Shop Small and Shop Sapphic

With the rise of fast fashion, chain companies, and Amazon delivery, it’s easy to fall victim to convenience over quality. The ease and speed of ordering in bulk for cheap can tempt the best of us, but nothing can replicate the joy and impact of shopping small. When you choose to purchase from independent businesses, you’re supporting the people behind them and it’s a bonus if they happen to be owned by marginalized communities. With ethically made and sourced products, you can rest easy knowing that the material won’t dissolve to dust. These businesses not only contribute to the local economy, but also provide a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community.

DIASPORA: SEASONED & SAPPHIC

Looking to add some color to your cooking? Diaspora has you and your meal covered. Owned and operated by a primarily queer staff, Diaspora sells seasonings to spice up any and every dish. They bottle everything under the sun (or rainbow), with products ranging from herbs and fruits to salts and blends. Their team works hard to create quality seasonings for everyone, regardless of sexuality or spice tolerance–including you mild-biased babes.

If you decide to scroll through their site, you can find how their values make their way into their shop. Their self-established Queer Business Manifesto does a deep dive into what it means to own and support an LGBTQ+ owned store. In their words, being queer is to “embrace the possibilities of wild, magical, and radical ways of being,” and that includes the operation of a business.

TOMBOYX: FASHION FOR EVERY BODY

Gender and sexuality can be difficult to express, but clothing has always been a way for people to show who they are on the inside on the outside. Wives, Fran Dunaway and Naomi Gonzalez, started the brand TomboyX to deliver style with the priority of comfort for people of all shapes and sizes. Their clothing, ranging from compression tops to swimwear, caters to inclusivity through their brand image as well as their inner workings. Let’s be honest, sometimes an H&M sports bra just doesn’t cut it and you need something of better quality.

Not only does TomboyX pride themselves (literally) on being for all gender presentations, but they ensure that their employees are as diverse as the crowd they are marketing toward. Their staff and suppliers assure the quality of each product, earning a reputation among the queer community for being a genuine brand to support and be supported by. Extra points for being environmentally friendly and–as Bitches Love likes to say–sustainably slaying.

MUDWITCH: HOMO-FY THE HOME

Queer-owned and creative, Mud Witch sells ceramic everything–cups, mugs, plates, vases, and more. The founder, Viviana Matsuda, makes her products in the image of her consumers: diverse, different, and beautiful. She took up ceramics after her father passed away and has since carried on to pursue artwork, sharing it with the world. Her intention has always been to be authentic and you can see it in each and every one of her pieces.

Mud Witch offers a product line as colorful and outstanding as the person behind it. Whether you’re an eclectic-style or minimalist gay, Mud Witch has something for you. The passion behind the pottery is visible in every aspect of it’s presentation and goes to show the potential all LGBTQ+ store owners have. Mud Witch makes it easy to brighten up your day with bits and bobs for every bitch.

SAPPHIC APOTHECARY: GOODS OF A GODDESS

Located in Philadelphia, PA, Sapphic Apothecary offers candles and clothing for women by women. This small shop, owned and run by Anna Farino, offers homemade candles and a small selection of clothing made with queer people in mind. Sapphic Apothecary uses soy for their candles and ingredients from locally sourced suppliers, ensuring their ethical responsibility to the environment.

The attention to detail is what makes shopping small such a remarkable experience. When supporting budding queer businesses, like that of Sapphic Apothecary, you are supporting the whole of the community and earning a personalized reward through their product. Let’s be honest, there are few joys that compare to that of lighting a fresh candle–or the top-tier compliment of being told you smell good. Fill your home with the light and love that can only be found in this LGBTQ+ shop.

BABELAND: SEX POSITIVE FOR THE PEOPLE

It’s no secret that the sex industry has almost exclusively prioritized the pleasure for the patriarchy. As lesbians, a lot of our  preferences get bulldozed over as sex is often treated as something for men to enjoy. A lot of young lesbians are then left to question what to do when the man is taken out of the equation. Babeland, founded in 1993, was created by lesbians for lesbians–and all women, for that matter.

Sex is always transforming and Babeland is keeping up with it. Metaphorically speaking, obviously. By having inherently queer-catering products, they are spreading the message that pleasure is so much more than taboo. It’s important for queer people to feel comfortable in their sexuality, that includes what goes down in the bedroom and beyond it.

SUPPORT YOUR SMALL SAPPHIC SHOPS

These are just a few examples of the many sapphic-owned businesses out there. While these shops are available online for order, there is a strong likelihood that there are queer companies in your own community. One of the best ways to support LGBTQ+ folks is by helping them grow creatively and professionally. It’s important to not only advocate on behalf of queer people, but give them the space to prove just how important they can be to the industry. With every purchase, you are widening their reach and delivering success to their doorstep.