In our quest to uplift and support LGBTQIA+ small businesses, we reached out to our amazing Instagram followers for their recommendations. This is an opportunity to embrace the true spirit of Pride by shopping small and directly supporting businesses owned by LGBTQIA+ individuals. Together, let's move beyond the rainbow-washing efforts of larger corporations and instead celebrate the authentic voices and stories behind these businesses. As an LGBTQIA+ small business owner myself, I, Edgar, believe in the power of building networks of resiliency with others. So, please join the conversation by commenting below and sharing more businesses you would like to highlight. Together, let's make a difference and celebrate Pride 2023 with these remarkable entrepreneurs.
Without further ado, here are queer, trans, and gender-expansive small businesses chosen by you:
Milk Thistle Apothecary and Gallery - Discover the enchanting world of Milk Thistle, an apothecary, gallery, and community workshop space located just outside Joshua Tree National Park in Yucca Valley, California. Step into the realm of tarot readings available by appointment or as drop-ins from Friday to Sunday, and let the cards illuminate your path. Immerse yourself in the Hi-Desert Zine Zone Library, a captivating collection of zines from local artists and creators. Embracing creativity and collaboration, Milk Thistle plans to host regular workshops, events, and pop-ups featuring talented creators near and far. If you're interested in hosting a workshop or showcasing your creations, don't hesitate to reach out to them!
STEM Handmade Soap - Born out of a simple science experiment in the basement of Dave and Steve's Lakewood, Ohio home, has blossomed into a thriving venture. With Steve's background in biochemistry and 18 months of extensive research and feedback, they crafted the perfect bar of all-natural soap. The positive response from customers led to the expansion of their product line, as additional all-natural skincare solutions were developed and added to their website. As demand grew, STEM Handmade Soap relocated to a dedicated small building in Lakewood, Ohio, where every product is meticulously handmade from start to finish. Their skincare products are scented with essential oils, providing an aromatherapy experience, and formulated with natural, skin-loving ingredients that are both beneficial for your skin and environmentally friendly. Each ingredient is thoughtfully chosen for its specific purpose of helping your skin reach its full potential and maintain its radiance. STEM Handmade Soap believes that caring about what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it.
https://www.trialanderror.art/
Trial and Error Art - by the talented artist Naima Lowe, a creative force based in Tulsa, OK. Naima is the mastermind behind the brand. Trial and Error is more than just a project—it's an experiment in connecting Naima's artwork directly with consumers. Taking risks and embracing the concept of failing better, Trial and Error embodies the spirit of artistic exploration. Prints, scarves, and stickers are expertly crafted at Flash Flood Print Studios in Tulsa, while other items are sourced through print-on-demand services from suppliers worldwide. Naima Lowe is not only a prolific artist but also a Black queer disabled writer, whose work draws from improvisational and collaborative strategies rooted in the alchemic survival practices of Black cultural production. With an impressive array of accolades, exhibitions, and artist residency fellowships under her belt, Naima continues to push boundaries and challenge norms through her transgressive and radical traditions of Black utterance. Embracing improvisation as a liberatory praxis, her performances, texts, and videos explore themes of love, desire, and personal narratives, infusing them with ritual, music, and the ethos of inclusivity and community care. Step into the world of Trial and Error Art and experience the vibrant expressions of Naima Lowe's creative journey.
Cosmic Cousins - Discover the transformative and intuitive practices of Jeff Hinshaw (he/they), a seasoned practitioner with over a decade of experience in tarot, astrology, and somatic healing. Grounded in reverence for the elements, nature, the Earth, and Spirit, Jeff's unique expertise in ritual, tarot, and astrology guides individuals on profound journeys of self-exploration, transformation, and healing. As the host of the enlightening podcast Cosmic Cousins, Jeff facilitates a deeper connection to the Moon and the current astrological transits, offering valuable insights on each New and Full Moon. Jeff's Brooklyn Fools: Tarot Journey, a 22-week ritual gathering through the Major Arcana of the tarot, has earned acclaim as a "radical tarot school" by National Geographic, fostering a vibrant Tarot Community since 2014. Passionate about upgrading archetypes for collective intention, Jeff has embarked on community projects like Zodiac Queens and authored the book Aries, published through Sterling Publishing House.
