Tom of Finland House

Like so many of us, Touko Laaksonen simply fell in love with L.A. when he first visited in the late ’70s And as the Finnish homoerotic artist began to stick around more often, he increasingly called this Echo Park Craftsman home. It also became a gathering place for fellow influential figures in the gay visual arts, including Robert Mapplethorpe and John Waters. A few years before his death, “Tom of Finland” (as he would sign his striking black-and-white pieces) and house owner Durk Dehner hatched the Tom of Finland Foundation, with the house as the headquarters for his archives as well as a safe space for artists who’ve been discriminated against for pursuing erotica. Ever since, the historic monument has hosted tours, exhibitions, art classes and an annual cultural fest.