25 LGBTQ-Owned Brands to Shop and Support Now

Shop size-inclusive lingerie, pop-culture-inspired candles, gender-affirming accessories, and more from these small, queer-owned businesses.

When Pride month comes along, big-name companies come out of the woodwork, flying rainbow flags and releasing colorful collections. Some help our community, others don't. And while there is certainly something to be said about the feeling that one gets in seeing businesses recognize our humanity, many members of the queer community don't necessarily want to become consumers of rainbow capitalism, a term used to describe "the commercialization and commodification of LGBTQ+ movements."

So, during this Pride month, consider instead supporting queer business owners, artists, and makers who spend their time working to make a difference, support their families, and often give back a portion of what they earn.

It's important to keep in mind that supporting a small business doesn't just mean buying something. Follow them on social media. Share their work in your Instagram stories. Recommend their products when someone is looking for something they excel in. Even commenting on social media posts helps amplify their work and their message.

Related:4 Meaningful Ways to Support The LGBTQ+ Community This Pride Month (and Always)

To get you started, here are 15 small queer-owned businesses that you'll love.

Queer-Owned Fashion Brands

Curve Conscious

Thrifting as a plus-size person can feel impossible, but Curve Conscious, a Black-owned Philly-based plus-size clothing resale store is working to help change that. With clothing in sizes 12 to 28+, Curve Conscious owner Adrienne Ray sells clothing on her website, and on Instagram and Facebook. If you're looking to revamp your wardrobe, you can book a virtual styling session, and Ray will help you find clothing for school, work, or your next vacation. With everything from swimsuits to loungewear to mini skirts in stock, you're sure to find something to love. Worried whether you have space in your closet for another outfit? No worries—Ray also buys clothing, too.

Where to shop: curveconscious.com

Transfigure Print Co.

To some, a T-shirt is just a T-shirt. But to the Transfigure Print Co., a T-shirt is a vehicle for so much more than that. The small Grand Rapids-based screen-printing shop celebrates queer identity, builds community, and actively gives back, with the small business donating more than $70,000 to date. Choose from its collection of tees, tapestries, beanies, prints, and stickers, or commission your own custom screen-printed design. Sizes go up to a 6X.

Where to shop: transfigureprintco.com

Hey Mavens

Everybody deserves beautiful, well-fitting lingerie, and Hey Mavens is making that happen. The Nashville-based brand specializes in brightly colored, gender-free lingerie that is available in sizes XXS-10X with custom ordering slots open a few times a year. Hey Mavens also prioritizes ethical fashion, making every beautiful garment by hand, and paying its U.S.-based sewing team a liveable wage. You'll love the velvet bralette and undie sets and stunning rainbow designs.

Where to shop: heymavens.com

Peridot Robes

Robes and lounge dresses as a fashion statement? Yes, please. While this category might have lots of businesses in the straight-size space, plus-size options (especially luxurious plus-size options), are relatively limited. Peridot Robes are offered in sizes 14-40 and made sustainably, using fabric remnants for lower waste options, and are made in fair-wage sewing rooms in Los Angeles.

Where to shop: peridotrobes.com

Play Out Apparel

Play Out Apparel offers fun and funky "gender-equal" clothes in sizes XS to 5X, including everything from underwear and swimwear to Pride-ready streetwear that suits their "no genders, just style" ethos. Owner Abby Sugar donates 20 percent of profits toward Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ organizations.

Where to shop: playoutapparel.com

Queer-Owned Jewelry and Accessories Brands

Ode'imin & Sage

For the jewelry lovers out there, Indigenous-owned and Milwaukee-based Ode'imin & Sage is a must-visit Etsy shop. Selling a large selection of hand-beaded earrings in beautiful colors and a wide range of styles—including hoops, dangling earrings, and rosettes—the earrings are clearly a delicate, stunning piece of art that is sure to be a conversation starter. Most jewelry is made-to-order, with the current turnaround listed in the Etsy page announcement. If you are partial to a specific color combination, the shop does accept some requests, depending on available inventory.

