Customer with HIV refused service by tattoo shop

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Artist and tattooist Dan Gold creates a tattoo featuring an image of Albert Einstein in his West Hampstead studio on April 22, 2014 in London, England. Dan Gold is one of the world’s most prominent tattooists whose unique, bold and often colourful style is a mixture of traditional tattoo art and graffiti. Dan Gold has tattooed numerous famous clients including Kate Moss and Britney Spears; he has also been instrumental in reducing the stigma associated with tattoos. The popularity of tattoos has increased dramatically over the past few years, aided by several high profile people such as: David Beckham, Samantha Cameron and Cheryl Cole being tattooed. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

by: Morgan Whitley

Posted: Jun 4, 2022 / 03:46 PM MDT

Updated: Jun 4, 2022 / 03:46 PM MDT

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

DENVER (KDVR) — A discrimination complaint between a tattoo shop and a customer has been resolved through the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.

Ikonik is a tattoo and piercing shop out of Lakewood. According to the attorney’s office, a customer who has HIV went to Ikonik and asked for a tattoo with a design related to his HIV status.

The customer claimed that after his tattoo request, he was refused service by the artist at Ikonik studio. The man then filed a complaint with the Department of Justice under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, which includes those diagnosed with HIV.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office addressed the complaint and worked to resolve the matter.

Ikonik agreed to pay $4,400 in compensatory damages to the customer. The tattoo artists also agreed to pay $500 to the man.

Ikonik also agreed to develop a non-discrimination policy and train its employees on the policy. Employees will not be allowed to ask potential customers about their HIV status.

“People with HIV have the right to equal access to businesses and services,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure that those living with HIV do not face discriminatory barriers in any part of their everyday lives.”

According to the attorney’s office, this complaint is part of an ongoing effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice to enforce Title III of the ADA against companies and service providers that discriminate against those with HIV.