Show Your Pride: Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Owned Brands
Written by Michelle Manis
Happy Pride! This weekend, life looks a lot more colorful, and we love to see it! If you’re local to NYC, check out the parade, head into the West Village to see a drag show or just take a look around and soak in the energy. There’s so many ways you can participate and show your support during pride, even without leaving your home! If you like to go “couch shopping” like me, consider making your next online purchase from a LGBTQ+ owned brands. Here are a few of my favorites to get your wheels turning…
Smood is an LGBTQ+ owned brand that creates gender neutral skincare for all skin types. Allure magazine says, “If you want hydrated, clear, even-toned skin without irritation, you've found your new best friend. The hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, arbutin, ceramides, and more join forces to bring you closer to your ideal complexion." They specialize in products that fight acne and kill bacteria. With antioxidant & berry infused cleansers, you can trust your skin will be happy!
Oak and Willow is a queer owned brand featuring eco-friendly cleaning, household, and self care products. They’re an environmentally focused company dedicated to delivering zero waste products. After going viral on TikTok, their brand is bigger than ever! Not only will you support a queer owned brand with a purchase from their site, but also, a portion of the sale will be donated to the Trevor Project, an organization protecting queer youth and queer lives!
If you’re my mom, you might’ve discovered & fell in love with partners Josh and Dr. Brent on HSN or QVC and then decided to order one of every product on the market. If you’re anyone else, you might've discovered Beekman at Ulta Beauty and fell in love with their luxurious goat milk based skincare & soaps. Goat milk contains lactic acid which rejuvenates the skin. Ever see people put yogurt on as a face mask? Same principle! It all started when Josh and Dr. Brent moved to the historic Beekman farm in upstate NY and found themselves surrounded by 100 homeless goats. In a community oriented fashion, Josh and Dr. Brent took in the goats and started manufacturing goat milk soap bars. Soon after, “Neighbor by Neighbor, word spread—from soap to science and more skincare products.” Beekman 1802 is now the world’s biggest goat-milk based skincare company, with millions of Beekman Neighbors who now have healthier, happier skin.” I highly recommend their Whipped Body Cream, it’s one of my favorite products to keep my skin hydrated. But buyers be warned- side effects may include: newfound desire to adopt a baby goat.
Woxer, women’s boxers! Coming from someone who used to hate boxer brief cut underwear until I tried Woxer, I can attest that these are super comfortable and perfect for lounging at home while you’re surfing the web for the next LGBTQ+ owned business to support! Woxer creates boxers specifically designed for curvier bodies so that everyone can wear what they’re comfortable in regardless of gender roles & stereotypes.
Check out these LGBTQ+ owned brands as well:
And even more here!
No matter who you are or how you identify, remember that you’re special, and worthy of being celebrated & taken care of. So we hope you celebrate yourself with some self- care this Pride!
Be Well,
Michelle
Anderson, Sage. “45+ Best LGBTQ-Owned Brands and Businesses 2024: Apparel, Food, Gifts.” Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2024, www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/best-lgbtq-owned-brands-and-businesses-1192097/. Accessed 30 June 2024.
