It’s Pride month, meaning cities nationwide have their parades, festivals and celebrations. Here’s a handy guide on preparing, dancing the day and night away and decompressing after the festivities.
Gear up
2024 has been another complicated year for Pride. After the anti-LGBTQ+ backlash in 2023 to companies like Target and Budweiser, many corporations are taking a more subtle approach to Pride this year, with more subtle or even fewer products. What’s a Pride-loving fashionista to do? Support queer designers and artists, of course! Pick up your Pride gear this year from one of these queer-owned businesses:
- JZD – Queer, Latina-owned apparel company with fun and clever designs for Pride and all year round, like “Bien Proud.“
- GRRRL Spells – One of this year’s Target artists who had their collection culled down to one item. Pick up their spooky and funky designs on t-shirts, pins and even a “Queerness is Celestial” denim jacket.
- Gay Pride Apparel—This apparel company is owned by husbands Sergio and Jesus and has become a powerhouse for Pride merchandise. Check out designs like “The Gays are Gaying” and “The Cis-Heteros are Upsetteros” on t-shirts, hats and more.
- Hey Beefcake – Also dropped from Target’s 2024 Pride line, Hey Beefcake features designs of, you guessed it: beefy queer men. Pick up a “Leather Daddy” t-shirt or the “Hey Beefcake” bandana to wow them at Pride.
Prepare for the day
It’s going to be a hot summer, so it’s best to be prepared with the essentials. Grab a fanny pack and let’s go!
- Make sure your lips stay moisturized with Alder New York’s Eucalyptus Mint Lip Balm. This queer-owned company’s products are made with natural ingredients and fragrances.
- Sun protection is no joke. Slather on some SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen from the queer-owned Malin and Goetz. It’s vegan and cruelty-free too.
- Most glitter is made of plastic and not ideal for the environment. However, queer-owned Bioglitz makes biodegradable glitter in a variety of bold colors, so you can get your sparkle on.
- Sometimes, you just need a hat to protect your dome. Check out Ash and Chess’ “I Dream of Trans Futures” dad hat.
- Goodr has been teaming up with the Los Angeles LGBT Center since 2018, and you can pick up a pair of queer sunglasses to protect your eyes from glare and look cool doing it.
- Food can sometimes be hard to come by at Pride. So make sure you carry a snack like a Bobo’s Pride Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt Oat Bar. Bobo’s has long supported the LGBTQ+ community, and 100% of the bar’s sales go to PFLAG.
- Stay hydrated and support LGBTQ+ mental health services with a Queer Life Space “Outlandish!” steel water bottle. Profits from the bottle go to support the Bay Area nonprofits’ works, including providing access to natural spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth.
Wind down
You’ve danced at least three times to “Pink Pony Club,” had a possible Kylie sighting and celebrated your authentic self in style. Now it’s time to unwind with a bit of self-care.
- Draw a bath to wash off the glitter with a “Queer Agenda Bath Bomb” by Soothing Sloth Soap Company. The queer-owned company also offers scrubs, soaps and shower steamers if that’s more your style.
- Light a candle from queer and women-owned Nose Best Candles. The Pride Brunch Collection includes the peach mimosa scented “Drag Brunch,” the calming lavender and sage “Big Spoon” and the fun and fruity blueberry pancake scented “Running Late.”
- Queer-owned Phoenix Pearl has the tea—herbal tea, that is. Brew a cup of “Wind Runner” raspberry hibiscus or “End of Watch” Darjeeling green tea and relax.
Happy Pride!