Michigan salon owner denies service following SCOTUS ruling, angers trans activists.
The Controversy Surrounding a Michigan Hair Salon Owner’s Refusal to Serve Transgender Customers
The owner of a Michigan hair salon is making headlines for her refusal to do business with transgender individuals, sparking a debate about the limits of free speech and freedom of religion.
Christine Geiger, the salon owner in Traverse City, Michigan, has taken a firm stance against serving men who identify as women or women who identify as men. In an interview with The Associated Press, Geiger stated, “I just don’t want the woke dollar… I’d rather not be as busy than to have to do services that I don’t agree with.”
Geiger’s decision is rooted in her opposition to what she sees as the increasing influence of transgender ideology in schools and doctors’ offices. She believes that her salon should not be forced to cater to these ideologies.
The controversy began when Geiger posted a message on Facebook stating that individuals who identify as anything other than a man or a woman should seek services at a local pet groomer. She also changed the salon’s Instagram bio to emphasize that it is a private conservative business that does not cater to woke ideologies.
Disgusting.
A hair salon in Michigan announced it will discriminate against trans/queer people seeking haircuts.
Studio 8 Hair Lab, by Christine Geiger, announced that she would refuse service to trans and queer people, and any haircut not deemed “normal” for their gender. pic.twitter.com/lEzsFRS8vS
— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) July 11, 2023
Geiger’s posts quickly drew backlash, prompting city officials to investigate whether she was violating any city ordinances.
Mayor Richard Lewis expressed disappointment in Geiger’s discriminatory behavior, emphasizing that the city values providing a safe environment for all individuals.
This controversy comes on the heels of a recent Supreme Court ruling that protected a Denver web designer’s right to refuse creating wedding websites for same-sex couples based on religious and moral objections. The ruling in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis affirmed the freedom of individuals to think and speak as they wish without government compulsion.
The question now is whether giving a haircut can be considered a form of speech. Constitutional law professor Brendan Beery believes that Geiger’s actions likely violate state law, as the recent Supreme Court decision specifically addressed expressive services like building websites.
Geiger’s case raises important questions about the boundaries of free speech protections, and it is likely to be resolved in the courts.
Source: The Western Journal
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