https://msteabotanica.com/elixirs/hedge-tonic
Ms. Tea Botanica - Discover the inspiring work of Ms Tea Botanica, a bioregional herbalist, medicine maker, and visual creative dedicated to supporting people of all genders and levels of access to care. Operating within an anti-oppression, liberationist framework, Ms Tea Botanica offers a safe and non-judgmental space, free from hierarchies of health/illness. Their practice encompasses various aspects of healing, addressing physical and energetic patterns such as sleep, digestion, musculoskeletal pain, anxiety, respiratory care, grief, trauma, sexual violence, and intergenerational harm. With an apothecary of handcrafted and ethically sourced herbs, including a medicinal herb garden and native plant stewardship, Ms Tea Botanica fosters regenerative and reciprocal relationships with the magic of both the human and more-than-human worlds. Grounded in humility and accountability, Ms Tea Botanica actively dismantles oppressive systems and works towards collective liberation. Through sliding scale consults, redistribution of resources, community care, and solidarity projects, they strive to repair injustice and build resilient communities. With a deep commitment to ethical sourcing, cultural and spiritual respect, and dismantling colonial frameworks, Ms Tea Botanica is a beacon of inclusivity and healing in the health and wellness space.
All She Wrote Books - an intersectional, inclusive feminist and queer bookstore that is dedicated to supporting, celebrating, and amplifying underrepresented voices. With a thoughtfully curated selection of books spanning across all genres, All She Wrote Books is a haven for book lovers seeking diverse narratives and perspectives. By shopping with them, you not only indulge in the joy of reading but also contribute to a space that fosters inclusivity, representation, and social change. Join the movement and support this inspiring bookstore as they continue to champion marginalized voices and create a more equitable literary landscape.
Brujita Skincare - Indulge in the enchanting world of Brujita Skincare, a Latina LA-based brand that proudly celebrates the unique souls that the conventional beauty industry often overlooks. With a commitment to sustainability, Brujita Skincare sources the majority of its ingredients from the vibrant city of Mexico, crafting a range of exquisite products including organic and unrefined masks, cleansers, hand care, healing balms, and lip balms. Discover your perfect skincare match by taking the captivating Brujitas Skin Quiz, tailored to your individual needs.
http://spellboundsky.com/bio
Spellbound Sky - Mark Phillips and Martin Anguiano have manifested their destiny by creating a captivating space brimming with love, magic, and boundless positive energy. Former fashion designers turned spiritual entrepreneurs, their shared fascination with the metaphysical led them to embrace crystals as their ultimate obsession. In 2011, Spellbound Sky emerged as a haven to share their profound love for crystals and the mystical realms, while staying true to their modern and free-spirited vision. Year after year, Mark and Martin inspire and empower their community, providing the wisdom and tools necessary to unlock unlimited potential and transform dreams into reality. Prepare to be spellbound by the wonders of Spellbound Sky, where the sky truly is the limit in your spiritual journey.
Otherwild - a queer-identified woman-owned store, design studio, and event space that centers ethics at the heart of its business. Established in 2012 within a diverse community of artists and designers, Otherwild is dedicated to showcasing thoughtfully crafted goods made with care by individuals. With a focus on beautiful and well-designed products, they also offer refillable bulk home cleaning and personal care items, as well as lo/no-waste reusables under the name Otherwild General. Their passion for the handmade extends to their own line of apparel and home goods, produced independently and collaboratively. With an unwavering commitment to an ethically-sourced supply chain, Otherwild strives to cultivate a counter-cultural approach to exploitative consumer capitalism. They provide sustained support to their staff, vendors, and suppliers, and actively contribute to grassroots activist and social justice organizations through their Anotherwild Fund.
Wolfe Video - For over three decades, Wolfe Video has been passionately serving audiences as the largest exclusive distributor of LGBT films. With a commitment to showcasing these stories to the widest possible viewership, Wolfe engages through film festivals, theatrical and non-theatrical releases, broadcast, DVD, and digital platforms. Their extensive catalog includes not only their own Wolfe label films, available on DVD and digital but also thousands of other LGBT titles. As a pioneering force in the industry, Wolfe continues to make a difference inside and outside of the entertainment business, offering a diverse selection of movies that resonate with audiences worldwide.
