VANINA DIMITROVA

Serving and Affirming

For many people going through the process of transitioning, a haircut is typically the first step in their journey.

Hair stylist at Studio Flair, Danny Vaughn, strives to be a hairstylist that can be a safe space for transgender people in Columbia.

“My sister-in-law is transgender and my best friend is transgender,” Vaughn said. “A lot of times they didn’t have positive salon experiences, whether it be being misgendered or looks from other people.”

A small question can change the entire experience, Vaughn mentioned. By stylists simply not asking for the correct pronouns, many transgender people are left feeling unvalidated and unseen.

 “It was really important for me to fill in that gap,” Vaughn said. “I wanted to give people an affirming but also luxurious experience in the salon.”

Vaughn is currently a stylist registered under Strands for Trans, an organization dedicated to creating a network of beauty professionals that are safe spaces for transgender people. In Columbia, there are only five businesses that are registered, including Vaughn.

To get involved with the organization, a stylist can register and donate to the cause. From there, their business will have to get approved to make sure they are offering gender neutral pricing for their services.

“There were so few people registered in Columbia when I found out about it,” Vaughn said. “I knew I needed to get in there and let people know that you’re going to be happy, safe and respected here.”