U.S. ready for openly straight stylist
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Dateline: San Francisco: Local hairstylist Federico Assange says he has gotten ‘incredible’ support since coming out as the first openly straight hairstylist in this liberal city, known for its predominantly gay hair salons. Assange hopes that his revelation will make it easier for other straights to follow his path.
Assange sat down for an interview that was aired by ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Tuesday, one day after the veteran hair stylist revealed his sexuality in a first-person story posted on Hair Illustrated’s website.
“I think, I know, in my personal life, I’m ready, and I think the country is ready for supporting an openly straight hair stylist,” Assange told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos.
“I hope that every stylist makes a decision that leads to their own happiness, whatever happiness that is in life,” Assange responded. “I know that I, right now, am the happiest that I’ve ever been in my life.”
Assange said he went through something akin to a 12-step program while deciding to come out, dealing with emotions such as anger and denial.
“But when you finally get to that point of acceptance, there’s nothing more beautiful than just allowing yourself to really be happy and be comfortable in your own skin,” Assange said.
Dozens of San Francisco stylists sent messages to Assange after the story was posted Monday, many doing so through social media. The support didn’t stop there, with President Barack Obama also calling to offer his support.
“It’s incredible. Just try to live an honest, genuine life, and the next thing you know you have the president calling you,” Assange said. “He was incredibly supportive and he was proud of me, said this not only affected my life but others going forward.”
While Assange thinks that the world is ready for an openly straight stylist, former icon Vidal Sasoon said Tuesday that he doesn’t think the fashion and hair industry is ready.
“I don’t think the fashion world is ready, there’s too many gays in the salon rooms and, you know, gays play around too much,” he told NBC Style Radio.
Asked by Stephanopoulos what his story could mean to youth who style hair and are worried about their futures because they are straight, Assange offered a simple piece of advice.
“It doesn’t matter that you’re straight. The key thing is that it’s about great hair,” Assange said. “It’s about working hard, it’s about sacrificing for your client. It’s all about dedication. That’s what you should focus on.”