Where to shop: etsy.com/shop/OdeiminandSage

Yas Petit Poulet

For the queer science nerds, you'll have to check out Yas Petit Poulet, which is both the name of the business and the pen name of the artist. Founded by a non-binary, trans, disabled, Lebanese designer and illustrator, Yas Petit Poulet focuses on "exploring queer identities through the lens of science." You can find a variety of artworks that blend identity with science, including mugs, stickers, hats, pins, and more. Yas Petit Poulet donates 15 percent of its profits back to the community, including organizations like the Piamp, which supports young people who are sex workers.

Where to shop: yaspetitpoulet.com

Garbage Humans

Are you a fan of subscriptions? How about earrings? Cathy Aycock, the artist behind Garbage Humans, designs the coolest earrings and offers a monthly subscription through Patreon for just $23 a month. If you'd rather just grab a pair, you can do that too. With options like a hanging composition book with the words "The Gay Agenda" to menu board earrings and everything in between, you'll find a quirky, handmade-to-order set of earrings that's a perfect fit for your style. If you're not an earring person, you must check out their snarky wall signs, with sayings like Live, Laugh, Leave.

Where to shop: garbagehumans.us

The Crafty Queer

Card stores often don't cater to queer people and the occasions we may wish to celebrate, but Alister, the trans, nonbinary, foster care survivor behind The Crafty Queer is working on changing that. Head to the shop for gender and sexuality affirming greeting cards and stay for the extensive collection of pride-related jewelry, pins, and even tote bags.

Where to shop: thecraftyqueer.com

Adroit Valentine

Earrings can take a simple outfit to the next level, especially when they are as unique as the handmade earrings from Adroit Valentine. Valentine Schwaner, a nonbinary artist based in Albuquerque, describes themself as "a lover of all things gaudy and garish," which influences their art. Each earring is made out of polymer clay, with pretty sets of studs or funky dangly earrings to try. If earrings aren't quite your cup of tea, you'll find a select number of necklaces, keychains, and adorable magnets, too.

Where to shop: adroitvalentine.com

Queer-Owned Skincare

Cocoa Bean Skincare

If you have sensitive skin and are looking to upgrade your skincare routine, consider the small-batch, handmade skincare products from CocoaBean Skincare, a Black-owned, Madison, Wisc.-based business that ships nationwide. Plant-based, paraben-free, and organic, the brand has an extensive collection of face and body products, including facial oils and cleansers, lip scrubs, different styles of body scrubs, and even beard care treatments.

Where to shop: cocoabeanskincare.com

Noto Botanics

This clean beauty and skin care line, created by makeup artist Gloria Noto offers gender-fluid skincare and cosmetics, created with plant-based ingredients and using environmentally friendly, recycled packaging. Proceeds from the sales of Agender Oil, a hydrating skin and hair oil, are donated to a selection of charities impacting LGBTQ+ and other communities.

Where to shop: notobotanics.com

Queer-Owned Food and Beverage Brands

Uncommon Coffee Roasters

This queer-owned Michigan-based coffee roaster offers Pride-perfect blends, including Love Wins (with notes of cherry, chocolate, and spice) and Pride (a medium-roast with earthy and fruity flavors). A portion of their proceeds goes to their own Uncommonly Fabulous fund, which helps cover the needs of the LGBTQ+ community in their area.

Where to shop: uncommoncoffeeroasters.com

Diaspora Co.

This queer-owned spice company buys their spices directly from farmers, and ensures they're paid living wages—up to 6 times the commodity price. While they're known for their masalas and chillies, you can upgrade your spice rack with single spices like saffron, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Where to shop: diasporaco.com

Birdhorse Wine

Founded by queer life partners Corinne and Katie after working a grape harvest in South Africa, Birdhorse Wine "strive[s] to showcase regions, varietals, and humans that have long had a presence in this industry, but have yet to been celebrated by many of its constituents." Buying a bottle of wine from Birdhorse isn't like picking up a bottle at the grocery store. You'll find detailed flavor notes, and learn exactly where the grapes were grown and by whom. Each bottle is its own unique experience.

Where to shop: birdhorsewines.com

Friday Tea

If you're a tea drinker, or just looking for a new beverage to add to the rotation, you'll find a wide selection at Friday Tea. And Friday Tea isn't just another beverage shop. The owner, Friday Elliot, has a condition called lexical-gustatory synesthesia, a rare form of synesthesia in which hearing, speaking, reading, or thinking about certain words triggers specific tastes. Friday uses this "superpower" to create unique tea blends. You'll find everything from white to aged teas, fandom-inspired blends, and seasonal favorites. Not sure what to get? You can indulge in a sampler and discover a new favorite! Friday Tea also offers a custom tea blending service that would be perfect for unique wedding favors, business gifting, and other special occasions.

