This post was originally written in 2017 and has been updated with current links for 2019.
If you wanna give your money to actual LGBTQ people this Pride season, have I got the thing for you: it’s called THE INTERNET, and it’s chock-full of queer people who have designed and produced their very own t-shirts that you could potentially purchase for yourself and wear to a Pride celebration or really anywhere t-shirts are worn.
Unlike the big companies who are able to churn out holiday-specific gear and then dump the remainders into landfills or whatever, most independent merchants don’t have the capital or the customer base to do Pride-specific apparel. But that doesn’t mean they’re not making t-shirts that are still very Pride-appropriate. Also, we somehow manage to come up with lots of queer and feminist merch ideas that don’t involve rainbows! Imagine that.
Autostraddle
Up top is our #1 most favorite store on the entire internet. There is no other store in the world that will make you as happy as the Autostraddle store. The people who you support by shopping at the Autostraddle Store are some of the best people to have ever existed in the world! Wow, where do I begin? All these shirts look great on a body that contains a head that contains a face that is pretty bummed about Wells Fargo sponsoring Pride.
Oh and by the way if you’ve ever wanted to be twinsies with your #1 idols, you should get a Gal Pal t-shirt, which is frequently spotted on the torsos of superstars including Samira Wiley, Brittani Nichols and Gabby Rivera. Just saying!
I could go on and on because there are so many shirts from Autostraddle that will pop at Pride, but you can make your own choices!
dfrntpigeon
Run by marginalized youth in Portland, dfrntpigeon is a social enterprise apparel and lifestyle brand run by marginalized youth, helping them to develop their creative abilities into a potential career path. They collaborate with local artists on Pride lines every year and you can get last year’s or this year’s right now today!
Magic Hour Astrology on Etsy
Magic Hour sells candles and other goods including Queer Witch t-shirts from Brandie Taylor, a “light bringer and spiritual artist specializing in astrology chart readings, intuitive tarot readings, healing flower essence blends, and intentional ritual candle making.”
Soft Femme
Idalisse Sepúlveda and Pamela Reynoso are partners in business and in life and this little store features Idalisse’s designs and illustrations. All proceeds go towards helping the two women afford fertility treatments and donor payments to start a family.
Bianca Designs on Etsy
Latinx web designer and developer Bianca Negron makes stickers, pins, hats and t-shirts celebrating the LGBTQ+ community — and donates 50% of the proceeds to LGBTQ+ organizations.
Kirrin Finch
Androgynous menswear designer Kirrin Finch is celebrating World Pride with this United By Love T-shirt, from which 10% of proceeds will go to The Trevor Project.
XYST Ugli on Etsy
20-year-old Chicago-based designer Tazia started her store as a “tiny method of protest” of brands who co-opt faux-empowering messaging in pursuit of corporate profits. Her slogans speak out against ableism, in favor of sex workers and trans youth, and other progressive causes.
Wildfang
These self-described “modern-day, female Robin Hoods raiding men’s closets and maniacally dispensing blazers, cardigans, wingtips and bowlers” launched their dapper-tomboy brand in early 2013.
Tomboy X
Tomboys Fran and Naomi invented TomboyX to create “men’s style” underwear that fit women’s bodies, and their success encouraged them to create a whole range of apparel, including these very Pride-appropriate t-shirts!
Mi Vida
Noelle Reyes founded her LA-based store in 2008 “with the purpose of providing the surrounding the surrounding community a shopping experience that compliments their lifestyle, incorporating cultural elements into fashion and functional art.” The tees aren’t gay-specific, but they definitely have Pride-appropriate attitude.
Between the Lines on Etsy
Between the Lines was started in Australia by “one lesbian who loved buying men’s clothes.” The “LESBIAN AF” tee in the collage also comes in other identites, like Bi, Trans and Queer.
