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A former SSPX priest embraces life as a gay man and tattoo artist
Palmquist says leaving the priesthood and coming out led him to a tattoo career centered on religious imagery and client care.
- At 37, tattoo artist Francis Palmquist now operates St. Francis Tattoo in Exton, Pennsylvania, fully embracing his identity living openly with his partner six years after leaving the ultra-traditionalist Society of St. Pius X.
- Palmquist spent seven years at a Winona, Minnesota seminary he described as militaristic, where he was ordained in June 2016 before moving to Guadalajara, Mexico; his situation deteriorated as superiors disliked his American identity and he struggled with hidden attraction to men.
- Losing weight from 180 to 140 pounds through disordered eating and sleep deprivation, Palmquist requested therapy that never arrived; in December 2017, facing transfer to Kansas City, he contacted a friend and disappeared in the middle of the night.
- Seven years of therapy and reinvention in Mexico led Palmquist to tattooing through his first gay relationship, establishing St. Francis Tattoo as an extension of his Franciscan ideal to dedicate himself completely to others.
- Client Lindsay Healey credits Palmquist as 'an even better friend' who constantly checks on her wellbeing, while he feels at peace with leaving priesthood and now aspires to mentor future tattoo artists.
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Associated Press News+21 Reposted by 21 other sources
A former SSPX priest embraces life as a gay man and tattoo artist
EXTON, Pa. (RNS) — In March 2024, Francis Palmquist bent over his right calf and carefully tattooed the tear rolling down Mary’s cheek as depicted in the famous image.
·New York, United States
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Total News Sources22
Leaning Left14Leaning Right1Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Left
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources lean Left
64% Left
L 64%
C 32%
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