Ep. 53: Gender-Affirming Grooming & Community Care with Uncle Nat

In this episode of Head South Radio, we welcome Uncle Nat (they/them), a trailblazer in creating inclusive spaces within the beauty industry. Growing up in San Jose, CA, in the late '70s, Uncle Nat has been navigating life as a fat, trans, and multiply disabled person.Their journey has spanned across various terrains, from electrolysis for PCOS-related hirsutism to navigating beauty norms in pageants, plus-size modeling, theater, and music. Their salon, Uncle Nat's, was born from their lived experiences and the need for an accessible, affirming environment for those marginalized in traditional beauty settings.

Our conversation begins with a discussion on intimacy and self-connection. From there, we take a deep dive into the concept of community care within the beauty industry, exploring how personal experiences with body hair have shaped self-image and the way we engage with beauty services. Uncle Nat shares their philosophy on the importance of reassurance, compliments, and touch as fundamental expressions of love and care in the service industry. This episode offers a rich conversation on how to reinvent the beauty industry to be more inclusive and accessible for all. 

We hope you enjoy this episode, and as always, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review and rating on your podcast platform of choice.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• What is Community Care?
• How do body hair experiences shape self-image and personal identity?
• How can the service industry emphasize accessibility and community care? 
• Reclaiming body autonomy means nurturing growth and authenticity.  
• Gender-affirming grooming is an essential part of personal identity and self-expression
• How Uncle Nat’s Salon focuses on inclusive practices and trauma awareness.  
• How to make your beauty and grooming services accessible and inclusive

You can find Uncle Nat here: @uncle.nats | unclenats.com

Please support Uncle Nat’s foundation of choice: Callen-Lorde Community Health Center provides sensitive, quality health care and related services targeted to New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities — in all their diversity — regardless of ability to pay.

Head South Affiliate Partners: The New Way to Wash Hair: Hairstory | 1st-time customers use the link for a discount

Non-Hormonal Birth Control: Natural Cycles | Use the link for a discount

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