A multitude of thanks to Nick at the Kilted Bros. for bringing this to my much-needed attention. Here are a few teaser shots from the Ben Cohen 2018 Calendar (which may or may not be sold-out by the time you order yours here). Mr. Cohen has returned to fine form just in time for the holiday season, and this calendar is a dream come true for fans around the world.
For more of Ben Cohen’s glory, check out this epic post.
It’s been far too long since we’ve done a proper Ben Cohen post, but with his 2018 Calendar now on sale, it’s time to welcome him back to the fold of fierceness. Shot by Leo Holden of Snooty Fox Images, the calendar looks to be full of great photographs and inspiring images. Mr. Cohen has been an admirable Ally to our community over the years, and for the superficial purposes of this blog he’s always been a reliable source of eye candy. Still, it’s extra nice when your idols bring a genuine set of moral concerns with them whatever they do. Especially if they’re doing it in their underwear. Thanks to Ben Cohen for bringing us into another year. Get your calendar here.
The Ben Cohen calendar is now available for ordering online, just in time for your holiday gift giving. Mr. Cohen returns to the calendar front in fine form, so hopefully we’ll be seeing more photo shoots like this one, by the great Leo Holden. No matter how many calendars Ben does, he always brings something new and exciting to every one, and 2017 already looks to be better than what’s come before.
After taking last year off from the beefcake calendar biz, Ben Cohen is returning with a fine, fit vengeance as he announces the release of his 2017 calendar. It couldn’t have come at a better time, and though Mr. Cohen has been rather quiet of late (after his dancing excursions and extracurricular nude video distractions) he’s looking to end the year (and start the next one) with a bang. It looks as if he’s been manscaping a bit more than usual, which may cause concern for some fans (who have already decried his smoother look) but I’m cool as long as he keeps up his admirable anti-bullying work. (Check out the StandUp Foundation.)
We missed a very big birthday here a few days ago, and I feel terribly about it because the recipient was gracious enough to offer me a birthday feet when I begged for it. This is my homage to Ben Cohen to make up for it, and to wish him a very Happy, if belated, Birthday! He turned 37 years young on Monday, just a few weeks (ok, and several years) after me.
Mr. Cohen, as a devastatingly handsome straight ally and rugby star, has garnered quite a few posts over the years, and here’s another notch on that bedpost in honor of his birthday. To my disappointed knowledge, Ben Cohen has never done any serious nudity, but he’s been kind enough to offer glimpses of what he’s got in several calendar and underwear shoots, so I’m not complaining. Just cajoling. Nudging. Hinting. Ben Cohen’s full monty would be a lovely Christmas gift idea. Ben Cohen’s naked butt might be even better. Whichever he may deign to do in the near or far future, we’ll love it all.
In the meantime, for other sorts of revelations, I’ll be checking out his recently-released autobiography, ‘Carry Me Home’. He’s got several moving stories, and lots of inspiration, not to mention the fact that he’s simply a good guy. Sounds simple, but they’re getting to be a rare breed. Thank you, Ben, for being an ally, a hero, and a force of hope for a better world.
Much of the gay internet is agog at these photos of Ben Cohen beaching it in a bathing suit, and most of the comments are critical of his girth. Personally, I think he looks way more than fine, and if we are in a world where this is fat then we need to realign our concept of fat and thin. There are glimmers of hope, in the embracing of the Dad-bod (but what about those who aren’t Dads?) There are also certain open-minded sects of chub-chasers and bear-lovers who prefer their men with a little more meat on their bones. I don’t have such set preferences, I just want to see us be a little more accepting of different body types.
Beauty’s where you find it, not just where you bump and grind it.
As for Mr. Cohen, I’ll bet he’s not losing any sleep over these photos, nor should he. Witness and testify to his hotness here.
Hot on the heels of his grooming product release (including a citrusy Eau de Toilette), Ben Cohen is currently finishing up his autobiography, set for a September release. While I’ve never been  big fan of the genre, exceptions must be made, particularly in the case of a Mr. Cohen (see Andy.) He’s got a grand story to tell, both for his accomplishments and tragedies, and I can’t wait to read it. )If he’s wise, he’ll include some behind-the-scenes stories of photo shoots like these. Or just some photos.
Nobody told me that Ben Cohen had a new cologne out, not even the man himself, and we’re usually relatively tight. (Hey, the guy wishes me Happy Birthday when it’s my birthday!) I have seriously mixed feelings about this venture, however, as much as I am enamored with the man whose pretty face graces the bottle. I don’t know how it was produced, or who Mr. Cohen worked with, so there’s a chance it could be wonderful. Sarah Jessica Parker made her debut celebrity fragrance into something that was both popular with the masses and more than a few perfume connoisseurs, but that is the rare exception. For every lovely Parker, there’s some gaudy and god-awful Britney Spears massacre.
