Are tattoos the new black?

Tattoos have long been a part of many cultures and the significance they play as well as who the wearers of these permanent pigmented body modifications are differs greatly, depending on where you are and who you are.

Tattoos have become a huge part of American LGBT culture. From statements to symbolism the LGBT community have always embraced the art of tattooing.

Why do some of us adorn our bodies in this age-old ritual and why do some of us choose not to? What tattoos have we ingrained into our culture and what is ourreasoning for getting tattoos in the first place? Have tattoos become more socially and workplace accepted?

These questions will be explored along with others throughout this feature. Let’s start, however, with some brief tattoo history.

Tattooing has been around for centuries and is believed to have originated in Asia, where facial tattoos were very popular, and gradually spread throughout the world.

America’s obsession with tattoos started primarily in the Navy around the early 1900s with sailors who stopped at different ports around the world and came back with permanent souvenirs. This style of tattoo became known as the “Sailor Jerry” style of tattoo named after the prominent American tattoo artist Norman Keith Collins who was famous for tattooing sailors.

As applied to the LGBT community tattoos can be traced from Nazi concentration camps to American Indians. For homosexuals, like many other minorities, forms of tattoos were a way to identify and humiliate those who were considered outcasts.

As LGBT equality gathers pace attitudes toward tattoos have shifted. Tattoos have increasingly been worn symbolically to proclaim being out and proud and have become part of a liberating process.

To find out more, I turned to popular San Diego resident Aaron Heier,writer, publicist, co-host of sassy online talk show He Said/She Said and famous for all his tattoos. This is what he had to say.

San Diego LGBT Weekly: How old were you when you got your first tattoo?

Aaron Heier: 16 … in a spot I was certain my parents would not see! I didn’t get another tattoo until 10 years later.

What tattoo are you most proud of and why?

“Proud of” is strange to me because I’m proud of having tattoos, period … all of them. I got them all for a reason, even the ones that may appear less intricate/detailed or colorful or visible. Being quite a bit older now than I was when I got my first tattoo, I can say that I certainly would have made different tattoo choices, but even those I got when I was younger represent something to me – they mark a point in my life, a period of time that was significant in one way or another.

Why do you think our community is so tattooed?

Simple, it’s a way to express our uniqueness, our individuality. For me, I’m drawn to the art, the aesthetic and the permanency of tattoos. It’s like the ultimate commitment of self expression. It was also a way for me to release some repressive behaviors. I was always buttoned-up, stifled, clean-cut, professional (businessman) – the straight and narrow type – the one who didn’t ruffle feathers, very “normal, mainstream” acting and appearing (whatever that means.) When I decided to leave the corporate world, I decided that I was going to be, do, feel, and ultimately appear, as authentically “Aaron” as I could. That is when the majority of my tattoos came to be. They represent the physical [visual] me and who I am as an individual 100 percent.

Do you believe that tattoos have become part of our LGBT culture?

I think tattoos have become a part of pop culture and society in general. I don’t necessarily think they’re specific to the LGBT community.

What do you think is the most popular gay male tattoo?

10 years ago, I would have said it’s tribal-inspired anything. Today, I see an emergence of Asian-influenced designs – intricate, colorful flora and fauna, dragons, koi fish, geishas, etc.

In the LGBT men’s community do you think tattoos are fetishized?

For some, sure. But one man’s fetish is another man’s norm. IMHO, people who get tattooed to make themselves seem more appealing to others (to those who like tattoos, or find them attractive) are doing it for the wrong reason. For some, I also think there’s a sort of perceived machismo about having tattoos, an internalized “Butch Factor” of sorts … like, having tattoos makes you somehow more masculine and, therefore, more attractive as a man to other similarly aligned gay men (which I think is a shame, but I digress). Perhaps in that way, it has been fetishized, yes. But tattoos in general are becoming so mainstream, so “normal,” that there’s nothing taboo about it anymore – so is there really anything to fetishize? I’m not sure there’s a definitive answer for that.

Have you ever been or felt rejected due to your tattoos in or out of the community?

When I lived in London, I spent some time traveling to rural areas in countries throughout Europe (Germany, France, Italy). At that time, I did not have full sleeves or any visible tattoos unless I was wearing a short sleeve shirt. When I’d take my jacket off, I’d get some stares, a few gasps and always questions, usually from older generations. But rejection because of them? No. Even if I had been [rejected], I don’t know that I would consider it as such. What I would consider it is their loss. You know that whole “don’t judge a book by its cover” thing? Ya, that.

