Joining the event at Pride week will be the barbers from Little Rebel Barbershop in Preston - a queer-owned small business that creates a safe and inclusive space for all.
Owner and director of Little Rebel Barbershop Rhia Rebel said there is a need for more barbershops like theirs in the LGBTQIA+ community.
“We are driven by our passion for hair, pushing the boundaries with traditional binary fashions, making a change in the hair and barber industry and equality for all,” she said.
“As queer people we experience discrimination regularly. The hair and beauty industry can be very binary in its approach to fashion and labels/pronouns. Not all of us fit into those binaries or boxes," she said.
"Queer people deserve to be heard, seen and need to feel comfortable in every industry, this goes for the clientele and staff. We are excited to help inspire others in what we do and feel honoured to be working with others who also are driven to help make a change towards equality.”
Hewson-Munro acknowledges that issues relating to gender inequality and violence are complex, but that we need to face them collectively, if we are going to put an end to them.
"A key part of the (Gender, Equity & Justice) project also focuses on identifying and engaging male students and staff to be part of the solution, by working alongside of women and others to undertake small-scale project ideas,” she said.
"It also has a remit to explore and review how we can change and improve our teaching and learning content so that it works towards national goals for equality and anti-violence, as well as work, health and safety requirements"
Hewson-Munro says that ending violence will not be an easy ask and it will take vulnerability and personal work to make it a reality, but that it is possible.
The Gender, Equity & Justice Project will be holding more collaborations in coming months, including with The Streets Barber and She is Not Your Rehab barber crew from New Zealand.
Anyone can drop by the pop-up barbershop on Wednesday August 24 in Carlton, or Thursday 25 August on Bowen Street in the City Campus.
For more information, please visit the link.
Story: Saskia Kostic
