Dear Queero,
LED Queens will be shutting down its e-commerce store on June 30, after six vibrant years of serving the LGBTQ+ community.
I am Cesar Torres, the owner and founder of this business. Since 2017, I've embarked on an extraordinary journey, during which I've had the privilege of serving our community by designing and manufacturing the queerest, proudest gym gear in the world. As you and I know all too well, fitness spaces and the fitness industry often underserve or outright discriminate against our community, making the mission of LED Queens particularly meaningful to me.
Why am I bringing the LED Queens story to a close? Because all stories have an ending. I started LED Queens as a spinoff from my published sci-fi novels. With eight books under my belt, I've learned that each story deserves its proper conclusion.
LED Queens is concluding on a high note. This marks our second year as a profitable business. However, the demands of running the business create constraints for me as a creative individual. My plan moving forward is to complete the release of Hall of Mirrors, begin to work on the next book in that series, and to take some much-needed time off as an entrepreneur.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to you for all the love and queerness you shared with me as an LED Queens customer, also known as a Queero. Your willingness to present your authentic self at the gym and throughout your fitness journey gives me hope for a brighter future.
I have always marched to the beat of my own drum. I don't follow trends, and I don't make decisions based on external validation. As I look forward to my next chapter in life, rest assured, I, just like you, will continue to keep it queer.
Cesar Torres
Founder and Designer
LED Queens Fitness Apparel
Time for some answers.
As a small brand, we take pride in offering high-quality gymwear and sportswear that is queer AF, functional, and durable. While we don't currently offer tights or shorts with phone pockets, we do have an alternative: our fanny packs.
Our fanny pack collection is designed to complement the sexy silhouette and contours of our bodybuilding tights, while also providing a secure and convenient place to store your phone and other essentials.
We want to assure you that we do have tights with pockets in our roadmap. We're committed to offering innovative and stylish gymwear and sportswear that meets the needs of our customers, including those who want pockets on their workout tights and shorts. If you would like to receive updates from us when those products become available be sure to sign up for our SMS notifications.
Thank you again for your interest in our brand, and keep it queer.
]]>As you may have noticed, there have been some counterfeit LED Queens singlets appearing in the market recently by other e-commerce sportswear vendors. You can see those counterfeits right here at Ali Express and DeBrief Boys in Canada. I was devastated to learn that my original designs and product photography have been stolen and used without our permission.
After a thorough investigation, I have determined that there was a security breach on the side of our former manufacturing partner. This manufacturer is based in Kansas, and they make powerlifting, bodybuilding and fitness products for many well known brands, including Not Dead Yet (formerly known as HVIII Brand Goods). Although this manufacturer had been a reliable partner for us for many years, I have made the difficult decision to end LED Queens' relationship with them due to their lack of accountability for this issue.
Going forward, I will be working with a brand new wrestling singlet vendor who can offer us better security for our intellectual property and ensure that our designs remain unique and exclusive to LED Queens.
I understand that this change may result in delays in the availability of LED Queens singlets, and I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Rest assured, I am working tirelessly to secure a new vendor who can meet our high standards for quality and security.
I am grateful for your continued support of LED Queens, and I can't wait to bring you the vibrant, unique singlets that you have come to love from me.
Thank you for your understanding and patience during this transition. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
Cesar Torres
Founder and Designer
LED Queens Fitness Apparel
There are several advantages to wearing tights while exercising, making them a great choice for anyone looking to improve their workout routine.
LED Queens is a brand that honors the powerful and meaningful symbol of the pink triangle. As a symbol of LGBTQ liberation, the pink triangle has a rich and important history. During World War II, the Nazis forced gay men in concentration camps to wear the pink triangle sewn onto their clothing. This symbol of persecution has since been reclaimed by the LGBTQ community and is now a symbol of pride and acceptance since the 1970’s, and it continues to serve as motif for liberation through the present.
At LED Queens, we have taken this symbol and flipped it upside down, adding three more triangles to create our company logo. This design choice represents the idea that we are living in a new era of humanity, one where LGBTQ rights and acceptance are becoming more widespread. However, we never forget our queer past and the struggles that members of the LGBTQ community have faced.
Our company logo is also an Easter egg from my book series, The Coil. In the series, the LED Queens are three AIs that travel through time to help humanity. They often take form by becoming massive triangles of red and pink light. In the books, the LED Queens represent strength, power, and the ability to transcend time and space to make a positive impact on the world. This is a message that we at LED Queens strive to convey through our brand and our products.
We believe that it is important to remember and honor the past, while also looking towards the future. The pink triangle is a symbol that holds deep meaning for the LGBTQ community, and by flipping it and adding two more triangles, we are symbolizing a new era of progress and acceptance. At LED Queens, we are proud to use this branding to contribute to the ongoing fight for LGBTQ rights and acceptance. Keep it queer.
]]>So, you put together a cute gym outfit that plays to your strengths and expresses who you are. You selected some great sneakers, a well-fitting workout t-shirt, and your favorite pair of gym tights. But as you get started with your workout, you are approached by one of the gym staff, who mentions that someone has complained to the staff about men wearing inappropriate clothes, and they ask you to cover up your tights with shorts, or to not wear tights at all.
When this happens, you feel shocked. After all, you pay your dues on time, and you come to the gym to train hard. And as you look around, you wonder why it is that they have singled you out. After all, there are other people at your gym who are training in skintight, form-fitting gear besides yourself.
This is a situation can happen to a male-presenting person who chooses to work out in tights, otherwise known as men’s gym leggings.
The pushback against men in tights tends to be most severe in the United States, where the culture rejects the display of the male body. However, this type of situation can happen pretty much anywhere. And the irony is that men began wearing tights since the 16th century, as part of their attire for activities such as horseback riding, fencing and other athletic pursuits. Men, in fact, wore tights before women did.
