This might be stating the obvious, but we’ll say it anyway: here at Treatwell, we love all things hair and beauty. It’s our jam – our bread and butter, if you will. And, if you’re a Treatwell customer – chances are you do, too. And who could blame you? It’s a world full of self-care, pampering, and ‘me-time’, and it’s made up of a community of diverse and passionate individuals – from skilled professionals to loyal customers (that’s you).
But, whilst we love our industry, we’re also well aware that there’s a lot of work to be done when it comes to inclusivity, especially for those in the LGBTQIA+ community. Like many businesses, plenty of inequality, assumptions, and stereotypes still exist in the world of hair, beauty, and wellness. And that’s not something that our customers, our partners, or the community deserve.
That’s why this Pride Month, we want to kick off our journey towards creating a more diverse and inclusive industry. We want to change the experience when customers book with us, and make sure that everyone can enjoy inclusive treatment. Ultimately, we want to treat everyone well. We know that this won’t happen overnight. But it will happen. Because the world of hair and beauty is ready for a ‘before & after’. Want to be part of the change for good? Read on to find out more.
Self-care is (really) important
We’ve all felt that all-empowering ‘just stepped out of the salon’ feeling after a fresh haircut,
The radiant glow from within (and out) after a rejuvenating facial.
That lighter-than-air, no-care-in-the-world feeling during a really good massage.
Yep, if we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a million times – we believe in the power of self-care. For members of the LGBTQIA+ community, this power can be even more profound. Whether it’s a gender-affirming haircut, a manicure that lets you be your authentic self, or simply taking the time for a soothing massage, – treatments can empower you to embrace and express who you really are, like a warm, well-deserved hug.
That’s why we believe that self-care and self-expression aren’t luxuries for the privileged few – they should be accessible to all. Because, when it comes down to it, the world of self-care and pampering can be an intimidating place. It’s up close and personal. Like when we bare our skin for that massage, or strip down for the smoothest wax. Or when we sit down in the salon chair ready for a transformative haircut, or close our eyes for some dramatic new lashes. Putting ourselves in the hands of the pros can be a lot, so it’s vital to us that all of our customers feel safe, accepted, and reassured.
So, starting (but certainly not ending) with Pride Month, we’re introducing our first initiative to get the ball rolling. Drumroll, please…🥁
Signposting LGBTQIA+ friendly salons
Our idea is simple. We know that plenty of our partner salons, just like us, are passionate about inclusive treatment. We also know that our customers – whether they identify as LGBTQIA+, or want to support the community as an ally – care more and more about seeking out businesses that align with this.
So that’s where we started. We want to signpost safe spaces for our customers, whilst giving our partners the opportunity to declare themselves as proudly LGBTQIA+ friendly. To do this, our hair salons, beauty spots and barber shops and more have to accept our inclusivity pledge with pride to show they actively support inclusive treatment. Their Treatwell page will then be adorned with a badge, showing the world, and any potential clients, that they have taken this pledge, and signposting their salon as an LGBTIA+ friendly safe treatment space.
How do our salons badge their business?
In order for one of our salons to get the badge on their Treatwell page, they need to:
- Carefully read our “pledge with pride”.
- Accept the pledge with pride by filling out their salon’s info, and clicking the “Accept” button.
- Understand that doing so means that they’ve committed to upholding those Pride values*, and showing their support for inclusive treatment with every appointment.
*Pride values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, Excellence
Once a salon has accepted the pledge with pride, we’ll then review their pledge, and pop an LGBTQIA+ friendly badge on their page on the Treatwell marketplace. Here’s a sneak peek of that pledge…
As part of our initiative, we’re also encouraging our partner salons to take positive action towards making their salons (and the industry) more inclusive, by:
- Asking you, our customers, for reviews on inclusivity in their salon, & addressing any feedback you might have.
- Motivating their staff to learn about Diversity & Inclusion. Want to check out some of the great online courses and resources we’ve recommended?:
- Trans Awareness Training by The Beauty Guru
- LGBTQ+ Allies Programme by Stonewall
- Diversity and Inclusivity in the Hairdressing Industry by Green Salon Collective
- Training on different hair textures by WIG london
- How to talk (and listen) to transgender people by Jackson Bird
- Why we need gender-neutral bathrooms by Ivan Coyote
What it means for you
We want our LGBTQIA+ customers to feel safe, accepted, and understood, especially at their most intimate and vulnerable pampering moments. By proudly displaying the badge, our salons are saying it loud and clear – that they won’t stand for discrimination, and that their salon is a proud safe space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. It guides clients like you towards salons that prioritise inclusivity, so that you can book by the badge, and enjoy (and expect) inclusive treatment.
And, when we find a salon that genuinely understands and appreciates our identity? Well, that’s when the magic happens. We’re talking confidence-boosting, gender-affirming, transformative magic. We all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, to invest in our wellness and beauty journey, and to express our unique style and beauty. By allowing and encouraging our salons to pledge with pride, we hope that we can go some way to helping the LGBTQIA+ community do so without reservation. Because me-time should be worry-free time.
Book by the badge
We know that our customers care about finding businesses that share their beliefs and values, which is why we’re encouraging you to book by the badge. Whether you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally, booking by the badge ensures that you can expect inclusive treatment – no matter who you are or how you identify.
What’s more, by supporting businesses that have shown their commitment to inclusivity by pledging with pride, you’re holding the hair and beauty community to a higher standard. You’re saying ‘no’ to prejudice, beauty standards, stereotypes & discrimination. And you’re helping us to pave the way for a more welcoming and inclusive industry – from root to tip.
How to book by the badge
Look for the LGBTQIA+ friendly badge when you book hair, beauty, barbers & beyond. By doing so, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that the salons you support are committed to treating everyone well. Ta-da – your beauty and wellness experience just got even more enriching.
Treat everyone well
We truly hope that this will be the first step of many in creating safe treatment spaces for our customers, and a more inclusive experience for those in the LGBTQIA+ community. We want to ensure that you feel accepted and affirmed whenever you have a treatment with Treatwell. This is primping and pampering without prejudice. Not just for Pride Month. For self-care and self-expression, every month. Let’s treat everyone well.