Life

These barbers gave free gender-affirming haircuts to LGBTQ+ youth for “bodily autonomy”

"No appointment necessary, just walk in!" the announcement on social media read.
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A hairdresser giving a haircut in Louisville
A hairdresser giving a haircut in Louisville Photo: WDRB

Barbers and stylists from Louisville, Kentucky, teamed up last Sunday to give free, gender-affirming haircuts for LGBTQ+ youth in the area.

“Hair wizards” from across Kentucky’s largest city convened at Werkhaus Barbers on Bardstown Road for the free event aimed at providing “bodily autonomy” for their clients. LGBTQ+ youth were the priority patrons.

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“Part of the reason why we do this event is to give young people bodily autonomy and give them the freedom to decide how they want to present themselves, what kind of cut they want to get,” Em Joy, Louisville Youth Group program director, told WDRB News.

“And we make it really accessible by not charging for it.”

“No Appointment Necessary, just walk-in! Priority will be given to LGBTQIA+ Youth and Young Adults (ages 5-24). All hair textures are welcome!” read an Insta post promoting the free — and free your hair — hair day.

LGBTQ+ clientele at Sunday’s event could get their own hair did or bring in wigs for free cutting and styling.

Barbers and stylists from six different hair spots contributed services on their usual hairdressers’ holiday: Benny and Ian from Werkhaus, Shan of Sensations Salon & Spa, Cody with Cody Cuts Hair, Chance at Chance thee Barber, Jenna from Pelo West, Laura with Beards and Beers, and freestylist Tyler Carter.

Noble Funk Brewing brought in the pizza.

Established in the late 1980s by local community members and PFLAG, Louisville Youth Group supports LGBTQ+ youth through “community connection, life skills education and social advocacy” and has served thousands of young people from Kentuckiana (that’s a portmanteau for the combined areas of Louisville and Southern Indiana).

The local nonprofit provides supportive programming and organizes events like an annual Pasta Dinner/Talent Show, LGBTQ+ Youth Prom, a Youth Leadership Retreat and a New Year’s Eve “Lock-in.”

They’re also an active supporter of Kentuckiana’s Pride Month celebrations and Pride visibility opportunities and are working to create “space for youth to heal and develop into the LGBTQIA+ leaders of tomorrow.”

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