twter</tle><path fill-le="evenodd" d="M24,4.3086 C23.117,4.7006 22.168,4.9646 21.172,5.0836 C22.188,4.4746 22.969,3.5096 23.337,2.3596 C22.386,2.9246 21.332,3.3336 20.21,3.5556 C19.312,2.5976 18.032,1.9996 16.616,1.9996 C13.897,1.9996 11.692,4.2046 11.692,6.9236 C11.692,7.3096 11.736,7.6856 11.82,8.0456 C7.728,7.8406 4.099,5.8806 1.671,2.9006 C1.247,3.6286 1.004,4.4736 1.004,5.3766 C1.004,7.0846 1.873,8.5926 3.195,9.4756 C2.388,9.4486 1.628,9.2276 0.964,8.8596 L0.964,8.9206 C0.964,11.3066 2.661,13.2966 4.914,13.7486 C4.501,13.8626 4.065,13.9216 3.617,13.9216 C3.299,13.9216 2.991,13.8906 2.69,13.8336 C3.317,15.7896 5.135,17.2136 7.29,17.2536 C5.604,18.5736 3.481,19.3606 1.175,19.3606 C0.777,19.3606 0.385,19.3376 0,19.2926 C2.179,20.6886 4.767,21.5046 7.548,21.5046 C16.605,21.5046 21.557,14.0016 21.557,7.4946 C21.557,7.2816 21.552,7.0696 21.543,6.8586 C22.505,6.1636 23.34,5.2966 24,4.3086"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="popoutAlt__SocialLksItem-sc-10p9c1t-2 kdOnUz"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target=""><span class="popoutAlt__InWrapper-sc-10p9c1t-3 jMELyv facebook"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 320 512" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>facebook</tle><path d="M279.14 288l14.22-92.66h-88.91v-60.13c0-25.35 12.42-50.06 52.24-50.06h40.42V6.26S260.43 0 225.36 0c-73.22 0-121.08 44.38-121.08 124.72v70.62H22.89V288h81.39v224h100.17V288z"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="popoutAlt__SocialLksItem-sc-10p9c1t-2 kdOnUz"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target=""><span class="popoutAlt__InWrapper-sc-10p9c1t-3 jMELyv stagram"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 448 512" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>stagram</tle><path d="M224.1 141c-63.6 0-114.9 51.3-114.9 114.9s51.3 114.9 114.9 114.9S339 319.5 339 255.9 287.7 141 224.1 141zm0 189.6c-41.1 0-74.7-33.5-74.7-74.7s33.5-74.7 74.7-74.7 74.7 33.5 74.7 74.7-33.6 74.7-74.7 74.7zm146.4-194.3c0 14.9-12 26.8-26.8 26.8-14.9 0-26.8-12-26.8-26.8s12-26.8 26.8-26.8 26.8 12 26.8 26.8zm76.1 27.2c-1.7-35.9-9.9-67.7-36.2-93.9-26.2-26.2-58-34.4-93.9-36.2-37-2.1-147.9-2.1-184.9 0-35.8 1.7-67.6 9.9-93.9 36.1s-34.4 58-36.2 93.9c-2.1 37-2.1 147.9 0 184.9 1.7 35.9 9.9 67.7 36.2 93.9s58 34.4 93.9 36.2c37 2.1 147.9 2.1 184.9 0 35.9-1.7 67.7-9.9 93.9-36.2 26.2-26.2 34.4-58 36.2-93.9 2.1-37 2.1-147.8 0-184.8zM398.8 388c-7.8 19.6-22.9 34.7-42.6 42.6-29.5 11.7-99.5 9-132.1 9s-102.7 2.6-132.1-9c-19.6-7.8-34.7-22.9-42.6-42.6-11.7-29.5-9-99.5-9-132.1s-2.6-102.7 9-132.1c7.8-19.6 22.9-34.7 42.6-42.6 29.5-11.7 99.5-9 132.1-9s102.7-2.6 132.1 9c19.6 7.8 34.7 22.9 42.6 42.6 11.7 29.5 9 99.5 9 132.1s2.7 102.7-9 132.1z"></path></svg></span></a></li></ul></div></div></div></nav></div></div></div></hear><div class="flt__Wrapper-sc-ivw9mm-0 ifMAeN"><ma class="flt__Ma-sc-1zss9-0 jfVGbz se-ntent se-ntent--sgle irvg__body-wrapper irvg__body-wrapper--flt" id="ntent"><div class="ntentWidth__ContaerWrapper-sc-1p9n6rf-0 gnvRpv irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--ntentWidth"><div class="flt__SibarWrapper-sc-1l879b1-0 heJNCx le-mon__sgle-sponsor le-mon__sibar le-mon__sibar--ntentWidth" id="sgle_sponsor"><div></div></div><div class="articleHear__ContaerWrapper-sc-ct0iug-0 lisEqa article-hear irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--articleHear"><a class="eyebrow__LkWrapper-sc-tqc2sf-0 jIAEBq article-hear__eyebrow irvg__term-lk irvg__term-lk--eyebrow" href=" rel="" target=""><div class="flt__TextWrapper-sc-hmou3q-0 nVGhA irvg__term-name irvg__term-name--flt">At, Garfield Park, North Lawndale</div></a><h1 class="primaryFontHeadg__TextWrapper-sc-1otf4oo-0 sgleHeadg__TextWrapper-sc-1rx3zam-0 jGqHzL iTAVMZ article-hear__post-tle irvg__post-tle irvg__post-tle--sgleHeadg">How A Puerto Rin, Transmascule Barber Is Creatg An Oasis For Black, Queer And Trans People</h1><p class="k__TextWrapper-sc-ktbqq9-0 jwCKVS article-hear__k irvg__text irvg__text--k">“I thk that when we make a service that’s ma for all of — if you are servicg queer trans Black folks — then everythg else n e afterwards," Jai Rodriguez said.</p></div><div class="articleMeta__ContaerWrapper-sc-mnxmjt-0 kiZEZ article-meta article-meta--top irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--articleMeta"><div class="flt__SocialShargWrapper-sc-1ap9xvz-0 fInWHe article-meta__social-sharg irvg__post-social-sharg irvg__post-social-sharg--pill"><ul class="pill__SocialShargList-sc-19unuas-0 hpxHWY post-social-sharg__list"><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ redd"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target="_blank"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq redd"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 24 24" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on redd</tle><path fill-le="evenodd" d="M15.57,15.284 C14.673,15.284 13.91925,14.5565 13.91925,13.6595 C13.91925,12.7625 14.673,12.011 15.57,12.011 C16.467,12.011 17.1945,12.7625 17.1945,13.6595 C17.1945,14.5565 16.467,15.284 15.57,15.284 M15.951,18.437 C15.1155,19.27175 13.827,19.6775 12.012,19.6775 C12.00825,19.6775 12.00375,19.67675 11.99925,19.67675 C11.9955,19.67675 11.991,19.6775 11.9865,19.6775 C10.1715,19.6775 8.88375,19.27175 8.049,18.437 C7.7925,18.1805 7.7925,17.76575 8.049,17.51 C8.30475,17.25425 8.7195,17.25425 8.976,17.51 C9.552,18.086 10.53675,18.3665 11.9865,18.3665 C11.991,18.3665 11.9955,18.36725 11.99925,18.36725 C12.00375,18.36725 12.00825,18.3665 12.012,18.3665 C13.46175,18.3665 14.44725,18.086 15.024,17.51 C15.2805,17.2535 15.69525,17.25425 15.951,17.51 C16.20675,17.7665 16.20675,18.18125 15.951,18.437 M6.8055,13.6595 C6.8055,12.76325 7.55775,12.011 8.454,12.011 C9.351,12.011 10.0785,12.76325 10.0785,13.6595 C10.0785,14.5565 9.351,15.284 8.454,15.284 C7.55775,15.284 6.8055,14.5565 6.8055,13.6595 M19.998,3.311 C20.6055,3.311 21.09975,3.80525 21.09975,4.412 C21.09975,5.0195 20.6055,5.51375 19.998,5.51375 C19.3905,5.51375 18.89625,5.0195 18.89625,4.412 C18.89625,3.80525 19.3905,3.311 19.998,3.311 M24,11.87525 C24,10.2845 22.70625,8.99075 21.1155,8.99075 C20.427,8.99075 19.79475,9.23375 19.29825,9.638 C17.5395,8.5325 15.3075,7.8665 12.915,7.7255 L14.163,3.77975 L17.59275,4.5875 C17.68275,5.83625 18.72675,6.82475 19.998,6.82475 C21.32775,6.82475 22.41,5.7425 22.41,4.412 C22.41,3.08225 21.32775,2 19.998,2 C19.068,2 18.2595,2.5295 17.85675,3.30275 L13.87125,2.3645 C13.5375,2.28575 13.2,2.47775 13.0965,2.80475 L11.547,7.70225 C8.96925,7.76525 6.546,8.4335 4.65825,9.6035 C4.1685,9.22025 3.55275,8.99075 2.8845,8.99075 C1.29375,8.99075 0,10.2845 0,11.87525 C0,12.8585 0.495,13.72775 1.24875,14.24825 C1.21725,14.477 1.20075,14.70725 1.20075,14.9405 C1.20075,16.92875 2.3565,18.77825 4.455,20.14775 C6.4665,21.461 9.129,22.184 11.95125,22.184 C14.7735,22.184 17.436,21.461 19.4475,20.14775 C21.546,18.77825 22.70175,16.92875 22.70175,14.9405 C22.70175,14.72825 22.6875,14.5175 22.66125,14.30825 C23.46525,13.796 24,12.89675 24,11.87525"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ facebook"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target="_blank"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq facebook"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 320 512" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on facebook</tle><path d="M279.14 288l14.22-92.66h-88.91v-60.13c0-25.35 12.42-50.06 52.24-50.06h40.42V6.26S260.43 0 225.36 0c-73.22 0-121.08 44.38-121.08 124.72v70.62H22.89V288h81.39v224h100.17V288z"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ twter"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target="_blank"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq twter"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 24 24" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on twter</tle><path fill-le="evenodd" d="M24,4.3086 C23.117,4.7006 22.168,4.9646 21.172,5.0836 C22.188,4.4746 22.969,3.5096 23.337,2.3596 C22.386,2.9246 21.332,3.3336 20.21,3.5556 C19.312,2.5976 18.032,1.9996 16.616,1.9996 