Lesbian INK
Tattoos have continued to gain popularity amongst lesbians over the years with more and more women unveiling their latest little or large number. But what is it about the permanent body art that attracts lesbians so much? Is it because it adds to our individuality, is it because it makes us feel more attractive or is there a reason behind the issue at all? Jeni Quirke reports.It is true that many women in the lesbian community, young and old are marked with at least one tattoo somewhere on their body. Tribal tattoos seem to be the most common, shortly followed by stars and other symbols, fancy writing and then animals or cartoons.
It is thought that some use tattoos along with piercings to make a strong or shocking statement about themselves. Others choose tattoos in an effort to formalize their subculture and show their sexuality. One example of this is a history of lesbians wearing tattoos of small pink and black triangles on their wrists – a symbol called either the ‘Nautical’ or ‘Buffalo’ star, which should be instantly identifiable and recognisable to other gay women.
Some lesbians are said to use tattoos in a psychological way including using the pain of the tattoo to create a visual symbol of other pain. It is not uncommon among lesbian breast cancer survivors, for example, to tattoo a significant symbol around a mastectomy scar.
FAY DIXON
Fay Dixon, 21, has five tattoos and got her first when she was just 15. The Manchester student says that some of her tattoos were only chosen because they looked cool but others signify an event or memory in her life. She said: “I have a butterfly on my back. This was my first tattoo and I had it done in memory of my nan because at my her funeral my mom and I were sat on a bench and a butterfly came and sat on the bench with us.
“My fourth tattoo is of two dice on the inside of my left wrist with the number 20 written underneath. I thought dice were cool and had the number 20 tattooed because that was my age and it was a good year.”
Fay says she likes tattoos because they stay with you for life. “You can design your own meaning, they’re unique and mean something to you. People say ‘what will you do when you’re older etc?’, well at the end of the day tattoos represent parts of your life, so memories shouldn’t be forgotten.” She added.
JENNIE KILLIP
Jennie Killip, 20 has two tattoos. Her first is on her left shoulder in Punjabi and reads 'there is only one God' and her second is a ‘very-lesbian’ band around her left arm with green stars and the names of herself, her mum and her sister in Russian.
The Manchester student said “I like controversy” for her first tattoo and “I love green, stars and my mother and sister!” for her second.
Jennie thinks tattoos are popular amongst lesbians because they can make a statement. She said: “It's a permanent way of inscribing a belief or feeling on to your body. “I think it's an identity statement and a marker of 'difference', in keeping with the original view of tattoos as difference markers. I like to think it's still a bit punk to have them.”
JO
Jo, 31, a Stock Control Manager said: “I have eight tattoos and have no plan of finishing my art work on my body as that’s how I see it ‘Art’.
“My first being Tigger on my belly when I was 21 years old. I have musical notes on the side of my hand, Chinese writing on the inside of one of my wrists. Another heart and tribal design on my other wrist, a tribal design on the top of my left arm, a sun dial design on my shoulder and a tribal design from the bottom of my back - yet to be finished as it goes up to my neck. My last being my lady’s name on the right hand side of my lower belly.
“As I said I love my tatts and see the whole thing as art. I wouldn’t say I’m always attracted to ladies with tatts but enjoy looking at the art work if they do have them.”
KAY RUTHERFORD
Kay Rutherford, 38, has two tattoos. The Bradford student says: “On my right shoulder I had a dolphin done. I wanted something that represented freedom and felt that dolphins (other than the risk of being caught in tuna nets) were free, intelligent and happy creatures. After having this done I then wanted something to represent peace so I thought of the dove. This was around the time I decided to go study peace studies and then thought of adding the globe symbolising the world. So now I have a globe with a dove flying over and a dolphin swimming under representing peace and freedom in and around the world. I am currently trying to think of a land animal representing love as I have a space on the right hand side.”
Kay think’s tattoos can be popular for all sorts of reasons: “I think that tattoos are popular with people who care deeply about something, or like art, or don't mind pain, or wish to be or feel defiant. Perhaps lesbians in particular choose tattoos as their art or representation or perhaps they’re like everyone else and just like them.”
