Tattoo studio award for LGBTQ+ support

Rachel Moir and her team from Valkyrie Tattoo are pictured with their Community Ally Award.

Valkyrie Tattoo Studio won the Community Ally Award at this year's Proud Scotland Awards, which celebrate the outstanding work and commitment of individuals and organisations within and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community in Scotland.

The award was in recognition of the business going “above and beyond” in terms of equality.

Rahel Moir, who owns the High Street studio, said that she and her team have worked to dispel preconceptions about tattoo premises and to make the studio a safe space for all.

She said: “Tattoo studios have a long standing reputation as ‘boys clubs’ where misogyny and objectification are often rife. It can be a difficult and intimidating environment, which is why we have worked so hard to let the local community know we are a welcoming and safe space, regardless of gender, sexuality and expression.”