C13.897,1.9996 11.692,4.2046 11.692,6.9236 C11.692,7.3096 11.736,7.6856 11.82,8.0456 C7.728,7.8406 4.099,5.8806 1.671,2.9006 C1.247,3.6286 1.004,4.4736 1.004,5.3766 C1.004,7.0846 1.873,8.5926 3.195,9.4756 C2.388,9.4486 1.628,9.2276 0.964,8.8596 L0.964,8.9206 C0.964,11.3066 2.661,13.2966 4.914,13.7486 C4.501,13.8626 4.065,13.9216 3.617,13.9216 C3.299,13.9216 2.991,13.8906 2.69,13.8336 C3.317,15.7896 5.135,17.2136 7.29,17.2536 C5.604,18.5736 3.481,19.3606 1.175,19.3606 C0.777,19.3606 0.385,19.3376 0,19.2926 C2.179,20.6886 4.767,21.5046 7.548,21.5046 C16.605,21.5046 21.557,14.0016 21.557,7.4946 C21.557,7.2816 21.552,7.0696 21.543,6.8586 C22.505,6.1636 23.34,5.2966 24,4.3086"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ email"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href="mailto:?;subject=How%20A%20Puerto%20Rin%2C%20Transmascule%20Barber%20Is%20Creatg%20An%20Oasis%20For%20Black%2C%20Queer%20And%20Trans%20People" rel="" target="_self"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq email"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 24 24" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on email</tle><path fill-le="evenodd" d="M23,20 L23,6 L12,15 L1,6 L1,20 L23,20 Z M12,12 L22,4 L2,4 L12,12 Z"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ ptert"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target="_blank"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq ptert"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 24 24" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on ptert</tle><path fill-le="evenodd" d="M12,0 C5.37225,0 0,5.37225 0,12 C0,17.0835 3.16275,21.426 7.62675,23.17425 C7.52175,22.22475 7.42725,20.76825 7.66875,19.73175 C7.88625,18.79575 9.07575,13.767 9.07575,13.767 C9.07575,13.767 8.7165,13.0485 8.7165,11.98575 C8.7165,10.317 9.684,9.07125 10.88775,9.07125 C11.9115,9.07125 12.4065,9.84 12.4065,10.76175 C12.4065,11.7915 11.751,13.3305 11.41275,14.757 C11.13,15.95175 12.01125,16.926 13.1895,16.926 C15.3225,16.926 16.962,14.67675 16.962,11.43075 C16.962,8.5575 14.89725,6.54825 11.949,6.54825 C8.535,6.54825 6.531,9.1095 6.531,11.75625 C6.531,12.7875 6.92775,13.89375 7.4235,14.4945 C7.52175,14.61375 7.536,14.71725 7.50675,14.83875 C7.416,15.21825 7.2135,16.03275 7.17375,16.2 C7.12125,16.419 6.99975,16.46625 6.7725,16.3605 C5.27325,15.66225 4.3365,13.4715 4.3365,11.71125 C4.3365,7.926 7.08675,4.44975 12.2655,4.44975 C16.428,4.44975 19.6635,7.416 19.6635,11.3805 C19.6635,15.516 17.05575,18.8445 13.43625,18.8445 C12.2205,18.8445 11.0775,18.21225 10.686,17.466 C10.686,17.466 10.0845,19.75725 9.93825,20.319 C9.6675,21.36075 8.93625,22.66725 8.4465,23.4645 C9.57,23.8125 10.76325,24 12,24 C18.62775,24 24,18.627 24,12 C24,5.37225 18.62775,0 12,0"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ lked"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target="_blank"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq lked"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 24 24" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on lked</tle><path fill-le="evenodd" d="M20.45175,20.45025 L16.89225,20.45025 L16.89225,14.88075 C16.89225,13.5525 16.86975,11.844 15.04275,11.844 C13.191,11.844 12.90825,13.2915 12.90825,14.7855 L12.90825,20.45025 L9.3525,20.45025 L9.3525,8.997 L12.765,8.997 L12.765,10.563 L12.81375,10.563 C13.2885,9.66225 14.4495,8.71275 16.18125,8.71275 C19.78575,8.71275 20.45175,11.08425 20.45175,14.169 L20.45175,20.45025 Z M5.33925,7.4325 C4.1955,7.4325 3.27375,6.50775 3.27375,5.36775 C3.27375,4.2285 4.1955,3.30375 5.33925,3.30375 C6.47775,3.30375 7.4025,4.2285 7.4025,5.36775 C7.4025,6.50775 6.47775,7.4325 5.33925,7.4325 L5.33925,7.4325 Z M7.11975,20.45025 L3.5565,20.45025 L3.5565,8.997 L7.11975,8.997 L7.11975,20.45025 Z M23.00025,0 L1.0005,0 C0.44775,0 0,0.44775 0,0.99975 L0,22.9995 C0,23.55225 0.44775,24 1.0005,24 L23.00025,24 C23.55225,24 24,23.55225 24,22.9995 L24,0.99975 C24,0.44775 23.55225,0 23.00025,0 L23.00025,0 Z"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ whatsapp"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target="_blank"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq whatsapp"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 512 512" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on whatsapp</tle><path d="M260.062 32C138.605 32 40.134 129.701 40.134 250.232c0 41.23 11.532 79.79 31.559 112.687L32 480l121.764-38.682c31.508 17.285 67.745 27.146 106.298 27.146C381.535 468.464 480 370.749 480 250.232 480 129.701 381.535 32 260.062 32zm109.362 301.11c-5.174 12.827-28.574 24.533-38.899 25.072-10.314.547-10.608 7.994-66.84-16.434-56.225-24.434-90.052-83.844-92.719-87.67-2.669-3.812-21.78-31.047-20.749-58.455 1.038-27.413 16.047-40.346 21.404-45.725 5.351-5.387 11.486-6.352 15.232-6.413 4.428-.072 7.296-.132 10.573-.011 3.274.124 8.192-.685 12.45 10.639 4.256 11.323 14.443 39.153 15.746 41.989 1.302 2.839 2.108 6.126.102 9.771-2.012 3.653-3.042 5.935-5.961 9.083-2.935 3.148-6.174 7.042-8.792 9.449-2.92 2.665-5.97 5.572-2.9 11.269 3.068 5.693 13.653 24.356 29.779 39.736 20.725 19.771 38.598 26.329 44.098 29.317 5.515 3.004 8.806 2.67 12.226-.929 3.404-3.599 14.639-15.746 18.596-21.169 3.955-5.438 7.661-4.373 12.742-2.329 5.078 2.052 32.157 16.556 37.673 19.551 5.51 2.989 9.193 4.529 10.51 6.9 1.317 2.38.901 13.531-4.271 26.359z"></path></svg></span></a></li></ul></div><div class="sibar__ByleWrapper-sc-135rg5d-0 dFphtv article-meta__byle le-mon__post-byle le-mon__post-byle--sibar"><div class="sibar__AuthorsWrapper-sc-135rg5d-1 cOMElx post-byle__thors-wrapper"><div class="sibar__Avatars-sc-135rg5d-3 cYVCSw post-byle__grouped-avatars"><div class="flt__Element-sc-8r6934-0 Eajbf post-byle__left irvg__agment irvg__agment--flt"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma irvg__lk irvg__lk--flt" aria-hidn="te" href=" rel="" target="" tabx="-1"><figure class="flt__FigureWrapper-sc-1lmy-0 fjaYGN post-byle__avatar irvg__image irvg__image--flt"><span style="paddg-bottom:100%" class="flt__ImageWrapper-sc-1lmy-1 hnRmkg"><img alt="" loadg="lazy" src=" Foglia" srcSet="" siz="" class="flt__ImageTag-sc-1lmy-2 jDWYqd"/></span></figure></a></div></div><div class="sibar__AuthorNam-sc-135rg5d-2 cqTYOK post-byle__thor-nam"><span class="flt__AuthorWrapper-sc-3fiqtm-2 cAJsvb post-byle__thor"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma post-byle__thor-lk irvg__lk irvg__lk--flt" href=" rel="" target=""><span class="flt__TextWrapper-sc-hmou3q-0 nVGhA irvg__text irvg__text--flt">Lou Foglia</span></a></span></div></div></div><div class="timtamp__TextWrapper-sc-1uu26yx-0 fBbNtW article-meta__post-timtamp le-mon__post-timtamp le-mon__post-timtamp--timtamp"><div class="post-date">9:20 AM CDT on Jun 30, 2022</div> </div></div><div class="flt__ContaerWrapper-sc-1k8y94x-0 bTqzht article-featured-image irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--flt" id="sgle_media"><figure class="article__FigureWrapper-sc-7s8aer-0 enkhzk irvg__post-featured-image irvg__post-featured-image--article"><span style="paddg-bottom:56.25%" class="article__ImageWrapper-sc-7s8aer-1 cLpHBB"><img alt="" height="675" loadg="lazy" src=" srcSet=" 2400w, 1800w, 1200w, 900w, 600w, 450w, 300w, 100w" siz="(max-width: 350px) 350px, (max-width: 1058px) 768px, (max-width: 1700px) 1080px, 2400px" width="1200" class="article__ImageTag-sc-7s8aer-2 ehmVhs"/></span><div class="article__ImageMeta-sc-7s8aer-3 eBXNjs"><figptn class="article__ImageCaptn-sc-7s8aer-4 hrwttr">Jai Rodriguez cuts hair for Woodlawn rint Benji Hart at Love Blooms Here Plaza North Lawndale Saturday, June 18, 2022.