The tattoo industry has been dominated by men for a long time, with a reputation for toxic work environments, power imbalances, and misconduct.
Recently, social media discussions suggest that a decline in traffic to traditional tattoo parlors is due to these persistent negative practices. However, a new movement is striving to change the industry.
Long Time Tattoo, a queer and Asian American Pacific Islander-run collective, is redefining tattoo culture. Situated in an industrial warehouse near the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, New York, the studio is part of a growing trend of inclusive tattoo spaces.
Tattoo artist Melanie Lee believes the tattooing process is deeply personal.
“It’s intimate for me to be so close to another person,” Lee said. “I’m not usually a hugger, but during a tattoo session, I might be in contact with a client for six hours. There’s a lot of mutual trust involved.”
Co-founder Citrus Son emphasizes the importance of fairness and inclusion within the collective.
“When we get invited to tattoo at events for brands or other groups,” Son explained, “I ensure that everyone at Long Time Tattoo benefits equally.”
As the tattoo industry evolves, traditional methods may no longer be effective. Long Time Tattoo aims to create a new model that could transform the industry’s future.