KELLY
Kelly, 23, has a tattoo of cupid on her shoulder blade and another of two wings with ‘believe in angels’ written on her back in honour of friends that have been there for her.
The Teaching Assistant from Kent thinks that tattoos can be popular with lesbians for many reasons. She commented: “I personally don’t associate it with my sexuality - it is more of an extension of my personality.
“I like tattoos because it marks a time in my life and adds to my character. I act on impulse.”
KRISTIN RUGER
Kristin Ruger, 34, who is now a Master’s student in Bradford has six tattoos. She said: “I got my first one when I was 25. It is the Tibetan Sanskrit for "Om". It is now in the center of my largest tattoo, on my back and I had it when I was studying Tibetan Buddhism with a Khenpo. The rest of the tattoo, around the "Om" I got when America invaded Iraq. On the bottom, near my bum, it says ‘Asalam in farsii’. I thought it was Arabic, but it was close enough, so I did it anyway. Asalam means peace. Then I had her do Arabic style line work in a flower growing out of peace. It was a protest against the war.
“I have a pictoglyph of a turtle in the shape of a heart on my right hip that I got in Hawaii and the national butterfly of Costa Rica on my left, both related to significant experiences I had in Hawaii and Costa Rica. On my left wrist I have the hindi for Ahimsa, which is "non-violence", but not only "not being violent" but creating conditions, both within yourself and in the world, so that peace can flourish. I have on the outer ridge of my feet lyrics from "Imagine" by John Lennon. Left foot – ‘Imagine all the people, living life in peace’ and right foot – ‘you may say I'm a dreamer, but i'm not the only one’. It is the driving philosophy of my life, that all people are entitled to peace, not only free from violence in war, but in their personal lives too.
Kristen cannot say why tattoos are popular with lesbians but thinks they can be a good way to express yourself. She says: “They last forever, and the pain that you must go through to get one requires a level of dedication to the idea, especially the one on my back which took 17 hours. I feel that my tattoos express ideas that are powerful, and having them allows me to talk to people about those ideas. They ask me about my tattoos, and then I get to talk to them about peace.
“Do I feel more attractive because of my tattoos? I don't know. I have always felt beautiful; I have always loved my body. Maybe they just make me feel more me than I would without them.
“I do not get tattoos for other people to see me and think "how cool", so I am not bothered if other people cannot see them. I get them for myself, to remind myself of what is important to me, and to express myself.”
LIZZ CHEESERIGHT
Lizz Cheeseright, 21 has two tattoos and got her first when she was just 13. The bar promoter from Plymouth says: “My left arm piece is a collection of stars that I had done over a two year period, largely due to lack of money. The stars on the outside of my upper arm are approximately three times the size of the stars on the inside. They have no particular meaning or relevance, they are just pretty!”
“I like people expressing their individuality, my tattoo's provide a good talking point and conversation starter! Also, I think body adornment can highlight parts of people's personalities.”
SEEMA
Seema, 30, has four tattoos including a scorpion on her ankle, which represents her star sign, a bear on her bum to give a whole new meaning to ‘barebum’, a Chinese symbol on her left shoulder meaning ‘soul and spirit’, which was done as a bet and a Chinese dragon down the middle of her back, which she got done with her partner because they both really liked the design.
Seema says: “I think tattoos are very popular amongst lesbians because they can express themselves, be who they want to be and make their body a piece of art. Sometimes I find that it can also make them look or come across quite butch.”
STEPHANIE MILES
Stephanie Miles, a 23-year-old nanny from Bournemouth has three tattoos made up of a black sun on her foot, a mermaid sitting on a rock on her back with waves coming up round her and a couple of hibiscus flowers either side of her.
She says: “Tattoos do seem to be rather popular with lesbians. I think this is likely due to self expression. For so long lesbians are hiding who they are growing up, so once coming out, they feel able to express themselves by change of appearance by getting tattoos, cutting hair short etc... Personally I like how daring tattoos are, and how individual/personal they are.”
