Local/Regional News

Dozens protest Traverse City salon for refusing to serve members of the LGBTQ+ community

WCMU | By Rebecca Particka

Published July 14, 2023 at 7:27 PM EDT

1 of 8 — Salon 8 Hair Lab Protest

Protesters march down 8th Street outside of Salon 8 Hair Lab on July 12, 2023. The crowd gathered after the business expressed that LGBTQ+ customers aren't welcomed.

Rebecca Particka / WCMU

2 of 8 — Salon 8 Hair Lab Protest

Over 80 people met at the Traverse City Civic Center park on July 12, 2023 to decorate signs and show support to Traverse City's LGBTQ+ community.

3 of 8 — Salon 8 Hair Lab Protest

Holly Bird adds decorative detail to her poster that says "Respecting pronouns is suicide provention" at the Traverse City Civic Center park on July 12, 2023. She said she is proud mom of a trans child.

4 of 8 — Salon 8 Hair Lab Protest

Sam Lasusa wears a pride flag that was stolen off of his fence during the protest against Salon 8 Hair Lab on July 12, 2023. He wants Traverse City to be safe place for all. Having his pride flag stolen inspired him to paint his fence on 14th to look like a rainbow.

5 of 8 — Salon 8 Hair Lab Protest

Chelsie Niemi writes "More Love" on a poster board in Traverse City Civic Center park on July 12, 2023. "It's important to be supportive of our community and right to show up rain or shine," Niemi said.

6 of 8 — Salon 8 Hair Lab Protest

Allyson Licht holds a sign showing support of trans rights during the protest on July 12, 2023. She want to express her support to her trans friends.

7 of 8 — Salon 8 Hair Lab Protest

Liam Kutis waves bubbles while taking part in the protest against Salon 8 Hair Lab on July 12, 2023.

8 of 8 — Salon 8 Hair Lab Protest

Over 80 people protest outside Salon 8 Hair Lab on July 12, 2023. The crowd gathered after the bussiness expressed on social media that LGBTQ+ customers aren't welcomed.

Over 80 people marched in downtown Traverse City last Wednesday night in protest of a local hair salon that said it’ll refuse service to some customers of the LGBTQ+ community.

"If a human identifies as anything other than a man / woman please seek services at a local pet groomer. You are not welcome at this salon. Period.”

That’s what Christine Geiger, owner of Studio 8 Hair Lab, wrote on the company’s Facebook page.

The protest was organized by a group of concerned citizens calling themselves the TC Batmans. Aaron Wright is a part of the group.

“I just want the members of our community who maybe haven't found that joy yet or haven't seen it in their life and maybe feel it in their heart, I want them to see that there's so, so, so much more of that than one-off comment on Facebook,” Wright said.

The refusal of service comes weeks after the U-S Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Colorado web designer to refuse services for gay couples.