Susan's Place Transgender Resources

What are some opinions on transsexuals and tattoos?

My fiancee has tattoos. She needs more. Of course the ones she has so far are very nice.

Tattoos can be a turn-on especially if the tattoo is beneath the navel with half showing and half not showing.

QuoteTranssexuals and Tattoos

DONT go together.  We have enough with the stigma that the term transsexual has in our lives.  I dont have the energy to explain to people why Im transsexual and why I have my body coulored with tattoes.

I'm dying for tattoos, and i do plan on getting some at some point. I think theyre incredibly attractive - with me its more the expense.. still trying to save up to rebuy my entrie wardrobe (okay so it wasnt *that* much, ive never been one for loads of clothes) I think there are some really inventive ones and I think they can be artistic and very expressive - if done in a tasteful way ;)

I like them a lot. I got mine pre transition and it's a bit masculine, so now I'm thinking of how to alter it to be more feminine.

Rhonda

I also got a tattoo on my shoulder pre-transition that I would love to cover up with something new.  I don't know if it is even possible at this point because the artist went to deep and it is scar tissue I believe.  I may just use tattoo cover if that is my only option.

Charlotte

I got one on my back & Im gettin another one on my arm before Im off to frisco.  :laugh:

tattoos, when chose for the right reason, are pretty cool.  It is no longer taboo, at least in America.

See my topic on my tattoo: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,10665.0.html

I got it after going fulltime (in stealth of course ;D).  I still love it and am glad I got it.  It's a very well done tattoo and definitely feminine.  I had always wanted one, but the ones I wanted were too feminine when I was living as male.  So I just waited and eventually got one.  I may get another one eventually, but for now I'm having fun showing mine off whenever I can.  I always get good reactions when I do.

Quote from: Pia on May 26, 2007, 02:19:17 AM
I dont have the energy to explain to people why Im transsexual and why I have my body coulored with tattoes.

I don't explain either one.  Besides, the tattoo is easy to explain.  It's as simple as "I wanted one."

to give my own insight to this topic, I have 14 tattoos. I have had them all since before I decided to live as my preferred gender.

1 - Cross on my chest with a banner that reads Faith and Family
2 - Dragon's head and flames on my left shoulder
3 - Tribal band on my left arm
4 - Dragonfly on my left arm
5 - Mushroom smoking a joint on my right shoulder (my first real tattoo when I turned 18)
6 - Tribal band on right arm
7 - Tribal lizard on right arm
8 - White tiger clawing out of my back
9 - Wolf clawing out of my back
10 - Big tribal piece with designs inside of it (not finished since losing touch with artist after he was busted for DUI)
11 - Tribal designs that spell out USMC on my left rib cage
12 - Capricorn zodiac symbol on my right rib cage
13 - Tribal outline with various designs inside on my left thigh
14 - Lizard crawling up my right calf (hurt worse than anything in my life)

All this ink and what is the reaction i get the most? "You look hot." Very few people ever give me grief over them at all. I am getting #3 redone in the upcoming weeks to be a full armband with some other stuff in it as well. I shall post a photo when it is done.

All of my tattoos are very masculine, although the lizard on my leg does look sort of cute in shorts or a skirt. I always feared that I would be read as a guy in a dress just because of the tattoos. It would turn out that people just see me as a chick with a lot of ink instead. even the big blaring cross right between my boobs isn't a dead giveaway at all. People ask if it hurt and that is all.

I would hope that if anyone has the same conflicted questioning over their ability to be who they are in conjunction with their tattoos that my experiences can prove that it doesn't matter at all.

Certainly one or two tasteful and meaningful tattoos are OK. If it becomes distracting, then it is overdone.

Renae,

Would you prefer a partner with a lot of tattoos or it does not matter if your partner had no tattoos?

as long as they weren't offensive, degrading, or gang related i wouldn't mind.

Well, I don't judge anyone for whatever makes sense to them.  Some of them are really hot.  If you want to, go for it!

