Sunderland beautician co-founds local directory for LGBTQ+-friendly businesses

Louise Watson, who runs the Angelic Beauty salon in Roker, says she is a co-founder of the directory for ‘trans-friendly’ businesses on Wearside and the surrounding area.

The Transfriendly website refers consumers to North-East businesses that have pledged to observe and promote practices that are ‘friendly’ to the trans and non-binary gender communities, Ms Watson says.

Besides appearing in the online directory, businesses like Ms Watson’s are provided with a ‘trans-friendly’ sticker to display at their premises.

Ms Watson says she looks forward to welcoming as wide and diverse a clientele as possible to the site her business operates out of on Mere Knolls Road.

"It’s sort of sad that people have to go to a page specifically called ‘Transfriendly’ to find businesses that are trans-friendly,” she told The Echo.

"I’d never really thought about it before getting involved in setting up the directory. But maybe there are a lot of transgender people in the area who do feel uncomfortable coming into a salon or in that kind of environment.

"I think I’ve always been an understanding, open and non-judgmental person. And I’m just really looking forward to meeting more interesting people and hearing their stories – that’s one of the things I love most about my job.

"I want my business to be accessible to everybody – no matter who you want to be.”

The directory is due to launch on Saturday, May 1, 2021.

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