Body Modifications and The Gay community

[tymejumper]

I am quite a people watcher and one of the first things I noticed when I came out was the fact so many gay and lesbian people had some sort of tattoo and/or body modification. I realize that these things were long thought of as a fringe type of activity, bikers and gangs and of course gay people sported things such as this and it became a type of identifyer for us and those groups. Now, it seems to have moved into the mainstream more, however, not to label people, it seems around me anyhow, that many butch identifying women have tattoos and eyebrow rings much more than said femme lesbians or gay guys. Gay guys are more often seen with pierced nipples or genitalia(have not seen it, heard of it) and I have noticed many, especially at Pride, sporting triangles, rainbows and also Labrys for lesbians. Yes, I have seen a few bi pride tatts also. So, has anyone else noticed this? Does anyone out there have modifications or tattoos? What is the reason for them or the meaning behind them?

So, I'll go first. I have a pierced belly button, a direct result to a very poorly thought out bet that I lost. I wouldn't have bet that anyhow except I thought that pierced bellybuttons were very sexy on women....

I also have 2 tattoos. The first one is a black inverted triangle on my lower back(tramp stamp) area. It is a celtic knot so everyone whom sees it does not immediatly think 'lesbian', but that is the reason I got it. It was to celebrate my identity.

The second one is large and on my left shoulder blade, so I can cover it or show it if I wish. It is like a large family crest with my childrens names in it, with a vine tangled around the names. It is very simple but I get commpliments all the time on it. I got that when I got custody of my children after my divorce, and the vine entwined around their names symbolizes my promise to them that I would always protect them and love them.

Thought this would be a great get to know you post for a rainly day......at least rainy here.

[Alecto]

I do have one nip pierced. I've noticed as a general patterns that people tend to put tats places they consider "assets"; they draw attention to parts that are already attractive. And they tend to pierce things that are erogenous zones. Or maybe I'm way off.

Anyway, I'm getting my first tattoo before the end of the month (and I'm way excited). I'm getting a purple handprint as a kind of reminder that whatever gets thrown at me, I can reclaim and use. Also, as "gay tattoos" go, I figure it's interesting and still kind of subtle.

[tymejumper]

Originally Posted by Alecto

I do have one nip pierced. I've noticed as a general patterns that people tend to put tats places they consider "assets"; they draw attention to parts that are already attractive. And they tend to pierce things that are erogenous zones. Or maybe I'm way off.

Anyway, I'm getting my first tattoo before the end of the month (and I'm way excited). I'm getting a purple handprint as a kind of reminder that whatever gets thrown at me, I can reclaim and use. Also, as "gay tattoos" go, I figure it's interesting and still kind of subtle.

That is so exciting to get your first tattoo!

I got both of mine places where I could cover them up as I am a professional woman and even though you see more and more of them in the medical community, I still am a bit shy about them. Also, when thinking of placement, be aware they do fade and sun will fade them quicker than if you were to keep them out of the sun. If I wear tanktops, I make sure I cover my tatts with a sunblock of at least 35 SPF.

My father came over shortly after I got my large one on my shoulder and was going on and on about how wrong by God and how stupid it was to get inked. My youngest, then 8, looked at me and her eyes got bigger and bigger the longer he went on, but she didn't say a word. God love her! He still does not knowto this day I have them!

[Alecto]

My mom isn't thrilled but she's kind of ok with it being my decision.

I'm thinking like, a little higher up than my ankle; I don't have a "professional" career right now, but I like to keep that option open.

[tymejumper]

Well, if your an adult, what can she say? Jester turned 18 in September and the thing she wantd was a tattoo of a dragon. I told her I would pay for it, but she had to go to my artist, so I know it is clean and that they would follow health codes. I think a purple hand is very cool. I checked out the link you included and there are actually many LGBT signs out there.

[BruceChris]

Does she play mysterious and possibly subversive roles, in a medieval court? . .

