YES! It’s that time of year again and we’ve got the list you’ve been waiting for. Please support these lesbian/queer owned businesses and find your jam with great gift ideas for your loved ones!
EQUATOR COFFEES
This is seriously the only coffee we drink! Owned by the dynamic couple Helen and Brooke, Equator Coffees & Teas was praised for its commitment to social responsibility. For example, in 2011 the business became the first American coffee roaster to become a certified B corporation which recognized its work regarding sustainable roasting methods, eco-friendly worker housing and more. What a fab gift! Check it out here
CTOAN
If you’re looking for a creative gift or just a lovely piece of home decor, you can’t go wrong with a hand-poured candle from CTOAN. Owned and operated by Jodyann Morgan, a queer Black woman living in Wisconsin, the company creates scented candles that are truly works of art. Buy it here
OLIVIA TRAVEL
2023 will mark 50 years of Olivia: Let’s celebrate together! Olivia is planning the biggest celebration for their GOLDEN L ANNIVERSARY. Not only is “L:” the Roman numeral for 50, but it also represents so much of what Olivia stands for: from Lesbian to Liberation to Love! If you never been on an Olivia cruise, prepare for a life-changing experience. If you’ve been before, this is the trip you shouldn’t miss. We can’t really even begin to express how much we love Olivia, so we highly recommend sharing this precious gift with your lover for the most romantic getaway of ALL TIME! Olivia.com
LESBIAN GAME CHANGERS
If you are looking for the perfect gift for a family member — don’t forget that 13 year old niece who’s just declared they are non-binary and pansexual? Suitable for all ages! One for you & one for a school or library near you! Help us get the stories of these queer role models into the hands of youth everywhere! Order by Dec 14th to receive your signed books by Christmas. Find out more HERE
HALF IN – A NEW NOVEL by Felice Cohen
What if your first love was a forbidden one? At twenty-three, Felice Cohen was, like other recent college grads, hesitant about entering the real world, with the added stress of coming out in the early nineties. Focused on how to land a full-time position as a writer, falling in love was the last thing on her mind. But fall in love she did. With her boss, a woman thirty-four years older. Buy it here.
AUTOSTRADDLE
We all watched the A League of Their Own tv show this year and now our friends at Autostraddle have merch repping the Rockford Peaches and Red Wright’s All Stars: a Peaches tee, Peaches socks and a baseball cap just like Max Chapman’s. Check it out here
INK MEETS PAPER
Creatives and makers at heart, Jamie and Allison Nadeau, the wife-and-wife owners of INK MEETS PAPER, began their foray into letterpress printing in 2008. Fun fact: Jamie is a tribal member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation! The greeting card line emphasizes the beauty and humanity that comes with handwritten correspondence, and they’re all about spreading more love in the world with the belief that with each note sent, the world gets a bit more love and humanity. Known for their craftsmanship and attention to detail, they love little details that make a big impact. Ink Meets Paper greeting cards are designed, printed on antique presses, and assembled by hand at their studio in sunny South Carolina.
KIRRIN FINCH
When Laura and Kelly Moffat, self-described tomboys, were searching for clothes for their wedding, they realized “how difficult it is to find alternative options to a wedding dress.” This reinforced decisions they’d both had to make throughout their lives. Laura Moffat, who also serves as the brand’s director of marketing, said growing up, she and her wife were “often forced to make the choice between poorly-fitting menswear and super feminine womenswear.” Kirrin Finch’s Brewster Short-Sleeve Shirt is available in sizes 0 to 24. It’s 100% cotton and features a collar as well as a nine button front.
WILD RAINBOW AFRICAN SAFARIS
Take the journey of a lifetime to Africa with Lesbian Game Changer Jody Cole of Wild Rainbow African Safaris! Many people dream of visiting Africa during their lifetime, but few truly experience the magnificent wonders of this continent. Now offering privately guided safaris! Private safaris are especially designed to fulfill your dream trip to Africa. They begin by tailoring the trip to your specific travel dates, and then create a customized itinerary based upon your expectations and wishes. Dream big! Wild Rainbow excels at creating memorable trips that showcase the best of Africa. Count us in!
PINK HOUSE ALCHEMY
Pink House Alchemy is a women owned and run, LGBTQ+ Arkansas-based company that crafts three specialties to sip, mix and cook (i.e. simple syrups, bitters and shrubs). Developed in a 100+ year old pink house, their team of alchemists founded Pink House Alchemy through the love of food and flavor. Inspired by complementary patterns in roots, barks, fruits, herbs, and botanicals, they work every day to find new and perfect connections between ingredients—and simple syrups, bitters, and shrubs are where they put these discoveries to the test. We especially dig the The brand’s Toasted Caramel Simple Syrup which contains natural ingredients and no additives or dyes, alongside its other simple syrups: from Mexican Chile to Cardamom.