Otherwild
Marisa Suárez-Orozco and Rachel Berk’s boutique/graphic design studio got born in Los Angeles in 2012 and opened a second location in New York in May 2016. Marisa has since left the company but Rachel continues overseeing the brand’s expansion, which sells wares from over 100 indie makers in stores and online as well as offering an inclusive space for the LGBTQ community, hosting workshops, readings, and parties. “Otherwild caters to the outsiders, the ones who are out-of-the-box and living life by their own rules,” wrote Fusion earlier this year. “It’s a place where feminism and LGBTQ pride is celebrated, not side-eyed.”
2s Daze
2s Daze aims to “embrace gay pop culture with a spicy-sassy touch of our Hispanic roots” with a “BOLD, COLORFUL and FEARLESS” attitude. This Pride tee is right on time with all that.
gc2b
They made your favorite binder and now they’re making your favorite t-shirt: the capsule collection “Rebel Roots” is “an ode to the radical and rebellious voices of our community at its origin.” A portion of the profits from this collection, which include this Marsha P. Johnson crop top, will support the Marsha P. Johnson Institute.
The Phluid Project
The Phluid Project has gone all out for Pride. In addition to their already Pride-ready collection of Graphic Tees, they’ve got a Stonewall 50 line and collaborations with brands like Champion, Fila and TomboyX.
Queerly Designs on Etsy
The self-described “lesbian Anthony Robbins” sells tees with just about every slogan under the sun, including a “Kiss More Girls” tee that contains very good advice.
Provoke Culture
This t-shirt was designed by Jenny Cunningham, a dancer and artist and doula who lives in Brooklyn and draws a lot. She also made a really cool line of greeting cards for queer women of color you can buy for your girlfriend if you want!
Trans is Beautiful
A percentage of every sale made by trans blogger/activist QuingNorelle’s apparel line goes towards Werk Those Pecs, a surgery fund for trans folks.
Tegan & Sara Foundation
100% of the proceeds from these tees go to the Tegan & Sara foundation, which “fights for economic justice, health and representation for LGBQ girls and women.”
Sparkletown Studios on Etsy
Boston-based maker Femme Brulée is a burlesque performer “known for her over-the-top costumes and props,” and as the founder and coreographer of the Glitter Bombs, Boston’s Premier Strip Hop Troupe. Her glittery store offers pasties and earrings as well as t-shirts.
Buffering the Vampire Slayer
Buffering the Vampire Slayer is a podcast hosted by Kristin Russo and Jenny Owen Youngs, who both are in love with Cordelia. Bonus: this shop is on Hello Merch, so you can pick up merch for Buffering as well as Autostraddle and queer musicians like the aforementioned Jenny and also Julia Nunes.
FTM Detroit on Etsy
FTM Detroit is a community-based group made by and for transmasculine identified people in the greater Detroit area. My Mom met these guys at Ferndale Pride two years ago and they gave her t-shirts and stickers to give to me and it warmed my damn heart.
Thugz Maison
“The Goddesses” t-shirt celebrates queer icons Audre Lorde, Gloria Anzaldúa and Angela Davis as well as our other fave bell hooks. You may as well pick up a “Butch Please” hat while you’re over there!
Demian DinéYazhi’ on Etsy
Demian Diné Yazhi’ is a Portland-based artist and transdisciplinary warrior whose work is “an archivalization & exploration of memory formation, landscape representation, HIV/AIDS-related art & activism, gender / sexuality, & indigenous survivance.” Demian is also the founder of R.I.S.E.: Radical Indigenous Survivance & Empowerment, an Indigenous artist/activist collective.
Revel & Riot
Revel & Riot, an LGBTQ non-profit organization, sells t-shirts with specific messages, inspirations and intentions, often in collaboration with artists like Tegan & Sara and sometimes with a portion of proceeds going towards other LGBTQ non-profits.
Haute Butch
Haute Butch Handsome Tee, Black Haute Script Tee, Red Authentic Haute Butch Tee, When They Go Low We Resist
Selling “fierce dapper stud style” and “tomboy-style clothes,” Haute Butch features suits, vests, watches, belts, footwear, briefs and so much more at their online store. Karen Roberts, a U.S. Navy veteran, opened her store in April 2012 with a focus on becoming “a clothing, footwear and lifestyle destination for butch women, studs, bois and transmen who prefer ‘menswear’ inspired finishes.”
