Redheads seeing red because of bias

Stanger, who has often criticized redheads on the Bravo reality show that sets up rich men with comely women, is the target of a new Facebook protest campaign cheekily called "We're the 2 percent." "Redhead discrimination is overlooked, laughed at, and swept under the rug," writes campaign instigator Erin Roche. It's an "accepted form of racism."

That's not the only example of dissing those blessed with strawberry blond, auburn or flaming orange tresses: In September, the world's largest sperm bank (Cryos of Denmark) began rejecting redheaded donors, claiming a lack of demand. Television shows including "South Park" and "Glee" have aired episodes poking fun at "gingers." It's even hit the animal kingdom, as photos of a pitiful-looking seal pup with aberrant russet fur being ostracized by his colony made the rounds online.

Stories of bias against redheads may flare up now and again, but for those who are part of the 2 to 4 percent of the world's population who have red hair, a pattern seems to hold true — when they're kids, they're not always wild about being different. But when they grow up, they wouldn't trade it for the world.

While teasing is common, actual bullying of redheads is much rarer in the United States than it is in England, as well as Down Under, where they are called "rangas" — short for orangutans. Still, all reds have to deal with more than their share of stereotypes — the sexy siren, the goofball clown, the devilish prankster, the bullied weakling.

"Red hair is something you must live up to," said Marion Roach, author of "The Roots of Desire," a book on redheads. "Society expects it. We would never dream of talking about skin color the way we do hair color."

Angie Heitz, manager of Clubhouse Jager, is clearly comfortable with her nearly glowing locks, shimmering in the dim late-afternoon light inside the Minneapolis bar. So comfortable, she's amped up her natural hue with a little dye.

Heitz describes herself as the "typical hot-tempered redhead," acknowledging that trait could be a self-fulfilling prophecy, but "in my case, it's genetic." She also sees a practical bonus to her hair: "My husband can always find me in a crowd."

Some red-haired men, despite having to deal with less flattering stereotypes than women, still manage to work it to their advantage. Ric Fohrman, a 51-year-old Plymouth, Minn., auto broker whose orange locks are receding, says it's made his life more interesting. "You get teased as a kid, but after that it's a big plus, because people remember you more readily," he said.

Then again, said Fohrman, "you can never be anonymous, even when you want to."

Stereotypes about redheads have their roots in ancient history. They were once not only teased, but also vilified, Roach said. "It was easy to point at a rare thing and say, 'That's bad,'" she said.

Judas was frequently portrayed as a redhead. In the first production of "The Merchant of Venice," the villain Shylock wore a red wig. In a large triptych at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, Eve is portrayed as blonde in the first two panels, but a redhead in the third, after her disgrace.

Loki, the shape shifter and troublemaker of the Norse gods, also had red hair.

Despite naysayers like Patti Stanger of "Matchmaker," having red hair is generally seen as a positive trait these days.

The biggest cross most American redheads have to bear is not having a day go by without someone mentioning the color of their hair. "It irritated me at age 8, but not at 50," Fohrman said. "What cracks me up the most is when they ask if it's my natural color. But it's always been such a part of my identity, and it's falling out. What now?"

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REDHEADS OF RENOWN

Redheads have harnessed their ginger power to make it big in many walks of life, getting recognized for more than their hair.

Lucille Ball

"Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead," she said. They did, with her.

Prince Harry

The Brits pick on gingers — except for royalty's charming, most eligible bachelor. Who says male reds aren't sexy?

Archie

Hey, Arch, we never noticed before -what's with the black eyebrows? Is your hair a dye job? Veronica's gonna just die.

Vincent van Gogh

The painter rocked a red beard as intense as his imagination — and his "Wheat Fields Near Arles."

Shaun White

The Flying Tomato, Olympic snowboard champ. Never was the reason for a nickname so glaringly obvious.

Tori Amos

The singer/pianist proves that redheads aren't just fiery, they can also be soulfully depressed.

Venus by Botticelli

Botticelli boldly made his love goddess a redhead at a time when many considered it taboo.