Why ‘ignorant style’ tattoos are an act of queer

26 Jan

A defiant and transgressive act against the establishment, crude DIY tattoos have been taken up by the queer community as a proud symbol of their outsider status Brandon has a big tattoo on their left calf. Based on them, it symbolises three things – “riot weapon, kink medium and a survival tool”. To the unassuming eye, it’s a large bottle of piss. Brandon is a gender-fluid illustrator based in London, and their tattoo is an element of a wider trend. Everywhere in the UK, queer persons are picking up stick-and-poke needles and tattoo machines, using them on their friends, then going skilled. The tattoos they’re making are crudely drawn, normally have little-to-no shading or...

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30 Dec

The unconventional history of the queer fat liberation movement

by Beauty Tips

Beauty, Featured

The unconventional history of the queer fat liberation movement

For those who think fat liberation began in 2011 with Tumblr feminism and fat fashion blogs, you’re unsuitable “Don’t assume… I don’t like my body,” begins a manifesto shared at a 1989 Fat Women’s conference in London. Often known as the “Fat Dykes Statement”, it contained a listing of 29 assumptions, from serious points (“Don’t assume… I feel your body is healthier than mine”) alongside more playful ones, which emphasise the ludicrousy of assuming anything a few person based on their body shape (“Don’t assume… I need a Weight loss plan Coke”). For those who think fat liberation began in 2011 with Tumblr feminism and fat fashion blogs, you’ve never had the pleasure of...

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26 Dec

Lez nails: Is the ‘queer woman with short nails’

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Beauty, Featured

Lez nails: Is the ‘queer woman with short nails’

Short nails are a deep-rooted lesbian trope, but these queer femmes are finding joy and gender validation of their long manicures Whether happily lapping up quasi-serious jokes about u-hauling on sapphic meme pages, or making jokes in your Hinge bio about being ready to your next long-distance relationship, lesbians love turning stereotypes into in-jokes. While that is admittedly quite cringe, what’s worse is that sometimes these stereotypes are true. Personally, I'm no exception: I once boarded a plane to travel to a second date (they paid, because femme privilege) and, drum roll, have also found my nails to play an oddly outstanding role in my dating life. Should you’re not au fait with lesbian manicure...

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18 Oct

Daniel Obasi’s photos highlight the queer communities of Nigeria

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Beauty, Featured

Daniel Obasi’s photos highlight the queer communities of Nigeria

Inspired by sex, sci-fi and Afrofuturism, the photographer makes work for the country’s minorities, offering a perspective that permits them to ‘dream and be free’ The previous few years have seen a big shift in what we see, as we widen our gaze beyond Western fashion ideals and sweetness standards. Nigerian-born Daniel Obasi is considered one of those leading the charge, and he has turn out to be renowned for styling, photography, film, and artistic direction for publications like Vogue, Atmos, and Nataal, in addition to music videos for Kali Uchis and Amaarae, and Beyoncé’s Black is King. Now, his game-changing work is the main target of his digital exhibition for Homecoming Gallery, curated...

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