The Thirst is REAL at Unleashed LGBTQ - AussieBum, Grindr, ADDICTED, & RIDE BodyWorx Join Line-Up
Unleashed LGBTQ Virtual is proud to partner with some of the hottest brands to bring you virtual fashion shows, topic discussions, and happy hour panels. Still thirsty? We got you! Here’s a few brands you can expect to see at Unleashed LGBTQ Virtual…
AussieBum celebrates 20 years.
AussieBum: This premier Australian underwear and swimsuit company has reached worldwide success and notoriety by making some of the sexiest mens apparel over the last 20 years. This virtual fashion event will showcase the latest products from their 2021 spring/summer collection. Fashion show will be followed by interview with founder and CEO Sean Ashby.
Grindr is renowned for being the world’s largest gay dating app. With such success, Grindr has learned a lot from a marketing standpoint. While large companies have been eager to show support to the LGBTQ community, for example: ads with gay couples, Andy Kraut explains from his own professional experience In brand partnerships, how many companies today have steered clear, and in some cases, discriminated against businesses like Grindr. Even with large audiences and preferred demographics, many companies are still reluctant to advertise with the tech giant. Advertisements obviously use sex to sell, So why not gay sex?
ADDICTED, the world famous Barcelona based, swimsuit, underwear, and athletic brand has always had a reputation for top-notch quality products, immaculate ads/marketing, and beautiful models. What's in store for 2021? Well, check out the online store, hun. Also, be sure to register to attend Unleashed LGBTQ Virtual, where Addicted will be hosting an exclusive online fashion show that will no doubt leave you wanting more. (Addicted yet? You will be.)
Sliquid- RIDE BODYWORX Part of unleashed lgbtq happy hour
RIDE BodyWorx has grown from a lube manufacturer, creating some of the highest quality lubricants on the market, to a lifestyle product powerhouse, producing grooming products, shaving cream and beard oil. partnerships with Rocco Steele and Buck Angel helped propel RIDE to new levels of recognition. RIDE Bodyworx Also shows its commitment to creating high performance products for diverse consumers. T-LUBE, is a water-based personal lubricant created for trans men based off of tEstimony and personal experience. Bravo! 👏🏽
See full line-up of brands, speakers, and performers here.
Unleashed LGBTQ creates a space for brands, entertainers, and LGBTQ professionals to connect. ATTENDEES can see the latest products, services, and campaigns entering the LGBTQ market including apps, fashion, media, non-profits, travel/desTination, and more.
Unleashed LGBTQ Virtual will host keynote speakers, panels, and performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ film, television, & music.
Register Here.
Martin Stark takes a jab at homophobia in sport
BY ARNOLD WAYNE JONES
Martin Stark
There was a time not that long ago when Martin Stark wondered whether he would live to see another sunrise.
At the end of 2017, he nearly died from Addison’s disease, a rare but grave autoimmune disorder. He survived it (barely) but found himself suffering from a form of post-traumatic stress. To shake himself from a stupor, he happened upon boxing, and his passion for the sport grew — grew so quickly and strong, in fact, that he founded the World Gay Boxing Championships (WGBC), a nonprofit dedicated to inclusiveness inside the ring.
Even though the main event — the worldwide championships bout — won’t take place for another two years, Stark is planning several gay “fight nights,” and has already generated buzz across the globe with his mission, having been profiled by the BBC, Reuters, Out.com and more.
Stark, who will deliver a keynote address and conduct an online forum for Unleashed LGBTQ, sat down with us via Zoom (he lives in Australia) to discuss boxing, his organization and the need for diversity throughout sports.
How did boxing — or sport in general — enter your life like it did?
I was always a good swimmer — I think of myself as athletic — but was always the last picked at team sports. I think [sports] is where people feel comfortable in expressing who they are. After suffering [PTSD following my near-death experience], I signed up for a series of classes [in various disciplines to get out in the world]. The second class happened to be boxing — something I never thought I’d be good at. But what more than just boosting my confidence, I really discovered a love for the sport.
What is the “outness” of athletes in Australia like — across all sports, not just boxing?
Very similar [to where it stands in the U.S. — i.e., some retired but few active openly LGBTQ players in professional leagues]. Recently, a former rugby union player, now retired from the sport, came out. What’s slightly different here is, there has been great leadership on trans and gender-diversity inclusion.
