Gold Coast party venues slammed over ‘ridiculous’ tattoo ‘discrimination’

Hospitality venues are being urged to end their ‘ridiculous’ ‘no tattoo’ policies following a flood of complaints from inked patrons. HAVE YOUR SAY

A Gold Coast-based company is urging hospitality venues to end their “ridiculous” “no tattoo” policies, saying being inked is now part of Australian culture.

It comes after Mortal Kombat 2 actor Martyn Ford and The Bachelor’s Jed McIntosh were turned away from the popular Burleigh Pavilion earlier this year because of their tattoos.

Last month, the same waterfront venue was forced to apologise to a Gold Coast mum after she was refused entry because of her back tattoo.

Mortal Kombat 2 actor Martyn Ford. Picture: Instagram

Celebrity Ink general manager Tanya Byrne believed venues that rejected people with ink were hurting the region’s tourist reputation.

“Tattoos are no longer taboo. They are mainstream now and part of Australian culture,” Ms Byrne said.

“People tell their story through fashion, accessories, cosmetic procedures and also on their skin.

“It’s ridiculous that venues are still discriminating and refusing entry to law-abiding, everyday Australians because they choose what is their personal right.”

Tanya Byrne, General Manager of Celebrity Ink has called on Gold Coast hospitality venues to stop refusing entry to people with tattoos. Picture: Glenn Hampson

One in four Australian have tattoos and women are now more likely to be inked than men.

Ms Byrne said 62 per cent of Celebrity Ink customers were women and most of the body art they requested had a significant meaning to them.

This included tattoos commemorating a loved one, celebration of a milestone, cultural reasons and to cover medical and cancer scars.

“We say that it’s your skin and your story, and the stories are amazing,” Ms Byrne said.

Burleigh Pavilion owner Ben May was contacted for comment, but declined.

On August 5, Katie Hally was turned away from Mr May’s venue for her Chinese lettering tattoo which translated to “family, love and happiness”.

Katie Hally’s tattoo translates to: family, love and happiness.

According to Burleigh Pavilion’s policy, while guests with tattoos are permitted entry, if they are deemed “intimidating, aggressive or offensive” that guest will not be allowed in.

Ms Hally disagreed her tattoos fit that description.

In a statement, management said it had apologised to the mum over the incident.

“Management became aware of the incident after media reports and acknowledge in accordance with its policy, Katie should have been welcomed,” it said.

“Burleigh Pavilion’s house policy is in place to create a comfortable and enjoyable environment for our guests.”

Last year, the Queensland Human Rights Commission’s (QHRC) review of the state’s Anti-Discrimination Act prompted a push for changes in the law to stop venues from banning people with tattoos.

A QHRC spokeswoman said it did explore whether extra measures were needed to protect people from discrimination on the basis of their tattoos, but ultimately they did not recommend this for a “variety of reasons”.

Since 2014, many Gold Coast venues have enforced “no tattoo” policies in the wake of the state government’s war on bikies.