And now she's an adult! And as an act of assertiveness/defiance/individuality, she is going to do something indelible to her body.

Of course, she's an adult now, and she knows about your tats.

Tyme, are you sure you're a good role model? . . .

Hey, Jester, You GO girl . . .

BC

P.S: I once knew a woman who had her own Harley club, who had tatoos in places that could not legally be shown in public. (OUCH!)

[tymejumper]

Originally Posted by BruceChris

Does she play mysterious and possibly subversive roles, in a medieval court? . .

And now she's an adult! And as an act of assertiveness/defiance/individuality, she is going to do something indelible to her body.

Of course, she's an adult now, and she knows about your tats.

Tyme, are you sure you're a good role model? . . .


SIZE="4"]Hey, Jester, You GO girl[/SIZE] . . .

BC

P.S: I once knew a woman who had her own Harley club, who had tatoos in places that could not legally be shown in public. (OUCH!)

Well, no body told me I would have to be a GOOD role model for my kids, after all, isn't that why they don't let us gay people have children? We might ruin them!

Our house rules(and Ellie had a cow when I told her, cause she is really quite conservative where the kids are concerned...) are as follows:

One piercing allowed at 16, no nipples, genitals or lips/tongues. At a shop of my choosing, not at parties etc.

I will pay for one tattoo after 18, if this is your wish. You must watch one person be tattooed and study up on the care of a tattoo. You will go to a shop I trust for this.

You can dress how you wish, as long as you are clean, not rude and have good grades and keep good grades. If I can see your clevage, butt crack or pubic hair you are changing your clothes. I don't care if they have holes as long as your private parts and the above parts are covered. Skirts must be no shorter than 1 inch above your finger tips. Same for shorts. If they are tight and I can see any body groves, they are an out.

Makeup, for either my son or the girls. If you wear it, it better be picked up and put away afterwards, don't leave it all over my counter, don't use my eyeliner and not put it back. No black eyeliner unless you are going Goth or Emo for the day or that is your look. All makeup is to be removed from your skin before bed. It damages it.

Hair, any color, style or length acceptable, as long as it's clean and combed. If it is not, it gets cut off. Don't grow it if you can't care for it.

Pretty much anything else, except manners and respect are up for discussion.

And poor Jester, thrust into the world of adults, can't believe that it's the way I said it was. She has always collected dragons and been uterly crazy about them since her first stuffed one as a child. I think she has about 25 of them sitting around her room.

[BruceChris]

And trying to give Jester a boost. But 25 stuffed animals? Clearly, she's well on her way to becoming another Zerbie!

EDIT: I especially liked the way that you presented yourself on Jen5's Self-Reflections

BC

[Pablo Rafael]

Well, I do color my goatee so it isn't so grey. It is a less than successful attempt to minimize the old-man look. Does that count as body modification?

[Alecto]

Originally Posted by Pablo Rafael

Well, I do color my goatee so it isn't so grey. It is a less than successful attempt to minimize the old-man look. Does that count as body modification?

I think it should count, but in a different category to things that people don't tend to naturally have at any point in their lives. Piercings don't typically occur naturally. I find the diversity of body mods academically interesting, though there's few of the more extreme versions I plan to do myself (though, if I had enough $, I might consider doing like that one guy and getting magnets implanted into my fingertips so I could "feel" magnetic fields).

[tymejumper]

Originally Posted by BruceChris

And trying to give Jester a boost. But 25 stuffed animals? Clearly, she's well on her way to becoming another Zerbie!

EDIT: I especially liked the way that you presented yourself on Jen5's Self-Reflections

BC

Yes, I know you were teasing me. I was trying to tease back and I just got totally off topic that I originally posted on!

[tymejumper]

Originally Posted by Pablo Rafael

Well, I do color my goatee so it isn't so grey. It is a less than successful attempt to minimize the old-man look. Does that count as body modification?

Hmmmm, I guess that could count.....have you ever tried purple or some other interesting color? I'll give you a honorary mention anyhow