Gay Stuff, By Kristin
After retiring Everyone is Gay, Kristin continues to sell the very popular QUEER AND FOREVER HERE t-shirt in this lil store.
Stuzo Clothing
Owned by QPOC couple Stoney Michelli and Uzo Ejikeme, DapperQ describes Stuzo as “a line of androgynous, athleisure, and Cali-casual-cool style.”
Kiernan Dunn on Etsy
Kiernan Dunn is a printmaker and zinemaker based in New Orleans.
Queer Supply
Queer Supply aims to “make space for marginalized people and our multifaceted identities” through its crafting, and was founded by Kit, a “queer non-binary weirdo” and Sade Petlele, a “20-something black queer femme (magic),” both living in Toronto.
Bad Real Bad
Autostraddle Cartoonist Archie Bongiovanni, a “genderqueer mesh-wearing, french fry luver, leather-daddy-in-training, “Satan is an ok dude”, drunk cartoonist trash living in MPLS,” sells tees and tanks on their threadless shop.
Peau De Loup
The Canadian purveyor of well-made button-ups for bodies with curves has made a very cute Pride Tee in a variety of striped options including a very appealing Trans Flag+.
Hold on, I’m gonna go get my credit card.
Be right back
Oh, and the link for Thugz Maison is missing
Well now my wishlist is full.
Also I saw FtM Detroit at Ferndale Pride this year and they were so great and nice!
Dammit both the Harvey Milk T-Shirt and Rainbow Mountain t-shirts seem to be unavailable.
C’mon, Revel & Riot!
So, what you’re saying is I should stop procrastinating and finally get the Gender Traitor tee… I guess, if you insist…
This is rude. I already own enough Autostraddle/Everyone is Gay merch to outfit myself forever, I surely didn’t need more. BUT NOW I /NEED/ MORE. So THANKS A LOT. (But no really, thanks.)
So what you’re saying is that you are a queer and forever dressed?
Always Queer, NeverNude
Yes! I’ve been waiting for this post, tbh.
Hey friends I think the Gloria in the Thugz Madison shirt is Gloria Anzaldua, not Gloria Steinem <3
the first place i saw that shirt was linked from an article on like, mashable maybe? or refinery29? and i copied the names from their description and didn’t double-check them when i went to the actual store in question and was like, hm, gloria steinem is a weird choice. THIS MAKES A LOT MORE SENSE.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrowandBier?ref=l2-shopheader-name
My friend (and ex) designed these shirts for Chicago pride!
Is there a back story to the demon lizard shirt, because for years I’ve seen that term used in Antisemitic manner from racists and writers who claim they aren’t racist/antisemitic, but then proceed say stuff that is offensive. Even had to explain to a friend who is not straight what she’s seen on the internet is way out there false, and racist against Jews and poc.
yeah, it’s a reference to a demon lizard who lived in the basement of a fraternity in an episode of buffy the vampire slayer, and the lizard was basically the patriarchy in that episode
Ah. Maybe Im jumpy as I’ve seen too many antisemitic material in the past few years referring to us as lizards and such.
You are referring to the conspiracy theory about Reptilians (or Lizard People) propagated by David Icke. It’s … well… weird. However, you don’t necessarily have to be Jewish or a POC to be accused of being a lizard. Anyway, here’s some info on the fun stuff:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptilians
Yes, I saw that. Then got to the wiki page of a author, forget her name atm, who said similar things. Still, kind of jumpy as I’ve seen in recent times white (usually)men quote authors like Icke to attack queer and feminist Jewish women.
Also check out queer-owned Sparkletown Studios on Etsy!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SparkletownStudios
Fantastic user name. Congrats
OMG I JUST ORDERED THE POOP ON THE PATRIARCHY HOODIE FOR MY TINY DOG AND I’M SO EXCITED I HAVE TO USE ALLLLLLL CAAAAPPPPPPSSSS!!!!!
