Getting your pronouns tattooed? Really quite extraordinary

[nickymanchester]

I presume this photo is genuine.

This young woman (she appears to be female) was showing off that she had had they/them tattooed on her collar bones:-

pronouns tattooed

I really do wonder what led them to want to take such drastic action?

Surely they should have them tattooed on their forehead instead, as the collarbones may be covered on some circumstances?

Probably because they are fed up of people not knowing their preferred pronouns.

Tattoos are a very personal thing and it seems bad taste to mock them on am Internet message board.

That will be a problem if they want to change them. My daughter, 13, was at a drama camp recently where they were asked daily what their choice for pronouns were. (She is so not in need of that bs, and it turns out all theatre stuff is full of it. So now she is stuck.)

Similarly at student union meetings at my university, you have a new identity card every time because these things are apparently not that fixed.

Destined to wear off the shoulder garments for the duration of displaying preferred pronouns (not that everyone will pay heed in the first instance, but whatever).

At least there's a simple cover up solution if/when the mind is changed.

To be honest barbed wire and "They" "Them" doesn't immediately make clear "These are my preferred pronouns, please use them".

On seeing this tattoo I'd assume it was an album name/song name rather than a declaration of need to be identified in a specific way.

Each to their own though I suppose, at least the ink work is well done.

I wish some of the students I teach would get instructions about how to use the poor, oppressed and maltreated possessive apostrophe tattooed on them. Preferably somewhere they can easily see when writing the assignments that I have to mark.

I can't see it! Error 403 forbidden message comes up.

Ah ha ha ha ha ha that's going to be an embarrassing one to explain to the kids when she's older.

In total agreement about the apostrophe rules tattoos though. I think they should be forcibly tattooed on all children at the end of year six, like a graduation present.

See, this doesn't really bother me. It's clearly a big part of their identity and life and they want to represent that by getting it tattooed on their body. Some people do that with their Hogwarts house, star sign symbol, lyrics of their favourite band...

It's not for me, but it's not hurting anyone. Except the person who got needled, I guess

@SmokedDuck

That will be a problem if they want to change them. My daughter, 13, was at a drama camp recently where they were asked daily what their choice for pronouns were. (She is so not in need of that bs, and it turns out all theatre stuff is full of it. So now she is stuck.)

Similarly at student union meetings at my university, you have a new identity card every time because these things are apparently not that fixed.

Daily? For 13 year olds?

Well that seems perfectly healthy and unproblematic

I don’t really care about this, it doesn’t do gender critical any favours to focus on someone doing something on their own body that doesn’t have to bother anyone else. I guarantee there are worse tattoos out there on visible body parts.

Love it Spartacus! The person referred to sounds like an immature fool.

poor, oppressed and maltreated possessive apostrophe tattooed on them

Do you mean the tattoo that people get to signify their struggles with mental health? It used to be a semi colon, but some are just apostrophe's.

Seems harsh to judge them for that

@TheLovleyChebbyMcGee

poor, oppressed and maltreated possessive apostrophe tattooed on them

Do you mean the tattoo that people get to signify their struggles with mental health? It used to be a semi colon, but some are just apostrophe's.

Seems harsh to judge them for that

Wasn't the PP saying they should get instructions on how to use the apostrophe as a tattoo. So they use it correctly?

Intrigued as to how an apostrophe symbolises mh struggles.

Sorry but I laughed.

Why would you tattoo yourself with instructions on how you’d like to be referred to in your absence?

Surely something printed in a handy business card format would make more sense?

I'm sure somewhere on the internet there's a forum for tattoo artists to chat and exchange ideas, with a thread entitled "Stupidest tat you've ever done?"

They must despair sometimes. But get paid regardless.

I don't really think this is that drastic, compared to taking puberty blockers or hormones, or having surgery. It's just text on skin and millions of people have regrettable tattoos, so nothing unusual there. It's coverable and also kind of meaningless anyway. If you decide you're actually a she, you could still be described as they in some situations.

If I saw someone with this I'd think whatever floats their boat, and I'm as GC/radfem as they come. I wouldn't take it as an instruction to me to use they/them IYSWIM. It's just, literally, a label :o

The photo makes it look like those are the pet names for two very special bits of barbed wire.

Oof That's going to date worse than a skinz 4 eva tattoo

Woah! So much implied aggression - barbed wire? Signifyng what? A jesus reference? A prison term? Miltary career? Love of Barbara Anderson films? That you are a difficult person to love? You've had your heart broken? Oh... look a newish one, 'an internal struggle'*

All so you can dictate how people refer to you when you are not around?

• I would explain that I have a friend who is a tattoo artist and he regularly looks up the significance of some images, just in case the person getting the tat is unaware and may be surprised.

Like the band, The The.

@YetAnotherSpartacus

I wish some of the students I teach would get instructions about how to use the poor, oppressed and maltreated possessive apostrophe tattooed on them. Preferably somewhere they can easily see when writing the assignments that I have to mark.

Inside of their eyelids?

@TheLovleyChebbyMcGee

poor, oppressed and maltreated possessive apostrophe tattooed on them

Do you mean the tattoo that people get to signify their struggles with mental health? It used to be a semi colon, but some are just apostrophe's.

Seems harsh to judge them for that

I think you should re-read the post.

She's suggesting tattoo ideas, not commenting on anyone out there with an existing apostrophe tattoo.

They are wearing a face mask so they have ventured out during the pandemic so someone will tattoo them. And maybe had to order a special top that matches their new look. And then asked for a photo go put it on the internet. So, so 2021.

@YetAnotherSpartacus

I wish some of the students I teach would get instructions about how to use the poor, oppressed and maltreated possessive apostrophe tattooed on them. Preferably somewhere they can easily see when writing the assignments that I have to mark.

Yes yes yes