At the core, tattoos are supreme forms of self-expression. LGBT tattoos capitalize on this by expressing love to the fullest. Queer tattoos come in many shapes, colors, and sizes. Yes, there is a good showing of rainbow tattoos, but that’s not all there is. From pop culture to high art, inspiration for LGBT tattoos knows no bounds. They are just as varied and unique as the many people who consider themselves part of the LGBTQIA community.
We wanted to celebrate all things gay so we turned to social media to discover the latest and greatest LGBT tattoo ideas. There are tons of good ideas out there but the more personal you can make the design, the better. Sure, a little rainbow tattoo will work but if you’re interested in some other ways to express your identity, scroll through the inspired tattoos below for your queer ink inspiration. Enjoy!
Let’s kick things off with an exceptionally cute LGBT tattoo that looks as good as it sounds. “Fruity,” this tattoo proclaims. Who is jealous they did not think of this first?
“Love is love,” this tattoo states in rainbow letters. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to your LGBT tattoo if there’s a powerful saying (even a well-known one) that expresses your Pride, go for it!
Well, we did not know we needed this micro tattoo of a frog holding an LGBTQIA Pride flag but we absolutely do need it. The entire thing fits underneath a quarter so it’s a small but mighty little design.
Does anyone fancy a sapphic tattoo? We found a bunch of them and this is one of the most colorful. With a watercolor effect in the background, we’re treated to a rainbow beneath these symbols.
How fun is this? We find a pair of queens (yes, more queens!) getting romantic. What a fabulous idea that would also work for a pair of Kings or Jacks as well.
Amen! In a world where gender (sex) reveals are the norm, it’s refreshing to see a tattoo that proclaims the death of gender. Who else is ready to be rid of this ridiculous social construct?
Here’s a tattoo shared from Berlin. There, the bear is a symbol found on the city’s coat of arms. That makes this sticker tattoo very appropriate and also very cute.
Inspired by Simeon Solomon’s Sappho and Erinna in the Garden at Mytilene, this gorgeous tattoo captures romance with a touch of magic. Is it as beautiful as Sappho’s poetry? We’d wager it gets close.
This tattoo belongs to an individual who named themselves Pigeon. Appropriate, right? The anti-assimilation slogan “Be Gay, Do Crime,” has been around since the 1960s and it feels more relevant than ever with state legislators penning anti-trans and anti-gay laws and putting them on the books. It shouldn’t be a crime to be your most authentic self.
The straights really have a hard time with the whole pronoun thing but you can get a tattoo that makes a personal and political statement about it like this LGBT tattoo that says “she/they.” Easy!
Here’s another watercolor design and they are very popular among rainbow flags and imagery. If you’d like to make a splash, consider something similar and request from your trusty tattoo artist.
Dance to the beat of your own song, baby! This gorgeous unicorn has a sort of crystal mane that sparkles in vibrant color. Unicorns are popular among LGBT tattoos so you’ll be in good company if you choose to get one.
Where are the RuPaul’s Drag Racefans at? Who could forget the iconic moment when Valentina refused to remove a face covering when it was time for a lipsynch? Let your favorite drag queens be your ink inspiration!
Are you more of a minimalist? This LGBT tattoo imagines the colors of the Pride flag in understated lines. What a sophisticated yet playful way to show your true colors!
Barcelona has tons of notable public art from Roy Lichtenstein to Rebecca Horn. But, one of the most popular works was completed in the late 80s by pioneering queer artist Keith Haring. The 30 meters-long mural was meant to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. This tattoo pays homage to it.
You can work a rainbow into just about anything as long as you’ve got a creative artist to work with. In this case, we find those Pride colors represented in the spine of a Spinosaurus.
If those minimal lines weren’t doing it for you, perhaps these dots will? This is one of the most versatile LGBT tattoos as it will look great anywhere on your body.
Glitch tattoos are a huge trend and we’re happy to see that the Queers are representing with it. It’s a great design because the term “Queer” is meant to express fluidity in sexuality and gender. That makes this a truly inspired LGBT tattoo.
“Trans rights are human rights,” is a message we need today more than ever before. As lawmakers in conservatively governed states have taken up dangerous legislation that targets, of all people, trans children. Say it loud and say it proud.
Okay! We did not come for the merman romance but we are here for it. This tattoo has been completed in a neo-traditional style that borrows from traditional tattooing hallmarks but creates something fresh and new.
We find a party of contrasts with the above LGBT tattoo that finds a black storm cloud next to a beautiful rainbow. There’s a graphic quality to the design that makes the tattoo read as flat, and we mean that as a good thing.
Top surgery for Trans men and nonbinary folks is a huge part of the transition process. This stunning LGBT tattoo is a celebration of the surgery’s completion. Gender-affirming surgery and care are essential for many in the Trans community and access to it should be much easier than it is today.
There you go! Aren’t these LGBT tattoos everything? We hope you feel inspired by these designs to get your very own Pride tattoo that celebrates your personality and, of course, love. Happy tattooing!
Andrew is a Chicago-based writer who enjoys finding the best of the internet, obsessively making lists, and cooking for friends. After studying Film and Art History, he developed a deep love for both topics. Celebrity news, pop culture, and stories that bring people together are his passions.
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