American Civil Liberties Union

We are proud to present our partners in the continued support of creativity and freedom of expression, the American Civil Liberties Union! Working closely with a number of tattoo artists from the area, the ACLU played a pivotal role in the legalization of tattooing and continues to support our craft to this day.

From the ACLU website:
“Tattooing was illegal in Massachusetts until the year 2000, unless performed by a physician. The ACLU successfully sued on behalf of Stephan A. Lanphear, an award-winning tattoo artist who wanted to do business in Massachusetts, and John R. Parkinson, a Massachusetts resident who wanted to receive tattoos from Lanphear without leaving the state.

Superior Court Judge Barbara J. Rouse ruled that the state’s restrictions on tattooing violated the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights.”

Find out more at: http://www.aclum.org/tattoos