Did you miss our Evening With Tom of Finland? Here's a quick recap.

We had a fantastic time at the Tom of Finland Foundation. They really rolled out the red carpet for us. You should have been there!

The Tom of Finland Foundation has a very unique mission. From their website:
"In 1984, the non-profit Tom of Finland Foundation was established by Durk Dehner and his friend Touko Laaksonen a.k.a. Tom of Finland. As Tom had established worldwide recognition as the master of homo-erotic art, the Foundation's original purpose was to preserve his vast catalog of work. Several years later the scope was widened to offer a safe haven for all erotic art in response to rampant discrimination against art that portrayed sexual behavior or generated a sexual response. Today the Foundation continues in its efforts of educating the public as to the cultural merits of erotic art and in promoting healthier, more tolerant attitudes about sexuality."

ToFF Founder Durk Dehner and ToFF Library Director Allison Schulte gave us tours of the Foundation. We stayed for a delicious dinner, courtesy of their friend and caterer Michael Kirwan, and we enjoyed the hospitality of their many friends.

A few photos:

A portrait of Tom of Finland:


From left to right: Kaliesha, Charissa, Grace, and Cameron:


Clockwise from Richard (standing): Richard, Doris, Christopher, David, Dena, and Michael:


Clockwise from left: Belinda, Drea, Mary, Lucy, and Bill:


Our fancy coffee and dessert:


Durk serving cake to Mary, Bill, and David:


Our beautiful and generous hostess, ToFF Library Director Allison Schulte (left), and yours truly (right):



Feeling left out? You can arrange your own tour of the Tom of Finland Foundation! They are receptive to small groups. Simply contact the Foundation via their website at http://www.tomoffinlandfoundation.org/. You might also consider becoming a member or donating to support their cause: http://www.tomoffinlandfoundation.org/foundation/Donations/Memb/member.html.

My heartfelt thanks goes to everyone who had a hand in arranging this event, including Belinda Beardt and Peter Johnson, as well as everyone at the Foundation. Thank you to Allison for being our liaison, to Durk for hosting us, to Michael for the wonderful food, and to all of the other friends of the Foundation for making us feel so welcome.

See you at the next event!

-Robin Dodge
SLA-SCC President-Elect