</figptn><span class="article__ImageCred-sc-7s8aer-5 ieDIYX">Lou Foglia/Block Club Chigo</span></div></figure></div></div><div class="flt__ContaerWrapper-sc-1k8y94x-0 bTqzht article-ntent-ntaer irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--flt"><div class="ntentWidth__ContaerWrapper-sc-1p9n6rf-0 gnvRpv irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--ntentWidth"><div class="flt__CredibilyInditorsWrapper-sc-18725oc-0 iUZmNj le-mon__credibily-ditors le-mon__credibily-ditors--flt"><ul class="credibily-ditors__list"><li class="credibily-ditors__list-em"><span class="flt__TextWrapper-sc-hmou3q-0 nVGhA credibily-ditors__tle irvg__text irvg__text--flt">Credibily:</span></li><li class="credibily-ditors__list-em"><div class="flt__PopoverWrapper-sc-19b13eh-0 aA-dxY le-mon__popover le-mon__popover--flt"><div class="popover" aria-modal="false" aria-hidn="te" role="dialog" style="posn:fixed;visibily:hidn;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0">This article ntas new, firsthand rmatn unvered by s reporter(s). This clus directly terviewg sourc and rearch / analysis of primary source documents.<button class="popover__close" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expand="false" aria-label="Close" role="button" tabx="0">×<span class="screenrearOnly">close</span></button></div><button type="button" class="popover__trigger" aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expand="false" role="button" tabx="0"><svg fill="none" viewBox="0 0 18 12" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns=" class=""><g clip-path="url(#ditor-origal-reportg_svg__clip0)"><path fill-le="evenodd" clip-le="evenodd" d="M8.524 1.632c3.228 0 6.068 3.26 6.968 4.409-.9 1.152-3.74 4.411-6.968 4.411-3.228 0-6.07-3.26-6.97-4.41.9-1.15 3.74-4.409 6.97-4.409v-.001zm0 10.368c4.082 0 7.383-4.022 8.295-5.256a1.203 1.203 0 000-1.406C15.907 4.108 12.607.085 8.524.085 4.44.084 1.14 4.108.227 5.34a1.204 1.204 0 000 1.408C1.14 7.978 4.44 12 8.524 12zm.043-8.194c1.153 0 2.088.983 2.088 2.194 0 1.212-.935 2.194-2.088 2.194-1.152 0-2.088-.983-2.088-2.194 0-1.212.936-2.192 2.088-2.194zm0 5.944c1.971 0 3.57-1.68 3.57-3.75 0-2.071-1.599-3.75-3.57-3.75-1.972 0-3.57 1.679-3.57 3.75.002 2.07 1.6 3.748 3.57 3.75z" fill="currentColor"></path></g><fs><clipPath id="ditor-origal-reportg_svg__clip0"><path fill="#fff" d="M0 0h18v12H0z"></path></clipPath></fs></svg><span class="flt__TextWrapper-sc-hmou3q-0 nVGhA irvg__text irvg__text--flt">Origal Reportg</span></button></div></li><li class="credibily-ditors__list-em"><div class="flt__PopoverWrapper-sc-19b13eh-0 aA-dxY le-mon__popover le-mon__popover--flt"><div class="popover" aria-modal="false" aria-hidn="te" role="dialog" style="posn:fixed;visibily:hidn;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0">Indit that a Newsmaker/Newsmakers was/were physilly prent to report the article om some/all of the lotn(s) ncerns.<button class="popover__close" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expand="false" aria-label="Close" role="button" tabx="0">×<span class="screenrearOnly">close</span></button></div><button type="button" class="popover__trigger" aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expand="false" role="button" tabx="0"><svg fill="none" viewBox="0 0 11 16" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns=" class=""><path fill-le="evenodd" clip-le="evenodd" d="M7.55 14.085c-.32.602-.862.937-1.406.937-.383 0-.735-.2-.895-.502-.223-.401-.128-1.004.256-1.64.032-.066.128-.2.192-.267.671.335 1.406.569 2.173.736-.128.301-.224.569-.32.736zm.767-1.673c-.83-.167-1.598-.401-2.3-.769l-.032-.033c-.288-.1-.64-.067-.864.167-.19.167-.415.535-.415.535-.767 1.305-.51 2.208-.288 2.643.32.636.96 1.004 1.694 1.004h.032c.895 0 1.726-.536 2.205-1.439.192-.335.384-.836.512-1.17a.697.697 0 00-.16-.737.848.848 0 00-.384-.2v-.001zm.801-2.584c-.182.297-.394.627-.606 1.024H8.48c-.849-.397-1.607-.594-2.092-.727.363-.891.272-1.42.212-1.849-.06-.33-.09-.594.151-1.155.667-1.519 1.577-2.212 2.154-2.113.485.099.88.825 1.03 2.047.152 1.188-.21 1.75-.818 2.773h.001zm-.092-5.745c-1.062-.165-2.305.892-3.093 2.642-.364.825-.303 1.32-.212 1.75.06.363.12.693-.213 1.42a.952.952 0 00-.03.759c.09.198.273.33.485.396.394.099 1.274.297 2.184.726.12.066.212.066.333.066a.936.936 0 00.79-.462c.211-.363.423-.693.575-.99.667-1.09 1.152-1.882.97-3.434-.273-2.18-1.122-2.774-1.79-2.873h.001zM3.262 8.852c-.12 1.038-.629 1.415-.928 1.54-.39.158-.838.126-1.108-.125-.299-.22-.419-.629-.359-1.1.03-.19.09-.472.18-.818.718.188 1.466.314 2.215.314a.21.21 0 010 .189zm.868-.535c-.09-.314-.33-.534-.659-.566h-.03a8.569 8.569 0 01-2.334-.346h-.06c-.33-.031-.659.158-.749.472-.09.346-.239.818-.269 1.164-.12.817.15 1.54.69 1.98.328.284.747.41 1.166.41.27 0 .57-.063.838-.19.808-.377 1.347-1.194 1.467-2.295-.03 0 0-.409-.06-.629zM1.438 5.514c.146-1.513.234-2.175 1.228-3.279.936-1.04 1.784-1.513 2.252-1.23.38.221.672 1.104.38 2.491-.117.536-.35.726-.644 1.01-.38.315-.818.725-1.052 1.702a11.74 11.74 0 00-2.194-.347c.03-.126.03-.252.03-.347zM1.29 6.775c.995.032 1.813.253 2.223.347.058 0 .117.032.175.032.351 0 .644-.252.731-.694.147-.725.44-.946.76-1.23.352-.315.79-.662.966-1.544.35-1.672.03-2.996-.82-3.5-1.14-.662-2.543.599-3.274 1.387C.852 2.897.765 3.843.591 5.388c-.03.158-.03.284-.06.442-.03.22.03.441.176.63.146.19.38.284.584.315" fill="currentColor"></path></svg><span class="flt__TextWrapper-sc-hmou3q-0 nVGhA irvg__text irvg__text--flt">On the Ground</span></button></div></li><li class="credibily-ditors__list-em"><div class="flt__PopoverWrapper-sc-19b13eh-0 aA-dxY le-mon__popover le-mon__popover--flt"><div class="popover" aria-modal="false" aria-hidn="te" role="dialog" style="posn:fixed;visibily:hidn;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0">As a news piece, this article c verifiable, third-party sourc which have all been thoroughly fact-checked and emed credible by the Newsroom.<button class="popover__close" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expand="false" aria-label="Close" role="button" tabx="0">×<span class="screenrearOnly">close</span></button></div><button type="button" class="popover__trigger" aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expand="false" role="button" tabx="0"><svg fill="none" viewBox="0 0 13 14" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns=" class=""><path clip-le="evenodd" d="M1 12.429V2.714v9.715zM10.247 12v1H2.304s-.759-.017-1.087-.426C1.096 12.42 1 12.055 1 11.857l9.247.143zM9.818 1H1.982C1.442 1 1 1.43 1 1.957v.25c0 .526.442.957.982.957h8.265v2.979L9.818 1zm-.752 0s-1.357 1.214.637 2.286L9.066 1zm.637 5.143c1.502 0 2.72 1.279 2.72 2.857 0 1.578-1.218 2.857-2.72 2.857-1.502 0-2.72-1.279-2.72-2.857 0-1.578 1.218-2.857 2.72-2.857z" stroke="currentColor" stroke-lep="round" stroke-lejo="round"></path><path d="M9.16 8.802l.525.77 1.106-1.143" stroke="currentColor" stroke-lep="round" stroke-lejo="round"></path></svg><span class="flt__TextWrapper-sc-hmou3q-0 nVGhA irvg__text irvg__text--flt">Sourc Ced</span></button></div></li></ul></div></div><div class="flt__ContaerWrapper-sc-1k8y94x-0 bTqzht article-ntent irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--flt"><div><div class="articleContent__Wrapper-sc-1rqfqf-0 bDtujo le-mon__article-ntent pi-ntent le-mon__gutenberg-ntent le-mon__gutenberg-ntent--articleContent" id="pi"><p>NORTH LAWNDALE — In 2007, when Jai Rodriguez walked to Jayuya Barbershop Humboldt Park was his first time gettg a haircut he actually wanted. </p><p>For years, Rodriguez kept his hair curly and long down his back. The cut he had md was drastilly shorter — so much so that the barber was nervo about cuttg and asked Rodriguez five tim if he was sure, Rodriguez said.</p><p>“It took him a while, and I remember the whole barbershop stopped what they were dog to e see,” Rodriguez said. “It was jt so affirmg to walk out of there and have the haircut that I wanted.”</p><p>Now, Rodriguez, a 38-year-old Puerto Rin and transmacule barber based south suburban Homewood, wants queer people who s his barber chair to feel the same affirmatns. Through tn and mentorship wh his muny, Rodriguez is buildg a barbershop centered around Black, queer, transgenr people. </p><p>“One of the thgs that we don’t get all the time is bs or plac that put Black queer trans folks to the ont,” Rodriguez said. “I thk that when we make a service that’s ma for all of — if you are servicg queer trans Black folks — then everythg else n e afterwards.” </p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img siz="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcSet=" 5346w, 300w, 768w, 1024w, 1536w, 2048w, 1080w, 72w, 564w, 615w, 114w, 254w, 507w, 1013w, 2025w, 600w, 1200w, 1366w" class="wp-image-544560" alt="" src=" height="683" width="1024" loadg="lazy" dg="async"/><span class="image-cred"><strong>Cred: </strong> Lou Foglia/Block Club Chigo</span><figptn class="wp-element-ptn">Jai Rodriguez cuts hair for Woodlawn rint Benji Hart at Love Blooms Here Plaza North Lawndale on June 18.