Last Updated on June 26, 2023 by Kristen
Pride Month, which honors the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, is an important time to fight for equality, support friends, or maybe come out out for the first time. Whatever meaning this time holds for you, support for the LGBTQ+ community shouldn’t be relegated to a single month. We need to engage year round to combat attacks on LGBTQ+ education, healthcare, and free speech.
Whether we volunteer, donate funds, or attend events, one way you can wear your pride all day long and support LGBTQ+ businesses is to buy from them and literally wear their labels on your sleeve. The brands I’ve collected here are either founded by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs or support the community, so you can feel good about purchasing from them during Pride Month and beyond. Plus, they make super-stylish, high0-quality products that you’ll wear and use long after June is over.
Christopher John Rogers
This womenswear designer received the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award in 2019, and his career skyrocketed from there. A Target collab made his name more widely known, and celebrity and fashion insider endorsements from the likes of Rhianna, Tracee Ellis Ross, Anna Wintour and so many more have elevated the brand. His use of color is unmatched, the silhouettes are voluminous and unique, and the vibe is pure joy. We love him extra for using older models on the runway.
Ghost Democracy
This clean skincare brand vows accessibility to everyone—its name reflects the brand’s promise to be transparent with its customers, especially when it comes to ingredients. You’ll find the cleanest products possible and really good prices as well!
Telfar
This brand’s tagline, “Not for you—for everyone,” says it all. You’ll find inclusive styles from sweatshirts to blazers to a wide variety of bags. Keep an eye out for their “Live Price” drops, which start at wholesale prices and increase over time to full price. Also look for collabs with Eastpack, UGG, and Converse.
Malin + Goetz
Founded by Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz, this luxury skin care brand also has IRL apothecaries in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, and Hong Kong. It’s available at high-end online boutiques including SpaceNK and SSense, and also Target!
Peace Out
Say peace out to blemishes, dark spots, and acne with this award-winning skincare brand. Shop below or look for it IRL at Sephora.
Freck Beauty
Originally launched to celebrate freckles in 2017, Freck Beauty has evolved into a full line of clean beauty and makeup products including everything from its original freckle maker, to sculpting bronzer, vitamin C moisturizer, lip and cheek tint and more.
Alder New York
This queer and woman-owned independent skincare line was created by longtime design partners Nina Zilka and David Krause in 2016. They began their collaborative design partnership more than a decade ago in NYC. Look for dermatologist-approved, vegan, plant-powered beauty products.
Boy Smells
They started with candles in 2015 and have now expanded into personal scents and intimates. Boy Smells is now sold in more than 750 retail locations around the world. Fans love them for their inclusive “farm to candle” approach and cheeky product names including LES, Polyamberous, Genderful, and Extra Vert.
TomboyX
This inclusive underwear brand has evolved into a diverse line of intimates, exercise wear, swimwear, and more in sizes 3XS-6X. Check out the brand IRL at Target.
Coco and Breezy
This genderless eyewear brand was founded by twin designers Corianna and Brianna Dotson in 2009. It quickly gained a following in the fashion and entertainment world. Prince wore their distinctive “Third Eye” sunglasses on Saturday Night Live in 2014. They have also collaborated with Hershey’s, Ciroc, and SIX:02.
Brandon Blackwood
These handbags are stunning and statement making in more ways than one—Blackwood launched the End Systemic Racism tote in 2020, which sold out in two hours. He also runs the Brandon Blackwood Foundation to help creative entrepreneurs succeed.
