Mardi Gras is here! Everywhere you look, there are rainbow flags, glitter and sequins. But while it's incredibly important to celebrate Pride, not just now but all year round, this is also when you're most likely to come across 'pinkwashing' — a marketing attempt to profit off the public's support for the LGBTQI+ community.
One way to extend our allyship and support fellow LGBTQIA+ peers is to put money back into the pockets of queer folk, instead of the bank accounts of brands riding the bandwagon. So we've created a growing directory of our favourite LGBTQIA+-owned businesses across Australia. If your favourite queer-owned business is not on this list, add a comment and let us know!
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1. Queer Move
Removalist, VIC
We've waxed lyrical about Queer Move before — the home removalist servicing Melbourne and beyond. Since 2018, its pale pink truck has helped move many LGBTQIA+ folk and allies into new places.
"I think a lot of queer people have a wariness of inviting men that they don't know who are very strong into their home, especially when it's a stressful time," Camel Love, co-founder of Queer Move, previously told Refinery29 Australia. "[I want] everyone to be ok... anything and everything that can aim towards that is worth the time and effort."
Find Queer Move here.
2. Rosewell
Sexual wellness, online
Modern sexual wellness brand Rosewell ticks all our boxes. The Brisbane-based brand was founded by Alisha Williams, who strove to create a gender-inclusive sex toy brand that doesn't skimp on sustainability. While there are a couple of toys and conversation cards available, watch this space as Rosewell is set to drop nine new items this year.
Check out Rosewell here.
3. Frances Cannon
Artist, Melbourne and online
Melbourne-based artist Frances Cannon is known for their black and white illustrations that take a deeper dive into topics like body love, mental health, relationships and gender. They've created stickers, pins, earrings, prints and keychains with their art, and have taken their digital presence offline through their co-founded non-profit space, Pink Ember Studio.
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Find them here.
4. Josh & Matt Design
Interior design, Melbourne and online
Beloved Melbourne interior duo Josh and Matt have put their good eyes and taste to work and created a selection of their own funky interior art pieces. They sling art to hang on your walls, your ceilings and downlights — as well as some unique candles. Unlike sculptural candles you're too scared to burn, these candles are designed with burning in mind; they create stained glass-like pools of wax.
Check the pair out here.
5. Double Rainbouu
Clothing brand, Sydney and online
Singlehandedly leading the Hawaiian shirt revolution, Double Rainbouu is a cult Australian brand that takes what we know about resortwear and flips it in its head. Expect anything but bland. One half of the unisex label's cofounders and creative directors is Michael Nolan, who is part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Take a look for yourself here.
6. Little Rebel Barbershop
Hairdresser, Melbourne
Little Rebel Barbershop is an inclusive and gender-neutral hairdresser that's inspired by indie subcultures. In February 2015, Rhia Moulds stepped out on their own and created this barbershop. Since then, the kooky, vintage trove has grown to be a place of belonging.
Fancy a closer look? Tap here.
7. Samuel Leighton-Dore
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Artist, online
Samuel Leighton-Dore is one busy guy. As an artist, writer, and director, he uses his many talents to spotlight masculinity and mental health. Over on Instagram, you'll find his tongue-in-cheek handmade ceramic tiles sporting humorous messages.
Sad Man Studio is the creative partnership between him and his husband Bradley Tennant. It's where you can buy one of Sam's tiles — take a look here.
8. Parfait Pins
Accessories, online
Recommended by our friends over at Minus18, Parfait Pins is a Sydney-based one-person store selling school idol-inspired pins and other accessories. The kawaii shop puts its goods to good use, has fundraised for queer charities and also sells personalised pronoun pins.
You can take a look here.
9. Warmcore Clothing
Clothing brand, online
For your dose of dopamine dressing, look no further than Warmcore Clothing. Self-dubbed "an iso project that got way outta hand," Warmcore is a made-to-order brand from Melbourne. Its clothes are non-gendered and it caters to sizes from 8 to 24.
Peruse its designs here.
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10. More Plants
Plants, Sydney and online
Since 2018, Sydney has been blessed by this queer-owned plant nursery. More Plants is owned by Alex Wright, who specialises in indoor plants. Swing by its physical storefront or shop online for your plant care needs.
Tap here to take a look.
11. Art By Kitch
Candles, online
100% handmade, 100% vegan and 100% cute, Bispha Studios is home to body candles. Coming in a range of sizes, shapes, colours and scents, its candles are just as unique as its owners. Might we tempt you with a caramel coffee or fresh linen scent?
Check it out here.
12. Dear Pluto
In-person events, Sydney and Melbourne
Back in 2010, Em Daniels decided to launch Dear Pluto, a community-driven events pop-up that services queer folk. Across Melbourne and Sydney, they host vintage sales, makers markets, film screenings, creative workshops, speed dating parties and more.
Keep up to date here.
13. Mabu Mabu
Food, Melbourne and online
Nornie Bero is the owner and executive chef of Mabu Mabu, an Indigenous-owned restaurant group. Through spotlighting native ingredients, Mabu Mabu is bringing ancient medicine into the modern day. Pick up some of its sauces, spices and teas for yourself — either online or at from their two Melbourne restaurants.
Find out more here.
