Salons are important places for the LGBTQ2S+ community to feel safe and accepted.
Our featured salons are committed to providing a safe space that celebrates diversity and inclusion while also offering a range of services tailored to meet the needs of the LGBTQ2S+ community. Whether it’s a haircut or color treatment these salons have created an inclusive atmosphere where all individuals can relax and enjoy their time there.
Let's look at some salons on the front lines of creating a safe space:
How does your business prioritize creating a safe and inclusive environment for all customers?
It's easy, we genuinely believe that every human deserves to be uniquely themselves unconditionally. Gender has been removed from our service menu for years, we support companies like Strands for Trans, and we support a community that prioritizes safe and inclusive spaces.
Are there any accommodations or considerations you offer to transgender or non-binary individuals who may have specific beauty needs?
Our Gender-affirming haircuts include styling lessons. We've noticed a ton of our gender-affirming clients are children. It's very important having safe spaces for children to turn to in the community. We make sure to have the time and space to be a part of this important time in our clients life.
What advice would you give to other aspiring LGBTQ2S+ hairstylists or estheticians who want to create safe spaces in their business?
We have done a supply drive for a local LGBTQ2S+ non profit.. The community drops off items and we hand out free goodie bags and run a sale. It's a really special way to give back, and we love hand delivering the items. It's a win/win.
Can you share any success stories or memorable experiences related to your business and the LGBTQ2S+ community?
We just participated in our local PRIDE block party and it was a BLAST. A few years ago we did a donation based fundraiser coloring UNDERARM hair, it was a hit and we plan to do it again in the future. All the proceeds from that event went to the Montana TwoSpirit Society.
How do you envision the future of inclusively owned and operated salons/spas? What changes or advancements would you like to see?
The future is being authentic and true to kindness. We are a service-based industry with compassion. We need to remember humans are humans and not dollar signs. I think the future is gender-free options, and focusing on the individual human. Haircare on a level that is completely personal and custom. Bespoke Haircare.
How does your business prioritize creating a safe and inclusive environment for all customers?
BEE sweet is a safe and inclusive hair space, no matter your gender, gender expression, or sexuality. And even more than that, it is a queer-owned and operated, LGBTQ+ celebratory space.
Women often paying more for haircuts than men is sexism. Instead of arbitrarily pricing our haircuts on gender, BEE sweet charges based on how long appointments take. We cut hair for men, women, trans, and non binary people and what we charge is dependent on the appointment time.
Can you share any success stories or memorable experiences related to your business and the LGBTQ2S+ community?
BEE sweet has been open for 6 years and proudly and primarily serves the LGBTQ+ community. BEE sweet is expanding to a bigger location in order to make space for more LGBTQ+ stylists and clients.
How does your business prioritize creating a safe and inclusive environment for all customers?
At CONFETTI the prioritization starts during our interview process. Our potential employees have to prioritize making CONFETTI a safer space for all our guests. Once hired, all staff goes through a training geared towards ensuring that they know how to create the safest space possible, to be as inclusive as possible and to help identify areas of opportunity in their own journey and learnings of becoming an ally. We have gender neutral services + pricing throughout the salon + spa and as well as all-inclusive restrooms. We not only prioritize the education of our staff, but also the expectation that all of our guests will enter with kindness and honor our safe space. We ensure that we ask what pronouns to use if we are unsure in any instance and we have on file all our guests pronouns so that everyone in the salon can be mindful of them. At CONFETTI we try to celebrate the LGBTQIA2S+ events and history, and we are also a member of The Dresscode Project.
What advice would you give to other aspiring LGBTQ2S+ hairstylists or estheticians who want to create safe spaces in their business?
If you are looking to create a safer space in your business I would tell you that there are resources out there to help you. I can assure you that not every one of us at CONFETTI came to work one day knowing how to create a safer space or what to do if we messed that up or even where to start figuring out what we could do better. Some questions were hard to ask and even harder to know who to ask. The answers are out there and you shouldn’t be afraid to take the leap. It’s honestly not scary at all and once you start on your journey you will find the confidence to continue. Don’t rely on the LGBTQIA2S+ community to tell you what you need to do-that is your job as a business who values equality and inclusion and allyship in order to create a welcoming and safer space. Do your research and value diversity in your workforce in your space. Lastly, lead with kindness and compassion in your attempts and you will succeed.
Can you share any success stories or memorable experiences related to your business and the LGBTQ2S+ community?
I honestly can’t think of my success story or a memorable experience that necessarily stands out anymore than others. We have had so many beautiful moments at CONFETTI through staff and guest ah-has, while supporting our guests through their transitions, and through educating and teaching new skills to our LGBTQIA2S+ guests. I think the first time one of our employees gets to experience helping a guest through their transition and the openness and vulnerability that comes with it; its so special. I think that they all remember their first time getting to be a part of someone’s life on that level.
How do you envision the future of inclusively owned and operated salons/spas? What changes or advancements would you like to see?
I believe that I would love to see advancement in assisting service providers with a greater understanding of how to handle themselves in situations they may have trauma response to while not wanting to upset, humiliate or make any client feel unsafe or uncomfortable. We have done an okay job in our industry of raising the awareness of the need for genderless cuts and other hair related services. I don’t think we’ve done a descent job in other arenas of our industry. Specific training or vocalization for our closed door service providers as it relates to LGBTQIA2S+. I know several providers who can’t be alone or behind a closed door offering services such as waxing to certain genitalia due to past trauma in their own lives. Being able to teach them how to handle any insecurities, as well as how to address someone who came to them in a trusting environment that they are not equipped to handle would be extremely beneficial to continue being able to service all people and create safer, welcoming spaces.
How does your business prioritize creating a safe and inclusive environment for all customers?
We let you come as you are, encourage your uniqueness and we help create outside what you feel on the inside. And we celebrate that!
Are there any accommodations or considerations you offer to transgender or non-binary individuals who may have specific beauty needs?
The option is, is to not make a gender specific hairstyle, so creating versatility for them with their cuts and styles. It's about them, not me. figuring out how to create a unique personalized cut and style where they can live and feel fully themselves, allowing them to change it day to day.
What advice would you give to other aspiring LGBTQ2S+ hairstylists or estheticians who want to create safe spaces in their business?
Be open minded and listen with full intent. To make them feel safe, seen and heard.
Can you share any success stories or memorable experiences related to your business and the LGBTQ2S+ community?
I had this little girl, who identified as lesbian, who was getting ready for her first dance ( she wanted a short shaggy pixie). no one gave her a cut like she wanted, and i took the time to listen and go slow. she almost cried, she was so happy!
How do you envision the future of inclusively owned and operated salons/spas? What changes or advancements would you like to see?
I would like to see advancements in the way of abolishing gender specific haircuts. Times are changing and so are hairstyles, so keep an open mind.
Being an inclusive salon isn't just a one-month out of the year thing, it's a commitment to people and the world of beauty, always!
Thank you to our salons that are putting inclusivity first!