NATS GETTY

As tattoo collectors, we’re accustomed to seeing art imitate life. We frequently base our tattoos around our experiences, opinions and interests, which a tattoo artist manifests into beautiful designs.

- DEVON PRESTON

But for some, tattoos subconsciously become a way for life to imitate art. “I was looking at my tattoos in the mirror the other day and I couldn’t find a feminine tattoo on my entire body,” says Nats Getty, who came out as trans and non-binary earlier this year. “I’ve been getting tattooed since I was 16. Back then, I didn’t really have a clue about who I was as a person, but I was already starting my transition. I was changing my skin to look how I wanted to look and tattooing was the one thing I was able to have control of. I wanted my tattoos to reflect and represent how I feel on the inside.”

It took 28 years for Getty to fully understand his gender identity, but he was encouraged to express himself from an early age. Getty was surrounded by support, which is something that many in the LGBT+ community don’t have. “My upbringing was key to leading me to where I am now,” Getty says. “My mom is the biggest advocate for me being exactly who I wanted to be and supporting me through whatever I was going through. I think without that kind of support, I wouldn’t have gotten to this place.”