Cover-up tattoos are fairly common, as sometimes we can regret our ink and tattoo removal is both expensive and painful.
The reasons are many: break ups, mispellings, drunken mistakes and more.
In the case of Dave Bautista, the boxer he got a tattoo of turned out to be a homophobic jerk.
Before Manny Pacquiao's 2016 homophobic remark that gay people are "worse than animals," Dave Bautista was a tremendous fan and supporter of the Filipino boxing champion. But when the boxer made that remark, it so disgusted Bautista he physically removed him from his body.
The former wrestler turned actor recently admitted to GQ in an interview had a tattoo of Pacquiao on his left forearm but had it covered up after Pacquiao's remarks.
You can see the clip here:
Bautista—a vocal LGBTQ+ ally—said:
"It's a personal issue with me. My mom's a lesbian."
"I just could no longer call him a friend, and so I had it covered up."
People commented just how much this endeared Bautista to them.
@jaykayw167/TikTok
@kevannosaurus/TikTok
Some people noted Bautista is their favorite wrestler turned actor.
@red__the__dog/TikTok
@thisolddog23/TikTok
Some just summed it up succinctly.
@tiff_net/TikTok
Members of the LGBTQ+ community were enthusiastic with their praise.
@boodles0/TikTOk
@merlinthedestr0yer/TikTok
While others just affirmed Bautista deserved respect for walking the talk.
@boof987/TikTok
Some people said they were excited to be fans of his for a long time.
@leastexpectit/TikTok
@dahammer95/TikTok
Others commented on confronting loved ones about their bigotry or tattoo coverups of their own.
@rainanddogs/TikTok
@danniemontoya/TikTok
To conclude, one user just summed it all up.
@chuckleberry42/TikTok
It's admirable when allies hold to their own convictions, even in the face of bigotry from close friends and loved ones.
Kudos, Dave Bautista.
Judd Legum (@juddlegum.bsky.social)
@SenTinaSmith/X; @elonmusk/X
@smith.senate.gov/BlueSky
@elonmusk/X
@mcrs987/X