The tights you choose do matter. Most men’s gym tights, including the tights made by LED Queens Fitness Apparel, are designed so that your genitals can be supported and comfortable as you perform vigorous activities such as cardio, weightlifting, dancing and other fitness routines.
However, not all tights are made the same. Some brands make tights with fetish-oriented features, such as codpieces, bulge pouches , translucent fabric, or seams to enhance the cleft of the buttocks. Nothing wrong with those products, but they may not be your smartest choice in a dedicated fitness space and community. If you’re in doubt, pick up a pair of gym tights by a company that specifically makes their products for sports and fitness.
Underwear matters a lot. At LED Queens, we celebrate whatever choice you make for underwear beneath tights. But because gyms are shared spaces, with people from various cultural backgrounds, we recommend pairing tights with a good thong, jockstrap or dance belt to give you support and also make sure the details of your genitals are not too revealing. This way, you will not be hiding your bulge with shorts. In fact, you’ll look natural and presentable, if you have chosen the correct undergarment. For more info on this topic, check out our underwear recommendations blog post. Now let’s get on with the tips!
If you’re approached by a fellow gym member or staff, and they want you to stop wearing tights, they will often approach you one-on-one, isolating you from other gym members. They most often will say that what you’re wearing is making other gym members feel “uncomfortable”, “unsafe”, or they will keep it even more vague and just say your clothes are inappropriate.
When this happens, ask, “Can you point me to a clearly printed sign on the walls of this gym where I can find a rule that says men can’t wear tights or leggings?” In most cases, there is no such sign, because the franchise or the individual gym owner has not gone into the level of detail (or policing). If the sign is vague and recommends “proper gym attire”, be sure to ask the person who exactly gets to decide what proper gym attire is. Is it the manager? Or is it a gym patron who made the complaint? Explain that the factors that make a piece of clothing appropriate or inappropriate are subjective, especially in spaces like gyms, where people are free to express themselves.
Men being asked to not wear tights in the gym is a double standard, plain and simple. In most gyms, you will often find plenty of women wearing sports bras as tops, crop tops, skintight leggings, short spandex shorts, bodysuits and other skintight garments to train. So if you’re asked to stop wearing tights, you can just say, “Sure, I’ll stop wearing tights to the gym the day you ask women to stop wearing them as well.” You can also ask, “Why is this rule applicable to men and not women?” If they can’t come up with a good answer, just be aware that you’re confirming the fact that they don’t have a solid argument for what they’re asking you to do.
Some folks in the LGBTQ+ community find it gender-reaffirming to wear specific kinds of garments to the gym. Does that mean that if they are male presenting, they don’t have a right to wear those garments? If that were so, that would be a type of discrimination. If your gym’s member base has a a visible queer customer base, mention that when you explain that you war tights because you choose to express yourself that way, and that if they believe in inclusion and tolerance of LGBTQ folks, they should allow people to exercise their own self expression, regardless of gender identity or sexual preference. And if they are singling out LGBTQ folks in this fashion, remind them that you belong to a community that often discusses what spaces are safe, and that among us, we make recommendations on businesses that are worth patronizing.
It will not always be easy for you to be able to express yourself. But you have as much of a right to inhabit fitness spaces as other people. And if you do experience further discrimination because of what you wear, you can always take your business elsewhere. Enjoy your training, stay self aware, be kind, and keep it queer.
About the Author
Cesar Torres is the founder and designer of LED Queens Fitness Apparel. They launched LED Queens in 2017, and they run the company from Chicago.
]]>
With a focus on bold colors and design, LED Queens offers fitness gear that is not only functional but also full of vibrant color and queerness. Whether you are a professional bodybuilder or just starting out, LED Queens has something for you.
The brand was launched on the Shopify platform in 2017 and is named after a trio of artificial intelligences, the LED Queens, from Cesar’s sci-fi book series The Coil. Each LED Queen is represented by one of the three triangles that can be seen in the company logo. The book series is Aztec Sci-Fi, and it takes place in the near-distant future where the Aztec gods enter our dimension through portals. The brand honors LGBTQ+ history and reclaims symbols and words (such as the pink triangle and the words queer) that have been used to oppress LGBTQ+ people as a way to empower our community.
As of July 22 2022, we no longer offer any returns or exchanges for our United States customers. We made this decision because of the current monkeypox outbreak happening worldwide and in the U.S. We made this decision in order to protect our customers' health, and not our bottom line. All sales of shorts, tights, bodysuits, singlets, tops and hats are final and non-refundable. This means that when you buy any of these products, you are getting a brand-new product sealed securely in plastic packaging. We do not send you any restocked items, because we no longer allow returns or exchanges. If and when the outbreak is mitigated, we will revisit and update our policy.
If you have any more questions about our policies and shipping info, please visit our Customer Service section.
]]>I am proud to announce that we are finally able to resume sales to Australia and New Zealand as of today. In case you missed my earlier announcement, deliveries from the United States were being sent back from those two destinations, and we were forced to suspend sales to those regions. However, we have found some new solutions that will help our customers finally get the LED Queens gear they love!
As usual, when you place an order, you will get a tracking number from us. The shipping service may show up as GlobalPost, USPS or DHL, depending on your order. Delivery times may vary depending on what LED Queens products are in your cart.
Also, don't forget that international sales are final and non-refundable. So if you're unsure about sizing, please be sure to ask us via email or Instagram DM.
Thank you for your support and loyalty, and I look forward to providing you with great products and service going forward. Keep it queer.
Cesar Torres
Founder and Designer
LED Queens Fitness Apparel
We made it through the wilderness, truly. Can you believe it’s already 2022? In just a few weeks we will be getting ready to prepare for Pride celebrations, and a much needed spring and summer vibe.
