Happy Pride Month! As we all spend time celebrating the LGBTQ+ community’s courage and love, let’s use some of that effort into supporting LGBTQ+ Latine businesses. LGBTQ+ businesses work all year long to produce quality products for their consumers, which has little to do with their identity. The owners just happen to be part of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Latine community also happens to be one of the largest and fastest-growing populations when it comes to new businesses, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. And as more people start their own businesses, consumers want to be more intentional about where they spend their money and who they support.
That’s why, for Pride, we want to highlight some LGBTQ+ Latine businesses you can support during Pride and beyond. We pulled together an array of businesses to give you, the reader, a look at how diverse our communities truly are.
1
Bianca Designs
Bianca Negrón is a queer, gender-fluid Latine designer who is making inclusive art for the LGBTQ+ community. Their style is minimalistic and uses lines, geometric shapes, and typography to create playful and imaginative works of art. Negrón uses their art to bring together design and their identity to create a unique take on the world in their art. Check out their work here.
2
Taya Beauty
Taya Beauty was founded by Patricia Velasquez, the first openly-lesbian model, with the idea of bringing the restorative properties of nature to consumers. Taya Beauty is bringing the best of the Amazon to its beauty line while being mindful to protect the region’s biodiversity and practice sustainability. Check them out and see if they might be able to revamp your beauty regimen.
3
The Lemon
If you are looking for a colorful, LGBTQ+ gift shop, The Lemon by Anthony Diaz is your shop. The Lemon, located in San Antonio, Texas, is your shop filled with greeting cards, art, stickers, and clothing. Diaz credits his upbringing in San Antonio for surrounding him with his cultura and giving him a sense of his identity from day one. Check out his shop if you want to get some fun stuff to celebrate Pride all year long.
4
Firme Arte
Vedder is bringing you all of the witchy alchemy an LGBTQ+ Latine would need to celebrate their identity. If you want to have things that perfectly merge together a unique take on art and the ways of our ancestors, Firme Arte is the place for you to visit for jewelry, art, and candles. Get all of the art you want to fully encapsulate your brujería fantasy.
5
Plantitas
Kevin Alcaraz and Anthony Diaz are the proud owners of Plantitas, a queer plant space to surround yourself with all of the green love and joy available. Based in Long Beach, Alcaraz and Diaz are doing the subtle work on their website to embrace the entire Latine community with the use of the gender-neutral “todes” in their slogan. If you need plants or plant accessories, check them out and give some love to a queer plant shop.
6
Kalani and Wolf
Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Miami, Joanis Duran is bringing her Afro-Latina queer identity to all of the clothing she makes for Kalani and Wolf. Seeing a lack of the city truly embracing queer and Afro-Latine people, Duran has made it her mission to offer a brand that unapologetically gives that community representation and love. If you are looking to make a splash, don’t overlook her Powered by Pussy tshirt!
7
Pa’Lante Para
Created by Julia Pacheco Cole, Pa’Lante Para is giving LGBTQ+ Latine people the garbs they want with their letters. This isn’t your typical para shop. Cole has worked to make sure that she incorporates the full persona of their Greek life and queer identity. If you want to check out the Greek life para for your queer Latine life, check out their website and treat yourself to some fun stuff.