The Phluid Project - At The Phluid Project, they are more than just a fashion brand. They are a movement. Founded in 2018, they dissolve the artificial boundaries of gender, skin color, and status. They believe in embracing their true selves and breaking down societal barriers. With a focus on community, activism, and education, they celebrate inclusivity and value every individual, regardless of body, size, ability, race, gender, faith, or nationality. Their completely gender-free fashion reflects their mission to empower and amplify underrepresented voices. Through partnerships and collaborations, they expand their reach and shape a more inclusive future for all. Join them on this empowering journey of self-expression and celebrate your authentic self with their diverse collections of gender-free clothing and accessories.
https://www.theyfriendcandles.com/shop-1/p/palm-g4gbp
Theyfriend Candles - Theyfriend Candles is a queer, nonbinary, and trans-owned candle venture that combines witchcraft and sustainability. Each candle is handcrafted and enchanted by Rune Rainwater, a Kirkean witch and Tarot reader. Theyfriend prioritizes a non-extractive relationship with crafting materials, using sustainable ingredients like beeswax and hemp wicks. Synthetic dyes and oils are replaced with food-grade sustainable dyes, and eco-friendly packaging is encouraged for reuse in witch work. Following astrology and astroherbology, they offer astroherbalist candles aligned with specific planetary influences. Empowered with Kirkean spell work, these candles are designed to assist with spells, blessings, and more. As a one-witch show, Rune pours their energy and expertise into every candle, fostering an accessible and non-exploitative approach. Embracing pleasure-based Kirkean Witchcraft, Theyfriend Candles invites you to enhance your own witchy power with their enchanting creations.
Chef Joya - Adjoa Courtney, known as "Chef Joya," is a culinary mastermind who transforms ordinary recipes into extraordinary culinary creations. Raised vegan since childhood, Joya drew inspiration from her grandmother's kitchen in Milwaukee, WI, and sought out authentic recipes from elders in her community. With a passion for plant-based cuisine, she began hosting dinner parties that left guests in awe and soon gained popularity through vlogs and cooking lessons on Instagram. Joya's specialty lies in "veganizing" traditional dishes, bringing flavors from diverse cultural backgrounds to her repertoire. As a personal chef, she shares her expertise with other chefs, bridging the gap between vegan and non-vegan culinary experiences. Chef Joya's vibrant and unique approach to food has earned her recognition as one of the top vegan culinary artists in the United States. Whether through her travels, restaurant collaborations, or online platforms, she continues to captivate hearts and taste buds with her delicious and magical meals.
Automic Gold - Al Sandimirova, an Indigenous, queer, Trans, non-binary refugee, is the visionary Founder and Jewelry Designer behind Automic Gold. After immigrating to the U.S. in 2009, they embarked on a journey in metal smithing and jewelry design, driven by a desire to challenge the industry's narrow standards. Feeling that jewelry often neglected inclusivity, Sandimirova established Automic Gold as a brand that celebrates diversity in all its forms. Their commitment to accessibility is reflected in the brand's offerings, catering to all genders, skin tones, and sizes. In a deliberate move towards authenticity, Sandimirova selects models who embody these values and refrain from retouching their photos. With Automic Gold, they have created a platform where everyone's voice is heard and represented, empowering individuals to embrace their unique identities.
NOTO Botanics - NOTO Botanics emerged from a transformative journey of self-reflection and a desire for authentic representation. After a soul-searching trip to Thailand, the founder, a fashion and celebrity makeup artist, envisioned creating a line that celebrated the spectrum of identities often overlooked in the clean beauty industry. Launching NOTO in their own kitchen, they poured their decade+ of expert experience into developing a multi-use, gender-inclusive, and clean cosmetic line. NOTO's products are formulated with simple yet high-performing ingredients, promising transformative results with regular use. Embracing the power of self-expression, NOTO champions individuality and fosters a creative and mindful community. With a commitment to representation, customer satisfaction, clean ingredients, and giving back, NOTO Botanics embodies a holistic approach to beauty that is both vegan and cruelty-free.