In mid-July, Traverse City hair salon owner/stylist Christine Geiger drew national attention for posting on social media anyone ID’ing neither man nor woman is not welcome at her business.
“If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman,” she posted on Facebook, “please seek services at a local pet groomer. You are not welcome at this salon. Period. Should you request to have a particular pronoun used please note we may simply refer to you as ‘hey you.’”
She went on she agreed with the recent Supreme Court First Amendment ruling, but her experience-based statement on her objection to some schools and doctors telling young children about gender-ID matters.
The TC mayor and city attorney are looking into which, if any laws, she violated. I hear the state attorney general is exploring if she’s broken Michigan laws, should have her license suspended or revoked. Geiger counters she’s received “considerable” support from her clients and others.
Whatever the outcome, “Not good form,” my British friends would sniff. I’m not sure it’s a good performance-art show. Maybe she got more than Andy Warhol’s “15 minutes of fame” but might have made better use of them.
When I asked my father why he never displayed a candidate political yard sign or bumper sticker, he said he had friends on all sides and electioneering on his part wouldn’t sway them.
Were buttons, bumper stickers, campaign sign and literature doled out a waste of money, he smiled and said, “Yes, it’s good for the economy but not business.” Not his local business, anyway. He wanted anyone walking in the door to feel welcome.
Maggie Smith, playing the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey had it right when she said, “If I dropped my friends because we disagree over something,” said Maggie Smith playing the Dowager Countess in “Downton Abbey,” my address book would be empty.”
It is a universal truth that when men or women get older, their universes shrink. They attend more funerals than graduation parties. It becomes harder to replace friends. Thus, Geiger’s business plan seems shortsighted. One of her vendors has already stopped doing business with her.
She might win a few legal battles, but likely lose the war because her remarks were unkind, unnecessary and showed disrespect for others.
Earned respect is the most valuable commodity in the world. We can earn it over many years and squander it in a moment. I appreciate Geiger stood up for her views and hopes people will respect her for that. Some will, some won’t.
Self-respect comes in many ways. Want to lose weight, observe self-discipline to say no to some foods, yes to more exercise and stick to it?
Better health shows respect for yourself and loved ones.
Respect is more valuable than precious metals. A functioning filter between our brains and mouths is essential. Speaking our minds is our right but can have consequences too.