5 Ways to Celebrate Pride Month in Your Salon

June is Pride Month, which is the perfect time to honor and celebrate our wonderful LGBTQIA+ community, here at Sola and beyond. As an independent salon owner at Sola, you have the opportunity to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for your clients that celebrates diversity and self-expression of all kinds. Here are some ways to honor the LGBTQIA+ community in your salon and show your support for Pride this June, and all year round.  

1. Support, Promote and Donate to LGBTQIA+ Causes

There are numerous reputable charities and funds – both beauty-industry related and not – that would benefit from your support, including:

• Hair Has No Gender - Hair Has No Gender is an organization dedicated to promoting inclusive beauty and barber services. It provides a platform for finding affirming salons and barbershops that respect and celebrate gender diversity. The initiative aims to create safe and welcoming environments for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.
• Dresscode Project - The Dresscode Project is a global alliance of salons committed to offering gender-affirming hair services. Its mission is to empower stylists and barbers to provide haircuts that help clients look the way they feel. As a salon owner, partnering with DressCode Project can help you receive training and resources to better serve your clients and make your salon a safe and welcoming space for all. This includes education on gender identity, pronoun usage, creating a safe, welcoming space and more. By participating in their training and online directory, you can demonstrate your commitment to providing inclusive services and practice allyship.  
• GLAAD - GLAAD (formerly the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) is a leading media advocacy organization dedicated to promoting LGBTQIA+ acceptance. They tackle tough issues to shape narratives and provoke dialogue, leading to cultural change through various media channels. GLAAD hosts high-profile events, like the annual GLAAD Media Awards, which recognize outstanding representations of the LGBTQ community in media.
• PFLAG - PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is the first and largest organization for LGBTQIA+ people, their parents and families, and allies. PFLAG provides support, education, and advocacy to unite LGBTQIA+ people with their loved ones. Their network of local chapters offers community-based resources and peer support for families and individuals across the country.
• The Trevor Project - The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQIA+ youth. They offer accredited life-saving, life-affirming programs and services to LGBTQIA+ young people under 25, including a 24/7 crisis intervention hotline, text, and chat services. Their mission is to end suicide among LGBTQIA+ youth by providing critical support and advocacy​.
• Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the largest LGBTQIA+ civil rights organization in the United States. They work to achieve equality and ensure that LGBTQIA+ people can live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights at home, at work, and in every community. HRC advocates through lobbying, public education, and outreach, and they rely on donations to support their initiatives and campaigns for LGBTQ+ equality.

2. Preferred Pronouns 

Using clients' preferred pronouns is a simple yet impactful way to show respect for their gender identity. The SolaGenius app makes it easy to ask for and store clients' preferred pronouns so that you can easily remember; be sure to utilize this feature and make it a standard part of your salon's booking process. 

3. Promote an Inclusive Salon Atmosphere for All Clients 

Creating an inclusive environment in your studio starts with you. Practice openness, acceptance and non-judgment in creating a safe space for clients of all different identities. It can be comforting to others to make it clear that all individuals are welcome in your salon, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. You can display Pride flags or other LGBTQIA+ symbols or signage in your salon, add inclusive language to your social media and website, and make a point to use gender-neutral language, or preferred pronouns when addressing clients. 

4. Celebrate with Rainbow Works of Art

Pride Month is all about being bold and colorful. Now is the time to get creative and have a little fun – after all, you are the artist! We’re talking vivid hair, multi-colored nail art and glitzed and glammed makeup. Consider offering a Pride-exclusive service and donating a percentage of the proceeds to a Pride-related organization or charity. Check out the resources listed above if you are looking for a reputable place to donate.

Don’t forget to share (or re-share) your rainbow works of art on social media! This is the perfect opportunity to showcase your talent as well as your support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Need some inspo? Check out some of our pros work below, or the hashtag #SolaPride on Instagram.

@kimberlyloomis 

@nebula_nails 

@lashesbyirose 

5. Rally your friends or Sola neighbors to attend your local Pride parade 

Attending a Pride parade is a great way to show your allyship with the LGBTQIA+ community. According to Zippa.com, nearly 12% of hairstylists, 9% of estheticians, 8% of barbers, and 5% of nail techs are members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Reach out to your friends or Sola neighbors and make plans to attend your local Pride parade together!

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Stay #SolaProud & Share Your #SolaPride 

At Sola Salons, we believe that every person should be celebrated for who truly they are. As a community of beauty professionals and independent salon owners, we truly value diversity, inclusivity, acceptance, radical self-love and vibrant self-expression.  

During Pride Month, we want to reaffirm our commitment to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, within Sola and beyond. We will continue to create a safe and welcoming space at Sola for everyone to express themselves and celebrate their individuality.  

Happy Pride Month!