When Columbus, Ohio, tattoo artist Adam Gray asked a customer to fill out a standard health form that asked whether he had hepatitis, AIDS, heart problems, or any other condition which could make getting a tattoo risky, the customer answered "no" to all of the questions. However, the customer eventually revealed to Gray that he did in fact have AIDS. Gray then declined to tattoo the man and offered him a bloodless alternative, such as a painting of his desired design.

The Ohio Civil Rights Commission then got into the act, offering a settlement in which Gray would pay the customer $150 to get his tattoo at another parlor, post a sign in his shop notifying the public that he had been guilty of an act of discrimination, and then sign a gag order promising not to speak about the case. When Gray refused, the OCRC ordered Gray to give a tattoo to the man or to someone else with AIDS, while stipulating that Gray must never again refuse service to anyone with AIDS or any other ailment.

Gray, who has already spent $50,000 in legal fees, plans to appeal the decision.

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