These Brands are Showing Their Pride the Entire Month of June

<![CDATA[<p style="text-align:auto"></p><figure><img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/84c03e_3ca80be1c3694766acadc4dd8e5fc937~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1200,h_675,al_c,q_80/file.png" width="1200" height="675" title="Image"></figure><p style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000">Image from</span><span style="color:#000000"> </span><u><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/01/health/pride-month-2021-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">CNN.com</a></u></p><p style="text-align:center"></p><p style="text-align:auto">Since 1970, the month of June is dedicated to members of the LGBTQ community. <u><a href="https://gaycenter.org/about/lgbtq/" target="_blank">LGBTQ</a></u> acronym stands for, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning. The road to inclusiveness hasn’t been easy, yet there are some major retailers and luxury brands that will debut their Pride Collection during the month of June.</p><p style="text-align:auto"></p><p style="text-align:auto">Major retail brands such as <u><a href="https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=1158349&nav=leftnav:women:new%20%26%20now:pride%20shop&kwid=1&sem=false" target="_blank">Old Navy</a></u>, <u><a href="https://www.balenciaga.com/en-us/men/discover/pride" target="_blank">Balenciaga</a></u>, <u><a href="https://www.ugg.com/pride/" target="_blank">Ugg</a></u>s, <u><a href="https://www.levi.com/US/en_US/lgbt-pride-collection/c/levi_clothing_pride_us" target="_blank">Levis</a></u>, <u><a href="https://www.savagex.com/features/pride-viewall?nav=pride-main" target="_blank">Savage Fenty</a></u>, <u><a href="https://www.fashionnova.com/collections/womens-pride" target="_blank">Fashion Nova</a></u>, <u><a href="https://www.soniquesaturday.com/merch/gay-pride-you-fake-like-this-birkin" target="_blank">Sonique Saturday</a></u> and so many more have featured Pride collections celebrating members of the LGBTQ community. Many of the collections feature the rainbow flag which is the sacred Pride symbol. The Pride flag was created by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978, symbolizing Pride <u><a href="https://gilbertbaker.com/rainblow-flag-color-meanings/" target="_blank">https://gilbertbaker.com/rainblow-flag-color-meanings/</a></u>.</p><p style="text-align:auto"></p><p style="text-align:auto"></p><figure><img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/84c03e_75068e8d29b545c2a7dd0461b819c17b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1400,h_1064,al_c,q_80/file.png" width="1400" height="1064" title="Image"></figure><p style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000">Image from </span><u><a href="https://www.levi.com/US/en_US/" target="_blank">Levis</a></u><u>.</u></p><p style="text-align:center"></p><p style="text-align:auto"><span style="color:#000000">Each piece that participating retailers featured in the Pride Collection has a message. In an interview with</span><span style="color:#000000"> </span><u><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/06/03/what-pride-month-means-look-history-lgbtq-celebration/7504029002/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#000000">USA Today</span></a></u><span style="color:#000000">,</span><span style="color:#000000"> Jessica Stern, the executive director of OutRight Action International said, “Pride flags are a bold visual representation of the movement,” says Stern. “And, rightly so, there are many, echoing the diversity of identities within the LGBTIQ community, and the need for everyone to be seen and recognized.”</span></p><p style="text-align:auto"></p><p style="text-align:auto"></p><figure><img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/84c03e_2e24f07bd48c4b6c8042b582410f2693~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1400,h_1636,al_c,q_80/file.png" width="1400" height="1636" title="Image"></figure><p style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000">Image from</span><span style="color:#000000"> </span><u><a href="https://www.fashionnova.com/collections/womens-pride" target="_blank">Fashion Nova</a></u><u>.</u></p><p style="text-align:center"></p><p style="text-align:auto">Releasing a Pride collection goes beyond fashion statements, it includes support for the LGBTQ community donating a portion of sales to organizations that raise further awareness of issues within the evolving community.</p><p style="text-align:auto">Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of the watchdog group <u><a href="https://www.glaad.org/" target="_blank">GLAAD</a></u> said in an interview with <u><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/pride-month-brands-n1269835" target="_blank">NBC News</a></u>, “Brands need to approach Pride not as a marketing moment to sell products and profit from LGBTQ people, but [as] a time to loudly use their reach and influence to affirm our community and support advocacy organizations in authentic and impactful ways.”</p><p style="text-align:auto"></p><p style="text-align:auto">Balenciaga is one of the many brands <u><a href="https://hypebeast.com/2021/6/balenciaga-pride-2021-capsule-collection-lookbook" target="_blank">donating</a></u> to organizations supporting the LGBTQ community. In honor of Pride month, Balenciaga has promised to donate 15 percent of their sales to the Trevor Project. The Trevor Project was founded in 1998 and focuses on its mission to end LGBTQ youth suicide <u><a href="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/about/" target="_blank">https://www.thetrevorproject.org/about/</a></u>. It offers various programs including 24/7 prevention and crisis intervention as well as raises awareness and advocate and fight for the LGBTQ community.</p><p style="text-align:auto"></p><p style="text-align:auto"><span style="color:#000000">Pride is a worldwide month-long celebration, that means more than fabulous clothing. The LGBTQ community has a long history of breaking barriers and has grown from the continuous support from people that honor those that want to live judgment-free.</span></p><p style="text-align:auto"></p>]]>