Strands for Trans, Terri & Sandy and Phluid City Celebrate Trans Day of Visibility with Ground-breaking VR Event

To commemorate International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31st, Strands For Trans, the global network of trans-affirming barber shops and hair salons, has collaborated with virtual LGBTQ+ safe space Phluid City and advertising agency Terri & Sandy to launch 'Gender Euphoria: A Global Celebration,' the first-ever virtual reality event celebrating transgender rights.

Featuring appearances by Billy Porter and Lina Bradford, an exclusive psychedelic avatar collection debut by Phluid City, and opportunities to engage with an eclectic range of educators, artists, performers and influencers including Nykita Joy and Rey Resendez, the landmark event will help raise funds and fuel awareness for Strands For Trans.

The event also marks the launch of Strands For Trans as an official 501 (c)(3). As a non-profit organisation, Stands For Trans will be a source of education and support to barber shops and salons, as well as any businesses looking to provide a safe and positive experience to members of the trans community.

In 2017, Strands For Trans started as a public awareness campaign by the New York City based independent advertising agency Terri & Sandy and the co-owners of NYC grooming boutique Barba, Xavier Cruz and JP Gomez (Gomez is also a creative director of Terri & Sandy). Strands For Trans quickly grew into a global movement, as thousands of barber shops and salons around the world signed up on the first-ever digital registry of trans friendly spaces. Today, the Strands For Trans map includes more than 7,500 businesses across all 50 states - including Florida and Texas, which have recently been at the centre of heated debates over LGBTQ+ rights - and 28 countries and counting, including the Netherlands, Finland and Australia.

“For most of us, going to a salon or barber shop makes us feel good, but for transgender individuals, it can be a source of anxiety and even danger” says Xavier Cruz, co-founder of Strands For Trans/owner of Barba Grooming Boutique, “Strands For Trans is making a huge difference to this community,” says Sandy Greenberg, co-founder of Terri & Sandy. 

“We wanted to celebrate International Trans Day of Visibility with an event where trans people from Idaho can come together with people from NYC and Finland and even Afghanistan, where it’s illegal to be LGBTQ+. A virtual event makes this possible,” says JP Gomez, executive director of Strands For Trans.

'Gender Euphoria' will also feature an art installation from Chella Man, professional beauty tutorials and product demos and giveaways by key event contributors, and a magical space where attendees can go to “let their hair down.” The virtual space, which guests will access via invitation, will live on after the Gender Euphoria event as the Strands For Trans’ Global Community Centre, hosted via the VSpace platform. The non-profit will use the space for a variety of purposes, such as a virtual school, boardroom, and a gathering spot offering resources and support to members of the rapidly growing network.

In the five years since its founding, Strands For Trans has become a powerful cultural force in the pro-trans movement. In 2017, the founders started sending pink, white, and blue barber pole window stickers to every business signed to its digital registry. These stickers have become a symbol of acceptance to passers-by.

In 2022, Strands For Trans received over two billion media impressions worldwide thanks to the help of #TransphobeTakedowns, a video series starring Billy Porter and influencer Lynae Vanee that mocked anti-trans politicians like Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Texas Governor Greg Abbot for their terrible hair, and even uglier policies.

'Gender Euphoria' marks the official public launch of Phluid City and its first partnership with Strands For Trans. Plhuid City is a virtual space where humans from around the world who identify as LGBTQ+ along with their allies, colleagues and families, can come together in safety through community, fashion, education and activism.

“Phluid City exists to empower people and businesses with the ultimate freedom: the freedom to be,” says Rob Garrett Smith (he/they) CEO and founder of The Phluid City. “Safe spaces are becoming rarer each day, especially with the onslaught of unwarranted and unwelcomed extremism toward our community. We’re honoured to inaugurate The Phluid City on this year’s Trans Day of Visibility in partnership with Strand For Trans and will continue to curate events throughout the year that inspire, motivate and encourage us to be united in an affirming future of belonging and inclusion.”