</figptn></figure><p>For now, Rodriguez cuts hair out of his home. Most clients fd him by word of mouth and intify as LGBTQ, he said. He books clients multiple days a week. Some travel by rpool groups, bookg entire afternoons at a time. </p><p>Rodriguez is also the host of Boi Talk, a transmascule support group through Brave Space Alliance, a Black and trans-led LGBTQ center based Hy Park at 1515 E. 52nd Place. Two Saturdays a month, he works hair appotments out of Brave Space Alliance, an ia he helped brg to the anizatn.</p><p>For Rodriguez, hair is an sential part of how queer people exprs themselv. It holds the power to make a statement and “the eedom” to be who you are, he said.  </p><p>“I was told I would look super manly if I cut off all my hair,” Rodriguez said. “I thk before I knew I was trans, I kd of battled wh keepg hair for somebody else bee ma them feel fortable. When I was able to chop my hair down to a one — was so eeg. I was able to look at myself so differently than I ed to before.”</p><p>Rodriguez grew up Humboldt Park. Route viss to Jayuya Barbershop led Rodriguez to the ia of cuttg his own hair. He spent hours learng om barbers neighborhood shops and eventually got a job cuttg hair at Jayuya. </p><p>Rodriguez later went pennt, buyg a vtage barber chair om a retirg barber and cuttg hair out of his mother’s Humboldt Park home. Rodriguez built a followg among queer clients and began cultivatg a space where LGBTQ people uld be their thentic selv.</p><p>“We uld be as gay as we wanted to be,” Rodriguez said. “We didn’t have to dial anythg down or nstantly be monorg.”</p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img siz="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcSet=" 6240w, 300w, 768w, 1024w, 1536w, 2048w, 1080w, 72w, 564w, 615w, 114w, 254w, 507w, 1013w, 2025w, 600w, 1200w, 1366w" class="wp-image-544562" alt="" src=" height="683" width="1024" loadg="lazy" dg="async"/><span class="image-cred"><strong>Cred: </strong> Lou Foglia/Block Club Chigo</span><figptn class="wp-element-ptn">Jai Rodriguez cuts hair for Woodlawn rint Benji Hart at Love Blooms Here Plaza North Lawndale on June 18.</figptn></figure><p>Rodriguez said he is proud to be “visibly queer,” but he noted queerns is not somethg people n hi or turn off when walkg to a barbershop, even if there is an urge to do so. </p><p>“Beg a barbershop n also be really weird for somebody who is not a straight du,” Rodriguez said. “The nversatns get really weird really fast. It’s super sexist.” </p><p>Rodriguez workg out of his own space has allowed for clients to discs difficult topics, like genr-affirmg health re, genr dysphoria, relatnships and fay. Clients share rourc while gettg reprentatn and mentorship om Rodriguez. Safety is a top prry, he said.</p><p>“I take my job really serly bee there’s not that many people that e such close ntact wh you. It’s lerally like doctors — and barbers,” Rodriguez said. “I’m a person that is pretty big on personal space, so I really make sure that I’m the right headspace and the right energy when I’m alg wh my clients bee I know It n get really unfortable when someone’s not rpectg what you want or what you need at that pot.”</p><p>Benji Hart, 33, of Woodlawn, said beg able to discs LGBTQ topics wh their barber is one of the reasons they keep g back to Rodriguez.</p><p>“It’s great havg another queer person of lor that not jt unrstands my hair but unrstands me,” Hart said. “We n talk about what’s gog on our liv, we n talk about relatnship advice and iendship advice and navigatg the issu of inti wh our fai.”</p><p>Hart has been a client of Rodriguez sce 2013. They said they experienced phback om other barbers the past and were told certa styl they asked for wouldn’t be what they wanted. </p><p>Rodriguez always knew where Hart was g om. Rodriguez always listened.  </p><p>“Jai really knows my hair,” Hart said. “Jai is really good at helpg you figure out what you want whout tellg you what you want and really beg a gui for you and figurg out the look that was bt for you.”</p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img siz="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcSet=" 6100w, 300w, 768w, 1024w, 1536w, 2048w, 1080w, 72w, 564w, 615w, 114w, 253w, 507w, 1012w, 2025w, 600w, 1200w, 1366w" class="wp-image-544564" alt="" src=" height="683" width="1024" loadg="lazy" dg="async"/><span class="image-cred"><strong>Cred: </strong> Lou Foglia/Block Club Chigo</span><figptn class="wp-element-ptn">Jai Rodriguez, a transmascule barber based Homewood, is buildg an clive barbershop centered around Chigo’s Black, queer, transgenr muny. Rodriguez, pictured North Lawndale on June 18, cut hair at Love Blooms Here Plaza.</figptn></figure><p>Rodriguez’s said he hop to open a three-chair barbershop to service queer and trans people by the end of the year. He recently pleted a bs urse through Sunshe Enterpris and is seekg an accsible space on the South Si. </p><p>Rodriguez envisns a space where pronouns are rpected and where he n teach other queer barbers to build their own clientele.</p><p>Rodriguez hop havg his own lotn will help draw attentn to the work he is dog, he said. He wants people to unrstand there is a need for LGBTQ iendly space wh barbershops and a market for queer and trans people who need barbers that listen to them. </p><p>“The feelg when you get a good haircut — ’s like you’re on top of the world,” Rodriguez said. “That’s always what I’m lookg for: to give people exactly what they want and to know what exactly means when you get right.”</p><p class="pi__hi-for-payg"><em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href=">Subscribe to Block Club Chigo</a>, an pennt, 501(c)(3), journalist-n newsroom. Every dime we make funds reportg om Chigo’s neighborhoods.</em></p><p class="pi__hi-for-payg"><em>Click <a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href=">here</a> to support Block Club wh a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href=">tax-ductible donatn.</a></em> </p><p class="pi__show-for-payg"><em>Thanks for subscribg to Block Club Chigo, an pennt, 501(c)(3), journalist-n newsroom. Every dime we make funds reportg om Chigo’s neighborhoods</em>.<em> Click <a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href=">here</a> to support Block Club wh a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href=">tax-ductible donatn.</a></em></p><p><a href="><strong>Watch our “On The Block” TV show on The U, CW26 and MeTV.</strong></a></p><p><strong>Listen to “It’s All Good: A Block Club Chigo Podst”:</strong></p><iame class="" style="width:100%" width="640px" height="377px" src=" allowfullscreen=""></iame><div style="height:1px;left:0;marg:0 to;posn:absolute;poter-events:none;right:0;top:50%;width:1px" id="wp-irvg-gtm-article-midpot"></div></div></div></div><div class="ntentWidth__ContaerWrapper-sc-1p9n6rf-0 gnvRpv article-meta article-meta--bottom irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--ntentWidth"><div class="flt__SocialShargWrapper-sc-1ap9xvz-0 fInWHe irvg__post-social-sharg irvg__post-social-sharg--pill"><ul class="pill__SocialShargList-sc-19unuas-0 hpxHWY post-social-sharg__list"><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ redd"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target="_blank"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq redd"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 24 24" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on redd

*BEAR-MAGAZINE.COM* QUEER BARBER BAY AREA

