Why?

I give discounts to queer people year round because:

• We’re queer year-round

  • not just in June.

• We have to deal with cis/het nonsense constantly

  • both on a personal level and increasingly imposed by the state.

• I love tattooing queer people

  • This began as a way to attract queer community members during the very beginning stages of my tattoo career.

  • My lgbtqia+ clients are so kind, so fun, and so inspiring, and consistently come to me with phenomenal ideas and designs.

• We deserve nice things

  • this is a way that i can give back to my community in my line of work given my skillset and resources.

How queer do i have to be?

If you identify as queer in any way, you qualify - it is not my place to gatekeep the labels that people find comfort and community in.

What if someone tries to take advantage of this?

I honestly don’t believe that this has happened. If anyone does lie about it for some reason, they will get to carry a permanent reminder of the time they lied about having a marginalized identity to get a few dollars off a tattoo. I will be out a few dollars and will be just fine.

So what do straight people get?

This was a question I got frequently across social media platforms when I first formally announced this as a policy.

For those who see any form of support or kindness toward marginalized people and think, “but what about me?”, not to worry; straight people also get to have cool things.

Non-queer clientele receive:

• a cool tattoo

• other discounts where applicable

• the knowledge that they are directly helping a queer person in their community and supporting a queer-owned shop.

• a sticker and candy on their way out, if desired.

• lives that are easier in countless ways, both big and small.

I have also been known to extend the queer discount to allies who do significant work to benefit the queer community. Feel free to chat with me if you feel this may apply to you.

What if I’m not into this as a concept?

If this policy is upsetting to you for any reason, I’m confident that I’m not going to be a good fit for you as an artist.

Luckily, there’s no shortage of incredible tattoo shops or talented artists in the twin cities or Minnesota as a whole. I’m very thankful to be here because of that!

I love running my business this way and plan on continuing to do so. I am endlessly thankful for my fabulous queer clientele, and for the wonderful allies who continue to support me and my work.

-Andy Crawford