Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Studio 8 Hair Lab in Traverse City Michigan refusing trans clients

studio 8 hair lab traverse city reviews

Not only has the owner been receiving backlash, but now one of her friends says she is receiving harassing and threatening messages. And on Tuesday, the state said that post violates the Anti-Discrimination Act. TRAVERSE CITY — On Tuesday, Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a motion to dismiss claims against the Michigan Department of Civil Rights by Studio 8 Hair Lab in Traverse City. Judge Kevin Elsenheimer said in his dismissal that Gieger wanted to use her claims to “harass, intimidate, threaten and/or retaliate” against those opposed to her post. Sharing your experience helps others make the right decision when searching for a business like this. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.

Embracing Inclusivity: Exploring LGBTQ+-Friendly Hair Salons in Traverse City

The court's findings in the Colorado case have significant implications for when businesses can refuse service to customers. The court ruled the business can decline to make a product that carries a message supporting LGBTQ people. TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — A northern Michigan city is investigating after a local hair salon owner posted on social media that anyone identifying as other than a man or a woman is not welcome at her business. Geiger is no longer allowed to affiliate with a hair product line that she regularly used, promoted, and sold at her salon, Jack Winn Pro announced in a statement posted to social media. The hair product company said it is committed to supporting the rights of LGBTQ people. Studio 8 owner Christine Geiger did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday left through the salon’s phone, email, and social media accounts.

studio 8 hair lab traverse city reviews and complaints

The salon itself – located on Eighth Street – was closed, with a sign posted on the door that services are by appointment only. MDCR said a business doesn’t have to actually bar someone from entering to violate the law. Of the 21 complaints the state received about Studio 8, three are part of the charge announced Wednesday, another three are still under investigation, and two are being evaluated to determine if the department has jurisdiction. Studio 8 Hair Lab said in a Facebook post last weekend that it would not serve anyone who "identifies as anything other than a man/woman," USA Today reported.

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While MDCR officials were unable to comment on Geiger’s ongoing lawsuit, Trevino said that the three complainants, two of whom are nonbinary, are protected from certain forms of retaliation under ELCRA. MDCR Director of Enforcement Marcellina Trevino said that the department’s investigative process was followed to determine whether there was cause for a charge of discrimination, including trying to facilitate a conciliatory meeting with Geiger. Blushing Bella is another salon known for its inclusivity and commitment to embracing diversity. Their team of skilled professionals offers a range of services while fostering a safe and supportive space for LGBTQ+ individuals. "(A) haircut should be considered beyond the scope of the decision, which applied only to businesses that are 'expressive in nature' and designed 'to communicate a particular message,'" she told USA TODAY.

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The business has since deleted its Facebook page, though an image of the initial post can still be found online. In response, the salon's Google and Yelp pages have been flooded with negative reviews. The bio for Studio 8's now-private Instagram account called itself "A private CONSERVATIVE business that does not cater to woke ideologies."

If that were the case, then we would be seriously encroaching on our First Amendment rights and then people would not be able to say what they want on Facebook,” Delaney said. TRAVERSE CITY — The Grand Traverse County Circuit Court has now dismissed all claims filed by Studio 8 Hair Lab owner Christine Gieger. This profile has not been claimed by the business owner or representative. BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment.

studio 8 hair lab traverse city reviews

Traverse City hair salon no longer servicing certain LGBTQ members

studio 8 hair lab traverse city reviews

Hate has shown time and time again to be a losing business strategy and we must not allow this blight to take root in our town. Traverse City’s LGBTQ organization Polestar put out this statement in response to the Facebook post. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. The Michigan Advance is a nonprofit outlet featuring hard-hitting reporting on politics and policy and the best progressive commentary in the state. Lily is a contributor to the Michigan Advance and a former reporting intern.

Numerous customers have expressed their disappointment and anger, emphasizing the owner’s bigotry and expressing their unwillingness to support such an establishment. "We want to make it clear that we disapprove of and reject hate speech in any form. Such actions go against the very values we hold dear and strive to uphold," the statement reads. Studio 8 Hair Lab operates on an appointment-only basis, serving mainly acquaintances and referrals.

Geiger said she has received support from her existing clients, but has also faced a barrage of angry messages, including threatening ones. Supreme Court ruling allowing a Christian web developer in Denver to refuse designing wedding websites for same-sex couples. While she agreed with the ruling, she stated that her comments stemmed from personal experiences and her objection to schools and doctor's offices addressing gender identification matters with children. It does note that there could be civil action against someone who discriminates against another for gender identity or expression, though this could apply to both transgender and cisgender people alike. Cisgender is a term to describe a person whose gender aligns with the sex they were registered as at birth.

"STUDIO 8 HAIR LOFT is a very LGBTQ+ friendly salon, please do not mistake us for the other salon." She told the publication that she saw an "outpouring of support" from some of her clients and backlash from others, including threats and angry messages. TRAVERSE CITY — A local salon owner has been charged with discrimination after refusing to serve certain members of the LGBTQ community. After multiple people filed discrimination complaints against the salon over a transphobic social media post, Studio 8 filed suit in Grand Traverse Circuit Court against Traverse City and the people who filed the complaints. In a Facebook post, the owner of Studio 8 Hair Lab said that anyone who identifies as anything other than a man, or a woman needs to get serviced at a local pet groomer. The impact of the owner’s posts can be seen on the salon’s Yelp page, which has been inundated with critical feedback.

"It is also dangerous because it dehumanizes fellow Michiganders at a time when violence against LGBTQ+ residents simply for who they are is already on the rise." "Jack Winn Pro strongly believes in and supports LGBTQ+ rights. We are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful environment for all - regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristics that define who they are," the post said. A hair salon in Traverse City said it will no longer provide services to certain members of the LGBTQ community. “As a direct and proximate result of Respondent’s unlawful discrimination, Claimants L.M., H.S. Have suffered the loss of full and equal enjoyment of a public accommodation due to Respondent’s published statements,” the charge read.

Of those, three are part of the current charge and another three are currently under investigation. The lawyer representing the owner said that these charges are without merit. Last month, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office moved to dismiss the claims by Gieger against Traverse City, individuals who filed complaints against her, and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. A business dedicated to improving the lives of hairdressers by providing education, support and products created with the finest botanical, pharmaceutical grade ingredients whenever possible that return profits directly to hairdressers.

In conclusion, while Studio 8 Hair Lab has faced considerable controversy due to its owner’s anti-trans social media posts, there are numerous alternative salons in Traverse City that have established reputations for inclusivity and acceptance. By supporting these LGBTQ+-friendly establishments, you can feel confident that you are choosing a salon that values and respects everyone who walks through its doors. The salon is facing backlash from community members and social media users after screenshots of its posts were shared widely.

Her coverage areas included state government and politics, including abortion rights and gun violence prevention issues. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics. The Advance called Geiger for comment at the salon, but the voicemail was full.

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