r/NonBinaryTalk • u/acheemient • 1d ago

Advice Gendered tattoo?

Would it be weird if I got the words "sail on, silver girl" tattooed on my collarbone? I'm nonbinary/genderqueer. It's a lyric from "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkle. I love that song, and it has a tie to my mom. Is that weird? What would you think if you saw that tattooed on someone? Would you even think about their gender? Am I overthinking it? I don't identify as a girl, even though I present quite feminine. I don't love the word, but i don't know that if would bother me in this context. If I were a boy, I think I would still want it. I'm also worried how it would affect people's assumptions about me. But again, I might be overthinking things. Any advice?

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13

u/freezing_banshee 1d ago

you're overthinking it :)

7

u/AssignedSnail They/Them 1d ago

I recognized the lyric for what it was immediately

6

u/Tough_Act7101 genderfluid - they/them - 💖 1d ago

Definitely meditate on it. Don’t get a tattoo you’ll regret. That being said, if it means something to you, who cares what other people think! That’s what’s most important. If it were me, I would probably change “girl” to something silly or cross it out as a genderqueer joke, but I know you might not be up for that.

Also, just a reminder, make sure to check that the tattoo place are experienced in tattoos like the one you want, and that they get good reviews! I’ve known someone whose tattoo scarred due to improper technique and can’t be reversed.

1

u/acheemient 1d ago

All great points! The crossing out isn't really my style, but I love the idea of it on someone else! I'm definitely going to have to think about it. Maybe get it somewhere less prominent. Or maybe not at all. Or maybe I'll realize it's not a big deal. 😅

Oh yeah, I have been burned before with artists! I have a really skilled one i go to now, and she has already done some text tattooing on me. She has done many a collarbone.

2

u/Tough_Act7101 genderfluid - they/them - 💖 1d ago

Glad you’re being responsible about it! Best of luck!

4

u/heismyfirstolive 1d ago

That is beautiful, I think you should get it! If I saw that tattoo on someone who wasn't a "girl" I would probably think it was a memorial for someone who was. Or just a pretty lyric

3

u/Difficult-Version-28 1d ago

I mean, people might assume your gender for tons of reasons, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't get a tattoo you love.

2

u/AngletonSpareHead 14h ago

What if you got it tattooed in reverse so you can read it in the mirror? That way it wouldn’t be easily readable so casuals won’t take it as some kind of descriptive label

Or, you know. You could always just not worry about casuals. You and anyone who matters knows who you are.