TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A Traverse City hair salon owner says those who do not identify as either a man or a woman are not welcome in her salon, adding that she is “not willing to play the pronoun game or cater to requests outside what I perceive as normal.”
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“If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman please seek services at a local pet groomer,” Christine Geiger, owner of Studio 8 Hair Lab, wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post. “Should you request to have a particular pronoun used please note we may simply refer to you as “hey you”.”
Geiger said her right to refuse a customer’s request for specific pronouns “regardless of MI HB 4744” or “Governor Witchmere.” The referenced bill, which passed the Michigan House, would expand the state’s hate crime law to prohibit harassment based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Some have argued it could criminalize the refusal to use preferred pronouns, though this interpretation is disputed.
Geiger’s actions were condemned by a hair product manufacturer, Jack Winn Pro, whose products she regularly used, promoted, and sold.
“It has come to our attention that disturbing comments have been attributed to one of our products users,” the company wrote in a social media statement. “We want to make it clear that we disapprove of and reject hate speech in any form …. Importantly: The stylist who made those comments no longer has authorization to represent our brand or products.”
Geiger said she made her decision to ensure her clients have the best experience at her salon.
“I have no issues with the LGB,” she wrote on Facebook. “It’s the TQ+ that I’m not going to support. For those that don’t know what the + is for, it’s for MAP (Minor Attracted Person aka: pedophile) …. This is a free country and I am not a slave to any narrative.”
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In a statement to WWTV, Polestar, Traverse City’s LGBTQ organization, said Geiger’s comments are “not welcomed.”
“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,” the organization said.
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