Transgender man suing Long Beach barbershop for refusing service

A transgender man is taking legal action after claiming a barbershop refused him service, saying they don't cut women's hair.

"I felt very upset. Discriminated against," said Rose Trevis.

Trevis says Hawleywood's barber shop said they don't cut women's hair.

"After I was greeted, I was denied service because of my gender and on account of what the barbers perceived to be my gender," said Trevis.

Rose says when he pointed out their policy was illegal discrimination, he said the barber said they didn't care.

Rose's lawyer, Gloria Allred says this wasn't just a one time incident and read this from Haleywood's webpage:

"One thing you won't see at Hawleywood's is women. You all know how distracting a woman can be and who wants a straight razor shave with a buxom blonde in the joint?"

Allred says they are seeking a court order mandating the barber shop eliminate its policy and practice of illegally discriminating on the basis of gender and perceived gender.

People in the area say it's widely known the barbershop discriminates and it's not ok.

"If you want to go inside to wait for your boyfriend, they won't let girls inside there. It's males only," said Long Beach resident Kellie Peters.

"I think everyone should get their haircut wherever they want - it shouldn't matter," said Long Beach neighbor Lance Dobbie.

We spoke to one person who got his haircut at Hawleywood's who said he wasn't aware of the discrimination but it didn't bother him either.

"Honestly, best haircuts I've ever gotten. I really don't care too much about politics. If they allow women I would still get haircuts. If they changed it I would still go there," said Fred Norris.

A lawyer for the barber shop, Brian Kazarian, released this statement late Tuesday afternoon:

"This Press Release is in regards to alleged discrimination incident that is said to have taken place on Friday March 4th, 2016 at Hawleywood's Barbershop, Long Beach California location.

We are informed and believe that a customer entered our establishment and requested an appointment for a haircut on a "walk-in" basis at the above date and location. An appointment was scheduled for a time the next business day.

Hawleywood's is not aware of any discrimination that has been alleged to have taken place. Moreover, Hawleywood's takes accusations of any law violation very seriously and will continue to investigate the facts and circumstances that surround this alleged incident. "