8 Unique LGBT Tattoo Ideas To Show Your Love

Embrace your unique and colorful spirit and let your ink do all the talking.

Reviewed by Eve Phillips, Professional Tattoo Artist Eve Phillips Eve PhillipsProfessional Tattoo Artist facebook_iconinsta_icon
Written by Shreya Mukherjee, MA (English) Shreya Mukherjee MA (English) Experience: 2 years
Edited by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Fact-checked by Pahul Nanra, BA (English Hons) Pahul Nanra BA (English Hons) linkedin_icon Experience: 2 years
Last Updated on

In a world where self-expression knows no bounds, tattoos stand as a way of expressing yourself to the fullest. This stands true for most, especially for the LGBT community. LGBT tattoos are vibrant symbols of identity, love, and resilience. From intricate designs to powerful emblems, each tattoo tells a story of personal triumph, community solidarity, and the ongoing fight for equality. It is interesting how every line and shade of LGBT tattoos speaks volumes of liberation and self-expression.  Discover how ink transcends barriers, becoming a beacon of solidarity within the queer community and beyond. We welcome you to a realm of tattoos where they are not just skin deep, but stand for pride and passion. Keep scrolling!

Meaning Of LGBT Tattoos

In the world of LGBT tattoos, each design carries profound meaning. Most common motifs include the rainbow, pride flag, jellyfish, and dragonfly. The rainbow is a timeless emblem of diversity and pride and symbolizes the spectrum of identities within the community. A jellyfish, fluid and adaptable, represents the journey of self-discovery and acceptance despite societal currents. The dragonfly, with its transformative nature, mirrors the resilience and growth found in overcoming adversity.

Some tattoos are specifically dedicated to major milestones in LGBTQ+ history, such as the Stonewall Riots or the battles for same-sex marriages in different nations. Associated memories are etched into the skin as a gesture to the sacrifices and tribulations that brought about greater openness today. 

LGBT tattoos have become instant markers of inclusion, offering a sense of solidarity to both the wearer and those who see them. They can also have personal meanings. For instance, a pride flag in colors specific to the individual’s identity (trans, bisexual, nonbinary, etc.), communicates their unique space in the spectrum of identities and keeps them part of a larger, supportive collective.

Tattoos also become a proclamation of allegiance, whether coming from LGBTQ+ individuals or allies. Such tattoos are advocacy tools, challenging stereotypes and reminding the world that there is still a great need for equality. A tattoo such as “Love is Love” or a semicolon colored with pride colors may signify standing in solidarity with LGBTQ+ mental health fights, opening up the conversation, and providing encouragement to others.

More than any explanation, LGBT tattoos tell powerful stories of personal struggles and victories. They symbolize resilience and mark identity; it is a way to celebrate the beauty of being unapologetically true to oneself.

Overall, LGBT-inspired tattoos serve as bold declarations of identity, love, and solidarity. They are not merely adornments but powerful symbols that speak volumes about courage, authenticity, and the unwavering spirit of the pride community. Take a look at the designs below to inspire your LGBT tattoo.

8 LGBT Tattoo Designs Ideas With Pictures

Explore vibrant rainbow motifs, intricate pride flags, symbolic animals like butterflies, or empowering words. These unique tattoos help express your individuality, love, and resilience.

1. Gay Tattoo

A fruity script tattoo over a colorful apple on the upper arm
Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

A lively script intertwining with a vibrant apple inked boldly on your upper arm certainly turns the heads of some. This fruity emblem symbolizes the richness of your identity and the joy of embracing your true self. It is a statement of pride, love, and the courage to express your authentic colors in a world that celebrates diversity.

2. LGBT Rainbow Tattoo

A rainbow flag tattoo on the upper arm of a woman
Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

A pride flag for your colorful soul! This vibrant LGBT rainbow tattoo is a proud declaration of your identity and solidarity with the community. Each color in the pride flag represents diversity, unity, and resilience. It reflects your unwavering pride and support for equality. The Rainbow is the symbol of joy, for no celebration is complete without some bright colors.

