The Tom of Finland Foundation, a Los Angeles nonprofit that has served queer artists for over four decades, is facing a public rift with its former artist residents. On Monday, September 28, a group of 41 former residents released an open letter to the foundation's board expressing concern over "the lack of transparency and abrupt interruption of several programs by the current administration." The letter says the foundation's Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program — running since 2011 from the foundation's Echo Park craftsman home known as TOM House — was "discontinued without prior communication or warning," and that "nearly the entire staff" of the House was laid off this past June. It asks the board to guarantee the continuation of the foundation's mission, including a commitment to new generations of queer and erotic artists through residency, mentorship, exhibitions, research and access to its archive. Founded in 1984, the foundation preserves the art and legacy of Tom of Finland — born Touko Laaksonen (1920–1991) — whose erotic depictions of hypermasculine men became iconic images of queer culture. Over the years it expanded into supporting contemporary artists through exhibitions and acquisitions. Carta Monir, a 2022 AIR who coordinated the open letter, told Hyperallergic that the board was "refusing to answer any questions." "It felt vital to write the letter," Monir said. "It's clear that, unless there's public scrutiny, they won't be transparent." they won't be transparent." The dispute has drawn attention across the queer arts community, where TOM House has long been both a landmark and a working institution.