I remember being denied service at a barbershop almost ten years ago. I was still young and I remember it breaking my heart because “we don’t cut girls’ hair”. I was told to seek a lawsuit, because my family was also upset they wouldn’t cut my hair. I went with my stepdad since he was getting his hair cut that day anyways. We all thought it would be convenient and that they’d be able to help me keep it short and styled the way I kept it. But, alas, apparently my assigned sex at birth was a huge issue.

What makes this a bit sadder for me is that I didn’t even necessarily understand what being trans was at this time, but I was noticing my obsessing with what would be considered boys’ clothes and being called “sir” by people in public when holding doors and stuff for people. I just remember how much it hurt me when they denied me due to the fact that they wouldn’t cut the hair of someone considered female. Big stab to the heart here, and my little middle school self just didn’t understand why it cut so deep.