Daily Talker: Haircut Controversy

A Pittsburgh-area barber shop is at the center of controversy for refusing to give a woman a haircut.

On its website, the shop is described as "a high end Gentleman's Barber Shop".

Back in March, Diamond Pecjak walked into the shop after booking an appointment online for her and her boyfriend.  But a barber explained to Pecjak that the shop specializes exclusively in men's haircuts.

"I'm a barber, that is what I specialize in. That's why I work here. I don't cut women's hair", the barber explained to a local newspaper.

Pecjak filed a complaint with the state Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, and the state's Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation. The barbershop was fined $750 for gender discrimination.

Owner John Interval said he will pay the fine, but he disagrees with the penalty.  He says he wasn't even aware he was legally compelled to service both men and women. But he plans on paying the fine because he respects the law.

"You know, I'm not opposed to doing women's hair," he explained. "Just not in this shop. I don't even have [the equipment] to do women's hair. I want to open a shop to cater to them and no men will be allowed there. They'll have all the champagne and mimosas they want, and that'll be on the house."

Should salons and barbershops be allowed to cater exclusively to men or women?

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