Tom was born in May and his given name is “Touko”.
May in Finnish is “Toukokuu”.  

Touko’s Name Day
24 May

PLEASE COME OUT AND HONOR TOM

TOM OF FINLAND (Finnish, 1920 – 1991), Untitled (Detail), 1965,
Graphite on paper, ToFF #65.02,
© 1965 Tom of Finland Foundation

HONOR YOURSELF AND CELEBRATE

Tom asked me not to have a funeral but to have a party—like a scene from his artwork—people coming together and having a hell of a good time. We created a celebration— the first ‘TOM’s Bar’ in 1992, which has become a Tom of Finland Foundation annual event honoring Tom.
—Durk Dehner

I wanted to show Gays they can feel happy together. I wanted to tell them they have a right to enjoy life in their way – Gays being together feeling happy, being proud of who they are.
 —Tom of Finland

FAULTLINE LOT PARTY

SUNDAY, 2-7 PM

ARTISTS
SILENT AUCTION
CONTESTS | PRIZES
GIVE-AWAYS

$10 DONATION – $8 TOFF MEMBERS

Proceeds From the 22nd Annual TOM’s Bar
Used to Benefit Tom of Finland Foundation

4216 MELROSE AVENUE | LA 90004

Thanks to GRAB Magazine for this two page (54-56) spread.

Check out all the events for Grabbys Award Show and
 International Mr. Leather and find SOLD OUT and their line of
Tom of Finland shirts.

G.L.E.H. (Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing) is a 104 unit building located in Hollywood that’s mission is to improve the life experience of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender seniors by developing affordable housing. ( www.gleh.org ) My goal is to help them purchase a new email/computer station for their over 110 current residents. 

Please join me for a fundraiser with Door Prizes ($5 suggested donation), Silent Auction with artwork and Boots-to-Balls Raffle as we raise monies to purchase a new computer area for the residents.  -EAGLE LA MR. LEATHER 2013

Auction items include artwork by
TOM OF FINLAND, DRUB and GEORGE QUAINTANCE

If you can’t make it to the run,
please join us at Pistons for the BBQ, Auction and Party at 3p.

8th May is TOM’s birthday. EVERY 8th May from here on - all over the globe – friends and fans of TOM, his art and his messages should come together for a toast, a party – why not a full-on celebration? Let’s make it an official TOM day!

TOM’s cake at TOM House, 2013

TOM really deserves hero status for all he gave to our culture and foremost what he gave to developing Homosexuals, starting at a time when we had no positive role models with which to identify.

Alli Ruth, LA Band of Brothers, LA Mr. Leather 2013, friends and family at TOM’s party, 2013.

We’ll raise a glass, enjoy ourselves and be sexy with absolutely no shame or guilt – TOM style!

Tom kept this work in his private collection
till the creation of his foundation where it now resides.

Touko Laaksonen inherited Beauty from his parents,
his upbringing steeped in Æsthetics.
He matured into an Artist who created
more than one masterwork yet
never had any formal Art training.
Schooled at the piano, self-taught with a pencil.
The consummate Homosexual.

From Tom of Finland – Life and Work of a Gay Hero

Tom of Finland’s real name is Touko - 
because he was born 8th May 1920,
on the south coast of Finland,
and May in Finnish is “Toukokuu”.

Jay Lawton at ToFF’s Art Fair 2006

Thank you to Jay Jorgensen for this perfect picture above of
Jay Lawton doing what he loved. And what we loved him for.

JAY R. LAWTON
20TH JULY 1961 – 23RD APRIL 2013

Jay Lawton was always knowing. He certainly knew what he wanted. It was very rewarding watching him mature as a photographer, not always an easy path he chose.

Jay came to Tom of Finland Foundation eager. He helped by documenting thousands of objects with his camera. He recorded our events as eventful. He acquired a quiet confidence that he took with him to all other kinds of events but he was adopted by the Leather community. His reputation was built on earnestness and dignity (and always being on time!).

Jay knew the right thing to do. He cared for his mother, not always something easy. He gave more than few of us think we can afford.  He asked for what was fair – and right. He learned the right way to shoot and learned how to get the shots he wanted. All the lessons he learned as he was learning were not easy ones. He was sometimes discouraged but incapable of bitterness.

Jay was thoughtful and wise and we wish he was around so he could accomplish all he wanted. We are grateful for every moment we got to spend together and will miss that knowing grin…

-TOM’s Foundation

We invite you to view this gallery to revisit Jay Lawton’s work
(and to see just a few of his thousands of friends).

Let’s get together to roast our dear friend
with a open mic for those with a 90 second speech.