Jamie DiGrazia, the owner of Logan Parlor, is excited for the annual Chicago Pride Parade on Sunday, June 29 – the first for Logan Parlor and her nonprofit, Hair Has No Gender.
“Pride is a celebration of visibility, resilience and joy. Being in the parade is a way for us to stand with the LGBTQIA+ community in solidarity and celebration,” DiGrazia said. “It’s a powerful reminder of why we do what we do—and a moment to uplift every person who has ever felt unseen in traditional beauty spaces.
“Pride Month brings a mix of joy, reflection and renewed purpose. It’s a time to honor how far we’ve come, recognize the work still to be done and celebrate the vibrant, diverse community we serve. Pride is love in action—and that’s what HAIR HAS NO GENDER™ is all about.”
HAIR HAS NO GENDER™ is more than a brand—it’s a movement, she said. “We’re a training curriculum, a community resource and a lifestyle designed to disrupt the traditional norms of the hair industry. We help service providers operate from a place of love, inclusiveness and acceptance while creating safe, affirming spaces for all genders and identities. It’s about unlearning outdated norms and embracing a human-first approach to hairdressing.”
HAIR HAS NO GENDER™ stands out in its commitment to leading with heart. “We’re not here to follow trends—we’re here to set a new standard that puts people before profit and compassion before convention,” DiGrazia said. “Our work is rooted in love, respect and advocacy, creating tangible change both behind the chair and within the industry at large.”
“No Gender” for hair means rejecting the outdated binary framework that has long dictated salon experiences, she said. “Hair doesn’t have a gender, and neither should the services or pricing around it. By removing gender from the equation, we create a more inclusive, affirming space for clients to express themselves freely, authentically and safely.”
DiGrazia said HAIR HAS NO GENDER™ works with forward-thinking salons and educators across the country who are actively shifting their practices toward inclusivity. “Our curriculum has been recognized for its impact on gender-affirming care in the salon world, and we’ve partnered with LGBTQIA+ advocacy organizations to amplify our reach and support.”
HAIR HAS NO GENDER™ began as a deeply personal practice—an individual commitment to serving clients more consciously. “What started as one person’s journey has grown into a business model and training platform that supports professionals all over the country in unlearning bias and building inclusive businesses,” DiGrazia said. “Our specialty is education with empathy. We provide professional tools and curriculum that empower hairdressers to serve clients of all identities with authenticity and care. Whether it’s helping salons shift their pricing structures or educating on trauma-informed consultations, our approach is always human-first.”
DiGrazia said her plans for the parade are simple: expect pure joy, powerful energy and a whole lot of love. “Our presence in the parade will be bold, colorful and unmistakably us—a DIY grassroots vibe with great hair and even greater heart,” she said. “We’ll be bringing our message loud and proud: that HAIR HAS NO GENDER™, and everyone deserves to feel affirmed, celebrated and seen.
“We’re bringing our whole heart to the parade this year—expect vibrant signs, handmade details, and of course, incredible hair. Our presence will be a joyful, mobile expression of everything HAIR HAS NO GENDER™ stands for: creativity, authenticity and radical love. We’ll have affirming messages, lots of dancing and moments that invite the community to connect, learn, and celebrate with us.”
Her drive for the parade is anchored on today’s political climate, where LGBTQIA+ rights are being challenged in legislatures and communities across the country. “It’s more important than ever to stand together—not just during Pride Month, but every month,” DiGrazia said. “Unity, visibility and unwavering support are essential to protect hard-fought freedoms and push for a future rooted in dignity and equality for all.”
DiGrazia is shooting for 100 people to be a part of her parade float: a mix of clients, salon professionals, and their families. “Together, we’ll create a living, moving expression of our community: bold, affirming and united in love. It’s more than a float—it’s a statement that HAIR HAS NO GENDER™, and everyone deserves to take up space just as they are.,” DiGrazia said.
“While this is our very first time marching in the Chicago Pride Parade, many of us already carry deep, personal memories of what this space has meant to us—moments of feeling safe, included and truly seen in a crowd. That spirit of belonging is what inspired us to join the parade—not just to show up, but to show out with love, pride and purpose.”
DiGrazia and her team with be dancing, waving, celebrating and spreading the message that hair has no gender and everyone deserves to feel affirmed and celebrated throughout the two-mile parade route. They also will be handing out information cards and more.
Pride Month, which culminates with the annual Pride Parade, is all about unity and joy. “It’s seeing people of all ages, backgrounds and identities come together with love as the common thread,” DiGrazia said. “Pride Month and the parade give space to honor the beauty of being exactly who you are—and that aligns deeply with our mission.
“We encourage everyone—inside or outside the hair industry—to think about how they can show up for the LGBTQIA+ community, not just during Pride, but year-round. Inclusion isn’t seasonal. It’s a lifelong practice, and it starts with love.”
For more information: loganparlor.com | hairhasnogender.org
Article written by: Ross Forman
