Dapto carpenter Tristan Page is a typical 24-year-old - he goes to work, hangs out with his pets and enjoys nights out with his mates.
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However, since he got a neck tattoo two years ago, nights out on the town have become fraught - and he believes it's discrimination.
"My friends and I go out nearly every weekend, and every weekend I get knocked back [refused entry] three or four times," he said.
"I'm not a bikie, I'm not a drug dealer.
"I don't drink that much, I've never been cut off, I've never caused any problems.
"The most trouble I've been in was for stealing a chocolate bar when I was 14."
His tattoos don't include foul language.
His most offensive tattoo is a picture of a devil.
Mr Page says some venues have been fine with his ink - the Illawarra Hotel, Fever and Humber let him in - but other nightclubs are a different story.
He says he's most frequently refused entry to Mr Crown, Tusk, the Harp and Ron De Vu.
The Illawarra Mercury contacted each of those venues.
They all declined to comment on whether or not they had a policy about refusing entry to patrons with neck tattoos.
I didn't like my own skin and wanted to change it; now I'm suffering more for it.
- Tristan Page
Mr Page says he doubts there is an official policy, as he often sees women with similar tattoos allowed entry to clubs where he has been denied.
"Every time I go they say they're not letting me in, but there are girls in there with neck tattoos," he said.
"They pick and choose who they want. I'm over it.
"I've never had any trouble at work because of my tattoos. I'm not an ex-criminal, I just like tattoos.
"I didn't like my own skin and wanted to change it; now I'm suffering more for it.
"It's ridiculous."
Mr Page said he has offered to cover his tattoos with makeup and tried to hide them with a bandage.
While the bandage was successful, he was told that makeup was not an option.
"I'm trying to work with them," he said.
"I just want there to be a bit more leniency, I just want to be let in to a club with my friends.
"I don't want to write myself off, I just want to go out with the boys, have a couple of drinks and talk rubbish."
The New South Wales Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 covers discrimination in employment, the public education system, delivery of goods and services, and other services such as banking, health care, property and night clubs.
The Act prohibits unlawful racial, sexual and other types of discrimination, however, discrimination against tattoos in not covered, unless they are a significant component of a person's cultural heritage or religion.
The Act covers the following types of discrimination: sex (including breastfeeding, pregnancy and sexual harassment); disability; race; homosexuality; marital or domestic status; age; transgender and carer's responsibilities (but only within employment).
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