Gay Pride Month has begun, and we at No Kill are gearing up to celebrate
For New Yorkers, the Pride march is scheduled for June 30th. While we know that You’ll do YOU in the most fabulous way possible, if it’s not also friendly to people (ethically made) and the planet (sustainable) that fabulosity in our eyes will be a FAIL. But fear not! We have created this list of dos and don’ts to help LGBTQIA+ communities and allies celebrate sustainably.
The DOS of sustainable Gay Pride wear
DO: some research before shopping for Pridewear
This is one of the MOST important ways to practice sustainability and support LGBTQIA+. Not only is it important to make sure your Pridewear is produced sustainably, but it is also important to make sure your money is going to a pro LGBTQIA+ company!
Below are some No Kill Mag Approved options
Flavnt Streetwear
Flavnt is a Texas-based independent clothing brand with strong ties to the LGBTQIA+ community. It is a brand by queer people for queer people, promoting self-confidence, Pride and love. Flavnt clothing is handmade locally in Texas. Flavnt Streetwear is unique because of its fundraising partnerships with individuals from their community: they have helped more than 10 individuals pay for reassignment surgeries as well.
Otherwild
Otherwild is a store, design studio, and event space located in Los Angeles, founded by queer-identified women. They produce clothing and home goods individually as well as collectively with community artists and designers. Otherwild is committed to creating products with care, concern, and awareness of their impact, using an ethically sourced supply chain.They also use their profits to donate to grassroot activist and social justice organizations.
Show your Pride with Otherwild’s Gay Power Hat.
Gay Pride Flag SD on Etsy
Pride Flag SD uses American sourced material and sustainable packaging to provide you with a unique Pride flag! Just as Gilbert Baker, the designer of the first Pride flag, sewed the stripes of his first flag, Pride Flag SD creates their flags with sewn stripes, a canvas header, and brass grommets. But if you prefer a different version of the flag with over 40 different options, Pride Flag SD has the flag for you and your friends.
Definitely take a look at their Hand Sewn Rainbow Pride Flag to spice up your Pride parade outfit and accessories!
DO: try to reuse what you own and be creative with any other clothing items.
Although some may use Pride month as an excuse for a shopping spree, it is really important to take inventory of your closet beforehand. If you are an avid Gay Pride supporter, you may already have Pridewear that you can most certainly reuse this June. Also, handmaking Pridewear can be a creative and fun activity. You can try tie-dying, coloring or even sewing older articles of clothing to make new Pride-full ones!
And now for the big DON’TS of Pridewear and Gay Pride more generally:
DON’T: shop for Pridewear from fast fashion companies that produce clothing unsustainably and may not even support LGBTQIA+ rights!
The Quirky Environmentalist’s Who Made My Pride Merch campaign highlights the unethical production of Pridewear by fast fashion companies. The campaign demands brands to do better for their garment workers, emphasizing that many companies produce their Pridewear in countries where LGBTQ+ people have little to no rights.
DON’T: include traditional glitter, balloons, and plastic beads within your Pride outfits
Glitter, balloons, and plastic beads are all extremely toxic to the environment. The single-use plastic ends up in landfills or in our oceans, where it can be harmful to wildlife.
As an alternative, consider using natural body paint, biodegradable glitter and other recycled materials.
Natural Earth Paint produces clay and mineral-based face/body paint that are handcrafted in the United States. With a variety of great colors, the paint is sure to add extra excitement to any Pridewear outfit!
Bioglitz glitter is plastic-free and fabulous
DON’T: forget the origins of Pride month!
Pride month is a fun and exciting celebration to bolster LGBTQIA+ rights movements. It is a tribute to those brave individuals that were involved in the Stonewall Riots. The Stonewall Riots marked the new era of resistance and revolution and served as a catalyst for the Pride parades and festivities today!
As you celebrate in the fun activities and events of Gay Pride, remember to recognize, honor and commemorate those in the Stonewall Riot and their fight for LGBTQIA+ rights!
The recognition and celebration of Gay Pride month allows for self-expression and self-love! Within these efforts, it is important to incorporate sustainability as a way to show up for our planet as much as we show up for each other.
–Carolina McCormick
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