Why The Gay World Needs Tom of Finland More Than Ever
The Impact of Tom of Finland: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Icons and Their Art
Hello again my chosen family, and for those of you new to my newsletter! Once again, it's been a little while since I updated due to my health battles. Yet, I'm still here and very busy creating artwork, poetry, videos and so much more for our community.
For those of you who do know me a little better, you'll know that I'm a great believer in trying to attract towards you the positive circumstances you desire, even in the face of adversity. So in a way, I hope that my battles can inspire you to also fight your own!
I got to thinking about how our community would have looked if Tom of Finland had not been discovered, or his illustrations not reached mass awareness within our community.
This set me on a path to writing a series of 10 poems: Ink & Leather. One of them is a tribute to Tom, and the rest to other iconic pioneers who really did so much for our community. Think Bill Thom - Lambda Legal and Frank Kameny - Frank and the D.C. branch of the Mattachine Society drafted a bill to get the sodomy laws overturned in the city, which was passed in 1993 (30 years after it was written.) He was also a key player in getting the American Psychiatric Association to no longer list homosexuality as a mental disorder - plus many others.
I then created a video paying homage, to Tom, to remind us all of just what his work did for us, and set that to his poem from within the book. All of this creativity then further inspired me to add some new leather artwork to the Red Bubble store too! Again, you can check that out if you'd like https://www.redbubble.com/people/ItsAKinkThingπ³οΈβπππ
If you'd like to check out the video, you can see it over on the original Iconic LGBTQ channel.
If you'd like to purchase the book of poems, you can do so over on the Fourth Wall store: https://iconiclgbtq-shop.fourthwall.com/products/ink-and-leather-love-poems-to-gay-pioneers
There's also 10 copies available free for giveaway. Read further down below to find out how you can get your hands on one!
By the way - join me over here as a Founding Member on Substack, or a Diamond or Platinum member on Fourth Wall and you can access this book, and EVERY future book created, including the iconic coloring books and the BLUF leather lookbook magazines, totally FREE of charge, included in your membership!
The point of this whole exercise?
In a world where we are now surrounded with online gay content, it's easy to forget that the time Tom of Finland was creating his work in was dangerous, and he could have been jailed and so much more for just simply drawing his desire and vision.
He didn't set out to change the gay community, but he inadvertently did.
In fact, it could be argued he created parts of the gay community, especially the leather scene. Prior to his work, gay men were often shown as effeminate, damaged and weak. He refused to accept that and pushed back in defiance to draw the world he chose to see. That's where I bring in law of attraction.
I suggest that Tom of Finland literally brought into reality the leather world and ability for gay men to express themselves as the wonderful, strong, masculine men they are. We have a lot to thank him for.
All of us have continued to maintain that vision, and I'm here to encourage you all to continue to focus upon the world we wish to see and not pay attention to the world that is hating against this
At the moment, in the face of AI bots, erasing and censoring content online - and even chat bots refusing to write content that might refer to gay relationships! - Tom and Finland is ever more important in our lives. He serves as a reminder that we should rely upon our inherent human abilities to still create content; as much as AI can and does assist us.
Letβs delve into how the gay community might have looked without his groundbreaking contributions.
Tom of Finland: A Revolutionary Artist
For those of you outside of the community, or with little knowledge of him, here's a quick primer. Who Was Tom of Finland?
Born Touko Valio Laaksonen on May 8, 1920, in Finland, Tom of Finland would become a pivotal figure in the LGBTQ+ art world.
His artistic journey began with erotic drawings of male laborers, which he created for his own pleasure. These early works celebrated the male form and laid the foundation for his later iconic illustrations.
Despite interruptions due to war, Tom continued to develop his style, focusing on men associated with working-class environmentsβsailors, bikers, and lumberjacks.
In 1956, he submitted his images to the American magazineΒ Physique Pictorial, and one of his pictures graced the Spring 1957 cover. His metaphorical use of sports and work environments resonated deeply, even within the constraints of censorship at the time.
When censorship eased in the 1970s, Tom of Finlandβs art gained mainstream appeal, becoming a symbol of gay pride and sexual liberation.
The Impact of Tom of Finland:
Artistic Empowerment:
Tomβs illustrations empowered the gay community by depicting joyful, positive gay men. His work defied stereotypes perpetuated by closed-minded individuals.
Through his stylized, highly masculinized homoerotic art, Tom appropriated classic archetypes of masculinity, turning them on their head. His characters remained strong, whether they topped or bottomed.
Breaking Taboos:
Tomβs art played a crucial role in breaking taboos around gay sex and sexuality in the broader world. His boldness and unapologetic celebration of desire challenged societal norms.
His unique perspective allowed him to express the beauty of desire, intimacy, and connection between men.
Resilience and Inspiration:
Tom faced setbacks, including stolen artwork and counterfeiting. Yet, he persisted, adapting to different mediums even when illness made it difficult to hold a pencil.
His unwavering commitment serves as a beacon of hope and motivation for artists and activists alike. Despite adversity, he continued to create, leaving behind a legacy that transcends time.
Tom of Finland Today:
In an era where AI bots sometimes censor LGBTQ+ content on platforms like YouTube, Tomβs illustrations remain vital. They challenge biases and prejudices ingrained in algorithms.
As we celebrate Tomβs art, we must also recognize the ongoing fight for visibility and acceptance. His work reminds us that progress is hard-won and that artists continue to shape our culture
The Book of Poems: Honoring Pioneers
My Tribute:
Within the 50-page book lies a tribute to Tom of Finlandβa poetic homage to his impact on gay history.
But thatβs not all. I've also honored other pioneers who shaped our community, celebrating their courage, resilience, and contributions.
Get Your Free Copy:
As a founding member on Substack or a member on Fourth Wall, you can access the book, and EVERY future book created including the iconic coloring books and the BLUF leather lookbook magazines, totally FREE of charge, included in your membership!
I'm also giving away 10 copies on a first-come, first-served basis. Donβt miss outβuse the link here to claim yours! If the link no longer works, then, sadly, it means that all 10 copies have been snatched up! If you haven't already, you can subscribe below, free, and then you won't miss out on any future giveaways of other new content.
Remember, just as Tom of Finland persisted despite challenges, we too can make a differenceβno matter our obstacles. Let's face it, just thinking about Thomas Finland empowered me to not only create a video and poems and artwork, it also empowered me to write this newsletter to you all. This is the gift of Tom of Finland and many others, and also the gift that YOU can offer the world. All of us have something to contribute. Letβs keep celebrating our icons and their enduring impact! Let's keep creating together. πβ¨