movably provided in said supporting member , said contacting and spacing member being movable between (i) a first position for contacting the developing roller to said photosensitive drum and (ii) a second position for spacing the developing roller from said photosensitive drum , wherein when said contacting and spacing member is moved from the first position to the second position the developing cartridge is supported by said contacting and spacing member , wherein in a state where the developing cartridge is placed on the contacting and spacing member such that the developing roller is spaced from the photosensitive drum , the developing cartridge is positioned above a position where the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum . a contacting and spacing member movably provided in said supporting member , said contacting and spacing member being movable between (i) a first position for contacting the developing roller to said photosensitive drum and (ii) a second position for spacing the developing roller from said photosensitive drum , wherein when said contacting and spacing member is moved from the first position to the second position the developing cartridge is supported by said contacting and spacing member , wherein in a state where the developing cartridge is placed on the contacting and spacing member such that the developing roller is spaced from the photosensitive drum , the developing cartridge is positioned above a position where the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum . <EOS>