This summer, LED Queens will turn five years old! That means we will have been around for half a decade. That’s worthy of celebration.
But at the same time, there’s change and challenges all around us. As you know, the ongoing pandemic, supply chain issues, the burgeoning war between Russia and Ukraine and climate change are having a huge impact on the way we shop and on the way retailers connect with customers.
I have taken an in-depth look at what we do here at LED Queens, and in particular, our prices. Back in 2020, when the lockdowns were in full swing, we actually lowered all our prices for you, so that you could get your favorite gear from us while gyms were closed. In 2021, our pricing went back up to their regular levels, but luckily we kept things very stable and avoided price hikes.
But as I look to the future of LED Queens, I will need to raise prices for my customers in 2022.
We are growing as a brand, and growth comes with changes. With half a decade of experience behind us, we are ready to expand and reach more of our brothers, sisters and non-binary siblings around the world with our products.
Our new pricing will go into effect on March 31, 2022. That means that right now you can lock in the older prices and stock up on any of our products that you want to get at those lower levels.
I will always do my best to keep prices stable and affordable as possible for LED Fans, and I want to thank you for coming along with me on this journey of fitness, queerness and color for the past five years. If you have any questions about these changes, please message me on Instagram at @LEDQueens.
Your feedback matters the world to me, so I look forward to hearing from you. Keep it queer!
Cesar Torres
Founder and Designer
LED Queens Fitness Apparel
Right now, both Australia and New Zealand are both rejecting packages routed through the USPS (United States Postal Service). Whatever we ship to those two countries gets sent back to us. We are working with them to improve the situation, but this is affecting orders placed by Aussie or Kiwi customers.
If you are in Australia or New Zealand and you place an order from us, you may receive an update from us either canceling or refunding your order. I apologize for the inconvenience, but we do hope to get this fixed for you soon.
Cesar Torres
Founder and Designer
LED Queens Fitness Apparel
We are interested in all body shapes and sizes, and we prioritize diversity. We are hoping to connect with people of color, folks with disabilities, non-binary folks, and anyone who is male presenting, regardless of gender identity.
Send us an email or DM us on Instagram (@LEDQueens), and send us a short into, as well as links to your Instagram, TikTok or Twitter posts that you want us to evaluate as your modeling portfolio. If you have a full modeling portfolio, please send that as well.
]]>I launched LED Queens in 2017, and this summer, we celebrated four years of being in the fashion industry. Today, we serve a small but incredibly powerful niche market made up of LGBTQ+ folks all around the world. After four years in the marketplace, we are still an extremely small brand. I am what they call a solopreneur: I own and run the brand all on my own. I design every single product in our catalog, and at the moment, I also handle all the sales, marketing and even customer service. As some of you already know, I don’t know how to sew. The way I design is akin to the way Pixar creates animated films: my design process happens inside digital spaces with digital design tools. I design digitally, and I love it. Once I have created a product, I then work with multiple manufacturing partners around the world to produce our tights, singlets, and other sportswear. My office in Chicago doesn’t fulfill any of our products. We work instead with several fulfillment centers that ship your order when it’s ready.
This production system is very contemporary, perhaps even futuristic. Just a decade or two ago, this type of company would not have been able to exist. In order to create LED Queens, I leveraged my 26 years as a journalist and tech professional in order to create workflows that let me operate the brand in this way. I owe a special debt of gratitude to my alma mater Northwestern University, where I got my journalism degree, as well as DePaul University, where I got my masters in computer science. I also owe a lot to my years as managing editor at Wirecutter, which is part of the New York Times.
Some people have said to me that I am a genius.
I decline that compliment every single time. I don’t deserve such a label.
Though I have been wise enough to imagine a technology-forward brand like LED Queens, I am still just a human being, and my brand is not perfect. I am dedicated to top customer service, and I would still like to achieve a larger scale for this very small business, so that we can always delight you.
First and foremost, we are facing climate crisis, and all of us are underestimating how difficult things will be. The decades ahead will bring damage and death to our biosphere in a scale that our primitive human brains cannot really comprehend right now. In order to minimize such dire outcomes, we must be brave, adapt and transform. That means that I am already working hard at adapting LED Queens to stay ahead of the curve on that front. But it’s not easy. The fashion industry is resource intensive, exploitative, and it also generates enormous amounts of waste and pollution. We are lucky, because many of our products are manufactured on demand. Yes, you heard that right. This prevents the waste of warehouse space and materials. But LED Queens will have to work even harder in the years ahead to truly make a difference as a leader in biosphere-centric manufacturing.
This year we have significant and troubling supply chain issues. In fact, ALL industries are having supply chain issues. In our case, our wrestling singlets are being heavily affected by this trend. We cannot produce singlets in large enough quantities to keep customers happy, and I apologize for that. The rising prices of shipping containers around the planet, as well as new crisis in transportation and tariffs are barriers that are affecting those products. But keep in mind that we also are making small batches so we can keep the prices of these singlets affordable. I prefer to give you value, even if it means we sell out fast.
We need more LED team members, but I can’t hire them yet. Last year we lost our Staff Marketing Writer, and we have not filled in that position since then. We are also in need of an Associate Designer, as well as a Social Media Specialist, and a Sales Rep. But we don’t yet have enough growth (or budget) in the brand to justify those hires. Most other brands would never level with you about their shortcomings, but I want to be transparent with you because life is short and I hate corporate speak. We need those hires ASAP, but I can’t bring those team members on board until our overall growth as a company is at a higher level. That means that in the meantime, I am still taking on all of those tasks.
Our customer base continues to grow! We now have customers in every single continent, and we feature their lives and fitness accomplishments on our Instagram feed.
