The NSFW meaning behind arm tattoo that’s popular among LGBTQ+ community

A tattoo that has become popular among parts of the LGBTQ+ community has left people shocked after its NSFW meaning was explained online.

While tattoos can obviously mean completely different things depending on the person wearing them, certain designs end up taking on a wider cultural meaning.

Some are linked to music fandoms, some to grief, and others to identity, community, or even sexuality.

In this case, though, one specific arm tattoo has sparked plenty of conversation after people realised it may not be quite as innocent as it looks.

From the outside, the design appears quite minimal. Looking at its simpler aesthetics out of context, it would be easy to assume it was chosen purely because it looks good.

Nevertheless, some gay men have said there is a much more adult meaning behind it.

The tattoo being discussed is the double black arm band tattoo, usually seen wrapped around the upper arm or forearm.

According to some discussion across social media, the tattoo has been linked to anal fisting, with the position of the bands allegedly acting as a visual reference to how far someone can go.

That surprising meaning was recently discussed by TikTok user and author Mr Lewis Laney, who explained that he has the tattoo himself.

As reported by PinkNews, he said: “I have a double arm band tattoo” while showing the two dark bands on his arm.

He continued: “I often get asked [by] gay men what it means. They assume that it has something to do with fisting. The origins of these tattoos allegedly do come from fisting and it’s how far (down someone’s ass) you can go.”

However, Laney made it clear that the NSFW meaning was not the reason he personally chose the tattoo.

He explained: “For me, that is not the case though. I saw this tattoo on a porn star called Brent Everett when I was in my early 20s… When I turned 30 I got it, and I still like it!”

Everett, a professional adult actor who performs in gay porn, has been mentioned by others in connection with the tattoo’s popularity.

The design has also been discussed on Reddit, where one user previously asked on the ‘r/askgaybros’ subreddit: “Why do so many gay guys have that double arm band tattoo? Literally so many gay guys have this tattoo… Is there some kind of meaning behind it that I’m unaware of?”

One person replied: “Its hidden meaning is to say ‘I’m a fister and the band represents how far I go in’.”

Another wrote, sharing Laney’s association with the tattoo: “I think Brent Everett is responsible for popularising it.”

However, there are other possible meanings behind the same tattoo. Some people have suggested the two bands could be seen as an equals sign, representing LGBTQ+ equality.

A single black arm band tattoo can also be used to symbolise mourning, while solid arm bands have also been linked to strength or luck.

Fans of Twenty One Pilots frontman Tyler Joseph have also copied his two arm band tattoos as a tribute.

A particular celebrity example of sporting the tattoo is Twenty One Pilots frontman, Tyler Joseph. As he's regarded as a strong ally to those in the LGBTQ+ community, plenty of fans have followed suit by getting the tattoo themselves as a tribute.