Second Life Spotlight - Teddy Toocool

Today, the focus of our portal is Teddy Toocool, a name that stands out in Second Life as founder of GUIY Magazine, creator of The PORTAL and organizer of the PRIDE in Space event, which will take place in June. Teddy's work has been key to connecting and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community within this virtual universe.

Teddy's been in Second Life for 16 years. His journey began when he watched an episode of the NCIS television program, which mentioned the virtual world. Intrigued, he decided to explore this new reality. A week after his entry, a small black cat from China approached him at a welcoming center, offering help. Since then, Teddy has become an active and engaged resident.

GUIY Magazine and GUIY Studios

In August 2020, Teddy founded GUIY Magazine with the aim of creating a men-oriented feature at Second Life, especially for gay men. He was inspired by a photography magazine and, even without prior experience in publishing, he dedicated himself to learning and assembled a team. After more than five years of quarterly production, the quality of the magazine has evolved, keeping the focus on content that highlights destinations, entertainment, fashion, vehicles, gadgets, decoration and more.

In March 2025, Teddy released GUIY Studios, seeking to incorporate the video as a new form of creative expression. With the help of talented videographer Echelon Alcott, the studio produces the talk show GUIY Talk, which is released every two months and includes virtual world business commercials. The episodes are available on both Second Life and YouTube.

The PORTAL and the LGBTQ+ Community

PORTAL is a meeting space and a teleportation hub for the LGBTQ+ community in Second Life. Teddy began developing this project after being challenged to create his own group, resulting in the formation of Gay Events Grid-Wide. Over the years, he expanded the group list and created a teleportation board that today has about 200 locations, allowing the community to connect and find relevant events.

The GUI Magazine PRIDE in Space 2026 will be held from May 31 to June 30, and Teddy is excited about this year's theme, which is inspired by the atomic era and the Jetsons cartoon. The festival will feature over 70 booths of LGBTQ+ vendors or allies, as well as free gifts, music, tours and competitions with cash prizes.

Festival Programming

The festival's programming includes:

• May 31 - Opening Party with DJ Viktor Sandman at 2:00 P.M.
• June 6 - ASTRO race competition with cash prizes
• June 14 - Midwayer Party with Djembe and DJ Rave
• June 20 - Retro Skating Festival
• June 30 - Festival closing at 11:59 PM

The festival will also feature live theater performances and concerts by artists such as Tillen and J-Rock Tsuki Noir. For more details about the schedule, interested parties can visit the event board at The PORTAL.

The Importance of the Community

Spaces like The PORTAL, publications like GUIY Magazine and events like PRIDE in Space are essential for the LGBTQ+ community at Second Life. They offer a safe environment where people can explore their identities and connect with others in an authentic way.

Teddy is constantly inspired by other talented and passionate residents, and highlights the importance of supporting and celebrating creativity within Second Life. He mentions three people who inspire him: Mardrakus Hekatos, Echelon Alcott and Jennifer Fluffington, each contributing significantly to their projects.

Links and Contacts

To learn more about Teddy Toocool projects, check out the following links:

• THE PORTAL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20PORTAL/9/131/40
• GUIY Magazine on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GuyMagazineSL
• ♪ I'm gonna be the one who's gonna be the one ♪ https://www.primfeed.com/guy-magazine
• GUIY Magazine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guymagsl
• Disk Server: https://discord.gg/CXBX4Vbqd3
• GUIY Studios on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GUYStudiosSL

We thank Teddy for his work in building spaces and events that celebrate the connection, creativity and community at Second Life. Each interview in our Spotlight offers a unique insight into the experiences and personalities that shape this virtual world.

Official source: Read the original publication in Second Life (Official).