What was your first tattoo?

Tasmanian Devil lifting weights … on my ass (remember, I said I got it in a place where I knew my parents wouldn’t see it.) And now, well, I guess everyone knows. Shit!

Do you have a shop or artist that you highly recommend?

Funny enough, I’m actually in the process of shopping for a new tattoo right now. My primary artist, the very talented Dave Davenport of Dogspunk Tattoo, is now in Los Angeles so I don’t have a local go-to artist that I feel confident recommending. I’ve been researching artists around town, based on recommendations from friends who have pieces that I admire and appreciate, and I’ve narrowed it down to a couple of artists who work at Guru Tattoo in Pacific Beach. Outside of that, I couldn’t comfortably recommend anyone else, as I’ve not seen – or experienced – their work enough to do so. I’m definitely open to exploring others if a recommendation comes, but I’ve yet to be truly blown away by any other artists’ work besides those at Guru.

Any tattoo regrets?

None. Like I said, if I knew then what I know now, I probably would have made different tattoo “choices.” But no, I have zero tattoo regrets.

In your opinion what is the tackiest tattoo you have seen?

I’ve seen a shitload of really bad tattoos. There are countless Facebook pages and Tumblrs dedicated to tattoo fails. I’m not sure one specific tattoo sticks out (“tacky” is kind of subjective, you know) but I will say I feel horrible for the countless thousands who have permanently misspelled words on their bodies.

Do you prefer a guy with some ink?

I think tattoos, as art or body fashion, are attractive, but I really have no preference one way or the other. I don’t specifically look for people who are tattooed. I’m more of a “whole package” kinda guy. If they are the whole package without tattoos, I’m good with that.

Do you feel like you get picked up on more because of your tattoos?

I think my tattoos have been great conversation starters; they’ve certainly served as a reason for people to engage with me initially. But I don’t think that I’ve been picked-up on more because of them. If I have been, I’ve been completely oblivious to it. More than once though, I’ve been told, “You’d be so hot if it wasn’t for all those tattoos.” So, I defer back to what I said earlier about it being their loss!

What subset of the gay male community do you think is most likely to be tattooed and why?

None. Tattoos have ‘cross-label’ popularity. Bears, jocks, twinks, leather daddies, drag queens, gender queers, nerds all have tattoos. It’s like tattoos are the new black. I’ve seen this happen through the years. When I first got my sleeves completed almost 12 years ago, not many people [at least that I was aware of] were so visibly fully tattooed. Over time, that has certainly changed. Now, it’s almost as if sleeve tattoos have become passé, the way of the tramp stamp. It seems like now all the rage is the side torso, the neck, the full back or the full leg. Ironically, my planned next tattoo is a complete side torso and thigh cuff.

Do you feel that people view you differently because of your tattoos?

Honestly, I don’t know because it’s not really something I concern myself with … or dwell on for that matter. I believe myself to be a good person, who happens to have tattoos. I can only hope that others view me based on my actions and the content of my character and not what happens to be on my skin.

What do you look for in a tattoo shop?

Primarily, the artist. Their work should speak for itself. If their work is great and resonates with me, then I feel confident that they are true professional tattooists. If they are that kind of professional, then their shop will reflect that (clean, vibrant, comfortable, etc.) I look for artists that primarily do or specialize in original pieces in the particular style I want (not clip-art from some book or frame on a wall.) What I’m getting, nobody else has or will have. I look for an artist that is creative enough to take an idea for a client’s design, elevate it, sketch it out, work with the body for proper sizing and placement and turn it into something completely awe-inspiring.

Thank you, Aaron. We look forward to seeing your next tattoo creation.

Modern LGBT tattoo designs and their meaning

Biohazard symbol

This tattoo traditionally signifies that someone is HIV positive.

Bear claws

Worn by gay men who identify as a Bear or a gay male who is into Bears; it can also signify a cub.

Solid black arm band

This symbol is taken from the Leather Community. It is tattooed on the bicep and is a solid thick band filled in black.

Transformer head logo

This symbol is the most recent to make its way into the LGBT cultural tattoo landscape. It is usually worn by a transgender male.

Tribal

While modern tribal tattoos have lost mainstream popularity, they still remain one of the more popular choices among gay men, particularly those who are considered muscle boys. This is in part because they are large and very masculine looking.

Stars

Stars have always been popular with lesbians, and at one point they were a way to indentify someone who was a lesbian or bisexual woman. A star that is gold signifies a lesbian who has not slept with men.