Attitude marks Tom of Finland’s 100th birthday with special edition Sex & Sexuality issue

Attitude is the official media partner to the Tom of Finland centennial celebrations as the world marks 100 years since the ground-breaking artist’s birth next month (8 May).

To mark the historic occasion, we’re releasing a special commemorative edition of our upcoming Sex & Sexuality issue – out this Thursday 23 April – featuring his famously homoerotic work.

To secure your limited edition copy in print and have it delivered directly to your door, simply click here to subscribe now (while stocks last).

Tom of Finland, birth name Touko Valio Laaksonen, was born in the small south-western town of Kaarina, Finland, on 8 May 1920. His work was first printed in the US in 1957 by Physique Pictorial, a quarterly bodybuilding magazine that was popular with gay men since LGBTQ magazines were illegal at the time.

It was the publication’s editor Bob Mizer that added the tag ‘of Finland’ to Tom’s signature.

Subscribe now to secure your copy the official Tom of Finland centennial edition of Attitude’s June Sex & Sexuality issue, while stocks last (© 1977 Tom of Finland Foundation)

After his death in November 1991, Tom’s artwork maintained an underground allure and remained ever-present in queer cultural references, but the past decade has seen a huge revival in the appreciation of his talent, with his work included in major fashion collaborations, a vodka brand, homeware ranges and even a postage stamp collection in his native Finland.

Durk Dehner, president and co-founder of the Tom of Finland Foundation, which is dedicated to preserving and continuing the artist’s legacy, was also Tom’s partner until his death in 1991.

Durk told Attitude, “Tom of Finland Foundation’s mission is protecting, preserving, and promoting homoerotic queer art and culture. It is a perfect union to partner with the premiere homo-centric journal Attitude in furthering our mutual goals of nurturing our community.

Courtesy of the Tom of Finland Foundation

“This year, 2020, is a year dedicated to celebrations of pride and freedom, honouring ourselves, our communities and Tom of Finland, the artist who inspired us to simply love, and love life, through our sexualities.”

Cliff Joannou, Editor-in-Chief at Attitude, said: “For years the snooty art world disregarded Tom of Finland’s talent, but the empowering vision Tom presented in the 1950s still resonates today.

“Tom illustrated a world free of homophobia, a place where lust and love between men was not just sexual and natural, but also intimate and joyful. It’s with great pride that Attitude can celebrate him with this very special tribute issue.

“Our thanks go to Durk and Sharp at the Tom of Finland Foundation for asking Attitude to join them in celebrating a true gay trailblazer.”

Subscribe now to secure your copy the official Tom of Finland centennial edition of Attitude’s Sex & Sexuality issue*

*while stocks last