We have an incredible Fall Collection dropping right now. Look for our weekly drops on Thursdays at 3 pm Central as usual. The Hardcore Collection will have styles that celebrate many subsets of our LGBTQ flag, and I am proud as fuck to show those products to the world.
We have grown incredibly thanks to TikTok and my streams on YouTube and Twitch. Yes, LED Queens is not just queer as fuck, we are futuristic in as fuck. Some of our best ideas, stories, and even video game achievements are happening in these new digital communities. Let the squares keep Facebook; we are focused on the future here.
We have two more singlet colors dropping this fall! Look for those in the next few weeks.
We will be offering incredible deals on Black Friday/Cyber Monday, to give you the highest amount of value.
My eighth published sci-fi book, Hall of Mirrors, will be dropping in 2022. Not only will you get the chance to get your hands on that new paperback, but you will also experience the drop of new tights, singlets and products that will tie into that book release in Fall of 2022.
Most of all, we are still growing and thriving. I don't follow or imitate competitors. I have always done things my own way, and you can see that reflected in everything I do at LED Queens.
I know this post may seem incredibly long in today’s short-attention culture, but I trust in you, my customer, to read widely, and to value context over sensationalism. Things may not always be easy as we move forward into 2022, but they will be exciting, innovative, and queer as fuck.
If you have any questions or comments, just hit reply to this email so I can hear from you. Your feedback always matters to me.
Cesar Torres
Founder and Designer
LEDQueens.com
]]>Dear LED Queens EU Customer,
As you may have learned by now, the European Union put into effect new e-commerce tax laws on July 1 of this year. These new laws affect you directly. Here's what you need to know:
I'm emailing you today to make sure you are not caught by surprise on your next LED Queens purchase. I also understand that you may feel frustrated by these new laws. I am aware that from this point forward, LED Queens products may feel more expensive to you (once you add up the retail cost of the products, plus shipping and VAT). I always aim to make the LED Queens retail prices as competitive as possible, but I cannot change these international laws. If you want to effect change to the laws, please consider writing to the lawmakers and government officials in your country of residence to change the laws from the top down.
The good thing is that if you’re on our mailing list, you will get access to occasional coupon codes that can give you the savings you need.
I hope you have a great summer, and I want to thank you for being a queero.
Cesar Torres
Founder and Designer
LED Queens Fitness Apparel
LED Queens is looking for a bright mind to join our team as we continue to expand our reach across our product line. Info below:
LED Queens Community Manager
We’re in search of a talented mind and a creative spirit who can elevate LED Queens’ mission of advocacy for LGBTQ people to a new level. We are currently hiring a part-time Community Manager, who can increase engagement and build audiences across our various social channels. Though we are a small business, we have two separate verticals: our brand of fitnesswear, and services we provide to LGBTQ gamers. Our Community Manager’s mission will be to serve the needs of those communities and create programming throughout the year to coincide with seasonal events and product launches for the brand
Duties
Qualifications
Logistics
This position is 100 percent remote. Organizationally, we use Slack to manage workflow across timezones. All our work is time shifted except for our streams, which happen live.
What It's Like to Work at LED Queens
When you work with me, you will get the pleasure of working on projects that happen on time, get paid out on time, and which are made by an artist who is gay, queer, and a person of color. But I’m not always easy. My working style is creative yet precise, requires a lot of interaction with me, and may sometimes feel like it’s so detail oriented that you just want to take an Advil. When you work with me, you will not be getting emails from me in the middle of the night, but when the work is happening, I will push you to your limits to get the best work from you. It’s a hands-on way to learn how to work like a pro. At the same time, I treat all my employees with respect. I welcome employees of any gender, sexuality, and of all backgrounds, religious affiliations.
Pay
This job is a contract position. We will work together during a trial period first, to make sure it’s a good fit. Pay rate is commensurate with experience, but the base rate is $12 an hour. We are looking to start at about 8-10 hours a week, and that can increase based on your performance on your objectives.
How to Apply
Send an email to this email address, and please include the following:
🔎 Your portfolio: 2-4 examples of your published work as a writer and social media manager. That can include blog posts, marketing copy, Instagram captions, news articles, etc. Only show me your best work.
🔎 Tell me your dream. Is it to be the best marketer in the world? To write fitness ebooks? To be a streamer? Tell me.
🔎 Tell me who is your favorite content creator on social media, and tell me why.
🔎 Take a look at my the LED Queens web site, our Instagram and our Tik Tok account, and tell me two things you would suggest to improve our storytelling.
]]>Men’s underwear in LED Queen’s colorful aesthetic would make a great product line. In fact, I recommend thongs as one of the best undergarments for our spandex tights. However, I want to tell you why I want to make thongs for you, but can’t yet.
I launched LED Queens in 2016, since then, I have been sole owner and operator. It’s a small company. Right now we have one amazing part time employee, Kelly Boner, who is our staff writer. I had plans to hire since early 2019, but COVID-19 changed those plans. We are a bootstrapped startup, and we are proud of it.
Right now, LED Queens can make these products easily: bodybuilding tights, spandex shorts, singlets, joggers, silkies shorts, hoodies, winter caps, baseball hats, and accessories, like fanny packs and backpacks. But t you have asked me for thongs, speedos, more singlets and underwear.
The best way we can get to the stage where we can manufacture thongs and other great fitness apparel for you is to spread the word. Yes. I am asking for you to tell your friends about the unique things that are happening here, and to encourage them to shop LEDQueens. If I am able to increase our growth in 2020, new categories like underwear will become a reality in 2021.
Just like in fitness and bodybuilding, it’s best to achieve goals through dedication and incremental steps. There are no shortcuts. I already have designs ready for thongs, but I need to wait for the day when LED Queens has the budget and resources to move into that category.