Would I ever have a tattoo?  nope.   Why?  Because I often visit elderly patients in nursing homes.  Do you know how disgusting it is to have to have them point to a patch of shriveled multicolored skin and tell you what the tattoo used to be before they got old and shriveled and the skin lost its elasticity? 

Anyway, no problem for what anyone else to do.  Just my personal preference.

Peace!
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Tats are okay but in moderation.  I'm not crazy on huge tattoos. I do like smaller ones that accentuate or give you a small peek at another part of anatomy.  I don't have any and I'm skeptical about having one done.

Renae,

If you want more tattoos that is fine.  However you are pretty without added tattoos.

I do not have any tattoos on my body other than a few scars from fights as a child and accidents over the years.   

Quote from: Yvonne on May 26, 2007, 04:13:04 PM
Tats are okay but in moderation.  I'm not crazy on huge tattoos. I do like smaller ones that accentuate or give you a small peek at another part of anatomy.  I don't have any and I'm skeptical about having one done.

Yvonne if you are not sure then do not get the tattoo; however you have the right idea if you must have one.

Quote from: Wendy on May 26, 2007, 05:01:52 PM
Renae,

If you want more tattoos that is fine.  However you are pretty without added tattoos.

I do not have any tattoos on my body other than a few scars from fights as a child and accidents over the years.   

I am not really getting any new ones. I am adding to or covering up what I already have. I am now going to go through process of softening my tattoos a little. ;)

I want one or two, i mean, ive got a fair few piercings too... (2 in each lobe, 1 in the cartilage) right eyebrow, and tongue and bellybutton. i want two or so tattoos, really stylish ones, that wont show when im older, like on my hip or something, or 'tradesmans' entrance', on my lower back   :angel: ;D

A tattoo is a personal choice.  I don't like any tattoos on my body, and personally I don't think they look appropriate on women either; however, I do love to see guys (cute guys  :P) with tattoos, especially on their shoulders and muscles.... ;) They look sooooo sexy with tattos..

tink :icon_chick:

Tats can be beautiful or hideous... some are real "works of art" whereas others have literally been a "waste of skin."  I think that people change all throughout their lives and they may regret the dragon they put on their back or the butterfly they put on their belly especially after a decade or two worth of sagging skin.

damn whats wrong with tattoos ladies?  :( I got one on my back and gettin' another one next tuesday.  there cool & u gotta dance :icon_dance:

 ::)

my opinion?

i never thought treating your body like a bathroom stall and covering it with graffiti did anything but make people look cheap. a way of advertising to the world, "hey, i don't make good decisions without adult supervision!"
there's one exception though, getting the logo of your military unit on your arm has a purpose, if you think it's likely you'll be killed in combat.  but seriously, more often than not, the impression is negative. why not just try henna tattoo? this lasts for almost a week and when it is gone, you can try another one. this way,  you won't have to deal with the problems on how to get rid of your tattoos that are indelible especially when you're already a "grandparent".

I had a conversation last week with a friend about our generation and when we are all old and in nursing homes. Tattoos, piercings, and other body modifications are so prevalent in our society that when we all get to social security age we are going to be hard core looking grandparents. What little kid is going mess with a grandma who has a tongue piercing? :)

Your body is your temple.   if you are going to profane it do it with style and good taste. ;)

Quote from: Pia on May 27, 2007, 10:49:49 AM
Your body is your temple.   if you are going to profane it do it with style and good taste. ;)

See I agree with that statement and I dont as well because I am vegetarian so I believe that my (internal) body is my temple in the sense of what I put into it for nourishment!  Now, as for the outside I think of my body as my canvas (in terms of tattoos/piercings) and my sculpture (in terms of physical transitioning)!  So there you have it, temple, canvas, & sculpture all wrapped up in skin!

For the record I have three tattoos but once I aquire more money I will be getting 3/4 length sleeves, knee-to-ankle sleeves, and a backpiece!  See, I'd rather pay 1000s of dollars to have art on my body that I can see anytime i want (ok well some need a mirror) than pay 1000s of dollars for art to hang in my living room!

