Historically gay tattoos

Did you know Russian criminals in the s had a secret tattoo code to identify gay people? The LGBTI community has a long and varied history with tattoos.

For decades, tattoos have been a way to express identity, tell stories, and reclaim power over our bodies. For the queer community, tattoos have often held even deeper significance—a silent language of pride, rebellion, and belonging in a world that hasn’t always been accepting.

The secret gay history of tattoos and their hidden meanings The LGBTI community has a long and varied history with tattoos. In a time when it was illegal to be out and proud in Western culture, many LGBTI people got tattoos to convey secret messages or as an act of defiance to authority.

The images come from the recently published book Queer Tattoo, which features 50 international queer tattoo artists.