I am so happy you are along for the ride as you see this small queer company grow. If you have questions about all our products, please ask! And don’t forget that the Fall collection is coming! Our Fall drops start right after Labor Day, and we will be doing our weekly drop on Thursdays at 3 pm Central every week all the way through Black Friday! YEP! The Fall collection will include tights, shorts, hoodies, tees, hats and yes, singlets!
(In the image above I'm wearing the Queer Punks Trans Pride tee and Ice Cream bodybuilding tights.)
Cesar Torres
Founder and Designer
LED Queens
Making this choice hurts. The gym serves multiple functions in my life: as a meditation center; a social hub that replaced bars and alcohol in my life years ago; a professional networking space; a hub for my creativity; and yes, a place where I train hard in bodybuilding as an amateur. When Illinois mandated that we shelter in place in mid-March, I didn’t know how long we would need to stay out of gyms. Although I had been aware that a pandemic might be coming, nothing could prepare my mind and my emotions for the impact of losing access to my gym.
Here is why I have to do this: Many Chicagoans are not wearing masks and social distancing. I don’t have confidence that gym-goers would be any different. On top of that, a gym is classified as a high-risk environment for spread of the virus. In other states like Arizona, they have rolled back and closed gyms after they initially reopened.
I have family and friends here in Chicago who are seniors. If I were to attend the gym daily, I could lose my ability to provide help and service to them if I get sick (or if they do). Perhaps in a few weeks, I will reconsider, but for now, I have to continue training at home.
I lift weights six times a week inside my living room, and though it’s not as social as my local gym, I have grown to love my new routine (you can check out the LED Queens youtube for suggestions on home weighlifting equipment and at home routines). I don’t have to commute, and I get a lot of time back by not spending a half hour each way on the train. In the past five years I learned how to do my own bodybuilding programming, and thus I am lucky that I can manage my progress and train alone.
For now.
I will take my time, read more on the science, make some sacrifices, and never give up on my own fitness goals inside my home. This is part of my Queer Punks ethos, which encourages critical thinking and committing to choices that remain true to my values. There’s a long road ahead in managing humanity’s relationship to the virus, and I continue to hope we will have some sort of breakthrough. But in the meantime, I am staying the fuck home.
Cesar Torres
Founder and Designer
LED Queens Fitness Apparel
But first: a little more about Bob. He was born and raised in Indiana. In his early days he was both an artist and an athlete. As a high schooler experimenting with weight training, he decided to become a body builder. He moved to Carlifornia and won Mr. Los Angeles and Mr. Southern California. As the 80s progressed, he became the picture perfect macho man, rivaling the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger. He won the Mr. Universe title in 1983. However, in 1989 he made true history by coming out as a gay man, in a time when the majority of America still considered homosexuality a sin.
Within the same year, he married his boyfriend Rod Jackson. When Oprah Winfrey asked him why he decided to come out, he explained that when you fall in love and you hide it, that it slowly chips away at the connection. And although he and Rod became symbols of gay love and marriage, his career suffered tremendously. He lost about 80% of his business at the time.
Eventually, his marriage to Rod ended, and Bob states that he prolonged the end of the relationship because of his fear that their divorce might fuel anti-gay movements. However, he met his second husband, Brian LeFurgey, shortly thereafter and the two were married in 2003. They still live together in British Columbia, and since coming out and his major career shift, Bob has worked as an actor and writer, pursuing his artistic side in place of athletics.
Bob's story is not a simple one. The ramifications of doing what it takes to live an authentic life and to break down barriers are often harsh. But ultimately, the reward comes from the knowledge that you lived your life the way you thought was right, both behind closed doors and in public, and it's athletes like Bob who laid the foundation for the out and proud athletes of 2020.
If you're interested in more, additional references and information about Bob's life are available here.
Written by Kelly Boner, a staff writer for LED Queens who joined the team in September 2019. She is a designer, drag artist, member of the Chicago LGBTQ community, and avid email marketing enthusiast.
]]>Stormé DeLarverie, a lesser known name from the Stonewall Riots, was a biracial lesbian and drag king. Before June 28, 1968, she performed as a drag king and MC in the Jewelbox Revue, the first racially integrated drag revue. The night of Stonewall, many recalled that she threw the first punch as she was arrested and brought out of the bar in handcuffs; this punch is what started the rioting in the streets and the altercation between the people of Greenwich Village and the police.
The second, more prominent figure to arise from the Stonewall Riots is Marsha P. Johnson, a trans black woman, drag queen, and outspoken gay rights advocate. She is also credited as one of the sparks for the riots that night: in some accounts, she threw a shotglass at a mirror behind the bar (deemed "the shotglass heard around the world"); in others, she threw a brick at a police officer. The most corroborated story is that she climbed a lamppost on the second night of the riots and dropped a brick on a cop car's windshield. Regardless, Johnson's involvement those nights and activism in the following years had a profound impact on the gay rights movement and visibility for trans people and drag queens within conversations about LGBTQ rights.
Often, it is the voices of the oppressed and marginalized that rise to great heights because they are put under enormous pressure. We can look to DeLarverie and Johnson's boldness and resilience to realize that we can, in fact, change the parts of society we can no longer accept. The actions of these two courageous individuals resonates all the louder through the perspective of the years that followed.
For a more intensive look at the Stonewall Riots and Pride in the last 50 years, we recommend the Stonewall 50-year anniversary coverage by the Atlantic.
Kelly Boner is a staff writer for LED Queens who joined the team in September 2019. She is a designer, drag artist, member of the Chicago LGBTQ community, and avid email marketing enthusiast.
]]>Tonight I'll be hosting my weekly LED Queens livestream, and I will be running a very Pride-inspired contest, in which you will have a chance to win one free pair of LED Queens tights!
