Rowan Social Justice and Belonging commenced their National Coming Out Week on Oct. 7. This week is full of celebrations for students and allies in the LGBTQ+ community who are celebrating National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11. 

This day is celebrated annually across the nation, for people to celebrate themselves, coming together, and advocating for their rights. Since this day was established in 1988, many universities have created their own “National Coming Out Week” by creating events for students to get support. An event held on Monday was directly for students looking to be their true selves. The True to You Hair Cuts event was held by the Rowan SJB in collaboration with student Sam Damiri. 

Students could sign up for slots to receive gender-affirming haircuts and enter two raffles to potentially win a free haircut from Ben’s Barber Shop, the barbershop with which the event collaborated. It was held in Hawthorne Hall, room 204. In the waiting room, students were able to have free food and enter raffles, while the two barbers Kristen Dutch-Cline, owner of the shop, and Lee Castro were at work. 

Sam Damiri is a Graduate Coordinator for Gender and Sexuality at the SJB office and organized this event with LGBTQ+ students in mind. 

“The main purpose for this event was to give people of all identities a chance to express themselves through haircuts, because we knew, hair, clothes, makeup, all the accessories are really vital for people’s expression,” said Damiri. 

Damiri’s goal for this event was to give students an opportunity to experiment, especially if they had restrictions in high school or back home. This event was also beneficial for students financially because the two barbers gave all haircuts for free, eliminating the financial risk of cutting their hair. 

Gender-neutral hair salons are on the rise across the nation, for many going to the hair salon isn’t as easy as asking for a trim. For 93% of members of the LGBTQ+ community, it’s harder to ignore the consistency of getting misgendered during their appointment at a salon. People want to go to hair salons and feel comfortable with the person taking care of their hair, as many times this is a huge physical change that aids in finding their self-identity. 

Barbers like Dutch-Cline and Castro are taking steps to enlighten LGBTQ+ youth and provide gender-affirming spaces for all. 

“We wanted to give back to the community as well, and spread our skill and knowledge. Passing it down to college kids is more important overall, I’m excited to meet new people and new energy. I want to make everybody feel good,” said Castro. 

Not only that, but barbers also want to help bring confidence back in students struggling to feel comfortable in their bodies. 

National Coming Out Week at Rowan is rolling out with several different events providing safe and affirming spaces for the population of LGBTQ+ individuals. Other events include Pink Pony Profs, celebrating Lebsian’s Day, and their annual Big Gay Drag Bingo Brunch so students can show their pride and feel good about their identities. 

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