Barber shops and hair salons around the world and on Long Island are taking part in a movement to support the transgender community. 

Cory Henning is a receptionist at Salon Eden in Bay Shore, one of the salons that has joined a global organization called Strands For Trans.

Its mission is to create more transgender friendly barber shops and hair salons.

"As a plus-size, non-binary person, I know what it's like to walk outside, and I can't go to some places without getting hated on,” Henning says. 

Salon owner Kenny Colliel says he wants all customers to feel comfortable and safe in his salon.

"You become friends, of a form. I've done it for 25 years, it's based on that. Not really about the haircut anymore, it's our relationship and that's, that's invaluable," Colliel says.

J.P. Gomez and Xavier Cruz founded Strands For Trans five years ago. While their initiative is spreading rapidly, they are looking for more salons to sign up.

"We're working on education. Now that we have this network, we need to be thorough and teach the hair styling industry how to be trans friendly,” Gomez says.

Once a business becomes a Strands For Trans partner, the salon is given promotional materials to let the public know they are transgender friendly, including a barber shop pole design that is inspired by the trans flag.

Salon Eden is one of six participating businesses on Long Island.

Nearly 7,000 salons and barber shops around the world participate in Strands For Trans.

If you would like to become a partner or find a Strands For Trans salon to get your hair done, visit the organization’s website.