Here's the rules to enter the contest:
During the stream (which starts at 7 PM CT), you can enter by sharing in the live chat the story of the first superhero who made you realize you're queer. Make it powerful, make it strong, make it juicy!
I will interact and respond to your stories during the stream!
At 8:30 pm, I will draw one of the stories at random, and one winner will get a free pair of LED Queens tights shipped to them! YEP!
If you have never visited my Twitch channel, it features a combo of chat with fans, as well as gaming. In tonight's stream I will chat live from 7-9 pm with you, and if you want to stick around for the afterhours, I will game starting at 9 pm CT!
Perhaps you’ve been wanting to transform your body and your fitness, and you haven’t felt welcome in gym spaces. Maybe you struggle to find motivation to stick to good nutrition and get your workouts done each day. Maybe you want to improve your skills in photographing the things you care about, like gym communities, outdoor fitness activities like trail running, or even product photography. Or maybe you are ready to come out of the closet to your friends and family, and you need help and strategies in coping with the changes. I provide private, one-on-one coaching services in all these areas to share my own skill set with you, and provide a roadmap for you to achieve your biggest goals, ever. Yes, LED Queens creates the most stunning spandex tights for Queer Punks, but you can also get one-on-one time with me, Cesar Torres, the creator behind the brand in sessions that are private and confidential, and tailored exactly to your life. One-on-one coaching is a crucial item in your toolbox to succeed in a world that can often feel very uncertain. With coaching, you can achieve the transformation you are destined for.
1 session for $150 USD
Package of four sessions for $500 (best value)
Coaching sessions are conducted privately one-on-one via phone or video conference call. Because I coach remotely, I can service clients in all five continents. I use Google Calendar to set up appointments in advance. All sessions are confidential.
Clients can cancel at any time, up to 24 hours before the appointment. If cancellations happen in less than the 24-hour period, the cost of the session is non-refundable.
Sessions are paid for in advance, and we accept all major credit cards, Venmo, Zelle and PayPal. We invoice you via email and include a client-coach agreement for you to sign.
I know that many of you have been frustrated by long wait times for your LED Queens orders during this new pandemic era. I feel your pain. But I have some great news today, queer punks!
LED Queens’ biggest manufacturing partners is expanding its factories and warehouses internationally. This means that LED Fans will see some massive improvements! Here’s what’s happening:
These improvements above are applicable to the following products from our store:
Don’t forget that these other LED Queens products currently ship to all our customers in just 2 business days:
Please have a great weekend, and don’ hesitate to ask me any questions. Keep it queer!
Cesar Torres
Founder and Designer,
LED Queens
]]>Disclaimer: LED Queens is not a proponent of "diet culture" or the kinds of quick-fix gimmicks that claim you can lose weight in a number of weeks. We're all about forming positive relationships with both food AND the gym. One of LED Queens’ core values is to have conversations about these habits by investigating particular issues as they arise.
Today, LED Queens staff writer Kelly Boner is leading the conversation about the benefits of cooking at home versus eating food from restaurants.
We're two months (and change) into the New Year and the LED Queens stance on resolutions remains, to put it blunty, "fuck resolutions." Whether you started your fitness journey at the new year or you've been charting your path for eight years now, sometimes it's good to review the basics of getting your diet and workouts to a healthy place.
Do you find yourself ordering takeout too often or eating out several days a week? Maybe you aren’t seeing results in your fitness even though you order “healthy” items in your takeout. Let’s dig a little deeper, then.
One recently published study really started this train of thought for me. The Journal of Nutrition released the results of their 13 year study (from 2003 through 2016) that followed the diets of roughly 35,000 American adults. Through this research they discovered a startling fact: that virtually meals consumed in restaurants of all varieties classified as unhealthy.
While we'd have to do a deeper dive into that study to see what qualifies as unhealthy, generally the issue with restaurants is twofold: portion size and preparation.
Because we aren’t in the kitchen as these meals are made, we don’t know exactly what amount of which ingredients are included in what we eat, making it harder to track calories. So whether you’re aiming to build muscle mass or lose weight, when you eat food prepared in restaurants, it’s difficult to track exactly what you’re eating. When you prepare food at home, you’re able to much more effectively moderate what goes into a dish and make the best choices for your fitness goals.
Additionally, meals at restaurants are typically larger than the portions we would make for ourselves. When you’re eating larger portions, it’s much tougher psychologically to moderate the amount you eat. Over time, this leads to consuming more calories than intended, again interfering with your best laid plans.
So it seems like the obvious choice regarding restaurants (particularly fast food and chain restaurants) is to just say no. ❌ However, while it'd be easy to advocate for never eating out again, where's the fun in that?
🥗🥙🌮🌯🥩🍛
The first step is realizing that you have to moderate when, why, and how often you eat out, and learn to be more aware of what's on the menu at your favorite places. While maybe not every meal in this study qualified as 100% healthy, we'd have to take another look at their parameters. Surely some of these meals were healthier than others, in moderation, a couple of times a month.
The other important item to take into consideration is working on your relationship to cooking. When you learn to balance the time it requires with interesting recipes and meal planning, it becomes a crucial element to your fitness plan.
I've always thought that the true road to fitness has to be a holistic one. You can't necessarily jump start your strong AF and fit AF lifestyle by changing one habit, once. This March, the LED Queens team is going to keep pushing the ways we can eat better and live better. And, if you want to get started on building your toolkit for tracking what you eat, we recommend the app Cronometer for tracking calories and activity, for whatever you need.
Be sure to join us on Instagram and Youtube for our dedicated month to eating well and cooking well.
Kelly Boner is a staff writer for LED Queens who joined the team in September 2019. She is a designer, drag artist, member of the Chicago LGBTQ community, and avid email marketing enthusiast.
