"We’re aware that entering salons/barbers can generate various anxieties and challenges and we are continuously looking to be as adaptable and welcoming as we can," they say
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Open Barbers: the salon where hair has no gender celebrates their 10th anniversary, continuing to provide judgement-free haircuts to people of all and no genders and sexualities.
The salon was started by founder Greygory Vass, who experienced the difficulty of getting a haircut he wanted from hairdressers that only catered to either women or men.
“My dad used to take me to his barbers, but they would turn me away because I’m a trans person, and at that time, they would say they don’t do women’s hair,” says Greygory.
“The idea that all people on the planet can be divided into simplistic categories such as male/female & gay/straight, and all the physical gender stereotypes that come along with that, is being challenged every day by many of our clients just through them getting on with their lives.”
The salon operates as a not-for-profit organisation, where clients pay what they can afford for their haircuts. Although the focus is on creating a safe space for LGBTQ+ people, everyone is welcome.
Creating a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community:
Ten years on from opening, City News asked Open Barbers whether they had noticed more openness in London around the LGBTQ+ community:
“Some of our clients are accepted and welcomed for who they are in other areas of their lives, but we also know there is a backlash to this increased visibility, which affects some more than others in terms of their safety.”
“We still have a long way to go before we can say that homophobia and transphobia are a thing of the past.”
As Pride Month comes to an end, Open Barbers hopes to continue to provide an open space for people to be who they are, free from judgement or expectation – and looking the part is the first step.
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Short Headline
Standfirst
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HeadlineLGBTQ+ barbers in Shoreditch celebrates its 10th anniversary
Short HeadlineOpen Barbers in Shoreditch celebrates 10th Birthday
Standfirst"We still have a long way to go before we can say that homophobia and transphobia are a thing of the past."
Open Barbers: the salon where hair has no gender celebrates their 10th anniversary, continuing to provide judgement-free haircuts to people of all and no genders and sexualities.
The salon was started by founder Greygory Vass, who experienced the difficulty of getting a haircut he wanted from hairdressers that only catered to either women or men.
“My dad used to take me to his barbers, but they would turn me away because I’m a trans person, and at that time, they would say they don’t do women’s hair,” says Greygory.
“The idea that all people on the planet can be divided into simplistic categories such as male/female & gay/straight, and all the physical gender stereotypes that come along with that, is being challenged every day by many of our clients just through them getting on with their lives.”
The salon operates as a not-for-profit organisation, where clients pay what they can afford for their haircuts. Although the focus is on creating a safe space for LGBTQ+ people, everyone is welcome.
Creating a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community:
Ten years on from opening, City News asked Open Barbers whether they had noticed more openness in London around the LGBTQ+ community:
“Some of our clients are accepted and welcomed for who they are in other areas of their lives, but we also know there is a backlash to this increased visibility, which affects some more than others in terms of their safety.”
“We still have a long way to go before we can say that homophobia and transphobia are a thing of the past.”
As Pride Month comes to an end, Open Barbers hopes to continue to provide an open space for people to be who they are, free from judgement or expectation – and looking the part is the first step.
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