Michigan hair salon faces backlash after banning transgender and queer customers, reportedly telling them to 'seek services at a local pet groomer'

• A salon in Michigan is facing backlash after announcing it wouldn't serve all LGBTQ+ people.
• Studio 8 Hair Lab received an onslaught of negative reviews following the since-deleted post.

A hair salon and its owner in Traverse City, Michigan is facing backlash after announcing that it would refuse service to queer and transgender people.

Studio 8 Hair Lab said in a post last weekend that it would not serve anyone who identifies "as anything other than a man/woman," USA Today reported. The Facebook post, which has since been deleted, suggested that anyone not matching that identity should instead "seek services at a local pet groomer," according to the report.

"You are not welcome at this salon. Period," the account for Studio 8 Hair Lab - Education and Beauty Supply said, according to USA Today. "Should you request to have a particular pronoun used please note we may simply refer to you as 'hey you.'"

In response, the salon's Google and Yelp pages have been flooded with negative reviews. The bio for Studio 8's now-private Instagram account called itself "A private CONSERVATIVE business that does not cater to woke ideologies."

The salon's announcement and subsequent backlash comes weeks after the Supreme Court ruled that businesses can refuse to serve LGBTQ+ clients. In June, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that a wedding website owner was allowed to deny services to gay couples.

Christine Geiger, the co-owner of the salon, said in a Facebook comment that she is not against those who are gay, bisexual, or lesbian, USA Today reported, but that she does have an issue with "the TQ+," referring to transgender, queer, and questioning people. Her comment reportedly also said the "+" referred to "minor attracted person aka: pedophile," echoing a baseless claim often repeated by conservatives and those in far-right groups seeking to depict LGBTQ+ people as predators and dangerous to children.

Geiger and Studio 8 Hair Lab did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment ahead of publication.

However, in an interview with Associated Press, Geiger said she is standing firm and believes Studio 8 Hair Lab should be able to deny service to anyone.

"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 told the AP.

She told the publication that she saw an "outpouring of support" from some of her clients and backlash from others, including threats and angry messages.

Swift backlash

On Wednesday, protestors stood outside of the salon chanting and holding signs, AP reported.

Traverse City is investigating whether or not Studio 8 Hair Lab has violated an anti-discrimination ordinance, according to the report. The city's major, Richard Lewis, told the publication that Traverse City is "disheartened to hear of any discriminatory behavior in our region."

Some within the haircare industry is also responding to Studio 8 Hair Lab's posts. Haircare brand Jack Winn Pro said on Instagram that it would no longer allow Studio 8 Hair Lab to sell its products following the bigoted statements.

"Jack Winn Pro strongly believes in and supports LGBTQ+ rights. We are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful environment for all - regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristics that define who they are," the post said.

Democratic Michigan State Rep. Betsy Coffia also condemned the salon's words in a public statement.

"To compare our LGBTQ+ neighbors to animals and pedophiles is breathtaking hate and bigotry from a studio in my community," Coffia said, "It is also dangerous because it dehumanizes fellow Michiganders at a time when violence against LGBTQ+ residents simply for who they are is already on the rise."

Studio 8 Hair Lab had a 1.2 out of 5-star rating on Google Reviews on Friday — but the Michigan salon is not the only one affected by the fallout.

A salon in Allentown, Pennsylvania with a similar name, Studio 8 Hair Loft, has also gotten negative reviews, despite it not being affiliated with Studio 8 Hair Lab in Traverse City, Michigan.

"I have received two bad, 1-star reviews because of people not reading the correct business names and addresses and just jumping into wanting to slander the other salon," Studio 8 Hair Loft said in a Facebook post. "STUDIO 8 HAIR LOFT is a very LGBTQ+ friendly salon, please do not mistake us for the other salon."