Shannon Larratt is Zentastic

As SG readers already know (more), the courts just struck down the Church of Body Modification's case (via Kimberly Cloutier) against Costco for not letting her wear her eyebrow ring at work. Unfortunately this case was a loser from day one; the plaintiff (while I agree she should be allowed to wear the eyebrow ring) read as someone who was just seeking an “excuse” to wear it, rather than someone who was genuinely having their faith denied in some way.

I'd have much rather seen this battle fought over suspension or at least something that one could call “spiritually motivated” in some clear way… Since the CoBM has never made the requirement of having people make statements of faith (ie. like wearing a crucifix or turban, or shared or communal markings of some sort), that defense didn't fly either unfortunately. You never know what phoenixes rise from what ashes, and they're certainly a group that have had their demise prematurely predicted before, but this isn't going to be easy for them to recover from.

That said, the court did not go so far as to say “it's not a church” so the war's not over perhaps.

For the more law oriented, Appellate Law & Practice has some good links with more details here and more recently here. It's quite interesting, and certainly outlines in clearer terms exactly what steps would have to be taken to clarify body modification as a protected form of expression.

Let's see what the general public has to say about this:

From: "jason tidbury"
Subject: sick
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 12:27:24 -0700
X-Originating-IP: [64.235.199.155]

I just wanted to tell you that you people are sick! I for one can't beleave you would do that your your selfs! How do you get laid with nails in yoru cosks!!! sicks ass mother fucks thats what you all are! Go check yoruselif into a hostpials!

Finally, let me show you the last bit of tattooing I got done:

That's the last of what I'm having done before I leave. It's not complete yet, but it's starting to get there… At this point there are only one or two incomplete areas, and other than that it's a matter of just giving the whole thing a once-over to pull it all together. The tattoo was done in three or four stages (first Frank, then the lower part of the sleeve, then my upper arm, and then the background) and when it was started it wasn't considered as a sleeve so it's a little disjointed in parts.

I know it's said over and over, but don't get smaller tattoos on your arms unless you are 101% sure that you will never want a full sleeve.

That reminds me; if you are starting a full sleeve or other single large custom piece, and would like to be featured in my new book, please contact me ASAP, and before you begin if possible.