My name is Bonnie Boatright. I am the third generation of a family of tattoo artists sprouting from Houston, Texas. I have seen our industry fluctuate, as any seasonal workforce. I no longer believe anyone under the age of 21 should be allowed to get tattooed, without court order. Due to the permanence of the markings and the costs of inflation. Our supplies have become so expensive that we, tattooers can barely afford the cost of living at a decent quality. We are humans too, we do not live in a tribe, yes we may be “tribal”, but that does not make us any less of citizens. The upper class and hierarchy (based of micro-aggressive stigmas/stereotypes) have begun to create a prejudice against our culture. I believe, if raising the legal age of consent, to be tattooed as an adult, to 21 years of age, it would have a tremendous impact on the quality of work we are able to provide and protect such sacred art. Teenagers should not have the power to be touched by an adult, painfully/permanently/or in any volatile way. That’s all I have to say.