Mack Lee

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My most recent tattoo is the Sublime sun logo with cursive text under it that says "life is good." I got this one with my ex wife. We had a beautiful marriage for 8 years and I was devastated when we broke up. This tattoo is a reminder that there is still love between us, and that love can transform and change. Embrace the change and learn from the pain.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

If my ink could speak, it would say that I am strong and I am a survivor. They say the body keeps the score, and my ink tells the story of the grief and love I've experienced in life. I have depression and body dysmorphia, and my tattoos have helped me love my body. It also tells the story of how I've become comfortable with my body as a nonbinary person. I have a lot of anime & video game tattoos of characters that reflect my gender identity. My tattoos make me feel truly myself.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I am a queer comedian in Portland, and I would use the $25,000 to create a venue that is safe for queer people to perform and enjoy comedy. Like tattoos, comedy has helped me cope with grief and feel comfortable in my body as a nonbinary person. The queer comedy community in particular has been so loving and accepting of me, I want to give back and make a space for us to flourish.