Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Torres.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jonathan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My boyfriend and I walked down the streets of Los Angeles, holding hands when a man inside his truck yelled “JOTOS (Faggots)!” at us.
I wanted to use this experience as well as my deep interest for visual puns, metaphors, and wordplay to create a line of pins, which showcase cuteness with a wink.
Peens was created out of my investigation of gay slurs, such as the ones that were used on us. After investigating the origins of the word “Jotos,” I began to learn about other slurs such as: “Mariposon” in Spanish, which translates to “Butterfly-Man”. I took this opportunity to take these words and reclaim it as part of my own visual identity as a gay man.
As a result of this exploration it led to create many other “peens” that continue to embrace and reclaim slurs, stereotypes, sexuality and stories I’ve experienced as well.
“Peens” are the cute, clever, and mischevious enamel pins that you’ll giggle at for that kinky mind of yours.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think the business side was definitely challenging for me at the beginning. Luckily my business partner and boyfriend, Huan, is definitely a penny pincher when it comes to money and expenses. Naturally, for him, he was able to break down and explain to me production costs, sales, packaging, and pricing of merchandise. I am really lucky to have Huan help me understand the business side of Peens. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to do this on my own.
I also have to thank my family and my friends for showing their support through the feedback, critiques, and help throughout the brand’s growth. They’re always motivating me to push the brand and create new ideas that will help elevate the Peens brand.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Peens story. Tell us more about the business.
This project initially started as a response to a homophobic experience that my boyfriend and I received while walking down a street in LA. From that I was able to use that anger to create a line of pins that reclaimed these negative slurs and stereotypes. 2 years into the business I began to notice something very interesting when I sold at events such as Drag-Con LA. Gay men weren’t the only customers that were approaching my booth. Cisgender men and women, lesbians, and Trans men and women were buying my enamel pins. This was such a surprise to me; I thought that the only audience that would be interested would be Gay men.
The project opens up opportunities for me to connect with other people who share similarities, talk about our differences, and laugh along with others who were not like me. Being able to interact with a variety of people from all over the gender/sexuality spectrum was incredible. I never would have imagined these little pins would help facilitate and bridge the conversation with others. This was a nice surprise that I have began embracing with my brand.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I wouldn’t say that luck really played for my brand, but if anything the brand has presented new opportunities for freelance work, forming new friendships, and expanding the brand from Peens to Vageens.
When I started this brand, I had debuted it through Kickstarter. I was nervous about it being funded, whether or not people would appreciate the cute, sneaky queer pins I had designed. I was so happy to find out that it had gotten funded. With that boost, I was able to launch my brand into social media. I have been able to make connections with so many queer and designers, illustrators, and fashion designers.
Having sold at different queer events such as Fruitcake Pop-up and Downtown Los Angeles Pride Festival has introduced us to clients such as the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles to help design a Sex-Ed book for Gay and Trans youth. In addition, I was lucky enough to be reached out to by Original Penguin to design t-shirts for their Pride month collection this year.
Pricing:
- Enamel pins are 10 dollars each.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PeensByTorres
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peensbytorres
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