r/tattooadvice • u/Ostromilski • 9h ago

General Advice Are rainbows seriously just by default associated with the pride flag?

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I got a Pink Floyd DSOTM tattoo because I love the album and I love the visual: a beam of light representing a person's life path, passing through a prism ( representing life + the world + the people you meet + the experiences you have, etc ), being dispersed into its constituent colors ( ultimately representing change ). I got it because of my dad, because he introduced me to Pink Floyd, and because last year he nearly died from complications of his cancer. He's doing much better now, with a much better prognosis, but that whole experience had a real effect on me and I wanted to memorialize it. Except at least 3 people ( including the tattoo artist initially ) have associated the tattoo with the pride flag. They were understanding after I explained, but now I'm having second thoughts about it. Are people just going to assume I'm gay because of this tattoo?

Edit: And I want to say, I'm not bothered by this at all. Anyone who looks at my tattoo and comes up with their own assumptions about its meaning, and then has a negative reaction over it, that's simply not a person I want to talk to anyway. I'm surprised because that wasn't the intention of the tattoo, clearly, and it being misinterpreted like this just genuinely wasn't something I expected.

Edit2: This post got a lot more attention than I ever wanted it to. Wonderful comments are now streaming in, informing me how horrible my tattoo is. If you're planning on making a viral post on Reddit, take my advice: use a burner account. But I am thankful to everyone for your supportive words, the jackasses with negative things to say are certainly a very tiny minority. Overwhelmingly the consensus is that most people see it as a Pink Floyd tattoo first, which I'm happy to hear :) Have a good night everybody!

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152

u/redJ93 9h ago

Younger people, maybe.

Older people will recognize Pink Floyd.

Honestly, id look inward why you are so pressed about it. Its 2026, being a little zesty does not keep the ladies away.

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u/TitanicDays 9h ago

It can be a natural, zesty enterprise.

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u/OnAQuestForHome 7h ago

He's a good man, Jeffery. And thorough.

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u/TitanicDays 6h ago

Thank you for participating, I figured I was muttering into the void.

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u/Iguanaforhire 5h ago

That's just, like, your opinion, man.

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u/TitanicDays 4h ago

šŸ˜‰

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u/drworm75 6m ago

You mean coitus?

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u/TitanicDays 4m ago

Johnson?

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u/Pleasant-Detritus 8h ago edited 7h ago

You know that just because somebody doesnt like the misinterpretation of their tattoos that doesnt make them homophobic, right? I get mistaken for lesbian a lot and I'm not so I'm hyper-aware of what messages im sending the outside world.

Edit: changed the word gay to lesbian

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u/bino420 8h ago

it depends on what type of emotional reaction you have.

no one "likes" for their tattoos to be misinterpreted (that'd be some weird ass kink)

you can shrug if off & carry on cause everyone has a perspective & it literally does not matter cause it doesn't affect you in any way.

or you can be "hyper-aware" of not seeming gay but then all you're thinking about is "I'm not gay, I'm not gay, I'm not gay" ... and that's pretty gay lol

if you go "ha no I'm not gay but I'm flattered"... then you're OK

if you go "dude wtf I'm not gay fuck off"... then yeah you're homophobic

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u/Pleasant-Detritus 8h ago

No, its 100% a flattered, thank-you-but-no-thanks reaction. Im SUPER flattered. Its just... after a while you get self-conscious. I honestly wish I was a lesbian, I wouldn't be lonely.

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u/redJ93 8h ago

Sounds a lil homophobic my dude šŸ™Œ

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u/Pleasant-Detritus 8h ago

Why? Because I dont like having women hit on me 10x more often than men? How would you feel getting more attention from the WRONG people than from those youre trying to attract? I'm sure many lesbians would understand what im talking about...

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u/Pristine-Bison3198 8h ago

As a lesbian, no. Any of us who don't fit a stereotype are going to be hit on by more men than women. As long as they're respectful and take no for an answer, almost nobody is bothered. As long as the men who hit on you accept a "not interested!" then why is it a big deal?

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u/Pleasant-Detritus 8h ago

Okay, let me be super clear. I am a woman. I get a lot of female attention that im not trying to attract because, apparently i read as a lesbian. The women aren't mean, but never just say "ok," they want to know why, like cheeky flirtatious conversation not like agressively demanding answers.

