SACRAMENTO, Calif —
Tattoos are more common than ever among Americans, especially for women, Black Americans and younger adults, but the industry itself lacks representation. One tattoo shop is breaking barriers in the male-dominated profession.
Tucked away in a residential area in downtown Sacramento, Les Tattoos — which stands for Ladies Empowered Sacramento — is proud to be one of the largest LGBTQIA+ female-owned and operated tattoo shops in the city. What sets it apart is their inclusive approach.
“The premise is creating what we like to call a ‘safe, sexy space,’” said Maricelia Dominguez, the owner of Les Tattoos.
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The shop was created in 2019 and Dominguez says it’s about more than just ink. She and the team think of Les Tattoos as a sanctuary for all people to express themselves authentically.
Walking into the shop, customers will see rainbow-themed décor and merchandise, and they will likely hear laughter coming from the back of the building, which is where the artistry happens.
The team is comprised of seven tattoo artists who have a variety of styles including floral and botanical line work, anime and manga, handpoke, realism and surrealism.
While Dominguez has a collection of body art, she didn't always have positive experiences when getting tattooed.
“It was very much like, ‘Oh, you want this piece? That's stupid.’ And that's not fun to hear when you want something permanently on your body,” said Dominguez.
She says the macho mentality was a norm in many of the shops she circuited. Now, Dominguez is excited to be part of a tattoo culture shifting toward acceptance and inclusivity.
That shift is bringing clients from across the Northern California region to the Sacramento shop.
As an openly trans and queer person, Alexis Coffey drives nearly two hours from Chico just to get inked at Les Tattoos. While they have multiple tattoos, this is their first time going to a queer-owned shop.
“It can be a little rough in the industry finding a tattoo artist that's open minded and accepting and not just tolerant,” said Coffey. “And here it's celebrated and so much more pleasant and just comforting. Walking in the door and immediately seeing rainbows, being pride, and just all of that just helps me feel at home and comfortable here.”
Diana Cuevas, a seasoned tattoo artist, says the shop prioritizes what the client wants, and ensures they feel as comfortable as possible.
“I don't really feel like it's about me, it's about my clients,” said Cuevas. “So, whatever they need me to execute, I can do for them and that's how I get my style.”
Dominguez believes it's important to not only create a safe environment for clients, but also for her staff whether that’s uplifting their identities, majority of the staff openly identify as LGBTQIA+, or respecting their bodily autonomy, something she said isn’t always the case in male-led shops.
Cuevas says that working at Les Tattoos has been a healing experience for her. At previous tattoo shops, she said the few women who worked there were pinned against each other creating a toxic, unhealthy work environment. She has been able to find a sense of belonging instead at Les Tattoos.
As a Chicana, or Mexican American, Dominguez grew up with many cultural values like family, community and respect that she’s honoring in her professional world.
Creating a “chosen family,” nonbiological kinships, often associated with queer and trans communities, filled with love and mutual support, Dominguez has managed to make a tattoo shop a home away from home.
“I don't have to feel like I'm in competition with every woman that's in my path,” said Cuevas. “I love seeing more women in the industry. I love seeing more queer women, especially Latinas. There are so many talented women and there's just plenty of room for all of us, honestly.”
When asked what success means to Dominguez, she immediately knows the answer.
“Success is being able to build this shop full of diverse individuals who are representing not just culture but also identity within the LGBTQ community,” said Dominguez. “And I want to be able to pave the way for all individuals and young people to step into their careers confidently.”
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