twter</tle><path fill-le="evenodd" d="M24,4.3086 C23.117,4.7006 22.168,4.9646 21.172,5.0836 C22.188,4.4746 22.969,3.5096 23.337,2.3596 C22.386,2.9246 21.332,3.3336 20.21,3.5556 C19.312,2.5976 18.032,1.9996 16.616,1.9996 C13.897,1.9996 11.692,4.2046 11.692,6.9236 C11.692,7.3096 11.736,7.6856 11.82,8.0456 C7.728,7.8406 4.099,5.8806 1.671,2.9006 C1.247,3.6286 1.004,4.4736 1.004,5.3766 C1.004,7.0846 1.873,8.5926 3.195,9.4756 C2.388,9.4486 1.628,9.2276 0.964,8.8596 L0.964,8.9206 C0.964,11.3066 2.661,13.2966 4.914,13.7486 C4.501,13.8626 4.065,13.9216 3.617,13.9216 C3.299,13.9216 2.991,13.8906 2.69,13.8336 C3.317,15.7896 5.135,17.2136 7.29,17.2536 C5.604,18.5736 3.481,19.3606 1.175,19.3606 C0.777,19.3606 0.385,19.3376 0,19.2926 C2.179,20.6886 4.767,21.5046 7.548,21.5046 C16.605,21.5046 21.557,14.0016 21.557,7.4946 C21.557,7.2816 21.552,7.0696 21.543,6.8586 C22.505,6.1636 23.34,5.2966 24,4.3086"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="popoutAlt__SocialLksItem-sc-10p9c1t-2 kdOnUz"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target=""><span class="popoutAlt__InWrapper-sc-10p9c1t-3 jMELyv facebook"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 320 512" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>facebook</tle><path d="M279.14 288l14.22-92.66h-88.91v-60.13c0-25.35 12.42-50.06 52.24-50.06h40.42V6.26S260.43 0 225.36 0c-73.22 0-121.08 44.38-121.08 124.72v70.62H22.89V288h81.39v224h100.17V288z"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="popoutAlt__SocialLksItem-sc-10p9c1t-2 kdOnUz"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target=""><span class="popoutAlt__InWrapper-sc-10p9c1t-3 jMELyv stagram"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 448 512" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>stagram</tle><path d="M224.1 141c-63.6 0-114.9 51.3-114.9 114.9s51.3 114.9 114.9 114.9S339 319.5 339 255.9 287.7 141 224.1 141zm0 189.6c-41.1 0-74.7-33.5-74.7-74.7s33.5-74.7 74.7-74.7 74.7 33.5 74.7 74.7-33.6 74.7-74.7 74.7zm146.4-194.3c0 14.9-12 26.8-26.8 26.8-14.9 0-26.8-12-26.8-26.8s12-26.8 26.8-26.8 26.8 12 26.8 26.8zm76.1 27.2c-1.7-35.9-9.9-67.7-36.2-93.9-26.2-26.2-58-34.4-93.9-36.2-37-2.1-147.9-2.1-184.9 0-35.8 1.7-67.6 9.9-93.9 36.1s-34.4 58-36.2 93.9c-2.1 37-2.1 147.9 0 184.9 1.7 35.9 9.9 67.7 36.2 93.9s58 34.4 93.9 36.2c37 2.1 147.9 2.1 184.9 0 35.9-1.7 67.7-9.9 93.9-36.2 26.2-26.2 34.4-58 36.2-93.9 2.1-37 2.1-147.8 0-184.8zM398.8 388c-7.8 19.6-22.9 34.7-42.6 42.6-29.5 11.7-99.5 9-132.1 9s-102.7 2.6-132.1-9c-19.6-7.8-34.7-22.9-42.6-42.6-11.7-29.5-9-99.5-9-132.1s-2.6-102.7 9-132.1c7.8-19.6 22.9-34.7 42.6-42.6 29.5-11.7 99.5-9 132.1-9s102.7-2.6 132.1 9c19.6 7.8 34.7 22.9 42.6 42.6 11.7 29.5 9 99.5 9 132.1s2.7 102.7-9 132.1z"></path></svg></span></a></li></ul></div></div></div></nav></div></div></div></hear><div class="flt__Wrapper-sc-ivw9mm-0 ifMAeN"><ma class="flt__Ma-sc-1zss9-0 jfVGbz se-ntent se-ntent--sgle irvg__body-wrapper irvg__body-wrapper--flt" id="ntent"><div class="ntentWidth__ContaerWrapper-sc-1p9n6rf-0 gnvRpv irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--ntentWidth"><div class="flt__SibarWrapper-sc-1l879b1-0 heJNCx le-mon__sgle-sponsor le-mon__sibar le-mon__sibar--ntentWidth" id="sgle_sponsor"><div></div></div><div class="articleHear__ContaerWrapper-sc-ct0iug-0 lisEqa article-hear irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--articleHear"><a class="eyebrow__LkWrapper-sc-tqc2sf-0 jIAEBq article-hear__eyebrow irvg__term-lk irvg__term-lk--eyebrow" href=" rel="" target=""><div class="flt__TextWrapper-sc-hmou3q-0 nVGhA irvg__term-name irvg__term-name--flt">At, Garfield Park, North Lawndale</div></a><h1 class="primaryFontHeadg__TextWrapper-sc-1otf4oo-0 sgleHeadg__TextWrapper-sc-1rx3zam-0 jGqHzL iTAVMZ article-hear__post-tle irvg__post-tle irvg__post-tle--sgleHeadg">How A Puerto Rin, Transmascule Barber Is Creatg An Oasis For Black, Queer And Trans People</h1><p class="k__TextWrapper-sc-ktbqq9-0 jwCKVS article-hear__k irvg__text irvg__text--k">“I thk that when we make a service that’s ma for all of — if you are servicg queer trans Black folks — then everythg else n e afterwards," Jai Rodriguez said.</p></div><div class="articleMeta__ContaerWrapper-sc-mnxmjt-0 kiZEZ article-meta article-meta--top irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--articleMeta"><div class="flt__SocialShargWrapper-sc-1ap9xvz-0 fInWHe article-meta__social-sharg irvg__post-social-sharg irvg__post-social-sharg--pill"><ul class="pill__SocialShargList-sc-19unuas-0 hpxHWY post-social-sharg__list"><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ redd"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target="_blank"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq redd"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 24 24" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on redd</tle><path fill-le="evenodd" d="M15.57,15.284 C14.673,15.284 13.91925,14.5565 13.91925,13.6595 C13.91925,12.7625 14.673,12.011 15.57,12.011 C16.467,12.011 17.1945,12.7625 17.1945,13.6595 C17.1945,14.5565 16.467,15.284 15.57,15.284 M15.951,18.437 C15.1155,19.27175 13.827,19.6775 12.012,19.6775 C12.00825,19.6775 12.00375,19.67675 11.99925,19.67675 C11.9955,19.67675 11.991,19.6775 11.9865,19.6775 C10.1715,19.6775 8.88375,19.27175 8.049,18.437 C7.7925,18.1805 7.7925,17.76575 8.049,17.51 C8.30475,17.25425 8.7195,17.25425 8.976,17.51 C9.552,18.086 10.53675,18.3665 11.9865,18.3665 C11.991,18.3665 11.9955,18.36725 11.99925,18.36725 C12.00375,18.36725 12.00825,18.3665 12.012,18.3665 C13.46175,18.3665 14.44725,18.086 15.024,17.51 C15.2805,17.2535 15.69525,17.25425 15.951,17.51 C16.20675,17.7665 16.20675,18.18125 15.951,18.437 M6.8055,13.6595 C6.8055,12.76325 7.55775,12.011 8.454,12.011 C9.351,12.011 10.0785,12.76325 10.0785,13.6595 C10.0785,14.5565 9.351,15.284 8.454,15.284 C7.55775,15.284 6.8055,14.5565 6.8055,13.6595 M19.998,3.311 C20.6055,3.311 21.09975,3.80525 21.09975,4.412 C21.09975,5.0195 20.6055,5.51375 19.998,5.51375 C19.3905,5.51375 18.89625,5.0195 18.89625,4.412 C18.89625,3.80525 19.3905,3.311 19.998,3.311 M24,11.87525 C24,10.2845 22.70625,8.99075 21.1155,8.99075 C20.427,8.99075 19.79475,9.23375 19.29825,9.638 C17.5395,8.5325 15.3075,7.8665 12.915,7.7255 L14.163,3.77975 L17.59275,4.5875 C17.68275,5.83625 18.72675,6.82475 19.998,6.82475 C21.32775,6.82475 22.41,5.7425 22.41,4.412 C22.41,3.08225 21.32775,2 19.998,2 C19.068,2 18.2595,2.5295 17.85675,3.30275 L13.87125,2.3645 C13.5375,2.28575 13.2,2.47775 13.0965,2.80475 L11.547,7.70225 C8.96925,7.76525 6.546,8.4335 4.65825,9.6035 C4.1685,9.22025 3.55275,8.99075 2.8845,8.99075 C1.29375,8.99075 0,10.2845 0,11.87525 C0,12.8585 0.495,13.72775 1.24875,14.24825 C1.21725,14.477 1.20075,14.70725 1.20075,14.9405 C1.20075,16.92875 2.3565,18.77825 4.455,20.14775 C6.4665,21.461 9.129,22.184 11.95125,22.184 C14.7735,22.184 17.436,21.461 19.4475,20.14775 C21.546,18.77825 22.70175,16.92875 22.70175,14.9405 C22.70175,14.72825 22.6875,14.5175 22.66125,14.30825 C23.46525,13.796 24,12.89675 24,11.87525"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ facebook"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target="_blank"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq facebook"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 320 512" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on facebook</tle><path d="M279.14 288l14.22-92.66h-88.91v-60.13c0-25.35 12.42-50.06 52.24-50.06h40.42V6.26S260.43 0 225.36 0c-73.22 0-121.08 44.38-121.08 124.72v70.62H22.89V288h81.39v224h100.17V288z"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ twter"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target="_blank"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq twter"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 24 24" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on twter</tle><path fill-le="evenodd" d="M24,4.3086 C23.117,4.7006 22.168,4.9646 21.172,5.0836 C22.188,4.4746 22.969,3.5096 23.337,2.3596 C22.386,2.9246 21.332,3.3336 20.21,3.5556 C19.312,2.5976 18.032,1.9996 16.616,1.9996 