10 Queer-Owned Businesses to Support This Pride Month

a collage of products from queer-own brands

KCM

Your new favorites for June and beyond.

June is the perfect month to celebrate Pride — it’s warm, it’s practically summer, and there’s a feeling of joy in the air. The flowers are blooming! The birds are chirping! Even the obscene amounts of pollen floating through the sky can’t get us down.

While Pride month is certainly a time to roll out the rainbow flag and celebrate love, it’s also a time to reflect on the unique challenges the LGBTQ+ community has overcome and those that they still face today, like the hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills — many of which target the transgender community in particular — being introduced and passed in state legislatures around the country. There are so many ways to celebrate and uplift the LGBTQ+ community this month (and year-round), whether you choose to participate in a Pride parade, donate to a queer advocacy group, watch a movie about the LGBTQ+ experience, or pick up your next summer read at a local queer-owned bookstore. 

One of the best ways to show your support for this community this month (and every month — allyship is not a seasonal activity!) is by shopping at small LGBTQ+-owned businesses. There’s no downsides here: Your purchases support a vibrant, diverse community while introducing you to what could be your new favorite brand for coffee, clothing, and more. 

If you’re looking for somewhere to start, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite products from LGBTQ+-owned businesses we love. From flattering swimsuits to unbeatable skin products to a unique handcrafted artisan basket, we’ve got something to meet all of your needs so you’re prepared to ring in Pride month and the start of a much-deserved summer holiday.

10 Best LGBTQ+ Brands and Businesses

Leeway Home

Leeway Home

Whether you’re downsizing and no longer need your 12-setting dishware set, looking for a thoughtful gift for a recent grad, or simply in need of a refresh on drinkware, Leeway Home has your back. Founders and spouses Sam and Lyle designed their collections to be buildable, so you can buy what you need in the moment and add when you’re ready. Our personal favorite? This set of gorgeous hand-blown stemware that include wine glasses, coupes, and champagne flutes for all your cocktailing needs. Cheers!

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Andie Swim

Andie Swim

It’s June, and you know what that means — it’s officially swimsuit-shopping season. Luckily, the days of darting in and out of fluorescent-lit dressing rooms in search of the elusive Well-Fitting Suit are in the rearview. With one-pieces and two pieces that provide varying levels of coverage and compression, alongside helpful fit-finding tools, Andie Swim is all about ensuring you feel comfortable and supported in whatever swimsuit works best for you. We love the defined waistband and deep-V cut of the Mykonos and the elegant crossback and bust support of the Tulum, but you can’t go wrong with whatever you choose.

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Malin + Goetz

Malin + Goetz

When Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz founded their eponymous brand in 2004, they had a straightforward goal: Simply skincare for all people, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or skin type. Nearly 20 years on, they’ve stayed true to that mission with effective, no-fuss products like the Detox Face Mask, which gives you an effective deep clean in just five minutes, or the deeply hydrating Lip Moisturizer.

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MINNA

MINNA

There’s something to be said about investing in high-quality home goods that feel good to use and look great in your kitchen, and Minna’s handmade crafts from artisans around the world check those boxes. Minna carries everything from elaborate baskets to hand-woven blankets and gorgeous glassware, but if you want our starter pick, it’s the Sol Oven Mitt: It’s durable, thick and protective, and adds a summery pop of color to your kitchen.

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Alder New York

Alder New York

As a queer- and woman-owned brand, Alder New York aims to provide effective skincare for anyone and everyone, no matter their skin type. The entire streamlined product lineup is great, but we particularly recommend the Balancing Serum, which hydrates, calms redness, and evens skin texture in one gentle swoop. You can thank us later.

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Aday

Aday

Clothes that can transition from office to plane to dinner plans? Yes, please. Aday’s collection of multi-wear clothing is made with innovative technical fabrics that transform classy staples — like trousers, linen dresses, and silky blouses — into wear-anywhere items you can shove in a carry-on bag and still wear effortlessly the following day. Our top pick is the signature Something Borrowed button-up, a silky boyfriend shirt that’s flattering, breathable, wrinkle-resistant, and machine washable. Something borrowed, indeed — by all your friends, that is.

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Madison Reed

Madison Reed

Imagine a product that allows you to make fewer trips to the hair salon for your highlights and isn’t a harsh and unpredictable box dye. You’d be first in line, right? Allow us to introduce you to Madison Reed’s line of salon-grade products for coloring your hair at home, from permanent color to root touch-up kits to color-preserving treatments. That’s right, for $30 a box you can get video tutorials, support choosing your right shade, and a nourishing color treatment that will leave your hair soft for days.

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Equator Coffees

Equator Coffees

This LGBTQ+ and woman-owned coffee brand was founded with a laser focus on sourcing high-quality coffee and the “Chain of Well-Being” from farm to cup, ensuring each and every employee is taken care of and paid a fair wage. There’s something for everyone, from espresso lovers to cold brew fiends or on-the-go instant coffee drinkers. Enjoy reading all the delicious descriptions of the coffee blends and flavor profiles — we won’t blame you if you can’t hold yourself to one bag.

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TomboyX

TomboyX

Queer couple Fran Dunaway and Naomi Gonzalez founded TomboyX with the mission to make underwear that anyone would feel comfortable in. In the years since, the brand has expanded to make supportive swimwear and activewear, and we love all of it. We’re fans of The Only 7/8 Legging, which is the perfect length for most, and the Full Spectrum Bra for the ultimate level of support in your sports bra.

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Dr. Botanicals

Dr. Botanicals

Days in the sun and nights in the AC will leave your skin begging for a moisture boost, and this body butter will literally rescue your skin* — it says so right in the name. The tube is the perfect size to keep on your bathroom counter without creating clutter or pop into your bag for some hydration on the go, and is made from a combination of shea butter, almond oil, coconut oil, and lemongrass. You can use it on your hands, body, and even your face. 

*From dryness. Maybe from danger too, but you’ll have to take that up with the folks at Dr. Botanicals

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