Scot denied tattoo because he's HIV positive

New guidelines have been issued by HIV groups to remind tattoo studios and beauty parlours it's illegal to refuse a customer due to their HIV status.

Deejay Bullock
Published 19th Sep 2019

Campaigners are warning Scotland's tattoo parlours and beauty salons it's illegal to refuse someone with HIV.

HIV Scotland other HIV/AIDS groups have published new guidelines as a reminder that denying people living with the virus a tattoo, piercing or beauty treatment is illegal under the Equality Act 2010.

It also says even asking clients if they’re HIV positive is unjustified – according to current data protection laws.

The organisations say the universal safety procedures which are in place eradicate any risk of blood-borne viruses being passed from one client to another.

This includes sterilising equipment, using fresh disposable gloves as well as new ink for each and every person.

Deejay Bullock, from Aberdeen, was diagnosed with HIV in 2009.

The 38-year-old previously had two tattoos done – where he didn’t disclose his status.

However, earlier this year he was refused a tattoo by a studio in Dundee due to him living with HIV.

He said: “My heart sunk, when I told him I was HIV positive.

“I said it was fine, I’m on medication, but he said he wasn't prepared to do the tattoo.

“He was being discriminative from the minute he saw it basically.

“He said he wasn’t going to put himself or his colleagues or family at risk – but there is no risk.

“I’m on treatment, my viral load is undetectable and there’s absolutely no risk whatsoever.”

Mr Bullock added: “When he rejected me because of my status I felt like I did the first time I got told I was HIV positive.

“I felt like my whole world was ending.”

Since then Mr Bullock has had two more tattoos from parlours in Aberdeen and experienced no issues: “It was on the form, I ticked the box, they took the form and looked at it and went that’s no problem – and that was it.

“It wasn’t even discussed. They knew I was HIV positive and what medication I was on.

“That was fine and they just did the tattoo.”

It is estimated that 5881 individuals are living with HIV in Scotland, and of these, 91% (5353) have been diagnosed, of whom 92% are attending specialist HIV services for treatment and care.

Scotland’s Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick said earlier this year: “I am concerned to hear of the difficulties that some HIV-positive people are experiencing in getting a tattoo.

“I am clear that there is no place for HIV-stigma in today’s Scotland.

“The standard infection control procedures that all tattoo studios should have in place provide protection against the transmission of blood-borne viruses including HIV."