Sex, Shirts, and Showing Up Honestly

Let’s just say this: I didn’t stumble into designing cheeky, sexy T-shirts for gay men by accident. This brand comes from a lifetime of curiosity, confidence, and a deep belief that sex should be talked about, celebrated, and—yes—worn on your chest.

I grew up in a space where sex positivity wasn’t just a whisper—it was the default. Conversations about desire, bodies, pleasure, and identity weren’t off-limits. They were normal. They were interesting. And I loved that. I was the kid who asked questions, started debates, and wanted to know why people felt shame about things that felt natural and fun.

Born in the ’80s in Sonoma County, just 30 minutes north of San Francisco, I was acutely aware of the shadows cast by the AIDS epidemic. I often found myself yearning for the era that preceded it—the time of uninhibited sexual liberation that was so vividly a part of gay culture. I was always curious about what that freedom felt like, what it looked like to live openly and exuberantly in one’s sexuality.

The crisis changed everything. It didn’t just devastate lives; it reshaped how we talked about sex, how we thought about desire, how we moved through the world. Fear took up space where joy used to live. And I’ve carried that awareness my whole life. It’s part of my DNA. So when I talk about sex positivity, it’s not just some cute marketing tagline. It’s a reclaiming. A re-engagement. A decision to say: we are allowed to have fun again.

Thanks to PrEP, education, and a deeper understanding of how to take care of our bodies and each other, we’re in a new era. One where we don’t have to choose between safety and joy. One where we get to remember what it feels like to connect without shame. And I think it’s on us—to step back into that energy and say: sex is exciting. It’s part of us. It’s worth talking about. And laughing about. And celebrating.

The Bottoms Line is an extension of that world I wish we lived in. One where sex isn’t taboo. Where it’s okay to wear a shirt that makes someone smirk—or blush. Where we can play, provoke, and push back against shame with style and wit.

I’m not here to be subtle. I’m here to be seen—and help others be seen, too. If you’re into that, welcome. You’re exactly where you belong.

— Adam

Founder, The Bottoms Line