This year’s Pride is a special one as it’s the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. These riots served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement. Every June, around the world, people come together to celebrate their LGBTQ+ community. But this Pride is more than just rainbows, a parade, and a party. It has been about the celebration of life and the fight for human rights and equality. Which is why brands are trying to put their money where their mouth is this month when it comes to showing up for the LGTBQ2+ communities.
Here are 6 brands who are showing support this Pride Month.
Bud Light
Bud Light is partnering with the Canadian-based human rights organization to pledge up to $100K toward Rainbow Railroad’s work to help persecuted LGBTQ+ people escape harassment and violence. By donating up to $1.45 for every limited-edition case of Rainbow cans, the beer company hopes to help Rainbow Railroad, assisting in its efforts to help people flee state-sanctioned persecution and find pathways to safety.
The Drake Hotel
On Monday, June 17th, The Drake Hotel hosted 86’d Mondays alongside Danielle Finestone of T.O. Foodies. For this event, they partnered with queer craft vendor Pink Market to showcase LGBTQ artisans. While 86’d Mondays are typically free to attend, this time, funds were collected at the door and by selling raffle tickets, to give away a donation to SOY Toronto, a program for LGTBQ2+ youth ages 29 and under. How rad!
IKEA
IKEA recently announced that it’s recognizing Pride Month in a few different ways in store. But the one that has people talking? The release of a limited edition kvanting bag in the colours of the rainbow flag. The idea of the bag was actually pitched by a Canadian co-worker who came up with the idea to merge the iconic frakta bag with the colours of pride, and the rest they say is history. All profits from sales of the bag will be donated to Pflag – Canada’s national organization that offers peer-to-peer support for those within the LGBTQ2S community.
Consonant Skincare
For fans of Consonant, you’ll be happy to hear that the lip conditioner Peace, Love, Lip is back. The best part? Being sold on a limited run, the conditioner is benefitting Bill 7 Award Trust, a Canadian charity that provides scholarships to disadvantaged LGBTQ students pursuing post-secondary education. When purchasing the conditioner (which comes in three separate pricepoints: $7, $12, or $20) beauty buffs can pick how much you want to donate — love it!
Lyft Canada
Honestly, who doesn’t love Lyft? As part of its new program, Because Two is Too Few, Lyft is the first rideshare app in Canada and the U.S. to offer a range of optional pronouns to include transgender and non-binary riders. But that’s not all Lyft is doing this Pride Month! For every ride taken during Pride, the company will be donating $1 (up to $5,000) to Casey House, Canada’s first and only stand-alone hospital for people with HIV/AIDS. For those who want to support the initiative and use Lyft, use code PRIDEYYZ19 to get $5 off your next two rides to or from Pride Toronto between June 21st and 23rd.
Skittles
Who doesn’t want to taste the rainbow? Well, during Pride Month, Skittles is hoping you’ll do just that. For the first time ever, the brand is removing its signature rainbow colouring from its packaging and candies. A portion of the sales from these limited edition packages will help the three LGBTQ2+ summer camp programs that Skittles has partnered with: Camp Rainbow Phoenix in Ontario, British Columbia’s CampOUT, and the Youth Project in Nova Scotia. Plus, on June 22, the brand is helping four LGBTQ2+ couples get married in first-ever Skittles Hall of Rainbows but none other than Preacher Shangela of RuPaul’s Drag Race — can I get a HALLELOO?!
Featured Image: Instagram/@tiaraa_rock
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