David Beckham has a few scents out there, none of which I’ve sampled. (For some reason I never think to sample cologne when I’m in a CVS.) Personally, I think it’s much safer to simply be the face of the product, rather than put yourself out there as the creator and namesake. (Think Nick Youngquest and Scott Eastwood. Be the face, not the name.) The arena into which Cohen spritzes his stuff is sacred ground, and for someone who worships at the altar of Tom Ford and bows down before Hermes and Amouage, it’s going to take a lot to impress. That is nothing against Mr. Cohen.
To give you an idea of how fussy I am when it comes to fragrance, I didn’t even like Madonna’s ‘Truth or Dare’ perfume enough to purchase it for myself, and I pretty much like everything she’s done. (I’ve got a goddamned children’s book she once wrote as proof. FYI, ‘Sex’ was a much better read.)
But until I try Ben Cohen on for myself (and I am anxiously awaiting a personal invite, ahem), I’ll zip my lips and simply enjoy him wearing it, with preferably nothing else.
I can think of no one more brilliant than Ben Cohen to come out with a few male grooming products. Mr. Cohen has been celebrated for his hirsute hotness, but even the hottest guys need a bit of manscaping from time to time. To that end, he’s offering a line of grooming products to help the hairier among us to keep things under control. (I’m all for a natural look, but there are limits to how much hair actually looks good. If you can braid it, it’s got to go.) Sadly, these grooming tools are not yet available on these shores, which is another reason to go to London. Perhaps I can persuade Mr. Cohen to send me a sample so I can test it out for the American market and do a proper write-up. It’s the least I can do.
Actually, scratch that – if I ever get in touch with Ben Cohen it will be to request a pair of his underwear. (Not his actual underwear, but a pair from his underwear line. Oh who am I kidding?)
And it’s been far too long since we’ve featured Mr. Cohen on this website. (I don’t like to go much longer than a month between Ben features.) Apologies about that, but here’s a video of his StandUp Foundation calendar shoot. It’s always a joy to see the finished product of Ben Cohen underwear shots in perfectly lighted magnificence, but occasionally the road to get such shots is littered with sexy moments too. Such is the case when you check out this quick little making-of video. Helping matters out considerably are the generous smiles Mr. Cohen flashes throughout, even when getting sprayed in the face. Yes, it’s captured on video. Just watch…
(And in the event that you think there’s nothing behind the hotness, visit the StandUp Foundation’s website and read about all the noble efforts Mr. Cohen has made to combat bullying. Pretty impressive package all around.)
Then there are these GIFs from an Attitude photo shoot where, if you use your imagination in just the right (or wrong) way you can picture Ben Cohen naked. You are welcome.
He’s probably overtaken David Beckham as the favorite son of this blog, in no small part thanks to photos like these, which manage to capture huskiness and sexiness and manliness in one fell swoop. Not that Mr. Beckham doesn’t still do so, but not in quite the same straight-ally form. For that, we are forever grateful and appreciative.
Ben Cohen has been a stalwart presence here, and he’s got a new calendar about to be released, one which contains his first-ever centerfold. How we ever survived without a centerfold before this blows my mind, but that’s the effect Mr. Cohen has had on most of us over the years. Let’s just be thankful that it’s here now.
As for his previous appearances here on this site, allow me to direct you to the only ones you need to view: this definitive pictorial, and this more resonant straight ally piece. Between the two you’ll find more than enough fodder for whatever you had in mind.
An LGBTQ+ ally is any person who has contributed in some way to fostering equality for all human beings, particularly in regards to battling homophobia, ending discrimination, and supporting marriage equality. An ally fights for human rights, particularly those denied gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, with the knowledge that to deny equality to one segment of the population is to diminish all of us as human beings.
Unless you’ve been alone and ostracized from society, you’ll never know what it’s like to feel that kind of fear and loneliness. If you’ve never been attacked for your sexuality or the color of your skin, your religion or creed, or simply for being different, you’ll never know the penetrating isolation that accompanies every following interaction with the world. The same goes for those who have been bullied. It’s a fear you don’t ever forget. It stays with you forever, no matter how much you might be able to forgive. The result is more than just sadness – it’s an eradication of hope, a mark of emptiness – where something should be but isn’t.
To see someone stand up for you – someone who doesn’t even know you but is doing so because it’s the right thing to do, can galvanize the heart in ways no known loved one can. For that reason, Ben Cohen is one of the finest examples of an LGBTQ+ ally the world has come to know.
Bullying and homophobia have long been intertwined. Before we ever put a name to it, gay people have been enduring such abuse throughout history. School taunts of ‘faggot’ and ‘sissy’ go back to childhood for some of us. Even if we’re not the direct recipient, they affect everyone. A diminishing of one person is a degradation of all. It may not seem that way at the time, especially when it’s easy to be the attacker rather than the attacked, but in the end both parties ultimately suffer. I have had my own moments of shame on both sides of the bullying scene. It’s never pretty, and it always ends up destroying something. When it comes to bullying there is never a winner; the giver and the receiver are both robbed.
