World Aids Day 2

Jane was with a friend who was working at a tatoo studio. A client came in in good spirits looking for a tatoo. He filled in the form and gave it in. As he waited Jane noticed he wasn't so bubbly and looked nervous as he heard people in the back discussing his form. He had ticked YES for HIV/AIDs.

Jane watched as he turned from a confident, open engaging young man into someone almost have his own physical size.

He could have lied. But he didn't.
He could have gone to a studio that didn't ask that question. But he didn't.

Despite the stigma and hurt he experienced he was still honest. Jane wanted to hug him. She was amazed that he would put himself through this.

Some of the artists refused to work with him. One ignored other's comments and prejudice and went out and dealt with the the young man in a friendly professional manner as he put on his gloves and got on with the job. The young man that came in the door of the tattoo studio started to unfold again.