How do you see hair playing a role in your clients’ self-expression and sense of self? Have you seen any transformations – literal or emotional – that really stuck with you?
I think arriving at a comfortable place with your hair can be complex because there are so many social pressures to navigate, which are often in conflict with how people actually feel about themselves. Hair is aesthetic, sensory, cultural, and literally a part of our bodies. It’s not so simple as making free choices. Some of us have to also think about being safe, being respected and taken seriously in our jobs, and being seen by our community – all balanced with feeling good about ourselves. Hair is something we can change about ourselves more rapidly, compared to the several-years-long wait lists for trans healthcare, so our role here as hair stylists is very important for people at early stages in their transition. Supporting people to get closer to a sense of themselves is a very rewarding, sometimes emotional and usually a very exciting journey that I always feel privileged to be on with people.
One particular transformation that I will never forget is providing a Palestinian, trans asylum seeker with their first haircut since they fled Gaza. I felt very touched to be the person who could provide a long overdue, gender-affirming haircut after months of it getting longer and him feeling very dysphoric. I just don’t really have the words for that experience, even now. He was happy and he cried – it was very humbling, and of course I paid for the haircut myself as one of the very few things in my power to offer.
How did you and the staff at Open Out feel when learning of the recent Supreme Court ruling?
I can’t speak for all the staff but we are certainly shaken by it. I personally feel motivated to keep doing what we do. The importance of our space has just magnified and many clients have told me they are so grateful for our space. Hair can be such a powerful part of personal identity – especially for queer and trans people, so we are focused on remaining sustainable and leading by example and providing consistency and security for our community. Many of our clients are involved in various initiatives for the trans community and mutual support goes on all the time. We will just carry on, and continue caring.
How do you think this decision will affect trans people more broadly, and have you already seen it reflected in the moods or conversations with your clients?
This “clarification”, if we can call it that, is very harmful to the mental wellbeing of all trans people, especially trans women and non binary people, as it forces people into a form of house arrest if they feel they can’t meet such a basic need as going to the toilet when not at home. Anxiety is highly prevalent among trans communities and the hyper vigilance and gender policing this ruling encourages across society is extremely detrimental. It’s not only trans people who will continue to suffer but also women perceived to have masculine features and anyone who doesn’t fit a narrow stereotype of binary gender. However, I am meeting a lot of people who see it for what it is, a ruling based on the prejudiced influence of a small but wealthy minority and there are many allies speaking out as feminists with the message ‘not in my name’. I hope there is a way to overturn this unworkable ruling, especially seeing as literally no one will be made safer from it.
What gives you hope right now? What keeps you going despite everything?
My community. I’m blessed to work in a place where I meet so many different kinds of people, all ages, all interests, all backgrounds. We have so many brilliant minds and talents in our community, such articulate and creative people, and such kind and caring people. I will do all I can to nurture this space in the hope of better days ahead for us all.
For more information and to book an appointment, Visit Open Out’s website here.
Hannah Bentley is a freelance journalist. Follow her on Instagram.
Buy your copy of Huck 81 here.
Enjoyed this article? Follow Huck on Instagram and sign up to our newsletter for more from the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture.
Support stories like this by becoming a member of Club Huck.
