Tom’s men were lumberjacks, and policemen, and sailors, and soldiers Tom’s men were men who clearly liked being men. Though many of his works were plainly homoerotic, they flew in the face of stereotypical views that saw gay men as weak or effeminate. When Tom went back to his art after the war, he was attracted by the juxtaposition of rebellion and regulation, and he started combining hyper-masculine male depictions (similar to those being drawn at the time by American artist George Quaintance) with symbols of authority, discipline, and strength. In a Europe that was becoming increasingly puritanical and regimented with the rise of National Socialism and Soviet Communism, Tom (perhaps rightly) thought that his images might place him or his family under scrutiny, so he destroyed nearly all of them.ĭuring his service in the Finnish army during World War II, Tom became fascinated with military symbols, uniforms, and badges of rank. Sadly, few of Tom’s earliest works survive. Tom of Finland began drawing images of well-muscled men while a student in Helsinki in the late 1930’s. Over the last half-century or more, Touko Laaksonen, known most commonly as Tom of Finland, has had a profound influence on LGBT iconography as a whole and has been universally recognized as the foundational figure behind many of the symbols commonly associated with leather culture throughout the world. Our first ‘Tom’ didn’t begin his life with that name it was chosen for him because it was easy for his English-speaking friends to pronounce.
That inspiration is largely bound up in the histories of two men, both named Tom.
In order to understand the story of The Baltimore Eagle and the symbol that represents it, we need to begin by understanding their inspiration. We hope you come again soon, and that you always leave satisfied. In the spirit and tradition of fellowship, we promise to provide you with a safe, judgment-free space to congregate and celebrate your true self. The Baltimore Eagle pays homage to the history of the leather and kink communities. When patrons of The Eagle’s Nest left New York City, they carried with them that sense of community and The Eagle’s Nest served as inspiration for new Eagle bars that began opening doors in cities like San Francisco, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and even as far away as London. It was a “safe space” before that term became part of our vernacular. Amid the tension of homophobia in their everyday life, these men found a place of respite at The Eagle’s Nest. Inside, the walls were painted black, biker groups and sports clubs began holding meetings, and soon the place became a popular spot for traditionally masculine-presenting gay men.
This is where the first Eagle bar was born. The streets are still smoldering from the Stonewall Riots, “gay rights” has become a movement, and an old longshoreman’s tavern named Eagle Open Kitchen has just closed its doors. You can check out the best drag shows or cabaret performances, but these queer spaces all offer something unique, from cozy vibes and cheap drinks to high energy dancing and brunch parties - sometimes in the same place on different days! Maybe your interests skew more trendy and urbane, or perhaps you're more of the down-and-dirty, "what happens on the weekends, stays on the weekends" type - we're not here to judge! There are plenty of LGBTQ+ things to do in New York, but if it’s a bar you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.1970. The West Village is a classic destination for queer nightlife, but you’ll find something exciting and welcoming in pretty much any part of the city. The best queer bars in NYC range from dive bars to dance clubs, with historic spots like the Stonewall Inn anchoring them all. New York has played a major role in LGBTQ+ history, and it’s no wonder there are a slew of bars that have been beacons for the community (and prime party spots) for decades.