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Tom of Finland (real name Touko Valio Laaksonen, 8 May 1920 – 7 November 1991) is one of the most famous artists of gay men in history, and the modern TropeCodifier of the ManlyGay trope. He specialized in drawing [[HelloSailor sailors]] and [[LeatherMan leather-clad bikers]]...with {{Raging Stiffie}}s in their pants. He also loved to draw [[HotMenAtWork lumberjacks and construction workers.]]

Tom himself served as a Lieutenant in the Finnish Army during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII. He was a fire control officer in the anti-aircraft troops, and his bravery earned him ''Vapaudenristi'' (Cross of Freedom) decoration. His drawing style has been claimed to be the inspiration of Music/FreddieMercury's performance style.

A documentary about his life and works called ''Film/DaddyAndTheMuscleAcademy'' was released in 1991, and a biopic called ''Film/TomOfFinland'' was released in 2017.

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!! Tom of Finland's work provides examples of:

* BiggerIsBetterInBed: Tom liked 'em ''big''. Might be GagPenis to some.
* FollowTheLeader: His gay pornographic art inspired many other artists in this field. His art is considered a major contributor in leather-clad bikers and sailors having developed into gay symbols.
* HelloSailor: The artist loved men in uniform and drew a lot of sailors.
* HotMenAtWork: Construction workers are a recurring theme.
* LeatherMan: He drew a lot of leather-clad bikers.
* ManlyGay: All the men he drew were strong, muscular men.
* MrFanservice: All the men he drew are essentially gay fan service.
* RagingStiffie: The men in his work often have rather bulbous underpants.
* ReferencedBy:
** "Vive Le Rock" from ''Music/ViveLeRock'' by Music/AdamAnt name drops him:
-->''Well, I've been where I was going''
-->''And it's not Tom of Finland''
** Music/{{Turbonegro}} bassist and songwriter Thomas Seltzer has occasionally gone by the stage name "Tom of Norway".
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