Yahoo News Queer-owned Bristol businesses to visit this Pride Month
June is Pride Month, an important time of year for the LGBTQ+ community that commemorates the Stonewall riots of 1969 in Manhattan. Although not the first instance of the gay community fighting back against persecution, it is often cited as the defining moment marking the start of the gay rights movement across the world.
Bristol is home to a number of queer-owned businesses. Read on to find out more about what these inclusive places have to offer.
Buff Bar
Buff Bar nail studio in Old Market is described as LGBTQIA+ friendly and supportive of the queer community. Owner Nathan Taylor describes themselves first and foremost as an artist, interested in crafts in its many forms.
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Nathan qualified as a nail tech in 2018, not only in nail tech but also in e-filing, gel polish and nail art. Buff Bar has featured in various magazines, including Time Out and Refinery29.
"Whilst the nail industry can be a place where marginalised people can flourish, I have experienced significant barriers to my career as a queer, disabled, biracial working class person working as a nail artist," said Nathan.
Nathan's latest project, 'In Your Hands', is a fully-funded programme made up of Nathan and a few other industry professionals to support "newbies" in the nail sector. A particular focus is placed on those from marginalised backgrounds.
These trainees will qualify as nail technicians, leaving the scheme with professional networks, an education in financial management and business insight. As well as this, trainees will receive a full nail kit and fully-accredited nail course for free.
Dooo
Dooo is based in Bedminster but also runs an app service where clients can book a same-day appointment and have a vetted stylist travel to them.
Founder Jess Palfrey previously trained in the army before becoming a stylist. They have cut hair "from the dark depths of the sea to the mountain tops of Everest."
As well as being inclusive for customers by offering 'genderless' hair cuts, Dooo employs hair stylists who can work flexibly, setting their own hours and prices. Hair stylists are able to join Dooo with no subscription or set up fees and are charged a flat 20% commission on earnings.
Courses for stylists are also on offer, training stylists on a range of different hair types. This includes sessions on long hair, short hair and curly hair.
The Phoenix
A bar just a short walk from Cabot Circus, The Phoenix has been on the Bristol pub scene since 1850.
A dog-friendly pub by day, they serve meals made from locally sourced produce, with their Sunday Roast meat coming from Buxton Butchers. The Phoenix dubs itself a "quintessentially British" local pub.
But The Phoenix is not just a pub. Home to LGBTQ+ club night 'Don't Tell Your Mother', DTYM, The Phoenix prides itself on being a queer-friendly space.
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