]]>I worked for 25 years as a journalist for Condé Nast, Wirecutter (now part of the New York Times), Chicago Tribune, and Encyclopaedia Britannica. One thing I learned during crisis is that early access to good, reputable knowledge is essential for both individuals and communities. At LED Queens my mission is to help improve the fitness lives of LGBTQ folks, and that includes sharing what I know about issues that can impact our health on a global scale. The World Health Organization has not named coronavirus an official pandemic yet, but the virus is causing disruption already.
Today’s newsletter is purely informational, and is not medical advice. But I do want to share with you ways I am approaching the phenomenon as an individual and as a business owner.
The news coverage of the disease is spotty. Main news outlets like New York Times, Washington Post and the BBC are publishing many updates, but some of this reporting lacks hard science to connect the dots. Here are some resources that really convey the big picture:
I live in Chicago. It’s a major metropolis and home to O’Hare airport, one of the largest hubs of international air traffic in the world. It doesn’t take a statistician or PhD to figure out that the virus is likely already spreading here in the city, especially with the incubation period estimate at 14-24 days.
This is not a time to panic. What I do to stay safe:
I am not avoiding public places, public transit or activities yet. There’s no need to do so, because as Americans we are still missing key information and messaging from public health officials. So this is my approach to staying safe.
Right now the supply chains affected by coronavirus are the consumer electronics industries. However, it’s likely that the fashion industry will also be impacted. So far there have been zero delays or slowdowns with my suppliers. If issues arise, I will send you updates through this LED Queens newsletter.
I hope you find this type of information useful. LED Queens isn’t solely about gorgeous queers getting fit in colorful tights, it’s about making your whole lifestyle come together, and tying it in with good health. If you have any tips or feedback for me, please reply to this email so I can hear from you. And please forward this to any folks who may benefit from this note.
Cesar Torres
Founder and Designer
LED Queens
In the meantime, I wanted you to know which underwear I recommend from third-party sellers and why! Read on to determine the right choice for you.
Boxer shorts, boxer briefs, and tightie whities are all out. These options bunch up, ride up, are generally not made of moisture-wicking materials. They will create ugly lines and bunched up fabric, breaking the smooth surface of the tights. Overall, they will draw more unwanted attention than if you didn't wear more efficient and aesthetic underwear.
A dance belt is used by ballet dancers to smooth out the details of your genitals and create more of a modest look. I've found this particular brand offers the same support as jock straps without the strap lines on the side and back that the jock creates. A dance belt is perfect for avoiding any underwear or visible penis lines (VPL), but just remember that the cup is padded like a woman’s bra. It’s gonna go on extra firm and strap you in. Dance Jox is the most comfortable of all the dance belts I have ever tested. If it’s good enough for a ballet dancer to move all day in rehearsal or at a show, it’s also good enough for you.
The jockstrap is the new and queer American classic and it has become a true fashion item for a lot of gay men. I picked the GYM brand jockstrap because it's super affordable, and because it's well suited for actual sports, gym and fitness activities. It's got good support and gives your body a nice shape. However, the straps will show up on the sides and back of the tights, so you might want to consider all my recommendations before choosing this option.
Note: I do not recommend this jock for runners, because it's made of cotton.
A swimsuit? Hell yeah. For starters, it's unlined, which makes this thong great as sports underwear. The nylon/spandex fabric wicks sweat and provides support, without mashing down the genitals. It's comfortable, and it will not show underwear lines on the sides and back of the tights. At such a low price, it's easy enough to buy a pair to try it out with activities in tights. Most thongs are not made for movement and activity, and that's why this nylon/spandex thong is my favorite to pair with LED Queens tights. Plus, they're portable AF and you can throw a pair in almost any bag.
I am gay and queer, and I fully support your freedom of choice to present the way you want. Of course, you can go commando if you choose to do so. Just be sure to think about safe spaces. Pride events, queer parties, EDM festivals and kink events will give you way more freedom with a dress code, but you may run into problems if your local gym is not very queer friendly or is just plainly conservative. No matter what you choose, we support your queerness.
All right, you've got all my tried and true recommendations! I've personally used and tested all of these products with my full line of gym appare, and I can say with confidence whichever you choose will have you looking and feeling your queerest and strongest.
Got feedback for us? Send us an email.
]]>Making a concrete fitness change can be difficult and painful. Our relationships with our bodies are grounded in our emotional histories and family issues; perhaps you've been bullied about your weight or have never found sports and fitness spaces welcoming. That is okay. I have felt this too. But these vulnerable parts of ourselves should never be exploited for profit. Real change happens 365 days a year. It's about living the change over making a one-time decision.
As for LED Queens Fitness Apparel, I want LED Fans to use my products all year long. My products are made to last alongside a real commitment to health. As the leader of the brand, I don't exploit negative feelings about oneself to get a few sales; instead, I support LED Fans fitness goals year-round. If you need advice on gyms, nutrition, or motivation, I can point you in the direction of people who have the right knowledge to help you with your goals.
Winning the fitness game is about true inner change and being kind to ourselves. When we find that peace, the other parts--such as fat loss, better bloodwork, good sleep, and healthier bodies--are more likely to fall into place. So here's what I have to say to the resolution trends in the industry: fuck no, you've got to go.
Cesar Torres
Founder and Designer
LED Queens
A singlet is no longer just a uniform for the wrestling mat or the powerlifting platform, and if you're in the LGBTQ community, you have known this for a very long time. Gay and queer folks have been using the singlet as a fashion statement for at least two decades. That means that the singlet has reached a new critical mass as a garment of personal style of the queer kind. As designer of the LED Queens brand, I know that many of our LED fans wear singlets in gym settings, but also at queer parties, EDM festivals, Pride celebrations, and more. And that's why I am proud to release SuperNature, a new singlet for 2019.
