Dom Orejudos | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | July 1, 1933 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | September 24, 1991 (aged 58) Boulder, Colorado |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Etienne, Stephen |
| Occupation(s) | artist, ballet dancer, choreographer |
| Known for | gay male erotica |
| Partner(s) | Chuck Renslow (1953–death) Robert Yuhnke (1969–death) |
Domingo Francisco Juan Esteban "Dom" Orejudos, Secundo (July 1, 1933 – September 24, 1991),[1] also widely known by the pen names Etienne and Stephen, was an openly gay artist, ballet dancer, and choreographer, best known for his ground-breaking gay male erotica beginning in the 1950s. Along with artists George Quaintance and Touko Laaksonen ("Tom of Finland")—with whom he became friends—Orejudos' leather-themed art promoted an image of gay men as strong and masculine, as an alternative to the then-dominant stereotype as weak and effeminate.[2] With his first lover and business partner Chuck Renslow, Orejudos established many landmarks of late-20th-century gay male culture, including the Gold Coast bar, Man's Country bathhouse,[3] the International Mr. Leather competition, Chicago's August White Party,[4] and the magazines Triumph, Rawhide, and Mars.[4] He was also active and influential in the Chicago ballet community.
- ^ Heise, Kenan (1991-10-02). "Dom Orejudos, 58, Ballet Dancer and Artist Known as 'Etienne'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- ^ Harrity, Christopher. "Inventors of Gay: Chuck Renslow and Dom Orejudos". Gay.net. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- ^ "Gay Influence". gayinfluence.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2017-01-31.
- ^ a b Baim, Tracy; Ehemann, Ron (2008). Out and Proud in Chicago: An Overview of the City's Gay Community. Chicago: Agate Publishing. p. 73. ISBN 978-1572841000.