An Inclusive Salon Is Good For The World, And Good For Your Business.

By Kristina Russell

Hi! My name is Kristina & my pronouns are she/her/hers. My clients can see this when booking in my salon software, which can be welcoming/assuring for our LGBTQIA+ community and clients seeking a gender-affirming salon & safer space.

I am proudly a member, Ambassador and the nominated Australian Change Maker for The Dresscode Project. The DCP is a global alliance of salons and barbershops committed to providing positive, gender-affirming services for LGBTQ+ clients. We envision a world where every hair salon and barbershop is a gender-affirming, safer space for LGBTQI+ clients.

My salon service menu is based on creating safer spaces with transparency around gender-free pricing and terminology within consultations and services. I commit to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in the hairdressing and beauty industry. My prices are based on colour services and hair length. www.kristinarussell. com.au Instagram @colourkristina

Hair and beauty industries have been considered safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community but we still have a long way to go with education, acceptance, and understanding of how we can continue forward momentum.

In recent years, the concept of gender identity and expression has gained significant recognition and acceptance. As society becomes more inclusive, it is crucial for various industries to adapt and provide services that cater to the needs of all individuals. Hair salons, as spaces that promote self-expression and personal style, play a vital role in supporting gender diversity and ensuring that everyone feels welcome and affirmed.

This blog explores the importance of genderaffirming services in hair salons, highlighting their significance in fostering inclusivity and empowering individuals to embrace their authentic selves.

Creating Safe(r) Spaces:

1. Hair salons are more than just places where people get their hair styled. They serve as community hubs where individuals can find acceptance, support, and a sense of belonging. For transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, who may face unique challenges in society, hair salons can provide safe spaces where they can express their true selves without fear of judgment or discrimination.

Offering gender-affirming services, such as gender-neutral pricing, inclusive language, and knowledgeable stylists, ensures that everyone feels respected and comfortable in their salon experience. It’s important to note the definition of “safe space” and the reason why I’m using the phrase “safer space”.

The dictionaries definition of a “safer space” is a place (as on a college campus) intended to be free of bias, conflict, criticism, or potentially threatening actions, ideas, or conversations.

This is the definition of “safe space” from the Merriam-Webster dictionary. The Dresscode Project Alliance use the term “safer space” because we can never guarantee that a place is completely 100% safe.

Addressing Unique Hair Care Needs:

2. Hair care needs can vary widely based on hair type, texture, and individual preferences. Gender-affirming services in hair salons acknowledge that these needs extend beyond the binary understanding of male and female.

Transgender individuals, for instance, may have different hair care requirements due to hormonal changes from hormone therapy. By providing expertise in diverse hair types and offering specialised services, such as haircuts that cater to different gender expressions or wig styling for individuals undergoing transition, salons can ensure that each client receives personalized care and support.

Removing the words male, female, masculine and feminine or anything gender biased from your consultation and haircut and styling descriptions is an integral part of creating an affirming hair service.

Enhancing Self-Confidence and Mental Well-being:

3. Hair plays a significant role in how individuals perceive themselves and how they are perceived by others. For many transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, the ability to style their hair in a way that aligns with their gender identity can be empowering and contribute to their overall well-being.

Gender-affirming services in hair salons provide a platform for self-expression, enabling individuals to feel confident, authentic, and at peace with their appearance. The positive impact on mental health and self-esteem cannot be overstated, as it allows individuals to navigate the world with a greater sense of self-assurance.

In contrast, being misgendered during a hair appointment can be damaging to a client’s emotional and mental well-being and experienced as a micro-aggression. If you accidentally misgender someone it’s highly recommended to apologise, acknowledge and move on to avoid escalating the situation and causing more upset.

Education and Awareness:

4. Hair salon professionals have a unique opportunity to act as allies and advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community. By investing in ongoing education and training, salons can ensure that their stylists are knowledgeable about diverse gender identities, appropriate language usage, and inclusive practices.

This not only benefits transgender and gender non-conforming clients but also contributes to a more inclusive society at large. When hair salons take the initiative to foster awareness and understanding, they become catalysts for positive change, helping to reduce prejudice and discrimination.

I have recorded and published several podcast episodes about easy vocabulary changes for inclusivity and how to offer gender-affirming hair services. Available to listen and subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or your fave podcast app.

Easy language changes for Inclusivity:

5. Instead of using the term “boyfriend” or “girlfriend”, try using the word “partner” or even “lover”. This can help others around you to feel comfortable if they do not fit into the categories of “boyfriend” or “girlfriend”. The word “partner” is all-inclusive and can apply to anyone

Change certain language such as “guys” or “ladies” while talking about groups of people. Consider using the terms “folks” or “friends” or even “everyone” to be more inclusive of all genders and those who do not adhere to genders

Add your pronouns to your life. Even if you are cisgender, try adding your pronouns to your social media pages, email signatures, and business cards to help normalize using pronouns and asking for pronouns, no matter if the person is transgender, cisgender, or nonbinary. The more pronoun usage, the more understanding and acceptance of others’ pronouns there are.

I’ve been asked this A LOT in my DM’s recently...

Q: How can I change to be a gender-free hair salon?

A: In episodes 6, 94, 127, 128, 129, and 100 of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast, we’re talking about why inclusivity matters, and gender-free pricing and consultation strategies to help you and your salon to know how to offer gender-affirming hair services. If you’re not into podcasts, that’s OK! You can read the blogs at www. kristinarussell.com.au

There are 5 easy ways to make all folk feel welcome in your salon, including;

1. Use an inclusive price menu

2. Have your pronouns visible

3. Join The Dresscode Project alliance at www.dresscodeproject.com

4. Use inclusive language

5. Never assume a person’s name or pronouns

Hair salons are not just about hairstyling; they are places where people seek self-expression, acceptance, and community. By providing gender-affirming services, these salons play a crucial role in creating safe spaces, addressing unique hair care needs, enhancing self-confidence, and promoting education and awareness.

Embracing diversity and inclusivity in the salon industry is not only the right thing to do but also a business imperative in an ever-evolving society.

When individuals are seen, heard, and affirmed for who they are, it fosters a sense of belonging and empowers them to live authentically. Let us work together to ensure that hair salons are spaces where everyone feels valued, respected, and celebrated.

With education, acceptance, and understanding of gender-affirming hair services, we can as an Industry forward the momentum towards inclusivity. Why? Because it’s good for business and good for the world.

Would you love to learn more about the Dresscode Project?

Our mission is to educate and empower hair stylists and barbers to give people haircuts that help them look the way they feel. We envision a world where every hair salon and barbershop is a gender-affirming, safer space for LGBTQ2S+ clients.

We want to provide support, education, resources, and events that help, not only our member salons but any hairdresser or barber interested in seeking additional knowledge to create safer spaces in their area.

For many queer folks, the professional beauty industry has always been considered a safer space but we still have a long way to go with education, acceptance and understanding and it’s our mission to make sure we continue forward momentum.