3. Jellyfish LGBT Tattoo

A lavender jellyfish tattoo on the upper arm of a woman
Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

It may be pretty, but a jellyfish holds a lot of meaning for this community. The beauty and resilience of a lavender-colored jellyfish tattoo stand out on your upper arm. Like the jellyfish gracefully navigating the ocean’s currents, it symbolizes your journey of self-discovery and acceptance amidst life’s ebbs and flows. The color also holds significant meaning as lavender came to symbolize the queer community.

4. Trans Tattoo

A trans flag tattoo with blue, pink, and white colored inks
Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Your identity as a part of the community shines through with this trans flag tattoo, boldly displayed on your upper arm in blue, pink, and white hues. Each color symbolizes the diversity and resilience of the transgender community; blue for masculinity, pink for femininity, and white for those transitioning or outside the gender binary. Let it be a testament to your courage, authenticity, and unwavering pride.

5. Lesbian Star Tattoo

A lesbian star tattoo in black ink on the back of the neck
Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

The simple elegance of this black ink lesbian nautical star tattoo speaks volumes. It symbolizes the sparkle of love and the brilliance of your identity within the lesbian community. This lesbian tattoo is a celestial beacon that provides protection, good luck, and guidance as you seek your people and a home in this world.

6. LGBTQ Ally Tattoo

A rainbow-hued heart with ally written in the middle
Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

A perfect tattoo for those who support this community wholeheartedly! The design features a rainbow-hued heart adorned with “ally” at its center. It is encircled with green leaves, stars, and hearts on your upper arm. This LGBTQ love tattoo design symbolizes your unwavering support and advocacy for the community. So, stand in solidarity with those who are still fighting for their right to be recognized.

7. Dragonfly LGBT Tattoo

A colorful dragonfly on the upper back of a woman
Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Feel the flutter of a colorful dragonfly tattoo gracing your upper back as its delicate wings whisper tales of transformation and resilience. In the LGBTQ community, the dragonfly symbolizes the journey to self-discovery and acceptance. It helps you embrace every hue of your identity with grace. It is a reminder of your strength, beauty, and the boundless possibilities of growth and liberation.

8. LGBT Armband Tattoo

An armband tattoo with four colors of the rainbow
Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Wrap your arm in the vibrant embrace of an armband tattoo that is adorned with the four colors of the rainbow – indigo, blue, yellow, and red. Each hue represents a facet of the LGBTQ community that stands for harmony, serenity, sunlight, and love respectively. Let it encircle you with pride, unity, and the colorful tapestry of identities that make this community resilient and beautiful.

The first thing one notices about LGBT tattoos is that they possess that ‘in your face’ quality that is as loud as their chant for equal representation. Every inked symbol narrates a story of courage, love, and resilience. From vibrant rainbows to delicate dragonflies, each design etched into skin is a testament to identity, solidarity, and the ongoing fight for equality. They stand as bold affirmations of authenticity, challenging norms and celebrating diversity in all its forms. These tattoos remind us that no matter where we are, we are never alone in our quest for love, acceptance, and equality.

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Eve Phillips
Eve PhillipsProfessional Tattoo Artist
Eve Phillips is an experienced artist in various tattoo styles, though she specializes in tattoos with fine details and floral elements. She has owned studios for 20 years in both Australia and the United Kingdom and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in all areas of tattoo art, health, licensing, trends, current issues, and history.

Read full bio of Eve Phillips
Shreya Mukherjee
Shreya MukherjeeBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Shreya is a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience. After graduating from Christ University, Bengaluru, she started as a writer for a non-profit organization, Bhumi, as an intern. She then wrote for a progressive content website.

Read full bio of Shreya Mukherjee
Arshiya Syeda
Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief
Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
Pahul Nanra
Pahul NanraBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Pahul Nanra is a content writer with a penchant for all things fashion and beauty. She has two years of experience in writing across beauty and lifestyle genres. She is an English Honors graduate from Delhi University with a diploma in Fashion Designing from YMCA.

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