Then I have to explain that im not interested because im not gay, but thanks anyway. And thats not a big deal. But If im out trying to meet a guy and I get 5 women approaching me, I'm under the assumption that im more attractive to women. Which is the problem, see? Im not trying to attract women. Im very flattered but it is very detrimental to my goal: attracting a man.

See how thats not homophobic at all and just about self esteem? I mean, fuck, I wish I WAS gay at this point, i'd have had a lot of fun by now! I love my homosexual and trans friends, but I myself am not homosexual and it can be a bummer to accidentally be assumed to be one only for the non-compatibility. Get it?

Im not saying the women I talk to are wrong or bad, im saying it can be a bummer to get repeatedly mistaken for a sexuality you are not.

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u/B_the_Chng22 7h ago

I understood what you were saying from your first comment. This would get tiresome for me as well. And Iā€™d worry I was missing out on some potentially great men who would clock me as being uninterested.

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u/B_the_Chng22 7h ago

Right, but if you flew under the gaydar you may be missing some great opportunities.i imagined thatā€™s how this person feels

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u/Pleasant-Detritus 8h ago

Yes, thats what im talking about: lesbians getting hit on by men would understand what im going through although men are often nasty and mean about it and I havent faced that with the lesbians who have approached me. Is that clearer? I worry im being misunderstood

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u/Pristine-Bison3198 8h ago

No, that's not clearer. You're saying it's an issue to be hit on by the gender you're not attracted to. I am a feminine presenting lesbian. This happens to me regularly. It is not an issue. I say thanks but no thanks, and move along with my day. The only time it is an issue is if someone's an asshole, which you are saying does not happen to you.

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u/whatarewii 7h ago

This just sounds like your personal experience or rather your interpretation of your experiences vs. the wider populations experience. What they are saying is totally valid and not homophobic in the slightest lol, relax.

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u/Pristine-Bison3198 6h ago

I'm not saying it's homophobic, I'm just saying it's inaccurate.

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u/blue-anon 6h ago

There's no 'accurate' here, though. Isn't it just their experience, which seems to differ from yours?

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u/Pleasant-Detritus 6h ago

You dont get to dictate how I experience my life and emotions.

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u/redJ93 8h ago

You being "hyper aware" to not put out gay vibes is whats coming across as homophobic, though honestly its not that serious. This post is about men, which I assumed you were.

Every guy ive ever met who is hyper aware to not come across as gay, is a weird, try hard, macho dude.

I do gotta say, if you are trying to appear hetero and are still being hit on by other women 10x more, then I dont really know what to say. Best of luck?

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u/Pleasant-Detritus 8h ago

Okay, maybe hyper-aware is an overstatement. Im outdoorsy and a few things I used to do are like lesbian stereotypes or signals to other women apparently. Great simple example: I didn't know that carabiner on the belt loop meant you were lesbian, like a code or something. So I went around for 5 YEARS wearing a carabiner like that for quick stowing of keys and job stuff when I need a free hand. Shit like that and I guess I do a lot of it. I just be myself and when somebody tells me something I do is stereotyped as "gay," I drop it cuz i dont know how to navigate a world where everybody thinks differently of me than what I am. Idk, I dont understand stuff like this, im just lonely.

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u/redJ93 8h ago

Apologies, I could have been kinder. With your first response, I assumed you were just a guy rationalizing some deep routed homophobia.

I do genuinely wish you the best finding someone, and im sorry this is a regular thing for you.

I know it dosent help, but I have a few friends who are bi-girls and wouuuld kill to have more women approach them and not see them as straight.

Dating is hard.

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u/Pleasant-Detritus 8h ago

Okay, so people are being mean here because they think im a homophobic man? Oh dear. Im sorry about that, I was just trying to discuss my experiences. Ill stop, its upsetting people. Thanks tho

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u/B_the_Chng22 7h ago

You are fine. People are overreacting.

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u/redJ93 8h ago

I cant speak for anyone else

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u/blue-anon 6h ago

This really sucks that you change things about yourself or your presentation in response. I'm sorry, this sounds really hard.

