A social media post from earlier this year that stated trans customers were” not welcome” and should instead” get services at a local dog groomer” has resulted in discrimination accusations against the Michigan hair salon.
Christine Geiger, user of Studio 8 Hair Lab in Traverse City, allegedly violated the country’s civil rights act by unjustly discriminating against three claims in a July Facebook post, according to the charge brought on Wednesday.
A native dog grooming should be contacted if a person identifies as anything other than men or women. You are not permitted to enter this shop. period,” read the post.
Please be aware that we may only speak to you as “hey you” if you request to have a specific noun used. Despite MI HB 4744, the post continued, alluding to a Michigan hate crime law script.
The law was modified by Gov. Earlier this year, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer proposed allowing bias against people based on their “gender identification or expression,”” physical orientation,” as well as their era or impairments.
Before it was removed, the post received hundreds of comments and responses, including major backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates.
If the Michigan Civil Rights Commission adopts the command following a hearing before an administrative law judge, Salon 8 Hair Lab may be subject to fines, suspension, or the renewal of its business permit.
On October 25, the shop owner filed her own grievance against the capital of Traverse City and the three people, alleging that they had each violated their First Amendment rights by bringing civil privileges complaints.
Over the summer, Traverse City announced that the shop was being looked into for discrimination based on the claims.
Geiger clarified that she has” no problems with LGB,” referring to lesbian, gay, and lesbian people, on a different Social page after deleting the article.
In reference to trans, queer, and persons of various sexual orientations, she continued,” I’m not going to support the TQ+.”
Geiger then allegedly made a false claim that the” +” stood for pedophiles.
She wrote,” This stance was taken to ensure that clients have the best experience, and I’m admitting that since I do n’t want to play the pronoun game or satisfy requests outside of what I consider to be normal, this probably isn a good option for that kind of client.”
Geiger defended her position in an appointment with the Associated Press in July, saying that small business owners may be free to offer whoever they choose.
Simply put, I do n’t want the woke dollar. She said,” I’d rather not be as busy than to have to perform services that I do n’t agree with.”
The Elliott-Larson Civil Rights Act of Michigan forbids discrimination based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, gender, height, weight, familial status, or spousal standing in jobs, accommodation, and public service.
The state’s Civil Rights Act wo n’t go into effect until February 2024, despite the fact that it was amended earlier this year to include more protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.
According to authorities, the Department of Civil Rights may take complaints and have case law authority under sex for both gender identity or appearance and sexual orientation until it goes into effect.
Utilizing Post lines.