Where to shop: fridaytea.com

Drink Gay Beer

This gay-owned brewery makes only one beer—a citrusy golden lager—but it makes it well (alongside a whole slew of cheeky beer-themed T-shirts, hats, and other gear that'll make your party. It donates a portion of proceeds toward several different charities that support the LGBTQ+ community.

Where to shop: drinkgaybeer.com

Cowgirl Creamery

This 16-year-old creamery develops award-winning cheeses, using organic cow's milk from local farms. They specialize in both spiced and herbed triple creams and hard cheeses with bold flavors. Their donation program gives back to community organizations, especially those committed to the environment and food.

Where to shop: cowgirlcreamery.com

Queer-Owned Candle Brands

Bijou Candles

Bijou Candles was started by self-described luxury candle hoarders Alaina and Jocelyn. They turned their passion for collecting luxury candles into a business, celebrating pop culture, women, and all things witchy. "Our candles are inspired by women in pop culture history and they carry the moniker of their iconic namesakes." From '70s, '80s, and '90s icons to the Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion, Bijou has a candle for nearly everyone—luxury at an accessible price point.

Where to shop: bijoucandles.com

Nose Best

A candle that comes with a cocktail recipe pairing and its own playlist? Sign me up! POC-, woman-, and immigrant-owned Nose Best offers a full sensory experience with each purchase. The 4-ounce mason jar collection is the perfect gift for the astrology lover in your life, with scents celebrating each sign. If you're feeling flirty, pick up a candle from the Cheeky Collection, with scents like banana nut bread and honey, which it calls "Send Nudes," or "Garden Hoe," scented with tomato and eucalyptus.

Where to shop: nosebestcandles.com

Boy Smells

This beloved brand's candle scents are a perfect balance between masculine and feminine, with complex (and intoxicating) scent profiles that are heavy on spice, wood, and fruits. Their beloved Hinoki Fantome features notes of black pepper, cardamom, Williams pear, fir balsam, smoked amber, and jasmine. Note that fragrance fans can also find gender-neutral Genderful fine fragrances, such as LES, a blend featuring notes of bergamot, pomelo, peony, vanilla, and cedarwood.

Where to shop: boysmells.com

Queer-Owned Bookstore

Loyalty Bookstore

For all the avid readers out there, you can support a queer-owned small bookstore simply by ordering the same books that you might get from a massive company. Located in Washington, D.C., Loyalty Bookstore, which is Black-owned, has a brick-and-mortar location where you can shop and attend community events, as well as a website where you can submit orders online. Additionally, it has an incredible subscription program where it will send you a book signed by the author, an invite to an event with the book's author, and some carefully curated goodies quarterly. The subscription intentionally features books by marginalized authors.

Where to shop: loyaltybookstores.com

Related:13 New LGBTQIA+ Books That Are Perfect for Pride Month Reading (and Beyond)

Queer-Owned Home Goods

MINNA Goods

This LGBTQ-owned business focuses on gorgeous textiles for your home, including handwoven throws and sleek rugs—but you'll also fine pretty dishes, storage containers, and even artwork to enhance your space.

Where to shop: minna-goods.com

Rainbow Sheep

If you're looking to add a little whimsy to your home, the goods at Rainbow Sheep may be just what you're seeking. Think funky pillows, mugs, artwork, and coasters. A portion of all proceeds are donated to LGBTQ causes.

Where to shop: rainbowsheep.com

Related:30 Gifts That Give Back, So You Can Gift Twice the Joy

Suay Sew Shop

Suay Sew Shop uses deadstock and recycled fabrics to craft its pillows, tea towels, quilts and oven mitts, and even creates new fashion out of recycled jackets, shirts, and more. They've started getting the community involved in the move to recycle and repurpose their clothing, with their Community Dye Baths, when you can send in old, stained, or faded clothing in a fresh new hue from the selection chosen each month.

Where to shop: suayla.com

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