Ben Cohen’s fight against bullying comes from a very personal place. A few years ago his father was killed while standing up for someone else. That act of violence, and the resulting loss, fuels the younger Cohen on a daily basis. He’s seen the worst that can come of bullying. He’s been directly affected by its brutality and pain. Rather than turn a bitter eye away from the issue, he’s confronted it head-on, brandishing hope and outreach against hatred and violence.
Going hand in hand with bullying, and often a direct cause of it, is homophobia. Cohen has made his cause two-fold: combating bullying and fighting homophobia. Such genuine support for equality and anti-bullying efforts led to the creation of his StandUp Foundation, an organization that aims to bring about LGBTQ+ equality, particularly in sports, as well as getting to the root cause of bullying issues.
To become a rugby world champion required a strong body. To remove bullying from schools and sports requires all of us to have strong characters. – Ben Cohen
His background in sports has given Cohen a tangible knowledge base of the importance of working together as a team. There is strength and power in the efforts of a group versus the power of a single individual. One of the highpoints of his rugby career was his part in winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup. That sense of camaraderie and team spirit also plays a part in his successful StandUp Foundation efforts. His anti-bullying stance and pro-equality beliefs are the two issues that form the crux of Cohen’s motivation and purpose.
He is probably the most recognized straight ally in the world. David Beckham has a bit more fame, and certainly does his best to appeal to a gay fan base, but never so directly. (You won’t see Mr. Beckham at a gay club, taking off his shirt and throwing it to a starstruck fan, for example.) And while others are making their own play for gay fans (Tom Daley in his coming out fashion, Nick Jonas in his gay-baiting way, and Lady Gaga in her continual support for the gay community) no one has done so with such dedication and genuine earnestness in their execution. Cohen is the real deal, and he stands behind his words.
It certainly doesn’t harm his cause that he is presenting his product in such a handsome package. His bear-like hairy chest and handsome features initially gained him notice, but it was his dedication to the cause that won our hearts. Today he straddles the roles of activist and pin-up icon with good-natured aplomb. His upcoming 2015 calendar features his first-ever centerfold, and he seems to understand what some of his fans want, while pushing a worthwhile agenda everyone can get behind.
‘It’s all cheeky fun, if you will pardon the pun. But, mostly, that fun is done for a serious cause that I feel incredibly passionate about, and I am glad the products help us do so much good.’ ~ Ben Cohen
Those products include the aforementioned calendar, along with a line of underwear that Cohen has somewhat modestly modeled, and that has no doubt has gone a great way toward getting his mission noticed.
Mission: To raise awareness of the long-term, damaging effects of bullying and to raise funds to support those doing real-world work to stop it.
He is nothing if not a good sport, and a good sportsman, but he’s a good businessman too, and it would be a mistake to conclude that he is merely the pretty-boy front-man for his organization. In fact, in addition to his mission statement is a vision: “to build a highly collaborative organization funded by social business models that help connect communities and create a world of understanding and kindness.” It’s rare and refreshing to find a company that values compassion, but it’s the key to future success. The companies with good hearts tend to be those that inspire the most customer loyalty.
For me, however, the StandUp Foundation, and Ben Cohen himself, are more than a do-good organization and its handsome spokesperson. They symbolize a sense of hope for those of us who have ever needed to know that we are not alone. You cannot know the power and significance of that unless you’ve been shut out or bullied or simply called out for being different. That someone like Ben Cohen is on our side can make all the difference in the world.
{For more information on Ben Cohen and his StandUp Foundation, please visit his website. For more Straight Ally Profiles, please see Adam Montross, Scott Herman, and Hudson Taylor.}
Ben Cohen has proved fine fodder for the sort of sexy posts that populate this wayward blog, and if I’ve pushed him more than, say, David Beckham (whose turn will come tomorrow) it’s because Mr. Cohen is also a staunch straight ally, standing up for gay men and women the world over, and standing behind his anti-bullying efforts with hard work and dedication. His hirsute bearish looks certainly don’t hurt his cause, and that’s a good part of why he’s featured here as well.
Here are a few links wherein we featured the looks, and half-dressed sexiness, of Ben Cohen:
This may have been Ben’s first appearance here – way back in 2010.
It is said that he has an enormous hose.
He seems to enjoy boxer briefs.
He likes to strip to his underwear for video too.
It’s the hair, isn’t it?
Actually, it’s probably his butt.
Is he sexier than David Beckham?
He just may be.
Especially if he goes full-frontal first.
But shirtless Ben is more than just fine.
Especially when getting ready to dance.
The best part of Ben, however, may be his Attitude.
And the fact that he’d give you the shirt off his back.
Nah – it’s the way he fills out these white briefs.
With these gargantuan balls.
David Beckham returns the sexy volley tomorrow…
The title of the post says it all, and later today there’s going to be a big Ben Cohen feature here, so I’ll shut my trap and let you feast your eyes upon how far Mr. Cohen is willing to go for the perfect shot. What I wouldn’t give to be that Fanta Grape guy… and given that smile, he knows exactly how lucky he is.
Because some Mondays are so tough you need a little man candy.
There is none sweeter than Ben Cohen.
Especially without a shirt.
And in his wet underwear.