One thing that really sets WGBC apart, I think, is how inclusiveness at all levels really drives it.
Yes, we call it a straight-friendly organization! We just want to increase inclusion and participation in boxing. It’s important to share your vision and connect with people in the community. And the truth is, it could not have happened without straight allies backing me. A friend who is a lawyer set up the [articles of incorporation]. Another developed the first website for free. I approached Boxing Australia [the governing body for amateur boxing Down Under] and they agreed to endorse and support the championship. They are also providing institutional guidance. There is also a London group [dedicated to inclusive boxing] but nothing on the scale of the championships [we will be presenting 2023]. We already have a high number of trans men who want to box. We have good diversity across the boxing community.
You’re basically following the rules applicable to all amateur boxing, though, aren’t you?
Yes, we have weight divisions but also [categorize athletes] by experience and age to make sure it’s safe. You would never have an experienced heavyweight boxing a welterweight [new to boxing]. So there’s physical safety, but also the psychological safety that people feel when they know they are welcomed, accepted.
What do you hope to accomplish?
Sport has been a bastion in homophobia and transphobia for years and it takes an individual to stand up and say. “This is where it ends.” I set up the organization to disrupt homophobia and transphobia in sport so that in 10 years, it no longer exists. We have gone from champions who make transphobic remarks [in the past] to those same champions attacking those who make them now. Hopefully we have reached a point in society where we don’t need to use the word like “ally.”
How will you achieve that?
It’s all about speaking up. Most people object to offensive behavior, but more people need to report it and stand up to it to really force the mainstream [culture] to step in, and not to hear racist or homophobis remarks [and let them slide]. We should call out racism, sexism or behaviors where people are made to feel disrespected.
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Arnold Wayne Jones
MaRtin stark
Product Review - TOM OF FINLAND ORGANIC VODKA
May 7, 2020
Dallas, TX
Most of us are familiar with Tom of Finland, (Touko Laaksonsen) the Finnish artist and gay icon known for his homoerotic artwork. He created images of hyper-masculine bikers, sailors, and cowboys that are just as relevant today as ever. Want proof? Just stop by The Eagle on leather night and take a peek. Hell, you might even be one of them (DM me pics if so).
Tom of Finland’s name has been used to sell not only his artwork but everything from apparel to sex toys. It has been the inspiration for a feature biographical film (Tom of Finland) as well as the inspiration for many gay porn films. There is even a Tom of Finland Foundation in Los Angeles, created to preserve erotic art and advocate tolerance towards sexuality.
While shopping at my local liquor store in the gayborhood (Cedar Springs in Dallas, TX), I spot something with a very familiar name. Was it Tom of Finland? Yes! Was it a sex toy? No! It was Tom of Finland Organic Vodka. I was immediately intrigued. The bottle was equipped with the iconic artwork you would expect from the Tom of Finland brand. It included a masculine male profile rocking a leather hat, leather jacket, and a thick mustache. The bottle read: Distilled from Organic Grain (Rye and wheat to be exact). I took out my phone and with a quick google search I found this vodka is distilled using pure arctic water and made with no sugar. Sounds impressive, I thought. I went in deeper.
Tom of Finland Organic Vodka is the brainchild of One Eyed Spirits, a progressive Finnish company made up of ex ad creatives who aim to nurture brand ideas and find ways to bring them to life. Not a bad mission statement. After all, these are the same guys who brought us Ron de Jeremy Rum (yes, pornstar Ron Jeremy has his own rum).
I proceeded to check out and even with paying considerably more than I normally do for my Tito’s Handmade Vodka, I was excited to get home and give it a try. I typically put a half ounce in a shot glass for a quick taste if I’m trying a new spirit. I do this to appreciate the quality (or lack there of) even though I plan on mixing it later with Topo Chico or club soda later. What did I learn?
I can honestly say this is one of the best vodkas I’ve ever tried. I am not much of a martini drinker but after that sample the martini glasses came out. I put two ounces of Tom of Finland Organic Vodka, a bit of dry vermouth, and some ice in a shaker. I did a cute dance (seriously adorable) and poured what is now one of my favorite drinks in my fanciest martini glass.
Vodka and martini drinkers, I highly encourage you to give this one a try. While it’s not the most available product yet, you can request your local liquor store to order it from their distributor. You can also take it upon yourself to do a little cruising. I promise you this, he’s worth finding.
Wesley Smoot