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14. Shuturp
Artist, online
Ellie Hopley is the artist behind Shuturp, a collection of prints, clothes and original work. The Queenslander is known for her ironic doodles and colourful line drawings — and she must be doing something right, with 164,000 people keenly following her Instagram.
Interested? Tap here.
15. Pony Club Gym
Gym, Melbourne
Gyms can feel intimidating, especially for marginalised people. But Pony Club Gym is on a mission to create a welcoming and inclusive fitness space. The venue is wheelchair accessible and uses trauma-informed coaching. As it says, it's "your home away from homo".
If you're from Melbourne, find out more here.
16. ORRIS Paris
Skincare, online
Soaps have been given a major facelift; ORRIS is a sustainably-sourced and luxurious soap brand that works as good as it looks. Australian Lani Le Berre teamed up with Kenneth Koo to bring this LGBTQIA+, Asian and female-founded brand to life.
Find them here.
17. Rising Violet Press
Merchandise, online
Rising Violet Press is very gay and very proud of it. Its owner Bonnie designs all its pieces in Melbourne (most of its products are also produced locally). Here you'll find inclusive pins, stationery and apparel that combines their love of everything LGBTIQ+, pop culture and feminism.
Take a closer look here.
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18. The Bookshop Darlinghurst
Bookshop, Sydney and online
For over 40 years — since 1982 to be exact — The Bookshop Darlinghurst has been selling books, DVDs, magazines, erotica and calendars for the LGBTIQIA+ community.
You can find their titles in person or online here.
19. Queer Fame
Clothing brand and merchandise, online
Queer Fame is a destination for queer celebration. The Melbourne-based Etsy store collates various pop culture and LGBTQIA+ centric merchandise, including shoelaces, t-shirts and patches. 25% of profits are also donated to human rights charities.
You can find them here.
20. Doolittle Illustrations
Artist, online
Eliza Williams, aka Doolittle Illustrations, creates fanastical portraits of people and nature. The Melbourne-based multidisciplinary artist has recently branched out into textiles, adding to her collection of prints, colourful pages and tattoos.
Here's where you can find her stuff.
21. Hares & Hyenas
Bookshop, Melbourne and online
In Melbourne's St Kilda, you'll find Hares & Hyenas. By day, it's a queer bookshop focused on sexuality and intersections. Swing by at night and it turns into the Hare Hole, a live performance venue.
Check out their site here.
22. Corey Ashford
Homewares, online
Corey Ashford is a Dinosaur Design alumnus who started his own studio in 2016.
His online store features handcrafted Japanese incense, brass oyster incense holders and marble champagne coolers.
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Check out his site here.
23. Secret Book Stuff
Bookshop, online
Secret Book Stuff is an online bookstore run by married couple Amy Lovat and Laura Kebby. Specialising in book subscriptions and curated book gifts, Secret Book Stuff's goal is to make you fall in love with reading again.
You can learn more about Amy and Laura and Secret Book Stuff here.
24. Maine and Mara
Jewellery, online
Maine and Mara's statement jewellery is handmade in Sydney and features a huge pride flag collection including bisexual pride, asexual pride, demisexual pride, pansexual pride, trans pride and non-binary pride.
You can check out the full collection here.
25. Qweer Clothing
Clothing and accessories, online
Joshua Bouman started Qweer Clothing in his New York apartment a week before the pandemic hit, after noticing the lack of pride merch available all year round.
The label is now based in Sydney, where Joshua hand tie-dyes, embroiders and hand screen-prints in small batches. The range is fun and ready to wear 365 days a year!
You can check out his site here.
26. Sock Drawer Heroes
Clothing and accessories, Sydney and online
Sock Drawer Heroes is a trans and queer-owned shop based in Sydney's Inner West. Couple Bec and Erin started the business after Bec began to affirm their gender as a trans-masc non-binary person and struggled to find the products they needed in Australia.
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Their physical and online shop stocks chest binders, binding and tucking tape, apparel, books, accessories, and more!
You can visit their online shop here.
27. Beans Bar Melbourne
Bar, Melbourne
Beans Bar Melbourne is a lesbian, trans, non-binary and neurodivergent bar located on Smith Street in Fitzroy, Melbourne.
Owner Bec wanted to create an inclusive, welcoming space for lesbians and trans, non-binary and neurodivergent people to gather and enjoy good food and drinks.
You can find out more about Beans Bar here.
28. Harlem Starlet
Jewellery, online
Harlem Starlet's laser cut jewellery is made by Becca, a queer, disabled, 'neuro spicy' artist from Sydney. Becca's designs have been featured on RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under, Studio 10, Celebrity MasterChef Australia, and the Today show.
You can visit her online store here.
29. Proudkind
Clothing and accessories, online
Proudkind was launched in 2017 by queer non-binary/trans artist Luka Wild. Proudkind's physical and online stores sell pride t-shirts, sweats and accessories that celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies.
You can visit the online store here.
30. Chaotic Social
Adult social club, Sydney
Chrissy Flanagan started Chaotic Social in Sydney's Inner West to help adults make new friends. She runs a bunch of events and workshops from the space including a sausage making class, a book club, mate speed dating, a social choir and 'Overthinkers Anonymous'.
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You can find out more here.
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