People tend to get their bodies inked so that they can express themselves without the need for any words or emotions. Generally, there was a time when people with tattoos deemed as criminals. This was because most of the convicts had tattoos and the mafia too.
The biohazard tattoo is significantly important for the gay community and HIV patients. Everyone sees tattoos as a work of art. They understand the symbol portrays the individual’s hidden identity, which helps the HIV patients and gay community to use the tattoo to express themselves. The symbol itself draws attention, and the message behind it is deeper than you may think.
All the tattoos have a special meaning behind them so does the biohazard tattoo. Continue reading this article as we’ll discuss the Biohazard tattoo, its meaning, and its background, etc.
Why Do People Get The Biohazard Tattoo?
First, we need to clarify the question most people have, why do people get tattoos? Well, it is simple. Tattoos are a way of self-expressing yourself. Not only that, but tattoos have a deeper meaning behind them.
A person who has lost his or her mother due to severe disease might decide on getting a white rose tattoo. The reason for this is because the tattoo symbolizes hope, and for the individual, it’s a sign of remembrance of the loved one that’s passed away.The same reason applies to the biohazard tattoo as it works as a silent signal that expresses the individual’s past or present situation.
The tattoo helps in self-acceptance and to move forward in life no matter what struggle or hardship you’ve endured. This is why the gay community and HIV patients ink themselves with this symbol.Continue reading to understand the reason behind this.
Biohazard Meaning
A biological hazard, or a biohazard, is a natural substance that possesses a threat to the health of any sentient being, primarily humans. The term and itself is generally used as a warning so that those near it can take extra precaution.
Why is it a Tattoo?
Do people get the biohazard tattoo because they think they’re hazardous to others, or are they trying to portray something else?
Well, the answer is both. Some might think of themselves as social rejects because of various situations they have experienced. For instance, a person who experienced bullying throughout his educational period might cast himself as different than others; thus, the biohazard tattoo would help him in accepting this.
Acceptance of yourself is the primary goal of getting these tattoos, and the Biohazard tattoo plays the same role; however, it has much more significance than others.
The tattoo is common amongst the community of gays and people who are affected by HIV because they have had a hard time expressing themselves and usually were cast as god’s mistake. However, over the years, this thought has changed, and the gays have earned as many rights as others.
However, this was not easy for the gay community, and they hid their true identities for a long time. Once they were free to express themselves as to who they are, the tattoo played a vital role.When they meet people, the tattoo would identify them. This made communication more comfortable for the gay community’s who carried the symbol mostly on their arms to make it more visible.
Biohazard significance for HIV
It’s a branding of who they are, and it’s a branding of being comfortable with what they have, being satisfied with it in all aspects. HIV patients tend to tattoo themselves with a biohazard symbol on their bodies. The origin of HIV-related tattoos is still unclear. However, the biohazard sign is an indication for others to let them know that they’re HIV-positive so that they don’t have to come out and say it. It works as a “secret identification code,” amongst the HIV patients.
New HIV cases have remained quite stable over the years, but new infections among young, black gay and bisexual men between 2006 to 2009 rose a lot.
Individuals diagnosed with AIDS should be tattooed in the upper forearm to protect common-needle users. Today HIV-related tattoos are worn to symbolize survival and rebirth.
HIV is a disease you live with all your life; thus, it can be difficult for one to accept it. The tattoo works as a reminder for the individual that they have HIV, but they are still breathing. This helps in motivating them to live their lives freely without any judgment.
Conclusion
Tattoos play a vital role in helping a person from recovering a situation related to their past or present. It works as an everyday therapy and helps the person in accepting their identity or position they have gone through.
Thus the Biohazard tattoo has its importance for the gay community and HIV patients as it helps them in accepting who they are and moving on forward with life.