Misfits Hair Studio owner creates refuge for belonging in region
August 21, 2025
| By La Crosse Community Foundation |
Felix Murphy cuts and styles Janine Gallo’s hair at his Misfits Hair Studio. Murphy, who is neurodivergent and transgender, designed the salon to be sensory-friendly and welcoming to all.
From haircuts to community meetups, Felix Murphy creates spaces where difference is celebrated and belonging is a given
Felix Murphy isn’t trying to blend in — and that’s exactly what makes his contributions to the La Crosse area so valuable. As a neurodivergent hairstylist, owner of Misfits Hair Studio and a board member at The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection, Murphy has created spaces, both personal and public, where belonging isn’t an afterthought but the starting point.
Whether it’s behind the chair in his sensory-friendly salon or hosting Queer Corner meetups, Felix builds connection by honoring difference. His story reminds us that community flourishes not when we ask people to fit in, but when we make room for people to show up fully as they are.
How do you create a welcoming and belonging La Crosse area community through your hair studio?
I’ve been doing hair for almost seven years. I’ve worked at a couple of other salons and never truly felt like I belonged. I decided to open my own private studio, Misfits Hair Studio LLC, in September 2023. I work by myself, so I can provide a one-on-one experience for my clients.
I would often get overwhelmed in bigger salons because of the excess sensory input — multiple blow dryers, conversations, and smells of hair products being used at once. I know firsthand how overstimulating that is. Working alone allows me to minimize all of that. I want my clients to enjoy peace and quiet and be given my undivided attention. I also provide a bowl of stim toys, earplugs, and the option to turn down or off the music for extra comfort.
A large portion of my clients are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. I am transgender and queer myself and know how hard it can be to find a salon that gives you the haircut you want and doesn’t misgender you. I offer genderless services and charge based on time, length, and density of hair.
How and where do you engage in community outside of your workspace?
Outside of owning my studio, I work with my community through The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection. I am on the board of directors and help oversee events and programs. There are several support groups at The Center, and I felt we were missing one. I came up with Queer Corner, which I co-run with our board president, Alec Lass. It meets on the first Wednesday of each month, sometimes at The Center and sometimes in public spaces. It’s for anyone in the community over 18.
I often invite clients from my studio to Queer Corner to help them meet others. I’ve met so many people who feel isolated, and I love bringing people together so they don’t feel alone.
With the current political climate, I’ve made it a priority to put my community first. Queer Corner has become something my friends and I look forward to. We play games, ask icebreaker questions, and share experiences.
I’m also a drag performer with AllVibez Entertainment. We host one to two shows a month, often collecting donations for The Center and performing at inclusive venues like 608 Brewery and Capella Performing Arts Center.
Not all of us are comfortable introducing ourselves to a new organization or stepping into a new space. What advice do you have for others in our community who might not feel connected but want to be?
My entire life, I’ve felt like I didn’t belong. My friend groups felt superficial, I’m not close to my family, and I’ve put on a mask in work environments. I often hid in the shadows because I didn’t know who I was. I had a very unstable sense of self. I know how easy it is to isolate yourself and get in your head about not making an impact.
Since starting my gender journey, I’ve gotten to know myself better and realized that my voice and story make an impact. Sharing our experiences gives others the strength and inspiration to do the same. I believe being visible, loud, and proud in a world that can be cruel truly saves lives. Getting involved in the community and sharing your truth helps push us forward as a whole. Every single person has a story that can help somebody. Every single person can make an impact. We are more powerful than we give ourselves credit for.