Since last month is Pride Month, we want to celebrate the progress that’s been made since the very first Pride event on June 28, 1970, one year after the Stonewall Uprising. That rebellion truly left a legacy on the world, and now, 51 years later, we’re still celebrating that historical moment and fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community to live openly as themselves in society.
It’s no secret that members of this group still face barriers to entry into society, including creating their own businesses. However, we can see that slowly changing as the world recognizes the importance of allowing LGBTQ+ people to live authentically.
In honor of Pride Month 2021, we wanted to celebrate and support some LGBTQ+-owned clothing companies that also happened to be vegan and plant-based that are making positive impacts on the community, our planet, and the animals.
1. Otherwild
Otherwild is a super interesting concept because it’s not just a queer and woman-owned store, founded by Rachel Berks but it’s also a design studio where individuals can showcase their art and designs. You can find low-to-no-waste and ethically sourced art, home goods, cleaning products, personal care items, and handmade goods in their Los Angeles store and online. Their goal is to “manifest a countercultural relationship to exploitative, extractive, and excessive consumer capitalist culture.” They also just launched Anotherwild Fund, which is a program that supports BIPOC LGBTQ low-to-no-waste artists.
2. BEETxBEET
Jacky Wasserman founded BEETxBEET (beet by beet), which is a super fun and edgy brand of art, stickers, pins, shirts, keychains, and many more miscellaneous accessories that promote vegan messages. Jacky also recently released social justice items in the wake of the BLM movement last year in 2020. I love how creative and chic the items are, especially this reversible Skull/Flower reversible unisex shirt you can wear for whatever mood you’re in.
3. Nicole Zizi Studio
Nicole Zizi, founder and owner of Nicole Zizi Studio, created this gender-free, ethical, and recycled streetwear fashion line with a mission to protect the next generation in terms of social justice and environmental threats. You can find super comfortable, fair-trade approved sweatshirts, sweatpants, and candles on Nicole Zizi Studio. They also just debuted animal-free, vegan, and cruelty-free cactus leather crossbody belts in collaboration with Desserto, a Mexico-based startup that specializes in vegan leather cactus!
4. Brave Gentleman
Last up is Brave Gentleman, an LGBTQ+ vegan men’s fashion company founded by Joshua Katcher. And what a catch(er) he is because he’s not just a fashion designer and entrepreneur, but he also uses his platform and voice for activism and education on LGBTQ rights, ethics, and environmental issues. I love that Brave Gentleman exists because it’s such a multi-passionate company. It’s also amazing to see a sustainable company that offers stylish options for men, which is quite rare. From classic tops to leather-like shoes to made-to-order suits, it’s not hard to find an outfit you can feel good in, both consciously and physically.
Final Thoughts
This is by no means an extensive list of all the vegan and plant-based LGBTQ+-owned clothing brands out there, so if I missed any of your favorites, leave them in the comments!
