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The State Department of Civil Rights has now charged her with discrimination for that post. Her public comments dehumanizing our trans and non-binary communities are a disgrace. Freedom of speech is not freedom to discriminate or freedom of consequences. In a Facebook post made in July, Geiger said that anyone who identifies as anything other than a man or woman needs to get serviced at a local pet groomer. It’s evident that Studio 8 Hair Lab can no longer be considered a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ customers. If you’re searching for a hair salon in Traverse City, it is highly recommended to avoid this establishment altogether.
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"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.
Court dismisses all claims by Studio 8 against Traverse City, residents and Michigan Department of Civil Rights
In 2011, Traverse City voters also passed a non-discrimination ordinance that says no person can be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. MDCR officials said that the charge is one of unlawful advertisement, not free speech. According to the charge, even though Geiger didn’t physically remove someone from her salon based on their gender identity, the posts she made still negatively impacted LGBTQ+ members of the community. The salon, Studio 8 Hair Lab in Traverse City in the northwestern part of the state, announced on social media it will no longer serve clients who identify "as anything other than a man/woman," and made derogatory comments about transgender people. "The stylist who made those comments no longer has authorization to represent our brand or products."
'I just want it to stop': Friend of Studio 8 owner receives harassing messages
"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.
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.
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In a now-deleted Facebook post, Geiger encouraged those who identified as "anything other than a man/woman" to "seek services at a local pet groomer." After announcing that certain members of the LGBTQ+ community are unwelcome at Studio 8 Hair Lab in Traverse City, owner Christine Geiger is no longer allowed to affiliate with a hair product line that she regularly used, promoted and sold at her salon. We reached out to the city to get their reaction, but because a lawsuit has been filed against the city they declined to comment.
In a separate post, the business clarified that this was intended to refer to any gender-nonconforming people, including those who are transgender. The original post, which has since been deleted, suggested that people with such gender identities should instead "seek services at a local pet groomer," according to the report. Studio 8 Hair Lab in Traverse City has recently faced severe backlash due to its owner’s anti-trans social media posts. The salon’s controversial online presence has caused significant damage to its reputation, prompting negative reviews and warnings about potential discrimination and harassment. He pointed to a 2022 Michigan Supreme Court ruling which, barred discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, saying that in making the post, the salon might be in violation of state precedent.
Michigan city investigates salon owner's online comments about gender identity
State lawmakers codified that ruling into law earlier this year, though as the bill did not receive immediate effect, it’s not currently able to be enforced. HB 4744 pertains to the establishment and maintenance of a qualified voter file. The bill Geiger intended to reference is likely HB 4474, which seeks to expand Michigan's hate crime law to protect gender identity and sexual orientation. Misinformation has spread online, falsely claiming that the bill criminalizes the use of incorrect pronouns. Just this year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law an expansion of the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to cover protections for sexual orientation and gender identify.
Studio 8 Hair Lab in Traverse City Michigan refusing trans clients - USA TODAY
Studio 8 Hair Lab in Traverse City Michigan refusing trans clients.
Posted: Wed, 12 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Attorney General Nessel argues that only the Michigan Court of Claims can hear cases against the State of Michigan and its departments. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) has issued a charge of discrimination against Studio 8 Hair Lab, the Traverse City salon that drew national attention in July for anti-trans online posts made by its owner, Christine Geiger. She said she had been a licensed hairstylist since 2006 and never knowingly had rejected a transgender person’s request for service. Studio 8 Hair Lab's exclusionary Facebook post about the LGBTQ+ community has prompted a city investigation, a community protest and a public disassociation by a hair products company that the salon regularly used and promoted. "To compare our LGBTQ+ neighbors to animals and pedophiles is breathtaking hate and bigotry from a studio in my community," Coffia said in a public statement.
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.
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.
In a Wednesday morning press conference, MDCR Director John Johnson said that Geiger’s post, and subsequent doubling down on her stances, were in violation of Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA). The state passed a law in 1976 that bans firing someone, evicting them or otherwise discriminating against them because they are a member of the LGBTQ community. The salon's Instagram page, now set to private, says it is "A private CONSERVATIVE business that does not cater to woke ideologies." I’d rather not be as busy than to have to do services that I don’t agree with,” she said. In addition to a proposed social district near Eighth and Garfield, city commissioners tonight (Monday) will have a more detailed discussion about the possibility of moving parking ...
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