Have you ever been to get a tattoo, piercing, or visited a beautician and they’ve asked for your HIV status? Do you currently work within any of these fields and ask your clients questions around their HIV status? If you aren’t living with HIV, you might not have thought twice about it, however, to people who do live with HIV this is incredibly stigmatising.
Did you know, under The UK Equality Act (2010) it’s actually illegal to refuse someone or unreasonably change a service for someone because they are living with HIV. Living with HIV is considered as having a disability and is a protected characteristic under UK law.
Suffolk Sexual Health Service are not only challenging this but raising awareness at how unnecessary it is to inquire around somebody’s HIV status. Our newest campaign is challenging the stigma and myths surrounding HIV in tattoo studios and how we can best work with professionals to educate and make their studios inclusive, safe places for everyone.
So, why are people still asked about their HIV status?
There are several factors behind someone being asked on their HIV status-
- Misconceptions about the virus and how it can be passed on
- Outdated information on infection control
- Stigma
- Fear and concern for the artists own health
Universal precautions should be used whenever anyone is getting a tattoo or piercing, regardless of their HIV status. Tattoo artists following correct prevention control should be using single-use needles, sterilising surfaces/changing plastic film barriers between every client. When tattooing somebody living with HIV, we’ve often heard stories of some artists wearing two pairs of gloves or wearing extra PPE just for tattooing people living with HIV. This is also unnecessary and only furthers the stigma that this community faces.
What are the facts?
People living with HIV also now have a variety of different anti-retroviral medications they can take. This medication is so effective that when taken correctly, it stops the virus from being spread from person to person and makes someone’s viral load so low that they are classed as undetectable.
Currently in the UK, 98% of people who are aware that they are living with HIV are on effective medication, with 95% of people having an undetectable viral load and will be unable to pass on the virus (Terrence Higgins Trust), regardless of what preventive measures are taken in a tattoo studio.
What can you do to learn best practice?
Suffolk Sexual Health Service are offering a free training session on the 6th of November to anyone who works in the body modification industry to upskill professionals on how they can best support their clients who live with HIV. If you’re interested in learning more, have a look at our Eventbrite that’s accessible here.
Searching for inclusive artists
Your local HIV or Hepatitis support organisation might provide training to local tattooing and piercing studios. Find out more about these amazing artists who are dedicated to inclusion – @ Together Tattoo Network
Comfortable in my own skin – Tattoo Booklet – https://heyzine.com/flip-book/145ea718f8.html
