About Queer Tartan
Queer Tartan is a design system created by Scottish artist and designer, Fritha Lewin, in Scotland, using video game 3D animation graphics as simple Platonic Solids - shaded in tartan and rendered as flat graphics. This was an entirely innovative use of 3D software and as far as we know has not been created elsewhere. It is an entirely new invention.
Following various bans of the Pride Flag in the USA and accusations of rainbow washing by various businesses, Fritha created a variety of colours and designs of queer tartans. The idea was to create a new tool for what Arup calls “queerification” to be used where Pride Flags may not be appropriate or permitted. She then set about establishing a Queer Tartan Register as a parody of the Scottish Register for Tartans.
So far we have:
Documented historic use of tartan by the queer community.
Number 3 on Google search listings for search term, "Queer Tartan” which can include actual tartan and kilts in rainbow colours.
Used for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 – accompanying article in Diva Magazine Online.
Established a Queer Tartan Register to parody the Scottish Register for Tartans run by the Scottish Government in Edinburgh, Scotland (Queer culture often parodies straight culture – drag/ballroom/Alternative Miss World/Brighton Big Quiffy Bingo etc) - 40+ queer organisations and allies participating were given over 800 free graphics.
Launched in Fez Bar, Margate Pride 2024.
Put over 500 stickers up around Aberdeen, during Nuart Street Art Festival. Dropped flyers around various venues in Aberdeen. Focusing on Aberdeen as Nuart is one of the world’s largest street art festivals and also one of Trump’s two Scottish golf courses is located just outside Aberdeen. Also the neolithic carved balls these designs are based on were found in and around Aberdeen.
Trademarked the name “Queer Tartan.”
Wikipedia entry.
Created several silk designs available to buy here.
Ye Olde Queer Tartan Museum to open November 2026 on Forres High Street with a folk museum. The museum illustrates the Ballad of Queer Tartan, which is a rather fun adventure story that explains the process of how Fritha came to invent Queer Tartan and why it is important to the queer community.