ZO
Zo, a Manchester Criminology Student has five tattoos, which all have deep meanings for her.
She said: “The first one I got was on my upper right arm – it’s a celtic knot and I got it just after my mum passed away. I got that one because I liked the design and also mainly because the script underneath it said Mo, which was short for Maureen, my mums name.
Zo’s other tattoos include Chinese symbols for ‘peace and friendship’, a Celtic band and a Chinese symbol for love.
Zo said: “I think lesbians and tattoos are more of a recent thing – it’s more "cool" I guess, to have a tat, although why every lesbian has to have stars tattooed on their person is beyond me!”
AMI FARGHER
Ami Fargher, 19, has seven tattoos including her band logo on her right arm which consists of a heart with wings horns, a halo and a devil tail. She also has a trebble clef on her left hip, which represents her love of music together with four stars on her left arm which represent important people in her life and a Hibiscus flower on her right hip/bum in memory of her mum.
The barmaid and musician from Isle of man thinks tattoos may be popular amongst lesbians because they can be used as another way of expressing yourself. She says: “Image is a big part of the gay scene anywhere you go. In a way I suppose there is a defined "lesbian fashion" and tattoos and piercings are a part of it.”
Ami often finds other tattooed ladies very attractive. She said: “I really don’t know what it is about a girl with tats that I like but I am the same for a girl with a bit of metal! Piercings and tattoos just catch my attention, and in my eyes a woman’s body is like a blank canvas waiting for a bit of ink!”
AMY SLATER
Amy Slater, 21, has two tattoos made up of a traditional grinch illustration on the inside of her leg and a compass rose. The Cheshire student says: “I got the grinch because i've always been seen as being a bit of a grinch. The tattoo coincided with passing my bike test and joining the biking community and also with the end of a particularly significant relationship. In a way the tattoo was an expression of who I am and my desire for my heart to "grow three sizes that day" and find something more but at the same time it was to remind me not to be as trusting as I had been.
“Tattoos are art. Creativity and personal expression are important to me and I think not only is it something that can grow old with you but it's something that can always be with you and it's something that can always remind you. A tribute, a reminder of home, a fond memory, a loved one... no matter where you are, or how lost you feel, it'll always be with you...”
“I wouldn't say my tattoos in any way enhance my appearance or really affect it at all. They’re an expression of who I am and I don't think they mean anything appearance-wise other than that.”
ELLEN SPALL
Ellen Spall, 21, is a student from Stoke and currently has four tattoos including a black outline of a star and a symbol for the band Alkaline Trio.
Ellen said: “I got the symbol for the band Alkaline Trio because they are my favourite band and have been for a long time. Their music has really influenced me and got me through some hard times in my life. My third fills the outer top of my arm and is of a microphone with the lyrics 'I need that song, those trusty chords could pull me through'. I chose these lyrics not only because they were buy Alkaline Trio but because music plays a huge part in my life and moves me in a way that not a lot of other things do.
“I feel that tattoos are a good way of expressing your individuality and I personally like mine because of what they stand for and the personal meaning to me. I also think they are a nice way to mark important points in your life.”
RACHEL JOSEPH
Rachel Joseph, 29, is a photographer and has two tattoos on her body. She say’s: “I have a dragon type thing at the bottom of my back and the other one is a bit tribal looking, although I didn’t get it filled in black – it’s blue and that’s on my arm.”
“Having a tattoo is like putting a stamp on yourself, and it can make you more individual. I think tattoos are interesting and make your body look pretty - they’re a bit like art.”
SAMANTHA MARSHALL
Samantha Marshall, 28 is a Salon Manager from Manchester and has five tattoos. She chose most of her tattoos because she liked the design including a sunflower with a smiley face on the inside of her hip, a Celtic design at the base of her spine, and an ohm symbol on her wrist. Her tattoos also include a small panther’s head on the top of her bum which represents a kickboxing club that she used be a member of called Panther’s.
