In 2015, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. during the week gay marriage was federally legalized across all fifty states. It was an absolutely incredible and humbling moment in history, and something even more powerful to experience in person. That being said, the battle for gender and sexual liberation is an issue faced across the globe. We have made tremendous progress, but there are still miles to go before everyone feels truly welcome and all spaces become inclusive to queer-identifying folx. In the spirit of June, I’d like to raise a glass to these companies that are continuing to give back, support, and dignify the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Bobo’s Lemon Poppyseed Pride Bars
Bobo’s is a small-batch company that specializes in delicious, plant-based oat snacks and protein bars. For the second year in a row, the company will donate 100% of the profits from their lemon poppyseed pride bars to PFLAG National and the Center on Colfax: two non-profits aimed at safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ identifying individuals.
LICK Honest Ice Cream
LICK was started by partners Chad and Anthony in 2011 and has since moved their base to Texas. You can find brick-and-mortar LICK scoop shops in San Antonio and Austin, as well as order pints to your doorstep. LICK has great history of community involvement, including donating a comprehensive $50,000 to Texas-based charities. With fun, funky flavors like Goat Cheese, Thyme, & Honey and Blackberry, Lime, & Basil, you can’t go wrong!
Shaquanda Hot Pepper Sauce
If you’re looking to add a little spice to your Pride month, check out Shaquanda’s line of hot pepper sauces. This LGBT-run company is putting the flavor and the kick back into boring hot sauces.
Barefoot Wines Pride 2020 Collection
Do you love champagne? Bring out the bottler opener for Barefoot’s 2020 Pride collection. Whether you enjoy a spritzer or a champagne, Barefoot has all of your summer bubblies covered. Every purchase benefits Free Mom Hugs, an organization that empowers families of LGBTQ+ kids to seek love, acceptance, and support.
Big Gay Ice Cream
This ice cream company started as an ice cream truck in 2009 and has since made their way to stops in Philly and NYC. Although they are temporarily closed during the COVID-19 epidemic, their delicious soft serve creations will soon be back & supporting LGBTQ+ causes once again.
Coachella Valley Coffee
Coachella Valley Coffee is a small coffee maker in California aimed at sourcing the best and most ethical coffee there is. The company is aimed at investing money back into the communities of its growers and paying ethical wages to all workers. They have also invested in several charities to support LGBT+ causes over the past years. Bottoms up!
Diaspora Co. Spices
Diaspora Co. is led by queer, women-of-color who want to change the way people think about spices and cooking. The company offers up to 10x what commercial spice companies pay their growers. You can order their spices and support their cause here!