Ah, yes. It’s that time of year where the most virtue-signalling girl you went to high school with puts a rainbow filter on her Facebook and calls it a day. The time of year where brands add a rainbow to their logo and tokenize LGBTQSA+ people by refusing to pay them as much as their heteronormative counterparts (I see you Anthro) or worse – only being willing to work with them in June and never any other time of the year. Welcome to rainbow washing 101, not to say that queer folk don’t wear clothes donning rainbow prints, but for the most part a lot of what brands do is performative. The worse is when brands don’t even make a pride collection or donate partial profits to anything… they’re just like… Hey. We make this thing that comes in colours.
I want to encourage y’all to support queer-owned businesses year round vs giant corporations that want your straight-guilt or gay money. Imagine if all those big corporations reached out to their national governments to champion for gay and trans rights instead of trying to sell shit. Below are five Vancouver based businesses you can be proud to support year round. I just rounded up five that came to mind, but if you know of any that you love to support please leave a comment.
Also, fuck Facebook and their pride filter when photos of men kissing are often flagged as inappropriate content.
Heim Goods
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Am I a little bit biased because the founders, Matt and Parker are dear friends of mine? Perhaps. But nonetheless, you need these Heim Goods room sprays in your life. They make my apartment smell like an expensive store where the sales associates would follow me around to make sure I don’t touch anything. Knowing them personally just means that I know how much heart they put into these sprays and each blend is to-die-for. My favourite scents are Wild West and The Beach. Wild West smells like a man who goes to therapy, The Beach smells like sipping expensive cocktails on a patio.
Plus, a percentage of each sale is donated to Covenant House in order to help homeless LGBTQ2S+ youths find a place to live.
Cmmn Grnd
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While the world starts to open up again, one of the things I am looking forward to the most is in-person fitness classes. Something about moving my bod in a community setting fuels me unlike anything else, but I recognize that fitness spaces are notorious for being a toxic environment for a lot of minorities and queer folk. Cmmn Grnd is really a space like no other. It’s perfect, it’s beautiful, it looks like Linda Evangelista. Physical appearances aside, this space is very special. From land recognition, non-gendered bathrooms and use of pronouns, Dylan has created a space that is for all types of folks in all the different ways they like to move. You’ll never heard any toxic “summer shred” or “earning your calories” nonsense here. They are also actively working on bridging the accessibility gap that exists within boutique fitness, we love to see it!
Elbo Patties
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I could easily eat a bag of six Elbo Patties in one sitting. These Jamacian patties are pockets of heaven. Truly. They’re flakey on the outside and flavourful on the inside, every flavour is a home-run. Part of wanting to amplify queer voices is recognizing the importance of amplifying Black queer voices, especially in the food industry where there are so few queer BIPOC making their own authentic cuisine. The brand is own and operated by Christopher Boreland, self-described “Your Fav Auntie” and is so unapologetically authentic. BIPOC know how hurtful micro-aggressive comments about our cuisine can be and it’s become too common to watch the food we grew up eating get white-washed and made more “palatable” for western appetites. This ain’t no Kirkland signature Jamacian-inspired pockets, this is the real deal. Real Jamaican patties made by someone who knows and appreciates Caribbean food for what it is.
It’s available at a variety of retailers, including their own site and Legend’s Haul.
Studio Apartment
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LMAO – okay so TECHNICALLY Studio Apartment hasn’t launched yet, BUT I just know these candles are going to slap. Do I have a candle problem? No, I don’t have a problem with the abundance of candles I have. Look at their goddamn Instagram and try telling me that this candle is going to be anything less than spectacular. I am foaming at the mouth just imagining what West Coast Cedar is going to smell like, enveloping every square inch of my home. Studio Apartment founder Tyron is one of those people I am endlessly impressed with because he makes candles AND has a full time job. I don’t know how to do either of those things.
Also, doesn’t buying a candle hand poured by a gorgeous man who lives in your community sound better than whatever Bath and Body Works is pumping out by the gallon load?
LOA Skin
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Remember markets? I was first introduced to Loa Skin at Eastside Flea (I’m pretty sure) and there was no doubt that had something special. Their hero product is a Botanical Beauty Elixir ($59) that does it all, but unlike other oil-based products theirs is low in omega-9- a fatty acid that causes disruption in your skin’s moisture barrier when too much is used. The duo, Tyler and Spencer, behind Loa Skin comes from humble beginnings that started with potion making in Spencer’s parents basement to eventually catching the eye of notable publications, like The New York Times and beauty retailers, like Fig Face. Think about how good a brand has to be to only have one SKU! Iconic! It replaces lotions, creams, serums and moisturizers while also being suitable for use as a oil-based cleanser, make-up remover and primer. The real question is why don’t you have this yet.