My etsy shop is queer hats and not t-shirts, is it cool if I plug that?
sure! this post is about t-shirts but you can plug whatever you want in the comments!
I need that Don’t Assume Anything as a 29 yo trans masc person who looks like a 13 yo girl. Sums me up so much lol.
Jacob is the best, so happy to see their work advertised here <3
AHHH! Thank you so much for this! I’ve been desperate for menswear cut for AFAB bodies. The only place I knew was Wildfang and they are usually way out of my budget. Also trying to buy more from independent merchants just generally so this is a win-win.
You know, I’m a femme, but I’m not a hard one. And because I’m a femme, I don’t want to wear unisex T-shirts. Where are the pretty, women-cut, femme t-shirts?
The Lavender Menace shirt comes in a women’s cut, and AS has some others that do too, although they keep peskily selling out…check out the store, they normally have a scissoring one, a lazy femme one, can’t remember what else?
These are so great! I’m wearing the “wish you were queer” shirt right now!
I’m also happy to learn about werk for pecs! Def donating to that.
i really, really wish i had the guts to wear the vag sign shirt but i don’t know if i could just sit in class with that emblazoned across my chest.
also it’s not queer-owned but my “america needs lesbian farmers” shirt from raygun just came in the mail and i’m absurdly excited about it.
GOT THE LAVENDER MENACE T SHIRT LAST WEEK!! Came in yesterday and I love it. SO soft!! Ah I wish this was posted a bit earlier so I could have seen some of these before pride. This compilation is incredible.
It’s super soft
Cool, here’s my hat shop. https://www.etsy.com/shop/QueerBeanies
I’m low on stock right now because it’s pride month, obviously, but I’m knitting more as fast as my lil gay hands can go.
that wish you were queer shirt made me smile
Here’s another line of queer-designed queer t-shirts http://www.amazon.com/Tukaho-e/b/ref=w_bl_sl_ap_ap_web_14627595011?ie=UTF8&node=14627595011&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Tukaho-e
The Autostraddle store is better than ever but half the shirt styles only go up to a 2XL?? I love you guys but you need to find a better vendor, because that’s not fair to your fat readership. K thanks byeeeee
Wanted to share my new line here too!
https://bridgetwoodbury.com/product-category/pride-2019/
Thank you for including an Australian creator in here! For once shipping costs may be less than the cost of the garment!
I know! And they have a couple of “DEADLY” shirts too! Good to see
/selfpromotion now that it’s pride time again
Check out my awesome queer art on Redbubble!
https://www.redbubble.com/people/sgranger
Get $10 off your purchase if you’re a new customer on Redbubble!
https://www.talkable.com/x/xX3AJh
Check out this new design I just put on my page! I would be thrilled to see someone wearing this at pride!
https://www.redbubble.com/people/sgranger/works/39112051-rainbow-roses?p=pencil-skirt&ref=available_products
Hi! I sell large, acrylic laser cut earrings!
I’m a queer maker, a budding small business and I will be donating a 50% of every of the pronoun earrings, “Be Gay, Do Crime”, and the new upcoming “Queer Magic” designs to the Trans Lifeline and the Transgender Law Center for the month of June and 10% all year long.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/PickleKittenCo
This is exactly the content I’ve been looking for. Thank you!!
Here to confirm that Autostraddle’s “who all’s gay here” shirt is perfect for a hot Pride day and gets a solid share of compliments.
Shameless self promotion as another queer lady in this graphic tee game.
Femfatfun.com – everything available in sizes 4X-XS, not prices difference between sizes!
Check out my queer owned Etsy shop. Lots of mugs with feminist and queer/pride themes.
etsy.com/shop/swimmingturtleart
Thanks!
Besides the point, but just want to take a moment to appreciate how ridiculously soft literally everything autostraddle makes is. I don’t know how y’all do it but it is incredible. Can confirm that it is helping me live my best/coziest/softest life.
I love this roundup!