Tattoos for Tampons: Lansing tattoo shop finds unique way to give back to its community

Photo Courtesy of Devils Day Tattoo.

By Lucas Henkel

November 21, 2024

Val Magee, tattoo artist and co-owner of Devils Day Tattoo in Lansing, talks about an upcoming collaboration to help underserved Michiganders access menstrual products.

As prices for everyday essentials increase, the availability of menstrual products is becoming a pressing issue.

Reports earlier this year revealed that the cost of tampons has risen nearly 40% over the past five years—making menstrual products out of reach for many Michiganders.

“Nobody should ever have to choose between tampons and food,” said Val Magee, tattoo artist and co-owner of Devils Day Tattoo, in a recent interview.

Owned and operated by a collective of LGBTQ+ artists, Devils Day Tattoo strives to offer clients more than just a space to get a cool tattoo: They want to create a space that fosters community, too.

That’s why, on Sunday, Nov. 24, Devils Day Tattoo is teaming up with the non-profit Helping Women Period (HWP), which provides free menstrual products for low-income and unhoused Michiganders in mid-Michigan, during a special flash tattoo event.

In 2023, HWP distributed over two million menstrual products to underserved Michiganders—including tampons, wipes, bladder control pads, and panty liners.

All proceeds from the flash tattoo event will go towards funding HWP’s mission. Devils Day artists will also be raffling off prints of their art and other merchandise.

“Just from these experiences, now we’re going to be able to provide even more for the community,” said Magee.

Whether they’re looking for a tattoo or “queers to yap with,” Magee says folks can walk into Devils Day Tattoo knowing there’s a space for them. The shop also actively finds new ways to engage with underserved residents in the area,from having a free Naloxone dispenser on-site to organizing community outreach events.

“Just being able to be involved in any form, it makes such a big difference.”

Author

Lucas Henkel

Lucas Henkel is a Reporter and Strategic Communications Producer for COURIER based in mid-Michigan, covering community stories and public policies across the country.

View all posts

CATEGORIES: LOCAL CULTURE

Support Our Cause

Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Michiganders and our future.

Since day one, our goal here at The 'Gander has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Michigan families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.