Tattooing has a countercultural history, but for all its nonconformist roots, the industry is today pervaded by rampant (if sometimes subtle) misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia, queer artists say.
Queer-friendly tattoo studios are popping up across London with the aim of providing safe, welcoming alternatives to more mainstream spaces.
They often look different — you’re more likely to find soft lighting and minimalist florals than taxidermy — but are also guided by a different philosophy.
It’s about creating the kind of environment where clients know they can go in and “be completely unmasked,” in the words of one artist.
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