Out in the Mountains Tattoos and You Continued from page 1 neat, and that an auto— _ clave exists for ster- T ilization purposes. It is a common mis- conception that getting a tattoo from a pro— fessional is a health hazard. There are no recorded cases of tat- too-transmitted HIV. Rubber gloves, dis- infectant soap, dis- posable ink cups and sterilizing autoclaves are necessary to pro tect both artist and client from trans- mission of any dis- eases. If you don't" feel certain that the tattoo- ist is meeting health requirements, take your business else- where. Jim Thibault of Tattoo Works in St. Albans. Since a tattoo is one of the most permanent decisions you are likely to make, choosing a design should not be done lightly. Look through tattoo magazines available and check the works of local artisans. If you already have an idea, bring it with you —— album covers, photographs, art books, il- lustrations — anything that will help the artist to make your vision come alive. Be sure to ask the tattooist about changes or refinements, or to explain why something might or might not look good on you. Don’t ask a tattoo artist to copy someone else's tattoo exactly; choose something unique. After all, this is your body and your tattoo. Sometimes, people need to change or alter a tattoo already in place, be it a name or a bad tattoo. A good tattoo artist can cover and conceal one already in place. The first days after receiving a tattoo are the most critical. Jim Thi- bault of Tattoo Works recommends keeping the tattoo covered for at least 12 hours. After this time, the gauze may be removed carefully. Thibault highly stresses using Bacitracin to keep the tattoo moist while healing. During the healing process, direct sunlight should be avoided, or else the colors may fade. Sunlight, in fact, is the enemy of all tattoos. Proper protection with clothing and/or sunscreen can keep ‘ high quality work looking fresh for a long time. Until recently, customers could only pay for supplies and artwork when getting a tattoo. As of July 1, House Bill #H178 will allow tattoo artists to charge for their own time as well. Even with the changes, tattoo artists are only required to register with the state; they are not licensed Registration requires filing the "location of the reg- istIant's practice,theregistrant's qualification and the nature of services of- fered" The law also states that "no person under the age of 18 may practice tattooing, and that a tattooist shall not tattoo a minor without the written consent of the parent or guardian of the minor." Tattooists are also required to give new clients a list of their "pro- fessional qualifications and experience, the infection control procedures, and public health practices" that are followed. This disclosure must be signed by both the tattoo artist and receiver. The new law also provides standards of regulation for tattooing facil- ities. According to Jim Thibault, "Tattooing ought to be regulated, set up like a doctor's office: clean, new needles for each client and each with an au- toclave." He went on further to state that people who want to become tattooists should apprentice with another artist already . well established. ‘'1 don‘t believe that eve- 5 ryone should be able to go out and get a tattoo kit That is not the way to learn this trade." Tattooing should never ; be considered anything 1 less than permanent ; But with the right E combination of art and artist,it'saworkofart= that can be wom with 5 pride. V Tattoo by Jim Thibaultt This tattoo is a cover- up of other tattoos. Calendar June 1 9th ANNUAL WALK FOR LIFE _ Fundraising walk for the Brattleboro Area AIDS Project. Meet at the Brattleboro Common at 11:30 a.m. Refreshments, prizes, and entertainment. For more info, call BAAP at 802.254.8263. 2 VCLGR MEETING _ Vermont Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights monthly meeting. Open to public. 9:30 a.m., Gifford Memorial Hospital, Randolph. MOUNTAIN PRIDE MEDIA BOARD POTLUCK —— For new and old Board members, as well as those wishing to have input on various g/1/b/t publishing projects. 2-6 p.m. in Ripton. For more info, all Hugh at 802.388.6503. 6 CENTRAL VERMONT ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN (NOW) _ Meet to organize around feminist issues, including a women’s film festival, local legislators, and lesbian awareness. 