June is here, and it's not lost on us that the kindness and compassion we share with the LGBTQIA+ community echo the core values of abillion. Our mission is to make the world a better place, safer for everybody, human and non-human alike.
There are many ways you can show solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community:
-Engage in local and national politics to support LGBTQIA+ people.
-Donate to an LGBTQIA-run sanctuary.
Check out our article on LGBTQ+owned animal sanctuaries here.
-Support LGBTQIA+ vegan business owners.
-Keep vegan restaurants and businesses safe spaces.
-Include LGBTQIA+ people in your activism.
It’s a great opportunity to celebrate love, diversity, and LGBTQ+ empowerment with some fabulous queer-owned, vegan, and cruelty-free brands! Here are eight amazing brands to support, each with its unique story and mission.
The New Savant
The New Savant, an artist-owned candle studio in Brooklyn, NY, is all about unique scents and styles. Founded in 2020 by former YouTube creator Ingrid Nilsen and tech/media executive Erica Anderson, this woman, lesbian, Asian American-owned business creates hand-crafted vegan and cruelty free candles using eco-friendly materials. Each scent is designed to be a piece of art that reflects their community’s values. The brand offers 8 candles in their core collection plus a bunch seasonal drops that keep their fans on their toes.
Photo: The New Savant
GT's
Known as the "Kombucha King," GT started his business journey at 15 while exploring his identity as a gay man. His perseverance and creativity led to GT's Kombucha, the world’s leading kombucha brand. GT’s story is one of resilience and innovation, making it a staple in the health and wellness movement. The brand has grown to innovate new flavors and products under the umbrella of GT’s Living Foods.
Omsom
Founded by queer sisters Vanessa and Kim Pham, Omsom makes it easy for you to whip up restaurant-quality Asian dishes at home. Their “Starters” are ready-to-use pouches filled with sauces, aromatics, and seasonings. Just add your favorite proteins and veggies for a delicious meal that celebrates their heritage and flavors. They do a great job at reminding people that much of their joy and liberation every Pride month also belongs to those who came before them.
W3ll People
With ethically-sourced ingredients and no chemicals or preservatives, W3LL PEOPLE stands for clean beauty that cares for both you and the planet. Founded by lesbian makeup artist Shirley Pinkson, the brand offers clean, vegan makeup and skincare products. All of the formulas are dermatologist-backed and include full transparency for their ingredients and sustainability.
Photo: W3ll People
Boy Smells
David Kien and Matthew Herman are the masterminds behind the 2016-founded Boy Smells, a highly curated range of luxury body, fragrance, and home products. It all began as an experiment in candle-making in their Los Angeles kitchen to then evolve and enter the realm of fine fragrances. Still with the mission of blurring the lines of gender and celebrating fluidity. You can't go wrong with any of their unique takes on classic fragrance families like woody, floral, herbaceous, and fruity.
Photo: Boy Smells
Origami Customs
"A company that cares about you because we are you" defines Origami Customs. The slow-fashion brand, based in Montreal, offers custom-sized underwear and swimwear for people across the gender spectrum. Their mission is to ensure garments fit our bodies, promoting body positivity and inclusivity. They've partnered with a lot of community organizations around the globe to get 400 necessary, affirming products per month to people with limited access, for free.
Heckin’ Unicorn
Out of Singapore, Heckin’ Unicorn is all about expressing identity beyond the usual rainbow motifs. They support LGBTQ+ organizations and initiatives, including Rainbow Families, advocating for love and acceptance. Their quirky and fun products are a celebration of pride and inclusivity.
Photo: Heckin’ Unicorn
In 2022, they co-founded Rainbow Families, a pride collective that advocates for the love and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people in Singapore through events, exhibitions, and online content. Heckin' Unicorn also launched the transcendent butterfly earrings in collaboration with the T Project and pledged to donate all of the profits from its sales to the organisation working hard to empower the trans community in Singapore.
Lagusta’s Luscious
For those with a sweet tooth, Lagusta’s Luscious offers artisanal, small-batch vegan chocolates. Their variety of chocolate bars, barks, bonbons, and caramels are crafted with care as they work closely with small farmers and producers in of New Paltz, New York and across the country to source truly ethical ingredients. Their brick-and-mortar shop is worth checking out! It’s a delicious way to enjoy vegan treats and support a queer-owned business.
Photo: Lagusta’s Luscious