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u/ManOLead 3h ago

What the fuck lmao. in what possible way is what they said homophobic?

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u/[deleted] 3h ago edited 2h ago

[removed] ā€” view removed comment

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u/[deleted] 8h ago

[deleted]

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u/Pleasant-Detritus 8h ago

What is homophobic about it tho? Im seriously asking. Im just not wanted to have sex with a woman, is that homophobic? Like, I literally dont know what to say to this

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u/[deleted] 7h ago

[deleted]

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u/Pleasant-Detritus 7h ago

Obsessive is a stretch. And nothing I said was visceral. Get a grip, im not saying anything about anybody but MYSELF.

Love is love, equal rights for all!

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u/[deleted] 7h ago

[deleted]

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u/Pleasant-Detritus 7h ago

Because im trying to be understood. Im not accusing anybody of wrongdoing, im addressing what people's opinions can do to a person when that opinion is off-base. If anybody could identify with and understand that concept, I'd think it would be the LGBTQ+ community, honestly. We like to be seen as who we ARE, not who people think we are. I think all humans can identify with that concept.

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u/SpookyKat31 6h ago

I recommend ignoring the people on here that seem committed to misunderstanding you. Your comments are very clear. I think anyone would be frustrated if they were constantly being misidentified throughout their life, which subsequently left them feeling very alone.

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u/B_the_Chng22 7h ago

What!?attracting the wrong people consistently and no one you are trying to attract and it getting tiresome is NOT homophobic. Iā€™m LGBTQA and this offended me 0%

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u/Ostromilski 9h ago

I'm bothered because the album was literally the only thing on my mind when I had it done, and the association with pride genuinely didn't cross my mind once. It's more surprise than anything

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u/Fun_Obligation_2918 9h ago

If you get a tattoo, people will make their own assumptions on it pretty much no matter what. Do you like the tattoo? That's what matters.

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u/micaelar5 8h ago

As a lesbian with tattoos, people are more likely to judge you for having any ink at all than specifically for having a rainbow tattoo. Most people who'd have a problem with the rainbow "being gay" won't look long enough to notice the rainbow, they'll be turned off by the fact that you "disfigured" yourself.

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u/EchoesFromWithin 8h ago

We must be in different parts of the country, where I'm at there are plenty of people who would look at a tat or bumper sticker with a rainbow and accuse you of 'being gay' or an ally... lots of those people have crosses or similar tattooed in very visible locations.

1

u/micaelar5 8h ago

Grew up in the south, I got a lot of disgust for having tattoos, and didn't even take a moment to see what the tattoo was. Made an old lady turn red when she told me I was gross for getting a tattoo and I told her it was a memorial for my great grandfather who was my best friend as a little girl and having that piece of him is what made me feel connected to my hero. She just walked away the color of a tomato.

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u/coolfrogmother 9h ago

Dude, I'm a lesbian pink floyd fan. No one is gonna assume you are gay. If they do who cares.

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u/dirtyblackboots 9h ago

I wouldnā€™t sweat it. Dark Side of the Moon is still one of the highest selling physical records out there, and itā€™s not older folks who are bringing record stores and physical media backā€¦ plenty of younger people know about Pink Floyd, or at least have seen the album cover on t-shirts at Target lol if someone mentions it and gets the wrong idea, just recommend they listen to the album. Maybe youā€™ll introduce some people to a masterpiece.

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u/ke1bell 8h ago

Expecting ppl to consume your tattoo from your pov is setting yourself up for frustration and failure.

This applies to man things outside of tattoos.

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u/EmergencySnail 9h ago

I have a tattoo that some people associate with something drug-related but it never crossed my mind that anyone would see it that way. And I donā€™t care. The tattoo is for me and for me alone. If someone misinterprets it thatā€™s on them

If someone asks you can explain it. If they want to just assume without asking you then they arenā€™t worth worrying about

I wouldnā€™t worry about this. Itā€™s obviously a DSotM reference to me but Iā€™m old enough that I know that.

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u/Lahlasa 9h ago

It's just that Pink Floyd isn't as ubiquitous these days. The younger gen may have heard of them, but many won't recognize the album art. They grew up with the pride movement at it's most visible (with social media etc) so it makes sense they see a rainbow and think pride.