Just my 0.03$

xoxo
Patty

Quote from: Butterfly on May 22, 2007, 11:22:28 AM
I like tats on men but it really depends what they are, though Id like to say Id date someone for their personality, humour blah blah blah. Im not against either way, however since I look at them all day I cant date anyone with lousy artwork.  It will just bug me until I fix it, totally ruins a relationship when all I can look at is the lousy tribal on their arm done by joe blo down the road.  That and everyone always presumes you did their work being an artist and all.
I dont like tats on women though because they will all merge in a hideous mess of inky colour, and names ... what is that about?  Plus we are going to have loads of old ladies with tattoos everywhere in a few years down the road. ~laugh~

;)

Quote from: charlotteNH on May 26, 2007, 10:13:03 AM
I also got a tattoo on my shoulder pre-transition that I would love to cover up with something new.  I don't know if it is even possible at this point because the artist went to deep and it is scar tissue I believe.  I may just use tattoo cover if that is my only option.

Tattoists who do cover-ups can do wonderful things, including cover-ups that seem to do the impossible, like cover a dark colour with a light one. You'll have to ask and be flexible about the design, though. And if it really is scarred, it'll always show as a patch of a different, shiny texture. Though probably if you have it removed by the method where they put you under and sand your skin off then it'll be proper gone.

Hypocrites.

Why do we not treat those who are different and have different tastes the same way we as TS/CD/TV etc. want to be treated - with respect and dignity.

Hmmmm

Quote"hey, i don't make good decisions without adult supervision!"

I guess that's why I needed my two letters from therapists diagnosing and making recommendations to the surgeon.  It's all quite clear now.

Steph

Quote from: Steph on May 29, 2007, 10:30:31 PM
Hypocrites.

Gee Steph, next time tell us how you really feel.  Stop beating around the bush, please.
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BTW, I've always been curious about what designs you have.  If you don't feel like you can share I understand but I really am curious.

You look better and better as the days go by.  Hang in there girlfriend!

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I was going to bitch, but <expletive> I agree with you Steph.

Personally I think a highly decorated body CAN be quite attractive, but it totally depends on what, the colors used and the skill involved. ^*shrug* That,more than any other reason is why I am still a blank slate. What I want is very intricate.

I don't have any tattoos, although I might end up with one, (or more) at some point. There are a few things which would be very symbolic to me, that would be 'worth while', in my opinion of course. An if (figurative) you don't like it... well, I am not doing this for you anyway ;)

I don't know what tatoo's have to do with being trans-anything, but I love tats.
People spend a ton of $$$ to get them, and they are a legitimate artform.
Has nothing to do with male or female either. It has to do with that person expressing themselves, which is the highest calling of artwork. To capture a moment in time is a glorious thing.

Quote from: Thundra on May 30, 2007, 12:18:36 AM
I don't know what tatoo's have to do with being trans-anything, but I love tats.
People spend a ton of $$$ to get them, and they are a legitimate artform.
Has nothing to do with male or female either. It has to do with that person expressing themselves, which is the highest calling of artwork. To capture a moment in time is a glorious thing.

I have to agree Thundra, different people, different ideas, different tats, and I'm not sure if there is a link between those who are of the TG community and tats.

And Kristi mine are of oriental dragons.  Three of them, one covers my right side one covers my left chest and one covers my back.

Steph

Quote from: Kimberly on May 29, 2007, 11:16:05 PM
I was going to bitch, but <expletive> I agree with you Steph.

Personally I think a highly decorated body CAN be quite attractive, but it totally depends on what, the colors used and the skill involved. ^*shrug* That,more than any other reason is why I am still a blank slate. What I want is very intricate.

I don't have any tattoos, although I might end up with one, (or more) at some point. There are a few things which would be very symbolic to me, that would be 'worth while', in my opinion of course. An if (figurative) you don't like it... well, I am not doing this for you anyway ;)

Tattoos are definitely a personal choice, just one of the choices that we make throughout our lives.  Mine are very important to me.  The tattoo on my right side consists of a dragon encicling and protecting a large delicate butterfly, who is resting on large flowers representing inner beauty.  Oriental dragons are very significant and symbolic.

Steph