BY BTL STAFF
A movement to create more trans-friendly barbershops and hair salons launched on June 20. Transgender discrimination is a daily occurrence – especially when it comes to gender-specific institutions. While issues like "allocated" bathrooms are among the more common topics of public discussion, a far less-acknowledged everyday issue for trans people, yet equally historically-gendered, is the simple act of getting a haircut. Salons for women. Barbershops for men. Both, too often, leaving trans people feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.
Raising awareness for this issue to coincide with Pride during the month of June, independent advertising agency, Terri & Sandy, in partnership with Barba, a men's grooming salon based in NYC's Chelsea, have launched Strands for Trans, a public awareness campaign encouraging barbershops and salons across the country to provide a welcoming and safe environment for transgender individuals. Designer Marc Jacobs has also joined the campaign and will be featured in various videos throughout the week.
The Strands for Trans campaign features both an emotional call-to-action spot titled, "Barber Poles," and a central campaign video coined "Pink, White & Blue," in addition to a series of video testimonials.
Watch the "Barber Poles" video here:
Through Strands for Trans, barbershop and salon owners can register their businesses online, download a signature pink, white and blue barber pole sticker to place permanently in their windows, and also add their shops to an interactive map of transgender-friendly hair service locations across the country. The site also features inspiration for people of all walks of life to get involved and show support, whether through social media via #StrandsForTrans or on the local level.
"I've been deeply moved by recent news stories of trans discrimination and decided it was time to do something about it," says Xavier Cruz, owner of Barba. "What's so amazing about Strands for Trans is it shows trans men and women that lots of people support them; whether they're a he, she or ze."
"The recent press on this topic is saddening. Everyone, regardless of their gender identity, should be able to get a simple haircut without being insulted or ridiculed," says Terri Meyer, co-founder of Terri & Sandy. "We created Strands for Trans to help stop the hate and institute real change in barbershops and salons across the country."
For more information, visit Strands for Trans https://www.strandsfortrans.com/
Watch the "Pink, White & Blue" video here:
