Nautical Star Tattoos

4 Responses to “Are nautical star tattoos commonly used in the gay world to denote homosexuality?”

1. September 2nd, 2009 at 9:24 am

   chris m said:
   

   First, if you’re in the ‘gay world’, why will you have any need of a nautical star tattoo? Basically, the answer is no; there isn’t a secret code of tattoos among gay people that say ”I’m gay" to anyone who sees it.

   Some tattoo designs are simply popular in the gay community, hence their prevalence on the scene. They aren’t coded tattoos in the sense you are asking.

   Some gay men, particularly those who have been in the Navy or Merchant Navy, may have a swallow tattooed between the thumb and forefinger of their right hands. The direction the swallow faces (beak facing outward, or tail facing outward) was a quick and discreet way of identifying a top from a bottom when they shook hands. (A top’s swallow would have his beak facing toward the tail of the bottom’s swallow.) You may still occasionally see this, but the practice has largely died out seeing the need for discretion about being gay isn’t so prevalent.
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2. September 2nd, 2009 at 9:54 am

   armondian said:
   

   It was used back in the 30’s and 40’s as a kind of code, as far as I know it’s not used anymore and I’ve never seen one.
   References :
   http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_do_nautical_star_tattoos_symbolize

3. September 2nd, 2009 at 9:59 am

   King of cute said:
   

   Not sure about the Star, but I do know Transgenders do prefer butterflies
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4. September 2nd, 2009 at 10:18 am

   Old Scout said:
   

   That’s a new one on me.
   References :

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