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Christine Geiger’s online posts have drawn criticism from Traverse City’s mayor and other officials, who said they were looking into whether she was violating a municipal anti-discrimination ordinance. In an email to the Free Press, Jocelyn Link, a chairperson at Polestar LGBTQ+ Community Center in Traverse City, said Studio 8 Hair Lab's comments are not welcome in the community. 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. Geiger and Studio 8 Hair Lab did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider ahead of publication. Michigan state Rep. Betsy Coffia, a Democrat, denounced the salon's posts as "breathtaking hate and bigotry."
Michigan Hair Salon Hit With Discrimination Charge For Rejecting Trans Clients
The city of 15,700 anchors a Lake Michigan resort community with sandy beaches, cherry orchards and arts festivals. Some residents say the city’s cheery exterior masks racial and cultural divides similar to those elsewhere in the U.S. “I’ve had a big outpouring of support from my existing clients,” she said, but she’s also been flooded with angry messages, some making threats.
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"The stylist who made those comments no longer has authorization to represent our brand or products." 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. 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. Studio 8 Hair Lab, a Traverse City-based hair salon, made the claim in a since-deleted post seemingly spurred by news of a US Supreme Court decision in favor of a Christian graphic designer seeking the right to refuse to work with gay couples. Smith’s opponents warned that a win for her would allow a range of businesses to discriminate, possibly refusing to serve Black, Jewish or Muslim customers, interracial or interfaith couples or immigrants.
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TRAVERSE CITY — A local salon owner has been charged with discrimination after refusing to serve certain members of the LGBTQ community. In their suit, Studio 8 challenges the constitutionality of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, gender or race. Attorney General Nessel argues that only the Michigan Court of Claims can hear cases against the State of Michigan and its departments.
State Charges TC Salon with Discrimination; Salon Sues City, Three Others - Traverse City Ticker
State Charges TC Salon with Discrimination; Salon Sues City, Three Others.
Posted: Thu, 16 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Geiger, the salon co-owner, told local outlet 9 & 10 News that she is taking a stand against legislation recently passed by Michigan legislators seeking to expand the state's hate crime law to protect gender identity and sexual orientation. In response to one of the negative reviews that appears to have been deleted, the salon owner said “LGB” clients are welcome, but “the rest of it is not something I support,” referencing transgender and queer people. Supreme Court sided with a Denver-based web designer who refused to create websites for same-sex weddings, arguing that it would violate her religious beliefs and right to free speech.
Michigan salon's anti-trans post blurs free speech and discrimination - USA TODAY
Michigan salon's anti-trans post blurs free speech and discrimination.
Posted: Wed, 19 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
A local LGBTQ+ advocacy group told the Detroit Free Press that the comments are not welcome in the city. The Michigan salon received backlash online and at one point had a 1.5-star rating on Google Reviews, screenshots posted to Facebook show. But Jay Kaplan, staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigan’s LGBTQ+ Project, said the same argument could not be applied in the case of Studio 8 Hair Lab as giving a haircut would not qualify as a customized tailored speech. News of Studio 8 Hair Lab’s post, and subsequent refusal of service, was first reported by the northern Michigan television station 9&10 News.
The salon itself – located on Eighth Street – was closed, with a sign posted on the door that services are by appointment only. 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. 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.
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The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office develops educational training session and resources designed to increase awareness of implicit bias and its impact in the work we do and the people we serve. There will be a court hearing to determine Studio 8′s punishment, but that date has not been released. Geiger told us in July that she was taking a stand against being forced to use preferred pronouns such as they/them, he/him and she/her. 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.
A claimant or respondent who does not agree with the Commission’s final order may appeal to the circuit court for review of the case. CEED seeks to engage a broad range of stakeholders to achieve long-term and sustainable outcomes to complex problems. We collaborate with community organizations; churches; non-profit organizations; and city, county, state and federal government entities to address issues affecting the well-being of community members. Engaging in a collaborative manner is a powerful tool used to bring about environmental, social and behavioral changes that will improve the health of the community and its members. "Should you request to have a particular pronoun used please note we may simply refer to you as 'hey you.' Regardless of MI HB 4744," the post stated. "We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and reiterate our commitment to supporting their rights," Jack Winn Pro continued.
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The court ruled the business can decline to make a product that carries a message supporting LGBTQ people. 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 department claims in the charge filed Wednesday that Traverse City’s Studio 8 Hair Lab violated the state’s civil rights act in a Facebook post in July from its owner, Christine Geiger, by unlawfully discriminating against three claimants. CEED’s educational efforts provide customers with information and training about civil rights laws and enhances the awareness of civil rights issues. It provides the public with a resource for the proactive prevention of discrimination within a community.
City Attorney Lauren Trible-Laucht notes that Studio 8’s legal team has agreed to extend the deadline for defendants to respond until December 1, with the city now working toward filing a response. Trible-Laucht otherwise declined to comment on the case, citing the ongoing nature of the litigation. The case is before Judge Kevin Elsenheimer, though no hearings have yet been set. The salon's owner did not respond to requests for comment from USA TODAY or the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network. Christine Geiger, identified as a co-owner of the salon on LinkedIn, said in a Facebook comment reviewed by USA TODAY that she has "no issues" with lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
"STUDIO 8 HAIR LOFT is a very LGBTQ+ friendly salon, please do not mistake us for the other salon." “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. A judge has ruled in favor of a bakery owner who refused to make wedding cakes for a same-sex couple because it violated her religious beliefs. Since July of this year, MDCR has received a total of 21 complaints of discrimination against Studio 8. Of those, 3 are part of the current charge, another 3 are currently under investigation and 2 are being evaluated to determine if the department has jurisdiction.
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