09
Nov
2023
09
Nov
2023
Transgender Awareness Week: BABTAC are calling for beauty professionals to create gender-inclusive salon spaces
To help to provide education about transgender people and the issues associated with their transition and/or identity, November 13th – 29th marks Transgender Awareness Week. To support the community, BABTAC (British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology) is urging beauty professionals to ensure their salon spaces remain inclusive for all genders with its best practice salon document.
The Gender Identity Research & Education Society (GIRES) estimates that around 1 per cent of the UK population experience a degree of gender diversity1. With the invaluable insight of BABTAC’s Gender Inclusivity Expert and Founder of Be Trans Aware, Sam Marshall (She/Her), the industry body has created the Diversity & Inclusivity Best Practice guide for its 10,000 members, providing tangible steps to make their business a welcoming and safe space for all.
Commenting on the importance of gender inclusivity within the beauty industry, Lesley Blair MBE (She/Her), CEO and Chairperson of BABTAC (British Association of British Therapy and Cosmetology) & CIBTAC says “As beauty therapists, our very purpose, regardless of what treatment we perform, is to improve our client’s overall wellbeing, including boosting their self-esteem and self-confidence. Intolerance or ignorance should have no place in our salons, so making sure we’re always reflecting and improving our businesses to be more inclusive is key to holding us accountable.”
Key takeouts from the document, include the following advice by Gender Inclusivity Expert, Sam Marshall:
“Education is everything! A better understanding of all people’s perspectives and experiences helps eradicate discrimination and builds tolerance and understanding” shares Sam. The industry also has access to brilliant training resources, including trans awareness training courses for salon teams.
Lesley Blair MBE, Chair of BABTAC & CIBTAC, says “Beauty plays a key part in many transgender people’s lives, and it’s essential that industry professionals are sensitive not only to their feelings but to the physical changes they’re going through, too. The treatment room is an intimate space where everyone should feel comfortable and at ease, and we need to take that responsibility seriously, even more so when treating those who need respect and acceptance as they transition.”
“If you use or require titles for anything add in Mx as a gender-neutral option (as opposed to just Mr & Mrs, Ms etc)” says Sam Marshall.
Sam advises “Take a look over your branding, salon, website, social media, marketing etc. When you look across all of these areas, what does it look like? Does it convey a welcoming and safe space for all?”
“If you still need to have some gender-specific ones to attract some clients i.e. men’s waxing – that’s ok, but make sure the rest of your treatment menu is gender neutral” advises Sam
The wider report includes essential advice including understanding gender identity terms, phrases to avoid and the importance of pronouns. The Diversity & Inclusivity Best Practice Guide is available to BABTAC members, as just one of many educational tools and benefits offered to members by BABTAC. Membership prices start from £45.00.
For more information on joining BABTAC please visit www.babtac.com or contact the membership team on 01452 623 110.
Read it? Loved it? Want to share it?
