Calvin Klein's 1982 campaign featuring Tom Hintnaus turned men's underwear into an overt symbol of allure .
The presence of male thongs in media is rooted in a gradual shift from "coded" imagery to overt celebration:
Gay men have long utilized the thong as a tool for self-expression and subverting gender norms. In entertainment and media, the male thong has transitioned from a scandalous underground symbol to a mainstream fashion statement and a vehicle for LGBTQ+ body positivity . 1. Historical Evolution in Media
Early "posing straps"—precursors to the modern thong—were popularized in publications like Physique Pictorial by the Athletic Model Guild (AMG) . These were often the only non-pornographic outlets for gay men to consume homoerotic imagery .