When a Haircut Is More Than Just a Haircut

I am a White Gay male who is 64 years old and I live in Public Housing. The only people who will not get on the elevator with me... or get off the elevator when I get on... are Black males. Do you suppose that the homophobia and genderphobia of Athletic culture... Rap culture... and the Black Church could be a factor in this environmental oddity?

You should check out Michael Jemison's short clip, "Buzzed". https://michaeldonte.com/#/buzzed-short-film/

Thanks for this article! As a straight, cis gender black man I too have trouble finding a barbershop free of homophobia and misogyny. I just want a haircut without having to hear slurs and hypermasculine foolishness. The black community is not monolithic.

Great article. A good haircut done in a comfortable setting...wow, what a dream. Male haircutters frown and scowl at me, women want to know how many children I have and what my husband does. When I try and explain what I'm looking for ina cut, I get I am 68 years old now and still dread walking in to get a cut. I guess there are some perks to city living when shops like these are around. As it is, I continue to present myself with ill chopped hair and an ever present cap. I did get a good haircut once in New Haven in 1979.

THIS is pro-life!

Dez, my new hero. She should be President.

A lot of hate in the black community. Drive it out through informed consumerism.

As the owner of one of the shops referenced in this article I’m honored to be part of something so important. Not only is filmmaker Derrick Middleton one of our clients, but we are also helping to promote awareness of his Shape Up app (shapeupco.org) which will connect clients with LGTBQ-safe/friendly spaces. Providing a safe, inclusive space in Harlem is personal to me. I’m a straight owner, who had a gay son. I opened my shop in his honor. We are respectful and welcoming to all, but with a specific mission to be a source of support for all in the LGBTQ community, from giving free haircuts and care bags to homeless LGBTQ youth on his birthday each year to participating in additional screenings of this very important documentary. Thanks to all those who provide these spaces, included in this article or not.

There are online platforms that list LGBTQ friendly businesses (they are vetted) in order to help with this issue. It used to be called the Pink Pages (like Yellow Pages) but now it’s called Gayborhood. They are all over the country. People should feel welcome and safe wherever they are.

Shoutout to my barber Dez, she's been the only person in the world I trust to cut my hair since we were roommates way back when!

Thanks for this story. It is important.

I was so happy when I found Khane's barbershop many years ago when I lived in NYC. I would travel an hour to Brooklyn just to get my hair cut because I knew it was a safe place. I'm so glad to see her and others who provide this space getting the spotlight.

This is good. It is a mitzvah, root word tzavta, which means connection, and more than a good deed. Connect. We are all humans and we are all animals and we are all birds and reptiles. Connect. Use your best motives, behaviors. And progress. Never hold back or miss an opportunity to be decent.

Reminds me of the short story “Shape-ups at Delilah’s”

My barber literally is a functional illiterate, but the brother can cut and he's been cutting my hair literally since the 70's. He went through special education, then vocational rehabilitation and is a conservative business man now. I laugh as he complains about state regulations per the barbering profession. But to hear him give his political points of view makes me cringe. On top of that his clientele (at least the ones I witness while I'm there still twice a month because now I have a grey beard that needs constant grooming, very little to cut on the top)are some of the most uninformed people. I hear people call the black barbershop, the black country club, but I have to differ with the shop I go to. It's more like the misinformation house of cards: the owner and I are tight like AC and OJ and we go way back, but I am forced to show much restraint since I don't carry.

In a city I visited recently, I think it might have been Portland , Oregon, a lot of businesses had big signs at their entrance that say "We don't discriminate on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation..." (with a longer list of things). It felt like an official acknowledgment that the employees of that business have to abide by that standard and it's a safe space, like restaurants that have the giant "A" grades in NYC.

Neal's: the Hair Salon in Baltimore. 30+ years of kindness, with scissors. :)

One of the best stories I've read in a while, and kudos to Ms. Kutzwell for creating a fantastic shop. If I lived in NYC, I would be one of her regular customers. And for all us who are gay, trans or non-binary, let's follow Ms. Kutzwell's path. When businesses disrespect us, let's either make our own, or take our dollars to those places that welcome us. And straight people are always welcome! We need allies.

I'm still hoping to find a comfortable barber shop. With not much hair left, it doesn't take long to get my hair cut. Nevertheless I stopped going to one shop when a new barber made me feel uncomfortable. My current shop is/was slightly better. One barber asked if I was going to watch July 4th fireworks with my wife. I said no, but my husband would like them. The other barbers laughed. I have to find a new shop. The last time I went there was a discussion between barbers and patrons as to which of the local county jails served the best food. Or maybe I'm going to have to go the shave-my-head route.

Thanks, Aaron Randle, and NYT for this reporting. Apps mentioned here are needed nationally, globally.

Katori Hall’s The Hot Wing King now at the Signature Theatre, although not set at a barbershop, includes the characters of an Afro-American gay barber and a couple of men who met in his shop.

Great Story!!! Thank You!!!

Thank you for this article.

"Straight people welcome." Brilliant.

Khane used to cut my hair when I lived in Brooklyn. I sought her out because, as a woman, the male-dominated barbershops were uncomfortable for me and white salons weren’t super welcoming. This is before Black women barbershops were popping up in Bed Stuy. She was great and I immediately thought of her when I saw this article.

I've experienced rabid homophobia in white barbershops too. In one case, it was the barber who used the slurs. My response was to speak out against the abuse and leave mid-haircut without paying. I never went back again.

Smiling while reading this article. Khane cut off my hip length dreds years ago when no one else wanted to, and I've been grateful for the experience ever since. I've gotten creative with my shorter hair, and with that creativity and confidence it's changed my attitude and the attitude of others around me. I know no matter when I go in, the aura/vibe of her shop will always be on point and positive.

This is a great article. I am glad that these terrific professional barbers have created safe spaces and offer top notch services. It’s inspiring. More power to you!

Thank God for Khane and Dez. They help to keep all of us in the LGBTQ community safe and proud of who we are.

Great work and beautiful story! More black LGBTQ owned barbershops! This is the issue all of us need to rally behind! I hope the DNC makes this a major part of their election platform to help defeat Trump in 2020!

Beautiful New York story! I love it here in Chelsea my barber is trans and he is incredible and it’s all done in a blended loving atmosphere and I get the best haircut and shave I could imagine. I could care less who gives it as long as it’s given with love and inclusion. Kudos loving barbers of America! Family is family