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"Men-only" barber shop under fire for female discrimination
Quote:
A male-only barber shop in trendy inner Sydney has come under fire on social media for its strict "no women allowed" policy.
But customers of Hawleywood's in Newtown, which also has three stores in California, have leapt to the chain's defence, urging it to not be "bullied by the mob".
The latest flare-up came after musician Kelly Jeanious posted about her friend's experience visiting the Hawleywood salon on the weekend, Yahoo reported.
"A guy came in for a cut," she wrote. "He was told his girlfriend could not wait 'cause it is a men's only space. Then the guy proceeded to talk about the inequalities of men for the next half an hour and how unfair Fernwood gym is."
Lindsay McDowens posted a picture of a map of the globe to the store's Facebook page, writing: "Here's a picture of a safe male space. Grow up you crybaby scaredy-cats."
A sex discrimination complaint against the store was made to the Human Rights Commission, but was dismissed.
in a lengthy response posted to Facebook, Hawleywood's defended its policy. "We pride ourselves in an impeccable cut, shave and male grooming in a secure, understanding setting sensitive to the insecurities men feel during these procedures," the store wrote.
"We cater to men who posses [sic] insecurities with [their] grooming, they feel uncomfortable receiving these services in a grooming environment that is targeted towards women, especially during the uncomfortable and sometimes awkward process of removing excess overgrown nasal hair, ear hair, eyebrows and during the process of hair cuts that cater specifically to the concealment of baldness, an issue most men [are] sensitive and embarrassed about."
"They prefer the sanctitude of an understanding and empathetic male environment that lacks judgment during these procedures.
"We also cater to a large homosexual community in Newtown, and assist a number of regular transsexual/transgender clientele that are in the process of transition from female to male genders with inherit insecurities regarding gender, craving advice from men on how to groom themselves during this transition that Hawleywood's is more than happy and honoured to provide."
The store said that if the policy were to change, "we will no longer be able to provide this sanctitude and privacy for men who feel uncomfortable getting these procedures done in front of women".
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