The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado on June 3 announced the U.S. resolved a discrimination claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act against Ikonik Ink Tattoo.
Ikonik is a tattoo and piercing shop located in Lakewood, Colorado. According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, an individual who has HIV alleged that in March 2020 he asked Ikonik for a tattoo with a design related to his HIV status. After requesting the tattoo and disclosing his HIV status, the individual claimed that he was refused service by a tattoo artist who worked at the studio. The individual then filed a complaint with the Department of Justice under the ADA, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, including people who have been diagnosed with HIV.
Ikonik agreed to pay $4,400 in compensatory damages to the complainant, and the tattoo artist also agreed to pay $500 to the complainant. Ikonik also agreed to develop a non-discrimination policy, train its employees on the policy and to stop asking 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 in a statement. “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.”
This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeyen Wu.