This Pride, Find Cool Merch That (Actually) Benefits the LGBTQ Community
Not to be all "corporations have sullied Pride by monetizing a movement," but... corporations have sullied Pride by monetizing a movement. And that's a gross thing to do, considering that it means profiting off a group of people whose civil rights are still being toyed with and stripped away, depending on who's in office. This June, with rainbows and pastels popping up every which way to Sunday, it's good to know where your money is going and who is using it for a cause that actually helps the queer community.
Fortunately, not every brand is about plastering the Pride flag for profitability alone—the past few years have shown which companies are willing to put their money where their rainbow logo is. From alcohol (an ally for years) to style and grooming products, there are superstars in the consumer space who understand how important it is to not only cater to the LGBTQ community, but stand alongside it.
Below is a roundup of companies who are either donating 100 percent of their profits to LGBTQ-centric organizations or have demonstrated a history of supporting the LGBTQ community throughout the years. Drink your juice, don the rainbow, and have one hell of a Pride 2021.
Fossil
fossil.com
$89.00
Fossil raised the stakes for all other brands. On top of the fact that its Pride watch face is sleek and classic in appearance, the selling point here? One hundred percent of the proceeds from this collection are being donated to the Trevor Project—the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people. One hundred precent.
TOMS
toms.com
$54.95
Toms has agreed to donate a third of its profits to grassroots good, including organizations that are doing local-level work to help underserved communities. It also works year-long with Brave Trails, a summer camp specifically for LGBTQ youth.
Spotlight Oral Care
spotlightoralcare.com
$160.00
The Spotlight Oral Care Pride Sonic Toothbrush is obviously a big homage to the Pride flag, but more importantly, 100 percent of the profits go to charity. Even better, Spotlight Oral Care let its followers decide exactly where the money goes; they chose Center for Black Equity.
Harry's
harrys.com
$25.00
Again! 100 percent! Let's go brands!
Benefiting the Trevor Project, Harry's Shave Set for 2021 was designed by artist Zipeng Zhu, but the fun doesn't stop with the set. Harry's has a whole Pride collection, with all profits going to the Trevor Project. Check out the other items here.
Skagen
skagen.com
$125.00
Yes, we've already discussed watches, but Danish watchmaker Skagen is a great place to look for a brand dedicated to doing good. Not only does Denmark boast some of the most impressive LGBTQ stats (first to legalize same-sex partnerships, first successful gender reassignment surgery), but Skagen has committed $25,000 outright to InterPride, a global organization dedicated to LGBTQ equality at all intersections.
Crystal Head
drizly.com
$49.99
On top of stocking your bar with a colorful, eye-catching bottle of damn good vodka, Crystal Head is a time-tested ally of the LGBTQ community that is donating the bottle proceeds to Kaleidoscope Trust. Bonus: The company partnered with Stonewall Sports, the Test Positive Aware Network, and Lurie Children’s Hospital's transgender youth program in the past. This year, it's also working with Gay Pride Apparel, a first-generation Mexican American– and LGBTQIA+-owned brand, to create a shirt—and a portion of each sale will go to the Human Rights Campaign. Check it out here.
Lovers
loversstores.com
$60.00
Feeling both artistic and ready to gamble? Great. Check out sexual wellness retailer Lovers' new Lovers Artist Series. Specifically, the Pride Edition, in which 10 LGBTQ artists created art that interprets what "orgasm" feels like. The art is purchased sight unseen, which may feel a bit anxiety-inducing, but you can rest easy knowing that 100 percent of the proceeds are going to LGBTQ nonprofits Lambda Legal and APLA Health.
Vinebox
getvinebox.com
$89.00
Drink up, stay charitable.
If you've ever been curious about Vinebox, this is a great way to dip into the mix. Its Pride box includes nine different wines to try and 100 percent of the profits from the first 500 boxes sold will be donated to the SF LGBT Center.
Bev
drinkbev.com
$59.00
Long gone are the days when you could turn your nose up at canned wine. You can still skip it, but that just means more for everyone else. Bev, the canned wine company, is launching a sparkling rosé called Bev Glam, and all online purchases will benefit WayOUT, an organization that aids LGBTQ people and other smaller organizations doing work on a local level.
Be Proud by BP.
nordstrom.com
$45.00
Nordstrom is showing up for the LGBTQ community in a big way—particularly for those who fall in the "T" category. In addition to releasing this year's BP (Be Proud) collection, Nordstrom hopes to donate $350,000 to the Trans Lifeline x FOLX Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Care Fund. The fund reserves 75 percent of its resources for Black and Indigenous people, and people of color. The retailer also made it a priority to highlight queer designers for its collection this year.
This Pride, Find Cool Merch That (Actually) Benefits the LGBTQ Community
Not to be all "corporations have sullied Pride by monetizing a movement," but... corporations have sullied Pride by monetizing a movement. And that's a gross thing to do, considering that it means profiting off a group of people whose civil rights are still being toyed with and stripped away, depending on who's in office. This June, with rainbows and pastels popping up every which way to Sunday, it's good to know where your money is going and who is using it for a cause that actually helps the queer community.
Fortunately, not every brand is about plastering the Pride flag for profitability alone—the past few years have shown which companies are willing to put their money where their rainbow logo is. From alcohol (an ally for years) to style and grooming products, there are superstars in the consumer space who understand how important it is to not only cater to the LGBTQ community, but stand alongside it.
Below is a roundup of companies who are either donating 100 percent of their profits to LGBTQ-centric organizations or have demonstrated a history of supporting the LGBTQ community throughout the years. Drink your juice, don the rainbow, and have one hell of a Pride 2021.
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