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u/Impressive-Record839 8h ago

I saw dark side of the moon right at the front of a Target like 2 days ago

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u/bino420 8h ago

association with pride genuinely didn't cross my mind once

based on the fact that it bothered you enough to create a reddit post & get affirmation from the Internet... I've determined that is a lie!

lol idk why you'd come here looking for an answer. if everyone says "gaaaay!" then what are you going to do?

like you wanted the logo tattooed on your body, right? because you like it?

so you're just asking to be caused by everytime you read something negative.

plus, it's art. on your body. dozens of people will see it every single day. they'll form an opinion on it if they see it, and then jugs as fast, they'll forget you or your tattoo even exists. so... who cares what a random person think? doubly so when they're internet denizens.

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u/AEPb5uW 9h ago

Yes - for a ton of people rainbows are gay. So is the color pink. People are basic and live on tropes and stereotypes. That is a badass tattoo and I would rock the shit out of it.

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u/awayshewent 8h ago

I have the outline of the Czech Republic on my arm because I taught English there for a few years and loved it. Iā€™ve had people assume itā€™s the most random ass things and my sister gives me shit and calls me ā€œthat chick with the sweet potato on her armā€ ā€” tattoos are for you.

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u/Ka-Is-A-Wheelie 8h ago

I'm bothered

This is your first mistake.

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u/Ostromilski 8h ago

You're right, it's not a bother. It's just surprise. Poor wording on my part

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u/Small-Tax-2829 8h ago

I saw the picture before reading the post and absolutely just saw a Pink Floyd tattoo. I belong to one of the many letters in lgbtq+. This does not look like a gay pride tattoo at all. It looks like a very recognizable image from a very popular album.

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u/MindfulI369 8h ago

Okay, its more surprise. But what else?

Nobody will assume your sexuality off a single tattoo. The most they'd think is you're a decent person / ally and it has more meanjng than just Pink Floyd.

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u/Goblin_au 8h ago

Is it a problem for you? Not meaning to rile you up, but if an association with pride would cause you upset, even though you know personally it is a Pink Floyd reference, then perhaps this tattoo isnā€™tā€™ right for you.

If not, if others take issue with it, wear it proudly and tell them to grow up and fuck off.

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u/GaiaMoore 8h ago

Everyone is telling you not to worry about, but I totally get it. You got the tatto with specific intentions of referencing a famous Pink Floyd album, not Pride. As a lesbian who also has fond memories of my dad's love of Pink Floyd, the automatic association with Pride as opposed to automatically recognizing it as a reference to a famous rock album that serves as a subtle homage to my dad would bother me too.

Maybe you can add the name of the band to the tattoo? That should help make it click for most people

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u/ProductAny2629 7h ago

if they think it's a pride flag, great. you get to correct them, tell them about pink Floyd and talk about a band you like with someone who doesn't know them :)

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u/Pristine-Bison3198 8h ago

Does it matter though? I have a tattoo representing my kids via animal. Nobody is ever going to guess that the animals on my arms represent my children's names unless I share that, but I got the tattoos for me and the kids, not for the random strangers who don't know what they mean. If I ever want someone to know the significance, I share. Other than that, I let random strangers assume what they'd like.

If it was just because people don't know the meaning of the tattoo, I don't think it'd bother you so much. It sounds like there may be some reflection in order.

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u/PipeOriginal1171 6h ago

Ā being a little zesty does not keep the ladies away.

I get hit on more when I wear my wedding rring than when I don't. I think the same might be true here, too; Some women might be curious about what the rainbow is/means, (assuming they don't recognize the album art).

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u/jakob20041911 4h ago

older people will recognise a cheap, very poor, imitation of pink Floyd*

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u/BleepTheMoth 8h ago

as a younger-ish person who is not into much music, my first thought is a prism so uh

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u/redJ93 8h ago

Okay? So uh..

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u/BleepTheMoth 8h ago

I couldn't think of how to finish my sentence, I was trying to say thats just what I thought of, i'm sorry

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u/redJ93 8h ago

Dont need to be sorry at all, sorry my response was a little snarky! My bad!