I recently had the pleasure of joining Conor Edwards on The Queerness Diaries podcast, and wow—what a ride it was! We dove deep into my personal journey, my experiences growing up in Chile, coming out, and of course, the story behind Hunky Tops. If you haven’t checked out the episode yet, you can watch it at the end of this post. But first, here are some of the key takeaways from our chat.
From Santiago to Self-Discovery
I opened up about my childhood in Santiago, Chile, where I grew up in a conservative environment with limited exposure to LGBTQ+ representation. Looking back, I can see how small moments—like playing with my sister’s dolls or my fascination with creating clothing—were early hints of my creative spirit. But as a teenager, navigating my identity was challenging. I found myself conforming to societal expectations, dating girls because "that’s what you were supposed to do," all while struggling internally with my feelings for men.
Coming Out and Finding My Place
Like many of us, my coming-out journey wasn't linear. The first step was coming out to myself, which took years of introspection and self-acceptance. Moving to the U.S. for my PhD was a turning point—a new country, new opportunities, and finally, the chance to embrace my authentic self. One of the most significant moments? When my university advisor casually acknowledged my relationship with my now-husband, normalizing it without hesitation. It was an eye-opening experience that helped me feel truly accepted.
Love, Marriage, and Living Authentically
My love story with my husband is one for the books. We met on Flickr (yes, remember that platform?), bonding over photography before realizing our connection went deeper. Our long-distance relationship eventually led to marriage in Maine at a time when marriage equality laws were still evolving. Sharing this part of my life on the podcast was emotional—reflecting on the challenges of navigating love across borders and the bittersweet moments of coming out to family and friends.
The Birth of Hunky Tops
Moving to Maine inspired me to wear my identity proudly, but I struggled to find t-shirts that hit the right balance between overly flashy and too risqué. That’s when Hunky Tops was born—a middle ground for LGBTQ+ fashion that celebrates identity with style and confidence. On the podcast, I talked about how my business journey has been a mix of creativity, resilience, and community building. Hearing from customers who wear my designs to the gym, Pride events, or casual outings fuels my passion daily.
Building a Community, One Tee at a Time
One of the most rewarding aspects of running Hunky Tops is fostering a sense of belonging. Customers have connected with each other just by recognizing the designs, and that sense of shared identity is priceless. I also shared my shift from relying on big ad platforms to focusing on grassroots efforts and collaborations within the LGBTQ+ community. Supporting queer-owned businesses is at the heart of what I do, and I hope to keep growing this community of self-expression and pride.
I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share my journey on The Queerness Diaries, and I hope my story resonates with others navigating their own paths. Whether it’s coming out, starting a business, or simply finding your tribe, remember—you’re not alone.
Christian from Hunky Tops
Founder