C13.897,1.9996 11.692,4.2046 11.692,6.9236 C11.692,7.3096 11.736,7.6856 11.82,8.0456 C7.728,7.8406 4.099,5.8806 1.671,2.9006 C1.247,3.6286 1.004,4.4736 1.004,5.3766 C1.004,7.0846 1.873,8.5926 3.195,9.4756 C2.388,9.4486 1.628,9.2276 0.964,8.8596 L0.964,8.9206 C0.964,11.3066 2.661,13.2966 4.914,13.7486 C4.501,13.8626 4.065,13.9216 3.617,13.9216 C3.299,13.9216 2.991,13.8906 2.69,13.8336 C3.317,15.7896 5.135,17.2136 7.29,17.2536 C5.604,18.5736 3.481,19.3606 1.175,19.3606 C0.777,19.3606 0.385,19.3376 0,19.2926 C2.179,20.6886 4.767,21.5046 7.548,21.5046 C16.605,21.5046 21.557,14.0016 21.557,7.4946 C21.557,7.2816 21.552,7.0696 21.543,6.8586 C22.505,6.1636 23.34,5.2966 24,4.3086"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ email"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href="mailto:?;subject=How%20A%20Puerto%20Rin%2C%20Transmascule%20Barber%20Is%20Creatg%20An%20Oasis%20For%20Black%2C%20Queer%20And%20Trans%20People" rel="" target="_self"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq email"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 24 24" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on email</tle><path fill-le="evenodd" d="M23,20 L23,6 L12,15 L1,6 L1,20 L23,20 Z M12,12 L22,4 L2,4 L12,12 Z"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ ptert"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target="_blank"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq ptert"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 24 24" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on ptert</tle><path fill-le="evenodd" d="M12,0 C5.37225,0 0,5.37225 0,12 C0,17.0835 3.16275,21.426 7.62675,23.17425 C7.52175,22.22475 7.42725,20.76825 7.66875,19.73175 C7.88625,18.79575 9.07575,13.767 9.07575,13.767 C9.07575,13.767 8.7165,13.0485 8.7165,11.98575 C8.7165,10.317 9.684,9.07125 10.88775,9.07125 C11.9115,9.07125 12.4065,9.84 12.4065,10.76175 C12.4065,11.7915 11.751,13.3305 11.41275,14.757 C11.13,15.95175 12.01125,16.926 13.1895,16.926 C15.3225,16.926 16.962,14.67675 16.962,11.43075 C16.962,8.5575 14.89725,6.54825 11.949,6.54825 C8.535,6.54825 6.531,9.1095 6.531,11.75625 C6.531,12.7875 6.92775,13.89375 7.4235,14.4945 C7.52175,14.61375 7.536,14.71725 7.50675,14.83875 C7.416,15.21825 7.2135,16.03275 7.17375,16.2 C7.12125,16.419 6.99975,16.46625 6.7725,16.3605 C5.27325,15.66225 4.3365,13.4715 4.3365,11.71125 C4.3365,7.926 7.08675,4.44975 12.2655,4.44975 C16.428,4.44975 19.6635,7.416 19.6635,11.3805 C19.6635,15.516 17.05575,18.8445 13.43625,18.8445 C12.2205,18.8445 11.0775,18.21225 10.686,17.466 C10.686,17.466 10.0845,19.75725 9.93825,20.319 C9.6675,21.36075 8.93625,22.66725 8.4465,23.4645 C9.57,23.8125 10.76325,24 12,24 C18.62775,24 24,18.627 24,12 C24,5.37225 18.62775,0 12,0"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ lked"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target="_blank"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq lked"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 24 24" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on lked</tle><path fill-le="evenodd" d="M20.45175,20.45025 L16.89225,20.45025 L16.89225,14.88075 C16.89225,13.5525 16.86975,11.844 15.04275,11.844 C13.191,11.844 12.90825,13.2915 12.90825,14.7855 L12.90825,20.45025 L9.3525,20.45025 L9.3525,8.997 L12.765,8.997 L12.765,10.563 L12.81375,10.563 C13.2885,9.66225 14.4495,8.71275 16.18125,8.71275 C19.78575,8.71275 20.45175,11.08425 20.45175,14.169 L20.45175,20.45025 Z M5.33925,7.4325 C4.1955,7.4325 3.27375,6.50775 3.27375,5.36775 C3.27375,4.2285 4.1955,3.30375 5.33925,3.30375 C6.47775,3.30375 7.4025,4.2285 7.4025,5.36775 C7.4025,6.50775 6.47775,7.4325 5.33925,7.4325 L5.33925,7.4325 Z M7.11975,20.45025 L3.5565,20.45025 L3.5565,8.997 L7.11975,8.997 L7.11975,20.45025 Z M23.00025,0 L1.0005,0 C0.44775,0 0,0.44775 0,0.99975 L0,22.9995 C0,23.55225 0.44775,24 1.0005,24 L23.00025,24 C23.55225,24 24,23.55225 24,22.9995 L24,0.99975 C24,0.44775 23.55225,0 23.00025,0 L23.00025,0 Z"></path></svg></span></a></li><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ whatsapp"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target="_blank"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq whatsapp"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 512 512" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on whatsapp</tle><path d="M260.062 32C138.605 32 40.134 129.701 40.134 250.232c0 41.23 11.532 79.79 31.559 112.687L32 480l121.764-38.682c31.508 17.285 67.745 27.146 106.298 27.146C381.535 468.464 480 370.749 480 250.232 480 129.701 381.535 32 260.062 32zm109.362 301.11c-5.174 12.827-28.574 24.533-38.899 25.072-10.314.547-10.608 7.994-66.84-16.434-56.225-24.434-90.052-83.844-92.719-87.67-2.669-3.812-21.78-31.047-20.749-58.455 1.038-27.413 16.047-40.346 21.404-45.725 5.351-5.387 11.486-6.352 15.232-6.413 4.428-.072 7.296-.132 10.573-.011 3.274.124 8.192-.685 12.45 10.639 4.256 11.323 14.443 39.153 15.746 41.989 1.302 2.839 2.108 6.126.102 9.771-2.012 3.653-3.042 5.935-5.961 9.083-2.935 3.148-6.174 7.042-8.792 9.449-2.92 2.665-5.97 5.572-2.9 11.269 3.068 5.693 13.653 24.356 29.779 39.736 20.725 19.771 38.598 26.329 44.098 29.317 5.515 3.004 8.806 2.67 12.226-.929 3.404-3.599 14.639-15.746 18.596-21.169 3.955-5.438 7.661-4.373 12.742-2.329 5.078 2.052 32.157 16.556 37.673 19.551 5.51 2.989 9.193 4.529 10.51 6.9 1.317 2.38.901 13.531-4.271 26.359z"></path></svg></span></a></li></ul></div><div class="sibar__ByleWrapper-sc-135rg5d-0 dFphtv article-meta__byle le-mon__post-byle le-mon__post-byle--sibar"><div class="sibar__AuthorsWrapper-sc-135rg5d-1 cOMElx post-byle__thors-wrapper"><div class="sibar__Avatars-sc-135rg5d-3 cYVCSw post-byle__grouped-avatars"><div class="flt__Element-sc-8r6934-0 Eajbf post-byle__left irvg__agment irvg__agment--flt"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma irvg__lk irvg__lk--flt" aria-hidn="te" href=" rel="" target="" tabx="-1"><figure class="flt__FigureWrapper-sc-1lmy-0 fjaYGN post-byle__avatar irvg__image irvg__image--flt"><span style="paddg-bottom:100%" class="flt__ImageWrapper-sc-1lmy-1 hnRmkg"><img alt="" loadg="lazy" src=" Foglia" srcSet="" siz="" class="flt__ImageTag-sc-1lmy-2 jDWYqd"/></span></figure></a></div></div><div class="sibar__AuthorNam-sc-135rg5d-2 cqTYOK post-byle__thor-nam"><span class="flt__AuthorWrapper-sc-3fiqtm-2 cAJsvb post-byle__thor"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma post-byle__thor-lk irvg__lk irvg__lk--flt" href=" rel="" target=""><span class="flt__TextWrapper-sc-hmou3q-0 nVGhA irvg__text irvg__text--flt">Lou Foglia</span></a></span></div></div></div><div class="timtamp__TextWrapper-sc-1uu26yx-0 fBbNtW article-meta__post-timtamp le-mon__post-timtamp le-mon__post-timtamp--timtamp"><div class="post-date">9:20 AM CDT on Jun 30, 2022</div> </div></div><div class="flt__ContaerWrapper-sc-1k8y94x-0 bTqzht article-featured-image irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--flt" id="sgle_media"><figure class="article__FigureWrapper-sc-7s8aer-0 enkhzk irvg__post-featured-image irvg__post-featured-image--article"><span style="paddg-bottom:56.25%" class="article__ImageWrapper-sc-7s8aer-1 cLpHBB"><img alt="" height="675" loadg="lazy" src=" srcSet=" 2400w, 1800w, 1200w, 900w, 600w, 450w, 300w, 100w" siz="(max-width: 350px) 350px, (max-width: 1058px) 768px, (max-width: 1700px) 1080px, 2400px" width="1200" class="article__ImageTag-sc-7s8aer-2 ehmVhs"/></span><div class="article__ImageMeta-sc-7s8aer-3 eBXNjs"><figptn class="article__ImageCaptn-sc-7s8aer-4 hrwttr">Jai Rodriguez cuts hair for Woodlawn rint Benji Hart at Love Blooms Here Plaza North Lawndale Saturday, June 18, 2022.