Rounding Up Rainbow Items for Pride 2023
14 fun finds to show your support for the LGBTQ+ community
With the beginning of June comes the crescendo of rainbow-themed marketing campaigns that celebrate Pride month. I am all-about it. (Side note: I’m still waiting for Apple to release a rainbow heart emoji. Tim Cook… LFG!)
It is cheerful to see logos recolored with rainbows and special edition merchandise to celebrate our friends and family that identify as LGBTQ+. For too many years, these people were cast to the corners of society.
At the risk of this piece becoming a debate over politics or corporate gesturing, fair balance calls on me to acknowledge that there are legions of businesses who hop onto the Pride month bandwagon but fail to ensure their actions in the other 11-months of the year keep pace. Do your diligence and use the power of your wallet, wisely.
Did you know that 23% of Major League Baseball and 28% of National Football League teams debuted Pride colored logos? In total, 5 pro sports leagues and 63 teams had changed their logos as of this morning according to outsports.com. Pride is now a global cultural moment.
The Small Business Administration notes that LGBTQ+ businesses in the US are estimated to contribute $1.7 trillion to America’s economy. According to research from the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, in the last 12 years, such businesses have created 33,000 jobs.
Last year, a report in Forbes noted that while Gallup’s 2022 study revealed that 7.1% of Americans identify as LGBTQ+ roughly 21% of all adult Gen Z Americans identify as such. The same report noted that the spending power of this global community has conservatively been pegged at $3.7 trillion a year. It is the fastest growing segment in the United States.
With all of this as context, here’s a roundup of some of my favorite Pride-themed products and offers for 2023.
TO EAT
Enjoy Sprinkles Cupcakes new strawberry frosted cupcake filled with rainbow sprinkles. The popular bakery chain also has an 8” round, 6-layer rainbow cake topped with rainbow sprinkles. Both items are available until June 25, 2023.
Add sprinkles to your shake or float at Shake Shack and have the proceeds donated to PFLAG, the nation’s largest organizations dedicated to supporting, educating and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
TO WEAR
Splurge on hand-stitched Lingua Franca cashmere with an “equality” crewneck sweater. 10% of the sale price is donated to NYC’s LGBT community center.
Show off your Barry’s Bootcamp body in their white crop tee, made in LA.
Take your pride on the trail with REI’s wisp gray waist pack, featuring a rainbow colored strap.
Wear your pro team’s merch, in rainbow, thanks to Fanatics.
Frolic in the great outdoors with The North Face’s special edition hiking socks.
TO USE
Carry groceries home in IKEA’s recolored signature takeaway tote. Available in two sizes.
Keep hydrated this summer with REI’s 32 ounce Nalgene water bottle.
Swap out your dog leash for Merrell’s rainbow leash.
Drink your morning coffee or tea in this Pantone Pride mug from the MoMA Design Store.
Stay squeaky clean all-year round by adding a rainbow to your shower with Bathing Culture’s Mind and Body Wash Refillable Glass bottle (a Batch team and customer favorite!).
Dry yourself off with Bathing Culture’s cosmic rainbow towel (it’s organic!).
TO DO
Send your friends some Pride-themed mail with Punkpost or just check out their recent blog post with 42 funny Pride month messages to send this year.
Are you celebrating Pride by purchasing any special products? I’d love to hear about them in the comments, or email me at hello@consumerealm.com.