LANSING: On Wednesday, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission accused a salon in Traverse City of discrimination because it advertised that it would n’t serve transgender people.
If the Michigan Civil Rights Commission upholds the command following a hearing before an administrative law judge, Studio 8 Hair Lab, LLC may be subject to fines, suspension, or the renewal of its business permit, according to authorities.
The shop posted on Instagram in July, which has since been removed, asking people to visit a local pet groomer if they identify as anything other than men or women. You are not permitted to enter this shop. phase. Please be aware that if you ask to have a specific word used, we may just refer to you as “hey you.”
Regardless of whether someone was actually turned away from the business, the shop “flagrantly violated” the Elliott-Larson Civil Rights Act’s provisions for public accommodations, according to John Johnson, Jr., professional director of the Michigan Department of Civil privileges.
Although it is an important case, he said,” This is not a complicated case.”
There has not been a reading scheduled.
According to officials, Christine Geiger, the owner of the company, declined to take part in the district’s analysis or conciliation efforts.
The shop filed a lawsuit on October 25 against the town of Traverse City and the three individuals who had submitted certified problems to the state legal rights department, citing the restaurant’s right to free speech and religious expression.
According to Johnson, the situation concerns non-discriminatory access to companies whose goods or services are made available to the public rather than free speech or the First Amendment.
David Delaney of Gaylord, the salon’s lawyer, did not respond right away to emails sent via phone and email.
Gov. The Elliott-Larson Civil Rights Act was expanded by Gretchen Whitmer in March to explicitly include LGBTQ rights, but that law wo n’t go into effect until February 13. The Michigan Supreme Court upheld the commission’s long-held interpretation of the law regarding sexual bias, which included sexual preference and physical personality, in July 2022.
The U.S. Supreme Court sided with a Denver website designer on June 30 who argued that building websites for same-sex weddings violated her First Amendment rights and spiritual convictions. The Colorado case’s ruling by the court may have a big impact on another discrimination cases.
Officials pointed out that the company, not the proprietor, is being charged. If the company asserts that it has strong religious views, the section will address that in a subsequent legal filing, according to staff attorney Alannah Buford-Kamerman.
The remarks made by the salon are not encouraged in the community, according to Jocelyn Link, chair of the Polestar LGBTQ+ Community Center in Traverse City, at the time the Facebook post was made.
Link remarked,” Hate has repeatedly proven to be a failing business plan, and we must not let this scourge to take root in our city.” Thanks in part to our numerous friends and queer-friendly organizations,” Travel City” has a vibrant and lively gay community. Claims like the one from Studio 8 undermine the effort put forth to create Traverse City the best it possibly can be.
Paul Egan can be reached at 517-372-8660 or [email protected]. Following him on @paulegan4 on X, previously Online.
