Inclusive Glamour for All: LGBTQIA+ Perspectives on the Beauty & Hair Industries and More!

Happy Pride, everyone! We hope this month’s been absolutely brimmed with support & solidarity, and moments that’ve allowed you to be a beacon of love to those around you. Adding to the buzz of this year’s celebration, we took a deep dive into how some of the LGBTQIA+ community feels about their representation in the mainstream beauty and hair industries.

To kick our adventure off, we asked a diverse group of community members about their thoughts on not just how represented they feel in the glamour world, but also how much hair plays into their gender expression and identity. As we sift through the responses, you might find yourself nodding in agreement or even shedding light on a new perspective! Either way, let’s explore these insights together. Starting with:

A Spectrum of Representation: How Can We Improve?

When tapping into the perceptions of overall LGBTQIA+ representation in the mainstream hair & beauty industries, a majority of Gen Z and Baby Boomers said they only felt Somewhat Represented, with 32% of their 86 votes going to that category. On the other hand, Millennials and Gen X said they feel Very Represented, with a 36% majority vote of the 212 individuals asked. So, you might be asking:

What Does this Mean?

The research suggests that the youngest and oldest generations feel the least represented, as opposed to the ones sandwiched between them. Why is that? Do you feel the same way? Maybe it’s related to things like the sudden boom of new tech, more regulated labor laws, or the overall expansion of the beauty and hair industries themselves, but it’s hard to say that it’s due to one individual aspect in particular.

As time continues, perceptions are bound to shift as certain generations break into or exit the workforce, but it’s crucial we use our voice and these findings to make changes now—so we don’t have wait for them to happen.

Identity in Every Strand: Your Hair’s Impact on Self-Expression

Hair plays a monumental role in gender identity and expression for a several reasons. Achieving a hairstyle that makes you feel comfortable in being who you are can be difficult, though. Afterall, it’s largely up to the businesses we visit and the people around us that help us feel empowered by a new haircut or beauty service.

The data heavily supports this, too. Across all generations asked, 62% of the total survey respondents said to find hair exceedingly crucial to one’s gender expression. As a matter of fact, the Very Important category for this prompt received the majority vote for each of the generations asked.

Hair isn't just hair—it's a vibrant, visible way to showcase who we are. It’s our personal billboard where we can explore, express, and affirm our gender identity. Do people feel comfortable enough to embody that in today’s climate & culture, though? Let’s take a peek behind the curtain.

A Step in the Pride Direction: Our Ticket to a More Supportive Future

According to the research, Gen Z, Millennials, & Gen X have each become Much More Comfortable with gender identity and expression in recent years. Peep the complete breakdown, below:

While the results point to a mostly positive trend in the LGBTQIA+ community’s perspective on representation and inclusion in beauty and hair, there’s always room for improvement.

From actively speaking out against discrimination & harassment in our daily lives, participating in local LGBTQIA+ movements or events, or just being there for our loved ones and strangers when they need the support, we can all do our part. In the world of beauty, that might look like actively supporting salons who provide a safe and inclusive atmosphere for their clients.

To find an LGBTQIA+ business near you for your next beauty or hair appointment, try using the Vagaro Marketplace's LGBTQIA + friendly filter!