Regina woman who was denied haircut, barber settle human rights complaint
CBC News | Posted: June 16, 2015 3:49 PM | Last Updated: June 16, 2015
Ragged Ass Barbers says from now on it will give men's haircuts to all
A settlement has been reached in a Regina woman's human rights complaint against a barbershop that refused to give her a man's haircut.
Ragged Ass Barbers Inc. has apologized to Evie Ruddy and confirmed that in future they will serve all customers, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission said Tuesday.
The Regina shop caters to a largely male clientele. In August 2014, when Ruddy inquired about getting a haircut at the the shop, she was denied service.
That was wrong, company owner Craig Zamonsky said in a written statement from the commission.
"On behalf of Ragged Ass Barbers I would like to extend my apologies to Evie Ruddy," Zamonsky said.
"She should not have been turned away when she contacted the barbershop to inquire about getting a haircut. It is and will be our policy to provide services to anyone who wants a traditional men's haircut."
Ruddy said the apology is much-appreciated.
"I believe it to be heartfelt and genuine. It was a difficult time for me and my friends and family to experience what it is like to face discrimination and to voice it," she said.
Refusing service based on gender is contrary to Section 12 of The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.
The section says no person may be denied "the accommodation, services or facilities to which the public is customarily admitted or that are offered to the public."