</figptn><span class="article__ImageCred-sc-7s8aer-5 ieDIYX">Lou Foglia/Block Club Chigo</span></div></figure></div></div><div class="flt__ContaerWrapper-sc-1k8y94x-0 bTqzht article-ntent-ntaer irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--flt"><div class="ntentWidth__ContaerWrapper-sc-1p9n6rf-0 gnvRpv irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--ntentWidth"><div class="flt__CredibilyInditorsWrapper-sc-18725oc-0 iUZmNj le-mon__credibily-ditors le-mon__credibily-ditors--flt"><ul class="credibily-ditors__list"><li class="credibily-ditors__list-em"><span class="flt__TextWrapper-sc-hmou3q-0 nVGhA credibily-ditors__tle irvg__text irvg__text--flt">Credibily:</span></li><li class="credibily-ditors__list-em"><div class="flt__PopoverWrapper-sc-19b13eh-0 aA-dxY le-mon__popover le-mon__popover--flt"><div class="popover" aria-modal="false" aria-hidn="te" role="dialog" style="posn:fixed;visibily:hidn;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0">This article ntas new, firsthand rmatn unvered by s reporter(s). This clus directly terviewg sourc and rearch / analysis of primary source documents.<button class="popover__close" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expand="false" aria-label="Close" role="button" tabx="0">×<span class="screenrearOnly">close</span></button></div><button type="button" class="popover__trigger" aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expand="false" role="button" tabx="0"><svg fill="none" viewBox="0 0 18 12" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns=" class=""><g clip-path="url(#ditor-origal-reportg_svg__clip0)"><path fill-le="evenodd" clip-le="evenodd" d="M8.524 1.632c3.228 0 6.068 3.26 6.968 4.409-.9 1.152-3.74 4.411-6.968 4.411-3.228 0-6.07-3.26-6.97-4.41.9-1.15 3.74-4.409 6.97-4.409v-.001zm0 10.368c4.082 0 7.383-4.022 8.295-5.256a1.203 1.203 0 000-1.406C15.907 4.108 12.607.085 8.524.085 4.44.084 1.14 4.108.227 5.34a1.204 1.204 0 000 1.408C1.14 7.978 4.44 12 8.524 12zm.043-8.194c1.153 0 2.088.983 2.088 2.194 0 1.212-.935 2.194-2.088 2.194-1.152 0-2.088-.983-2.088-2.194 0-1.212.936-2.192 2.088-2.194zm0 5.944c1.971 0 3.57-1.68 3.57-3.75 0-2.071-1.599-3.75-3.57-3.75-1.972 0-3.57 1.679-3.57 3.75.002 2.07 1.6 3.748 3.57 3.75z" fill="currentColor"></path></g><fs><clipPath id="ditor-origal-reportg_svg__clip0"><path fill="#fff" d="M0 0h18v12H0z"></path></clipPath></fs></svg><span class="flt__TextWrapper-sc-hmou3q-0 nVGhA irvg__text irvg__text--flt">Origal Reportg</span></button></div></li><li class="credibily-ditors__list-em"><div class="flt__PopoverWrapper-sc-19b13eh-0 aA-dxY le-mon__popover le-mon__popover--flt"><div class="popover" aria-modal="false" aria-hidn="te" role="dialog" style="posn:fixed;visibily:hidn;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0">Indit that a Newsmaker/Newsmakers was/were physilly prent to report the article om some/all of the lotn(s) ncerns.<button class="popover__close" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expand="false" aria-label="Close" role="button" tabx="0">×<span class="screenrearOnly">close</span></button></div><button type="button" class="popover__trigger" aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expand="false" role="button" tabx="0"><svg fill="none" viewBox="0 0 11 16" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns=" class=""><path fill-le="evenodd" clip-le="evenodd" d="M7.55 14.085c-.32.602-.862.937-1.406.937-.383 0-.735-.2-.895-.502-.223-.401-.128-1.004.256-1.64.032-.066.128-.2.192-.267.671.335 1.406.569 2.173.736-.128.301-.224.569-.32.736zm.767-1.673c-.83-.167-1.598-.401-2.3-.769l-.032-.033c-.288-.1-.64-.067-.864.167-.19.167-.415.535-.415.535-.767 1.305-.51 2.208-.288 2.643.32.636.96 1.004 1.694 1.004h.032c.895 0 1.726-.536 2.205-1.439.192-.335.384-.836.512-1.17a.697.697 0 00-.16-.737.848.848 0 00-.384-.2v-.001zm.801-2.584c-.182.297-.394.627-.606 1.024H8.48c-.849-.397-1.607-.594-2.092-.727.363-.891.272-1.42.212-1.849-.06-.33-.09-.594.151-1.155.667-1.519 1.577-2.212 2.154-2.113.485.099.88.825 1.03 2.047.152 1.188-.21 1.75-.818 2.773h.001zm-.092-5.745c-1.062-.165-2.305.892-3.093 2.642-.364.825-.303 1.32-.212 1.75.06.363.12.693-.213 1.42a.952.952 0 00-.03.759c.09.198.273.33.485.396.394.099 1.274.297 2.184.726.12.066.212.066.333.066a.936.936 0 00.79-.462c.211-.363.423-.693.575-.99.667-1.09 1.152-1.882.97-3.434-.273-2.18-1.122-2.774-1.79-2.873h.001zM3.262 8.852c-.12 1.038-.629 1.415-.928 1.54-.39.158-.838.126-1.108-.125-.299-.22-.419-.629-.359-1.1.03-.19.09-.472.18-.818.718.188 1.466.314 2.215.314a.21.21 0 010 .189zm.868-.535c-.09-.314-.33-.534-.659-.566h-.03a8.569 8.569 0 01-2.334-.346h-.06c-.33-.031-.659.158-.749.472-.09.346-.239.818-.269 1.164-.12.817.15 1.54.69 1.98.328.284.747.41 1.166.41.27 0 .57-.063.838-.19.808-.377 1.347-1.194 1.467-2.295-.03 0 0-.409-.06-.629zM1.438 5.514c.146-1.513.234-2.175 1.228-3.279.936-1.04 1.784-1.513 2.252-1.23.38.221.672 1.104.38 2.491-.117.536-.35.726-.644 1.01-.38.315-.818.725-1.052 1.702a11.74 11.74 0 00-2.194-.347c.03-.126.03-.252.03-.347zM1.29 6.775c.995.032 1.813.253 2.223.347.058 0 .117.032.175.032.351 0 .644-.252.731-.694.147-.725.44-.946.76-1.23.352-.315.79-.662.966-1.544.35-1.672.03-2.996-.82-3.5-1.14-.662-2.543.599-3.274 1.387C.852 2.897.765 3.843.591 5.388c-.03.158-.03.284-.06.442-.03.22.03.441.176.63.146.19.38.284.584.315" fill="currentColor"></path></svg><span class="flt__TextWrapper-sc-hmou3q-0 nVGhA irvg__text irvg__text--flt">On the Ground</span></button></div></li><li class="credibily-ditors__list-em"><div class="flt__PopoverWrapper-sc-19b13eh-0 aA-dxY le-mon__popover le-mon__popover--flt"><div class="popover" aria-modal="false" aria-hidn="te" role="dialog" style="posn:fixed;visibily:hidn;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0">As a news piece, this article c verifiable, third-party sourc which have all been thoroughly fact-checked and emed credible by the Newsroom.<button class="popover__close" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expand="false" aria-label="Close" role="button" tabx="0">×<span class="screenrearOnly">close</span></button></div><button type="button" class="popover__trigger" aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expand="false" role="button" tabx="0"><svg fill="none" viewBox="0 0 13 14" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns=" class=""><path clip-le="evenodd" d="M1 12.429V2.714v9.715zM10.247 12v1H2.304s-.759-.017-1.087-.426C1.096 12.42 1 12.055 1 11.857l9.247.143zM9.818 1H1.982C1.442 1 1 1.43 1 1.957v.25c0 .526.442.957.982.957h8.265v2.979L9.818 1zm-.752 0s-1.357 1.214.637 2.286L9.066 1zm.637 5.143c1.502 0 2.72 1.279 2.72 2.857 0 1.578-1.218 2.857-2.72 2.857-1.502 0-2.72-1.279-2.72-2.857 0-1.578 1.218-2.857 2.72-2.857z" stroke="currentColor" stroke-lep="round" stroke-lejo="round"></path><path d="M9.16 8.802l.525.77 1.106-1.143" stroke="currentColor" stroke-lep="round" stroke-lejo="round"></path></svg><span class="flt__TextWrapper-sc-hmou3q-0 nVGhA irvg__text irvg__text--flt">Sourc Ced</span></button></div></li></ul></div></div><div class="flt__ContaerWrapper-sc-1k8y94x-0 bTqzht article-ntent irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--flt"><div><div class="articleContent__Wrapper-sc-1rqfqf-0 bDtujo le-mon__article-ntent pi-ntent le-mon__gutenberg-ntent le-mon__gutenberg-ntent--articleContent" id="pi"><p>NORTH LAWNDALE — In 2007, when Jai Rodriguez walked to Jayuya Barbershop Humboldt Park was his first time gettg a haircut he actually wanted. </p><p>For years, Rodriguez kept his hair curly and long down his back. The cut he had md was drastilly shorter — so much so that the barber was nervo about cuttg and asked Rodriguez five tim if he was sure, Rodriguez said.</p><p>“It took him a while, and I remember the whole barbershop stopped what they were dog to e see,” Rodriguez said. “It was jt so affirmg to walk out of there and have the haircut that I wanted.”</p><p>Now, Rodriguez, a 38-year-old Puerto Rin and transmacule barber based south suburban Homewood, wants queer people who s his barber chair to feel the same affirmatns. Through tn and mentorship wh his muny, Rodriguez is buildg a barbershop centered around Black, queer, transgenr people. </p><p>“One of the thgs that we don’t get all the time is bs or plac that put Black queer trans folks to the ont,” Rodriguez said. “I thk that when we make a service that’s ma for all of — if you are servicg queer trans Black folks — then everythg else n e afterwards.” </p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img siz="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcSet=" 5346w, 300w, 768w, 1024w, 1536w, 2048w, 1080w, 72w, 564w, 615w, 114w, 254w, 507w, 1013w, 2025w, 600w, 1200w, 1366w" class="wp-image-544560" alt="" src=" height="683" width="1024" loadg="lazy" dg="async"/><span class="image-cred"><strong>Cred: </strong> Lou Foglia/Block Club Chigo</span><figptn class="wp-element-ptn">Jai Rodriguez cuts hair for Woodlawn rint Benji Hart at Love Blooms Here Plaza North Lawndale on June 18.