To help educate and uplift hairdressing as a welcoming environment for the LGBTQ+ community in the industry, professional hair care brand Redken has teamed up with It Gets Better to launch an anti-bullying initiative.
Hairdressers United: Stand Together Against Bullying has launched during Pride Month. The initiative grew out of the fact that Professional haircare brand Redken recently conducted a survey that revealed a staggering 100 percent of hair stylists had been bullied in the past.
A Redken statement reads: “As a diverse industry made up of individuals from all walks of life, emerging hair stylists, especially those who identify as LGBTQ+, faced challenges in finding acceptance and only started feeling embraced upon finding a home within the hair pro community. Redken is now working with hair professionals to make salons a safe space for LGBTQ+ people, and a haven for all hairdressers to find a community and purpose. Through the brand's partnership with the inspiring non-profit organisation, It Gets Better, Redken will activate its family of over one million salon professionals to inspire others to explore the welcoming hairdressing profession.
"Together, Redken and It Gets Better will embark on a mission to spread the message that everyone can feel safe, authentic and empowered in the hairdressing community, while evolving the hairdressing industry's LGBTQ+ inclusion practices and inspiring consumer allyship. Redken will utilise the It Gets Better unique education modules to upskill salon professionals with a training certification – allowing salons to become a Redken Certified Safe Space Salon, welcoming both clients and stylists to a space that positively influences their journey with empathy and understanding.”
As part of the Hairdressers United programme, Redken is also inviting stylists to share their personal stories on social media and inspire others to share theirs tagging #ItGetsBetter and #RedkenHairdressersUnited.
It Gets Better Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit organisation that strives to uplift, empower and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe. The project has garnered support from President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, along with numerous celebrities, including Kelly Clarkson, Gabrielle Union, Zachary Quinto, Mj Rodriguez and Gigi Gorgeous.