Transgender Man Sues Barbershop for Discrimination

The barbershop claimed it had a policy that did not allow for women's haircuts

A transgender man is suing a Southern California barbershop that allegedly refused to cut his hair after the barber identified him as a woman.

Rose Trevis said Hawleywood's barbershop in Long Beach refused him service, saying it did not serve women. The barbershop claimed it had a policy that did not allow for women's haircuts and said it had the right to refuse services to anyone, according to the lawsuit.

"I felt very upset, I guess discriminated against," Trevis said. "I was surprised. We're in 2016. ... It was very embarrassing."

The owner of the shop didn't immediately return a call seeking comment Tuesday.

This is the second such case of alleged discrimination from a barbershop refusing service to women. In Rancho Cucamonga, another barbershop refused service to a transgender male. Staff at the Rancho Cucamonga barbershop said their religion kept them from cutting women's hair.

The transgender customers were told to leave in both cases.

Trevis' attorney said it's illegal in California to discriminate based on gender or sexual orientation.

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