June is Pride Month, a celebration of the people who fought the laws and social norms that prevented authenticity, and simply put, all forms of love. It’s also a time for allies to learn how they can be better for those who identify as LGBTQIA.
is an organization that promotes creating inclusive hair salons and barbershops, especially for people who are transgender or non-binary. Five businesses in 9&10 News’ coverage area have taken the pledge displaying the pink, blue and white barber pole sticker in their windows. They’ve been identified as trans-friendly on the Strands for Trans website.
Jean Kavanagh, owner of in Traverse City, says she chose to enlist with the organization because of past experiences with herself and clients.
“I’ve set foot in different salons, I have felt very uncomfortable,” she says. “I wanted to create a space where everyone felt like they fit in. And no matter who they are, once they walk in, they feel welcomed and part of a family.”
Kavanagh says majority of her clientele identify as LGBTQ+. She’s not only created an atmosphere that is inclusive to her clients, but also her staff. Some of which also identify as members of the community.
Strands for Trans is the product of a segregated history. In the past, the process of a haircut was very much gendered, men going to the barbershop and women to the salon. For people in between, they could often feel uncomfortable or unwelcome.
Even today, there are still cases of discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.
“It’s very disheartening to hear how many places are not inclusive,” says Kavanagh. “They’ve either been shamed to the point where they’ve walked out. There’s so much anxiety for people to come and get their hair done because they, for whatever reason, they feel ashamed to be who they are.”
Chelsey Rogers is one of the stylists at Wild Roots. Rogers identifies as gender queer and bisexual. Their sibling is also transgender. Rogers understands how difficult it can be to find a place that is accepting of someone who’s current or evolving gender identity may not match what their outward appearance suggests.
“I have personally gone through and witnessed people struggling to be accepted in every sort of situation,” they said. “Whether it be a hair salon, with their family, or just going to the grocery store and getting discriminated against because of who they are as a person.”
Rogers says for a salon or barbershop to promote and advertise inclusivity and acceptance it can be a matter of live in death, in some cases. Being allowed and supported in the effort to look and feel as you are can help someone transitioning genders or someone who is in between. That can all start with body hair.
“Your hair can really make or break how you feel about yourself,” says Rogers. “I have witnessed it with a lot of my clients who have transitioned or currently going through their transition. They have one bad experience with their hair and they have horrible dysphoria, and it just takes them like ten steps back from where they were.”
Transitioning genders looks different from person to person. It can mean changing hair, facial hair or a complete hormonal or physical change.
“I have had clients specifically with like the facial hair aspect. They either want to get rid of it or hey want to grow more just depending on what their end goal is with themselves,” says Rogers.
Wild Roots can help with more than just the outward appearance. The staff is also there to be a listening ear for those people who don’t know where else to turn.
“It just gives them somewhere that they know they’re safe, they know they’re comfortable, and they might be able to talk to us about things that they don’t really feel comfortable talking to other people about,” says Rogers. “That’s kind of my goal. I just want you to look how you want to look. I want to help you along that journey, and I want to be a safe space for you.”
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