BUTT fan Ben Tousley wrote us earlier this year to see if we had any posters left featuring his favorite cover boy, Jason Whipple from Issue #18. We were having a good day and feeling generous so we sent 2 off to him. Now, Ben’s returned our goodwill with a very sweet letter about how much BUTT means to him, and some cute pictures of his BUTT loving cat Cricket.
Hey BUTT friends,
I’ve been really wanting to thank you again for sending these two posters. I got them a couple months back and they’ve kind of a had a little journey since then; I came out a little over a year ago now, definitely with the help of BUTT. Having the posters up in my house has been a pretty helpful reminder to myself that all is well in the world and I shouldn’t let myself get too down. I’m glad to say I’m one of many people that appreciate the ways you guys bring together the many wonderful aspects of being a gay man, particularly in ways that I can actually relate to. A pink magazine named BUTT has been way more inviting to me than any rainbow.
That said, I’ve only just come out to my parents and family in the past couple months. So, there was plenty debate with my friends and I about whether or not I should leave the poster up for when they’re visiting and I finally come out to them. In the end, I decided to take it down so as not to overload them with terror and doom for their baby boy. But honestly, it really helped me so much to look over to it and remember that I should just go ahead with it. I really appreciate that you guys have been able to represent that for me. You’ve been a good source of inspiration and pride. Since then, because of all the discussions we had about it, a good friend of mine made me this little dog tag necklace that says “I Come First” on it out of titanium as a surprise. I’ve been wearing that every day now.
Here are some pictures of Cricket the cat trying to imitate Whipple’s good looks, a picture of me flaunting my new “pride” decorations, and the rad necklace that my friend made. Hope you guys are doing really well. Issue#25 still hasn’t made it here to Indiana but I’m really psyched for it.
Take care,
Ben Tousley
Posted by Adam on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 |
Ricola added on April 18, 2009 :
I have to jump on the band wagon and say that Ben is now the object of my long distance and anonymous affection.
eleutherius added on January 22, 2009 :
who is jason whipple and why is everyone so mad about him?
xxxxxxxxxx
i adore you
Ed added on January 16, 2009 :
OMG I was in love the minute I saw Jason Whipple, now I am in love with Ben Tousley! You guys at Butt should get the 2 guys together for a photo shoot or something. That would be HOT. It would be fun to be young and cute and come out of the closet again, especially if I had Butt magazine there to help, as with Ben. Thanks Ben for having the guts to contact Butt and have your story told here!
Pulp added on January 14, 2009 :
What would I have to do to get a copy of that Jason Whipple “I come first.” poster?
That thing is quietly lascivious; I fucking love it, but I can’t find it to buy anywhere…
Rafa added on January 11, 2009 :
Ben is the sweetest thing indeed and I wish so bad he´d model for the magazine some day …
oh, well!
;P
Alan added on January 10, 2009 :
Lovely lovely
Daniel added on January 9, 2009 :
hey… I would like to get a poster as well..
what would I have to do?
it’s so hard to get -BUTT- (magazine, of course hehe)
here in Mexico…
greetings guys
Robert added on January 7, 2009 :
Ben is ultra-hot and his cat is adorable!
I love BUTT!
Leon added on January 7, 2009 :
Ben is very hot!
And I have to say the same about Butt Magazine, it is inspirational to me. After coming out and then starting to hang around the usual bars and clubs with the same music and people its is great to read and see that there are plenty of alternatives out there and that you do not have to fall into a stereotypical gay role.
L
erg added on January 7, 2009 :
oh my god you are fine as hell
Mike added on January 7, 2009 :
Ben is so cute! Ahhhhh!
admirer added on January 6, 2009 :
oh so cute
Woody added on January 6, 2009 :
I woke up with a morning wood and nothing to tug off to, now I have Ben. Thanks Butt and thanks Ben for helping me out this morning in my time of need.
If you are ever in New York….