Billy Porter & Lynae Vanee (Photo Credit: Sam Sulam)

In 2017, Barba Grooming Salonin NYC introduced Strands for Trans, a movement to create trans-friendly barbershops and salons across the country. In response to legislation they have identified as being "anti-trans" and that is being passed by legislators in states such as Texas, Strands for Trans is calling out both the laws and the lawmakers.

Transphobe Takedowns

The recent campaign, ‘Transphobe Takedowns,’ features pop-culture star Billy Porter and multi-faceted poet and influencer Lynae Vanee. The campaign was inspired by the scene in Porter’s Emmy Award winning show POSE, when Dominique Jackson’s character, Elektra, responds to an anti-trans motivated complaint with a comeback that is like spoken word poestry:  “Reads a Transphobe for Filth.”

Billy Porter, commenting on the goals of the campaign said, “These politicians have no business trying to dictate and legislate who you are and are not allowed to be. Hell no.”

According to the press release from Strans for Trans, the #TransphobeTakedowns campaign has been targeting the phones of legislators. 

Each of the #TransphobeTakedowns concludes with a call to action to StrandsforTrans.com, where owners of inclusive barbershops and salons can add their businesses to the Strands for Trans registry and trans allies can write to their legislators demanding an end to anti-trans legislation. With over 7,500+ salons already registered, it’s safe to say anti-trans legislators are about to have very full inboxes.