Pride 2016 Style
Wear your heart on your sleeve and celebrate love, respect and equality
If there’s one universal truth (apart from the age-old adage about death and taxes) it’s that respect and love will always be in style. While plenty of people take pride in who they are and support the LGBTQIA community in several ways, the most visible is donning that rainbow flag and wearing your heart on your sleeve. With that in mind, we have snooped around and found some of our favorite products to celebrate Pride 2016—from bright splashes of color on sneakers to lapel pins. Not only will these stylish additions show the world a little extra love, several also directly benefit LGBTQIA initiatives, including RAD Remedy (which helps connect trans, gender non-conforming, intersex and queer people to safe and respectful healthcare), the Lesbian Herstory Archives and the Human Rights Campaign—who tirelessly fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. When Pride comes to your city this year, remember: we’re all in this together.
Make American Gay Again
In a delightfully cheeky take on Donald Trump’s campaign slogan, the Human Rights Campaign has created two caps: “Make America Gay Again” and “Make America LGBTQ Again” ($26) both made in the USA from 100% cotton twill. Available in patriotic red or blue, these caps literally spell it out for those not paying attention.
Freak Flag Lipstick
Inspired by the unfettered spirit of the New York City clubs where the LGBTQ community and other marginalized groups dance, Nick Monaco’s Freak Flag lipstick ($20) is meant for anyone and everyone. The bright red hue challenges society’s idea of gender and sexuality, while pushing for openness and acceptance. 100% of the profits made from Freak Flag will go to the Jim Collins Foundation—a nonprofit funding gender confirmation surgeries.
Rainbow Chuck Taylor All Stars
Converse’s Chuck Taylor sneakers have been a stalwart of style since 1917. Gladly joining the LGBTQ movement, the sneaker brand has created a 2016 Pride collection and our pick is the surprisingly subtle rainbow Chuck Taylor All Stars—in low- or high-tops ($65 and $70 respectively). With rainbow soles, license plates and aglets, the classic design features a brightly colored woven upper that looks like joyfully splattered paint. Also available in black.
Consent Calvary Pin
Designer Isabella Rotman’s collaboration with non-profit RAD Remedy is a miniature sheriff’s badge that reiterates and reminds the importance of consent. The Consent Calvary Pin goes along with the educational cartoonist’s free e-book “Not On My Watch,” a bystander training handbook to prevent sexual assault. The comic format makes it super fun to read, understand and put into practice straight away.
Sweetheart Socks
Designed by Ozone, exclusively for the Human Rights Campaign, these Sweetheart Socks ($18) feature the equal sign—social media’s symbol for love equality—nestled within bright red hearts. Composed of a comfy cotton poly blend, they make it easy to feel great while sending out a great message. As expected, they’re also for all genders.
Pride Trucker Jacket
From Levi’s Pride 2016 collection, this Harvey Milk-inspired trucker jacket ($98) pays homage to the enduring spirit of the gay rights activist with bold graphics and patches. Emblazoned with Milk’s memorable words, “Hope will never be silent,” this classic denim jacket comes in a stonewash colorway with sizes fit for any gender. A portions of the proceeds from each jacket will benefit the Harvey Milk Foundation.
They Pronoun Pin
“They” might give you flashbacks to Jem’s breakout single in the ’00s but it also happens to be the preferred gender-neutral pronoun for more than a few people. This hand-stamped triangular brass pin ($16), complete with a shower of lightning bolts, reminds others of your preferred personal pronoun and/or simply shows your support for gender inclusivity.
How Dare You Assume I’m Straight Top
Straight (or perhaps, directly) to the point, this unisex top ($36) is a collaboration between Otherwild and Herstory and is inspired by a tank worn by a participant in Gay Pride Day, NYC back in 1982. The rest of the collection includes a sweet Gay Power denim cap and Dyke enamel pins.
Images courtesy of respective brands, hero also courtesy of Otherwild
