This post was submitted by Jean

Austin is the best “people watchin’” city that I’ve ever lived in. At the gym, the view of my fellow fitness enthusiasts from the treadmill is enough to distract me from the pounding of my own sneakers/heart. At the Barton Springs Saloon the clientele is often so interesting that I neglect my $1 dollar LoneStar beer. It’s not just the great style of ATX residents; it’s something more specific that draws my attention: Ink.  There is no demographic that is untouched by the ink – the folks of Austin are canvases in a museum of tattoos.

I love tattoos. I am a person who loves art and free, unique expression and finds tattoos to be the perfect union of the two. On my own flesh I sport only two small designs – almost imperceptible nods to true tattoo culture. I’m hoping to add another permanent fixture to my growing collection while I’m in Austin, but I still find that I’m afraid to go too far.  I like them black and simple. Small and hidden.

I don’t know what my concern is with visible tattoos. Some part of me has always imagined standing up in a wedding offending everyone with a tattoo on my shoulder. Being called trashy and ruining the whole wedding. Maybe this just speaks to my own feelings of self-importance more than self-consciousness. (Whose wedding would be ruined by one bridesmaid with a tasteful tattoo?) The funny part is that I don’t think a tattooed bridesmaid would be trashy- I think it would be sexy! When a man in shirtsleeves reaches out to shake my hand and I see the edge of a tattoo creep out from under his professional exterior I’m intrigued. I love them on other people, I’m just afraid to commit.

Why am I so afraid of this wedding scenario? Why am I so afraid of being judged for having a visible tattoo? Are people really that judgmental?

I’ve always run in a primarily straight universe – my gay friends have always still been the minority in any social or professional situation – so I’ve never really noticed if visible tattoos are more accepted in a gay grouping. Tattoos are so popular in Austin, I assume, because Austin is so liberal. Most gay people are liberal, so that could mean tats are more accepted, but is there a more meaningful connection between tats and gays?

There are a few websites (mostly lacking citations/credible writing and research skills) that talk about tattoos and the gay community. A few “gay” tats are mentioned – an AIDS ribbon, gender symbols (W/W, M/M), a Lambda symbol, a pink triangle or variations of the rainbow flag – but no real information about the role tattooing plays in the community as a whole. I’m looking for answers. Are there different rules, written or unwritten, for LGBTQ folks with regards to tattoos? Are there any tattoos, aside from the obvious rainbow flags, that “mean something” in the gay community?

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