One of the almost weekly requests I get as a designer for LED Queens is for wrestling singlets; in fact, they were one of my first products I ever designed for my How to Kill a Superhero books. After six months of development I'm bringing them to you stronger, sleeker, and better than ever as an official LED Queens release. I've worked long and hard to get you these singlets because I knew you wanted them!
In case you are curious, the construction of the SuperNature wrestling singlet is made for powerlifting meets. I designed this garment for actual sports and movement. And that means you can feel very comfortable squatting and deadlifting in it. NOTE: Depending on the powerlifting league you compete in, this singlet may not be legal for competing. Always be sure to check your registration materials to make sure. Our singlet also has the LED Queens logo on the back, and some competitions ban any logos or text on singlets.
These new singlets are special to me, because the look is inspired directly from the science fiction world of my books, with an added dash of my love of electronic music. This unique combination of gradients and futuristic chevrons is available only through LED Queens.
Currently we have all sizes but I know this singlet is going to be in high demand throughout the holiday season. Nab yours now to become your own gym superhero (or in anticipation of some warm weather EDM festivals, Pride events and queer parties).
]]>
Steven’s story in his words: “In 2016, after years of weight swings due to metabolic issues, I reached my heaviest and unhealthiest point. I hired a trainer at my gym, and began my fat loss journey. I lost 50 pounds–at 5' tall, that was almost one third of me! Eventually my trainer convinced me to compete in a men’s physique competition as a natural bodybuilder. Me a bodybuilder?! Ha! But I went with it, and I won multiple first places and my pro card on my first attempt! I continued training, and now I’m also champ. I have placed in top five in classic physique and bodybuilding divisions in natural organizations and the National Physique Committee. I decided I wanted to help others in their own journeys, and almost two years later, here I am as a certified personal trainer!"
Steven also had enthusiastic words for LED Queens: "Your line has an amazing fit. The 3/4 lengths are perfect for my height a they are almost full length on me, and the tees fit perfect as well so far! I’m loving your stuff!!” (Steven is wearing the Queerest Strongest Muscle Tee in his featured photo).
You can follow Steven and his journey at his IG profile.
Editor's Note: Most LED Queens fans tend to be LGBTQ+ people who care a lot about their fitness. I am proud to offer LED fans a place where we are proud to show our faces and announce that we are Queer Punks, and we like to feature real customers on the blog.
]]>
I am Cesar Torres, the founder and designer of LED Queens. My brand has grown incredibly in the past three years, and I am happy to tell you that I’m hiring for a new position in my team.
MARKETING WRITER POSITION
This part-time position is perfect for a marketing writer, copy writer or even a journalist who needs a side gig. Writing for LED Queens will give you new experiences in the world of product design, fitness apparel and fitness media in a startup environment. You don’t have to have a writing degree from a university, but it helps.
You should be someone who moves comfortably in the world of online publishing, deadlines, and in particular, writing and editing. You will be working primarily on writing content for newsletters for my brand. If you have experience with Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or Klaviyo, that’s a huge plus.
My brand of storytelling is a hard remix of queerness, futurism, and a passion for fitness. If you are not excited about all three of these areas, you should not apply.
You will be working directly with me, Cesar Torres, on writing weekly and monthly marketing content that is delivered to customers via their inbox.
Here’s what it’s like:
When you work with me, you will get the pleasure of working on projects that happen on time, get paid out on time, and which are made by an artist who is gay, queer, and a person of color. But I am not always easy. My working style is very precise, requires a lot of interaction with me, and may sometimes feel like it’s so detail oriented that you just want to take an Advil. I will also ask you to read through written materials when we do planning on shoots or I create specs. If you’re not a fan of reading, this is not your place. When you work with me, you will not be getting emails from me in the middle of the night, but when the work is happening, I will push you to your limits to get the best work from you. It’s a hands-on way to learn how to work like a pro. At the same time, I treat all my employees with respect. I welcome employees of any gender expression, sexuality, and of all backgrounds, religious affiliations. I strongly discourage bigots, homophobes and prudes from applying.
LOCATION
This position is completely remote, but it helps a lot if you are based in Chicago. The work is done through Slack, Google Docs, and our newsletter software. If you’re in Chicago, I like to meet once or twice a month in person with you to touch base, but you are free to work on your own in whatever location you choose.
WORKING STYLE
I work exclusively using Slack. I don’t use email or text for projects. Slack allows you and I to have a nice separation of work and personal life. I use Slack only during general business hours, unless we are doing a night or weekend shoot.
PAY
This is a freelance/contract gig, and I pay a flat fee or hourly rate, depending on your level experience. If you’re new to freelancing, please keep in mind that you will have to set aside money and pay your own taxes.
HOW TO APPLY
Send an email to this email address, and please include the following:
🔎 A link to 2-3 examples of your published work. That can include blog posts, marketing copy, Instagram captions, news articles, etc. Only show me your best work.
🔎 Tell me your dream. Is it to be the best marketing writer the world? To write fitness ebooks? To be a New York editor? Tell me.
🔎 Tell me who is your favorite written storytelling brand, and why
🔎 Tell me how your fitness and health fit in with your professional life
🔎 Take a look at my the LED Queens web site and Instagram, and tell me two things you would suggest to improve their visual storytelling
NEXT STEPS
If we at LED Queens like what you bring to the table, we’ll reach out to you. We send a sample editorial edit test to see what you can come up with. For this test, I’ll send you sample of writing from our newsletters, and you will be asked to re-write and edit it. That will give you a chance to show us your creativity. No stress, just super fun work. We will make a decision from there.
]]>