This gay priest traded in his clerical collar to become… a tattoo artist?: “I’m going to live this new life”
The relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and the church has always been a bit, well, complicated. But one queer tattoo artist is embracing his identity as part of his journey.
Mark
The relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and the church has always been a bit, well, complicated. But one queer tattoo artist is embracing his identity as part of his journey.
Francis Palmquist, a former priest, now works as a tattoo artist in Exton, Pennsylvania. While many consider their first tattoo as a rite of passage, Palmquist’s journey from priest to tattoo artist proved to be a rite of passage of its own.
Palmquist owns St. Francis Tattoo, whose name is an homage to his Catholic faith and his time as a priest in the ultra-traditionalist Society of St. Pius X. Though he lives a completely different lifestyle now, he has not renounced his faith.
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In a recent interview published by Religion News Service, Palmquist opened up about how his journey began. He spent seven years in Mexico reinventing himself after departing from the church, but wanted to incorporate his beliefs as much as he could.
“ I’m going to live this new life, but as close to being a Catholic as possible,” said Palmquist of his mentality while in Mexico. He continued, noting these “were ideas that I had meditated hours on, that I had dissected, that I had attacked and tried to refute.”
Throughout his shop, Palmquist has many relics alluding to his past in the church. Some of these include a San Damiano crucifix. The name itself alludes to St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his charitable and giving nature.
“ The Franciscans in general, their whole lives were given to the poor — just complete self-dedication for others,” said Palmquist. “And that’s how I want to live my life.”
A scroll through Palmquist’s Instagram reveals that he specializes in religious-themed designs, as well as colorful, floral patterns. He’s also designed hoodies to sell at tattoo conventions — all of which, he’s painted with bleach!
The concept of mentorship is woven within the fabrics of Catholicism, and Palmquist has also expressed the desire to mentor other artists.
Art has always been about passing down the knowledge that was given to you,” Palmquist said. “ There’s so much good with what we’ve been given from the past.”
While Palmquist still incorporates his spirituality in his artistic practice, he admits he’s skeptical of the church’s attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community. In recent years, he has found that some churches have become more accepting of queer and trans people. But he’s not sure if it’s because these are their true principles, or if the churches are simply following a trend.
“ Are they doing it because it’s the truth, or are they doing it because it’s just the modern thing now?” he said.
Still, Palmquist is still learning more and more about himself each day. And enjoying every moment of the journey.
“I’m not at my destination yet,” he said. “I never want to come across like I’m some beacon of whatever. It’s just a very human experience.”
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