“I really wanted to open up a space where trans people could just show up, know that they were welcome, and be able to ask questions in a really low key, low pressure environment,” said Jessie Anderson, founder and owner of Big Bro’s Barbershop in East Vancouver.
Jessie Anderson leans on the now available parking spots at Big Bro's, enhanced accessibility for everyone!
Jessie Anderson leans on the now available parking spots at Big Bro's, enhanced accessibility for everyone!
Jessie Anderson (he/him) was 24 years old when he first opened up Big Bro’s Barbershop, a hair and resource space centered on the trans and queer community. As a trans man, he found there were only a few brick-and-mortar spaces dedicated to trans wellness, in Vancouver and elsewhere.
Starting off with a budget of only nine thousand dollars, he opened up the tiniest art studio in an industrial Franklin Street warehouse in 2015. But it became popular enough that the space turned into a proper storefront within the first year.
“It served us really, really well, but we were so booked up that we needed to bring on more and more staff. And more staff meant more space for chairs,” said Anderson.
Big Bro’s remained in that location for eight years but recently relocated to a brand-new space on Broadway and Nanaimo Street on November 1st, 2024.
“We were working with rickety sinks that didn't really work properly. We were just expanding past the annoying little bits at first and not sustainable in the long run.”
Now with a larger and more accessible space, Anderson hopes to continue strengthening the physical presence of Big Bro’s, enhancing the lives of the trans community beyond the context of medical transition.
Seven Snips, a member of Big Bro's talented staff, brings expertise in styling hair of all textures, lengths, and genders.
Seven Snips, a member of Big Bro's talented staff, brings expertise in styling hair of all textures, lengths, and genders.
Big Bro's is inspired by the trans flag colors—right down to the gloves!
Big Bro's is coded in the trans flag colors, including the gloves
At the entrance, you're greeted by a trans flag barber pole and a trophy for Best Emerging Entrepreneur from the 2016 Small Business BC Awards. The flagpole was a surprise gift from the owner's grandfather.
At the entrance, you're greeted by a trans flag barber pole and a trophy for Best Emerging Entrepreneur from the 2016 Small Business BC Awards. The flagpole was a surprise gift from the owner's grandfather.
When Anderson is not working as a barber, he can be found floating around the shop, tackling administrative tasks and greeting customers.
When Anderson is not working as a barber, he can be found floating around the shop, tackling administrative tasks and greeting customers.
Like Anderson, Zed Payne (they/them) hopes that this new location will attract more people to the space, especially with its improved walkability, accessibility, and transit access.
Payne is a queer independent hairstylist and artist who rents out the back half of Big Bro’s. Payne came across Anderson in an article, and recognizing their shared aspirations, asked to meet Anderson for coffee. They have both worked together since.
Payne became a hairdresser in 2011 after being denied service at barbershops for not appearing 'masculine enough' and being unable to get affirming haircuts in salons.
“People would always try and ‘feminize’ me and say, 'Oh, you don't want it that short, it's gonna be too masculine and you're gonna look like a boy. ' And I thought, why can't you give me the haircut I'm asking for?" they said.
Payne’s experience is not unique. It’s actually quite common for trans and non-binary folks to have a distressing experience at hair salons and barbershops.
A survey done by Pantene showed that 93 per cent of non-binary and trans people have been misgendered during a salon visit, 29 per cent of trans people report feeling stressed every time they visit a hair salon, and 24 per cent feel anxious about it.
For this reason, Big Bro's takes a different approach. From gender-neutral pricing to queer-identifying staff, the space challenges the gendered expectations that are very commonly present in the hair industry.
"I always thought it was quite ridiculous that people charge based on what they perceive your genitals to look like," said Payne.
Most traditional salons still charge more for a woman's cut than a man's cut regardless of length. But for them, it's very simple. All Payne wants is for the people in their chair to choose the haircut they want, irrespective of their gender.
“I give you the haircut you ask for. I don't argue with you. I don't question you."
It all comes down to allowing people to get the service they want without fear or imposition.
When Zed Payne isn’t cutting or styling hair, they’re immersed in their art and crafts. Some of their creations can be seen displayed behind them.
When Zed Payne isn’t cutting or styling hair, they’re immersed in their art and crafts. Some of their creations can be seen displayed behind them.
For over a decade, Payne has built loyal, recurrent clientele, many of which are older clients.
For over a decade, Payne has built loyal, recurrent clientele, many of which are older clients.
“Haircuts are a really casual way to facilitate conversation with people, whether they want to talk about transition stuff or not,“ said Anderson.
For many trans folks, finding gender-affirming products like binders or gaffes can be quite the hassle because they’re usually only available in sex shops. This makes it especially difficult for young people to access these products, both on their own and with their families.
At Big Bro's, a client may come in for a haircut and later start exploring the gender-affirming products in the space.
“I wanted to create an all genders and ages friendly space where young people didn't have to feel so weird bringing their moms in to look for shapewear,” said Anderson.
This means creating a space where people of all ages can feel comfortable trying on products and asking questions about transition.
“Trans people get questioned about literally every single choice they make, you have to present as extremely confident to be taken seriously," said Anderson. "So it's important to have spaces where people can show up and think, 'I don't know. I don’t know what I’m doing.'"
Anderson has been successful in providing that experience to trans and queer people who frequent Big Bro’s doors.
But being trans-centered doesn’t mean trans-exclusive. Anderson has several recurrent straight cisgender clients who come into the space for a basic trim or haircut.
“I'm the first man who's ever opened up a conversation with them about depression and divorce being hard and saying ‘Hey it sounds like raising kids is really difficult,'” he said.
For Anderson, it was important to challenge the hyper-macho ingrained culture stemming from traditional barbershops.
"I do think that there's a lot of people who might feel inherently masculine, but who almost feel emasculated by barbershop spaces because they're so hyper-macho," he said. "Am I manly enough to have a conversation with my own barber?"
In creating Big Bro's, Anderson was therefore very intentional in how he curated and set up the space. He knew masculine people would inherently feel represented by him so the space leans into the feminine side of the pastels of the trans flag, allowing for a more emotional experience.
Big Bro’s may end with 'Barbershop,' but it's unlike any other traditional barbershop or salon in the city. Big Bro's has become the welcoming and inclusive space Anderson always dreamed of: a place where queer and trans people can build community and learn from one another in an environment that prioritizes safety and comfort for both clients and staff.
“You can get food, you can come for a haircut and wander around for a drive,” said Zed Payne.
“You can get food, you can come for a haircut and wander around for a drive,” said Zed Payne.
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