7 p.m., City Hall Memorial Room, Montpelier. For more info, call Lyn at 802.339.9588 or Chris at 802.223.4383. NEW ENGLAND TRANSGENDER HEALTH CONFERENCE _ Hynes Conference Center, Boston MA. For more info, call Rebecca at 617.227.6216. _ 8 BOSTON PRIDE DAY 7-9 “HOT for Life” TRAINING _ HIV/AIDS peer educator training at Marlboro College, Marlboro VT. For moreinfo, call Carey at 802.254.8263. 14 NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIDE MARCH AND RALLY _ Begins at 6:30 p.m. in Concord. For more info, call 603.382.9308. 15 CAROLE EAGLEHART CONCERT— a benefit for VCLGR, sponsored by Interweave—8 pm at The First Unitarian Universalist Church, Burlington. . VERMONT PRIDE DAY —-Celebrate “Pride Without Borders” in Burlington. For up—to-date info, call Bob at 802.865.3734 or Craig at 802.658.1602. NH PRIDE DAY —Pat’s Peak. For more information, call 603.382.9308. 16 DANCE FOR AIDS ‘96 —— DJ Dance Party and Carnival to help benefit HIV/AIDS organizations and Pride ‘97. 2-6 p.m., 135 Pearl St, Burlington. For more info, call 800.649.2437. * 17' OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS DEADLINE—for materials to appear in our summer (J uly/August) issue. For more details on submission procedures, call Hugh Coyle at 802.388.6503. 19 AIDS 101 — A presentation covering the basics of HIV/AIDS, transmission, and prevention. 7 p.m. at Vermont CARES, 30 Elmwood Ave., Burlington. To register or for more info, call 800.649.2437. 23 PICNIC AT LAKE ST. CATHERINE —— A potluck/picnic sponsored by the Rutland g/1/b/t community. Bring a swimsuit and sunblock! 2 p.m. at Lake St. Catherine. For more info, call 802.747.0754. 28 “INSIDE OUTRIGHT” _ An introductory group for g/l/b/q young people wanting to know more about the services and support groups of Outright Vermont. 7-9 p.m. at the Outright offices, 109 South Winooski Avenue, Burlington. For more info, call 802.865.9677. 29 NEW YORK CITY PRIDE DAY Juwz 2 YOUTH AWARE _ Summer planning meeting for all people, young and old, interested in supporting g/l/b/t/q youth in Addison County. 7 p.m., Ilsley Library meeting room (downstairs), Middlebury. For more info call Hugh at 802.388.6503 or Thelma at 802.623.6131. 12-14 3RD ANNUAL JEWISH LESBIAN CAMP-OUT _ Discussion, workshops, readings, music, and more in Huntington VT from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. $25-60 sliding scale. For more info, call 802.864.5595. 13 OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS _ Envelope stuffing for July/August issue, 10:00 am. 109 South Winooski Avenue, Burlington. Come find out how you can get involved with the newspaper and related publishing ventures. For more info, call Hugh at 802.388.6503 or Steven at 802.864.6399. 21-25 SUMMER INSTITUTE ON HEALTH EDUCATION AND HIV/AIDS CURRICULA —Verrnont Technical College, Randolph VT. For more information, call 802,254,451 1. V Classifieds 0ITM’s Classified Section features items for sale, housing opportunities, personals, services offered and the like. Individuals may place ads at a rate of 50 cents per word with a $5.00 minimum; businesses at 75 cents per word with a $10.00 minimum. Subscribers are entitled to one free ad (30 word maximum) per calendar year. You place or respond to ads at your own risk; we carmot screen ads for legitimacy nor assume responsibility. To be considered for publication, ads must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Mail to P.O. Box 177, Burlington, VT 05402. Payment must accompany your ad copy, and we must have your full name, address, and phone number (these will be kept confidential). NETWORKING ADDISON COUNTY. GAYS—Looking to fomr a social/recreation group for hiking, cycling, maybe monthly potlucks, etc. Interested? Drop a line to P.O. Box 41, Bristol, VT 05443. . ‘ BRATTLEBORO AREA READING/DISCUSSION GROUP. Meetings are generally held every three weeks in alternating private residences. For location and more information, call Jonathan at 802.257.4988. HOUSING RECENTLY DIVORCED LESBIAN and dog seeking to rent or share a house with a fenced in back yard in greater Burlington area. Professional, Nonsmoker preferred. Call Pager 741.2620. SERVICES OFFERED Hear Us OUT! is a gay/lesbian/bisexual/heterosexual allies speaker's bureau committed to the eradiction of gay stereotypes and prejudices through the telling of personal stories. To become involved or for information on a presentation for your organization, contact Gordon Sherman, 603-547-2545, or write: Hear Us OUT! P.O. Box 285 Brattleboro, VT 05302