Heavily-Inked Doctor Reveals Challenges She Has Faced Because Of Her Tattoos

A woman who believes she is 'the world's most tattooed doctor' has opened up about the obstacles she has faced as a result of her body modifications.

Dr Sarah Gray, from Adelaide, Australia, got her first tattoo when she was 16 years old and has gone on to cover almost all of her body, having spent more than 300 hours under the gun.

Now 30, Dr Gray is perceived as an inspirational figure by tattoo-lovers, but says she has faced discrimination in her day to day life.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, she said: "I was out for lunch in a restaurant with my partner on the Gold Coast when we were seated at a table.

"After being seated for lunch, management then came up to us and asked us to leave as they had a 'no visible tattoo' policy for diners. That was a little disappointing to say the least."

She found herself facing similar treatment when shopping for a pair of designer heels as a birthday present, with staff ignoring her as she waited for a correct size.

Instagram/rosesarered_23

She said: "They all served other customers first and wouldn't even make eye contact with me.

"I waited politely for ages and eventually gave up and left. They did themselves out of a sale and I saved myself $1,000, so I guess that's one bonus!'"

On some occasions, Dr Gray has been able to use reason to talk venues out of such policies, but she said the fact such attitudes exist in the first place is 'super frustrating'.

A case in point was when her and some tattooed friends were denied access to a casino.

She told the Daily Mail: "I was able to discuss my concerns for unfair discrimination based solely on our appearance with management and they bent the rules to allow us access.

"Quite a few night venues seem to have this policy and although it doesn't affect me very often as I hardly go out, it can be super frustrating when we get categorised as 'bad people' or being gang-affiliated due to our colourful skin."

The former Miss Inked Australia and New Zealand recently obtained her medical degree and hopes to become an orthopaedic surgeon.

In her experience, she says attitudes are improving, but there is still work to be done.

She said: "Having colourful skin in no way affects your skill level and with all the anti-discrimination laws now it wouldn't be appropriate to compartmentalise or treat me differently based on my appearance.

"I've worked really hard to develop good professional relationships as I'm fairly memorable, so I've made sure I'm memorable for the right reasons through hard work, determination and an always positive attitude.

"Occasionally someone disapproving will say a negative comment under their breath or shake their head at me, but these situations are rare."

So don't forget, you should never judge a book by its cover - even if the cover is really, really colourful.

Topics: World News, Interesting, Australia

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey