Pride is here!
June is one of the best months on the calendar, not only because the sun is out in full force, but because LGTBQ+ Pride is upon us. Pride is a time to celebrate LGTBQ+ people around the world and in our communities.
While many companies participate in a false form of “rainbow capitalism” every June, Wholesome Culture wants to lift LGTBQ+ creators and business owners up. Changing your profile picture to a version with a rainbow is great, but the best way to show solidarity with the LGTBQ+ community is by directly supporting them.
So, with that in mind, here are 6 of our favorite LGBTQ+ brands to support for Pride month 2022!
Automatic Gold
Al Sandimirova founded Automatic Gold with the goal of bringing inclusivity, affordability, and high fashion jewelry to the masses. They, and their team, design beautiful jewelry for every style out of reclaimed and recycled gold, that’s delivered in sustainable packaging.
Automatic Gold boasts the inclusivity of their brand all over their website and it’s clear that it’s more than just a talking point. Their models are size-inclusive – never airbrushed – and gender and racially diverse, that they cheekily brag about hiring even “outside of awareness months.”
They make nearly every type of jewelry available, but our favorite is this affordable gold Suspender Earring.
QueerKwe Designs
QueerKwe Designs is owned and operated by Rebecca Lynn, a queer, Anishinaabe, and two spirit artists from Michigan. She creates beaded jewelry, patches, and much more with a key focus on her queer identity and indigenous heritage.
Pride is an important element of her artwork and that’s plain to see from a quick look around her Etsy page. Rather than the standard rainbow editions of merchandise you’ll find at Target, Rebecca ensures to include all members of the LGBTQ+ community, with recent works using the Trans, Asexual, and Bisexual flag patterns.
This Two Spirit Flag Sticker is her most recent design and a particular favorite of ours.
Pals Socks
Pals is a brand of children’s socks that focuses on our differences as a way to bring people together.
Rather than create matching pairs of socks, the founder and designer, Hannah Lavon, started making mismatched socks that she hopes will teach kids “we don’t have to match to be besties!”
The Pals about page tells the endearing story behind the company, but it also lays out how integral sustainability is in the production process. All their products are ethically made with sustainable resources free of plastic.
All the socks are cute, but this Dragon & Unicorn set is especially adorable.
Bye Gender
Bye Gender is an apparel brand that originally started as a fundraiser for gender-affirming surgeries that were left out of insurance coverage in 2012. Founders, Jason Hill and Samuel Leon, brought on a new owner named Devin-Norelle to create a new arm of the business.
Now, Bye Gender provides financial support to over 50 trans people for far more than just gender confirmation surgery. When you buy their products, you can be sure your money is going to directly support trans and gender non-conforming people!
Their Limited Edition Gold Crop Top is perfect for your Pride brunch.
ProjectQ Community Center
ProjectQ is actually a 501c(3) nonprofit organization, rather than a for-profit company, but they still have excellent products that you can purchase to support them.
Madin Ray Lopez founded the organization to directly support the queer folks in their community by providing a litany of services available for free. According to their website, “ProjectQ provides free gender affirming haircuts, self empowering workshops, food & hygiene boxes, gender affirming clothing, chest binders, menstrual products, and so much more to LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness.”
You can purchase hair care products specifically designed for curls, beautiful enamel pins, or support them by donating directly!
Nostalgia Coffee Roasters
With all the walking you’ll be doing on the parade route, you’ll need to ensure you’re caffeinated for the task!
Nostalgia Coffee Roasters has you covered with sustainably sourced (and delicious) coffee beans and blends perfect for any palette. Their roasts come from around the world, but no matter where they are, their producers use organic growing methods and all food-waste is composted.
Taylor Fields founded the brand after forming a deep (nostalgic) connection to coffee in her grueling life as a CPA. Now, she wants to help other people, especially her fellow LGBT-cuties, form that same loving affection for the hot bean juice.
Explore all their blends, or go with our favorite, Red Sunset by Andres Cardona!
There are so many amazing ways to support the LGBTQ+ community this Pride month, and we hope that these products give you a start on your summer wish list!