</figptn></figure><p>For now, Rodriguez cuts hair out of his home. Most clients fd him by word of mouth and intify as LGBTQ, he said. He books clients multiple days a week. Some travel by rpool groups, bookg entire afternoons at a time. </p><p>Rodriguez is also the host of Boi Talk, a transmascule support group through Brave Space Alliance, a Black and trans-led LGBTQ center based Hy Park at 1515 E. 52nd Place. Two Saturdays a month, he works hair appotments out of Brave Space Alliance, an ia he helped brg to the anizatn.</p><p>For Rodriguez, hair is an sential part of how queer people exprs themselv. It holds the power to make a statement and “the eedom” to be who you are, he said.  </p><p>“I was told I would look super manly if I cut off all my hair,” Rodriguez said. “I thk before I knew I was trans, I kd of battled wh keepg hair for somebody else bee ma them feel fortable. When I was able to chop my hair down to a one — was so eeg. I was able to look at myself so differently than I ed to before.”</p><p>Rodriguez grew up Humboldt Park. Route viss to Jayuya Barbershop led Rodriguez to the ia of cuttg his own hair. He spent hours learng om barbers neighborhood shops and eventually got a job cuttg hair at Jayuya. </p><p>Rodriguez later went pennt, buyg a vtage barber chair om a retirg barber and cuttg hair out of his mother’s Humboldt Park home. Rodriguez built a followg among queer clients and began cultivatg a space where LGBTQ people uld be their thentic selv.</p><p>“We uld be as gay as we wanted to be,” Rodriguez said. “We didn’t have to dial anythg down or nstantly be monorg.”</p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img siz="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcSet=" 6240w, 300w, 768w, 1024w, 1536w, 2048w, 1080w, 72w, 564w, 615w, 114w, 254w, 507w, 1013w, 2025w, 600w, 1200w, 1366w" class="wp-image-544562" alt="" src=" height="683" width="1024" loadg="lazy" dg="async"/><span class="image-cred"><strong>Cred: </strong> Lou Foglia/Block Club Chigo</span><figptn class="wp-element-ptn">Jai Rodriguez cuts hair for Woodlawn rint Benji Hart at Love Blooms Here Plaza North Lawndale on June 18.</figptn></figure><p>Rodriguez said he is proud to be “visibly queer,” but he noted queerns is not somethg people n hi or turn off when walkg to a barbershop, even if there is an urge to do so. </p><p>“Beg a barbershop n also be really weird for somebody who is not a straight du,” Rodriguez said. “The nversatns get really weird really fast. It’s super sexist.” </p><p>Rodriguez workg out of his own space has allowed for clients to discs difficult topics, like genr-affirmg health re, genr dysphoria, relatnships and fay. Clients share rourc while gettg reprentatn and mentorship om Rodriguez. Safety is a top prry, he said.</p><p>“I take my job really serly bee there’s not that many people that e such close ntact wh you. It’s lerally like doctors — and barbers,” Rodriguez said. “I’m a person that is pretty big on personal space, so I really make sure that I’m the right headspace and the right energy when I’m alg wh my clients bee I know It n get really unfortable when someone’s not rpectg what you want or what you need at that pot.”</p><p>Benji Hart, 33, of Woodlawn, said beg able to discs LGBTQ topics wh their barber is one of the reasons they keep g back to Rodriguez.</p><p>“It’s great havg another queer person of lor that not jt unrstands my hair but unrstands me,” Hart said. “We n talk about what’s gog on our liv, we n talk about relatnship advice and iendship advice and navigatg the issu of inti wh our fai.”</p><p>Hart has been a client of Rodriguez sce 2013. They said they experienced phback om other barbers the past and were told certa styl they asked for wouldn’t be what they wanted. </p><p>Rodriguez always knew where Hart was g om. Rodriguez always listened.  </p><p>“Jai really knows my hair,” Hart said. “Jai is really good at helpg you figure out what you want whout tellg you what you want and really beg a gui for you and figurg out the look that was bt for you.”</p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img siz="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcSet=" 6100w, 300w, 768w, 1024w, 1536w, 2048w, 1080w, 72w, 564w, 615w, 114w, 253w, 507w, 1012w, 2025w, 600w, 1200w, 1366w" class="wp-image-544564" alt="" src=" height="683" width="1024" loadg="lazy" dg="async"/><span class="image-cred"><strong>Cred: </strong> Lou Foglia/Block Club Chigo</span><figptn class="wp-element-ptn">Jai Rodriguez, a transmascule barber based Homewood, is buildg an clive barbershop centered around Chigo’s Black, queer, transgenr muny. Rodriguez, pictured North Lawndale on June 18, cut hair at Love Blooms Here Plaza.</figptn></figure><p>Rodriguez’s said he hop to open a three-chair barbershop to service queer and trans people by the end of the year. He recently pleted a bs urse through Sunshe Enterpris and is seekg an accsible space on the South Si. </p><p>Rodriguez envisns a space where pronouns are rpected and where he n teach other queer barbers to build their own clientele.</p><p>Rodriguez hop havg his own lotn will help draw attentn to the work he is dog, he said. He wants people to unrstand there is a need for LGBTQ iendly space wh barbershops and a market for queer and trans people who need barbers that listen to them. </p><p>“The feelg when you get a good haircut — ’s like you’re on top of the world,” Rodriguez said. “That’s always what I’m lookg for: to give people exactly what they want and to know what exactly means when you get right.”</p><p class="pi__hi-for-payg"><em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href=">Subscribe to Block Club Chigo</a>, an pennt, 501(c)(3), journalist-n newsroom. Every dime we make funds reportg om Chigo’s neighborhoods.</em></p><p class="pi__hi-for-payg"><em>Click <a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href=">here</a> to support Block Club wh a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href=">tax-ductible donatn.</a></em> </p><p class="pi__show-for-payg"><em>Thanks for subscribg to Block Club Chigo, an pennt, 501(c)(3), journalist-n newsroom. Every dime we make funds reportg om Chigo’s neighborhoods</em>.<em> Click <a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href=">here</a> to support Block Club wh a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href=">tax-ductible donatn.</a></em></p><p><a href="><strong>Watch our “On The Block” TV show on The U, CW26 and MeTV.</strong></a></p><p><strong>Listen to “It’s All Good: A Block Club Chigo Podst”:</strong></p><iame class="" style="width:100%" width="640px" height="377px" src=" allowfullscreen=""></iame><div style="height:1px;left:0;marg:0 to;posn:absolute;poter-events:none;right:0;top:50%;width:1px" id="wp-irvg-gtm-article-midpot"></div></div></div></div><div class="ntentWidth__ContaerWrapper-sc-1p9n6rf-0 gnvRpv article-meta article-meta--bottom irvg__ntaer irvg__ntaer--ntentWidth"><div class="flt__SocialShargWrapper-sc-1ap9xvz-0 fInWHe irvg__post-social-sharg irvg__post-social-sharg--pill"><ul class="pill__SocialShargList-sc-19unuas-0 hpxHWY post-social-sharg__list"><li class="pill__SocialShargItemWrapper-sc-19unuas-1 iWrpEJ redd"><a class="flt__LkWrapper-sc-iyf4mi-0 hcvtma --flt" href=" rel="" target="_blank"><span class="pill__InWrapper-sc-19unuas-2 iCbVVq redd"><svg stroke="currentColor" fill="currentColor" stroke-width="0" viewBox="0 0 24 24" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="><tle>Share on redd.