Peau de Loup

7 Brands That Support the LGBTQ+ Community Year-Round

These Canadian companies are carving out a necessary niche

As Pride month begins, we turn our attention not to the brands putting out Pride merch but on Queer-focused Canadian brands and those creating products specifically for the LBGTQ+ community. These companies are doing their part to be inclusive, helpful and supportive—365 days a year.

 

 

Juniper & Eve Low-Rise Gaff Panty, $32, juniperandeve.ca. Photo: Juniper & Eve
Shop Now

Juniper & Eve undergarments

Founded in June of 2021, Juniper & Eve sells sustainable and inclusive undergarments. Each product is made with high quality and earth-friendly materials such as organic cotton, hemp and recycled nylon. The products themselves include a large range of quality underwear that works for all bodies on the gender spectrum, allowing access to sustainable basics for cis, trans and non-binary people, alike. The products at Juniper & Eve range from binders to compression tops to sport bras, as well as multiple styles of underwear, from thongs to shorts to tucking underwear. All products are handmade and made to order.

 

Little Rainbow Paper Co. They/Them/Theirs Pronoun Pin, $14, littlerainbowpaperco.com. Photo: Little Rainbow Paper Co.
Shop Now

Little Rainbow Paper Co.

Based in Calgary, the Little Rainbow Paper Co., focuses on quirky LGBTQ+ items that “affirm and celebrate all the ways humans know how to love.” Each design is hand painted by the owner/artist using watercolour, ink and high-quality archival cardstock paper. Little Rainbow features a wide range of celebratory cards for every occasion: birthday, wedding, surgery or just simply celebrating someone’s identity. It also carries other fun products like pronoun pins and pride pins, as well as mugs and stationery.

 

Dew of The Gods Dew x Trans Lifeline Pride Set, $44, dew.co. Photo: Dew of the Gods
Shop Now

Dew of the Gods

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Canadian founder Ryan Dubs feels a responsibility to build a brand on the foundation of inclusivity and sustainability. With its clay masks, cleansers, toners and face and body scrubs, Dew of the Gods promises the LGBTQ+ community to make everyone feel seen, heard, represented and loved in all that the brand does. This year, Dew of the Gods has partnered with Trans Lifeline to donate 100 per cent of all sales from the Dew x Trans Lifeline Pride Set (valued at $52, above) from June 1 to June 7 2022.

 

The Get Real MovementBloom sweatshirt, $45, wegetreal.ca
Shop Now

The Get Real Movement

Founded in 2011, this Canadian non-profit organization uses the sales of its clothing and accessories to combat LBGTQ+ discrimination and promote acceptance in schools, summer camps and workplaces. This concept came to life at Western University when founding members, including current executive director Chris Studer, were volunteering and mentoring new students at Welcome Week. Chris and three friends soon realized that they were having success speaking to students about homophobic language and decided to create The Get Real Movement to keep the conversations going. It has now evolved on a national scale and continues to be student-run. Each item delivered even includes a personalized piece of feedback that was written by a Canadian student who has participated in one of the many workshops it holds.

 

RubiesThe Ruby Shaping Bikini Bottom, $55, rubyshines.com
Shop Now

Rubies swimwear and underwear

Rubies is a family-owned business that provides inclusive and accessible swimwear and underwear for trans girls. This concept was conceived when owner Jamie Alexander was going on a trip with his then 11-year-old daughter, Ruby. Ruby is a trans girl and was nervous about what was appropriate to wear to beaches in Central America, which led Jamie to create a brand that was inclusive for all trans girls experiencing the same struggles. As the brand describes its swimwear: “If your little rockstar is looking for a nice front view, this no-nonsense bikini bottom in pink will give her support in all the right places. It magically turns a pointy poker into a dainty dune. No tucking required.” The brand’s Every Girl Deserves to Shine campaign shows support for trans girls around the world. And anyone can get involved by buying a Rubies T-shirt, making a donation to its Go Fund Me, sending a postcard to a trans girl around the world or even sponsoring the campaign.

 

Peau de Loup shirt, $68, peaudeloup.ca. Photo: Peau de Loup
Shop Now

Peau de Loup genderless clothing

Peau de Loup founders Adelle Renaud and Erin McLeod always believed that men’s button-down shirts typically fit them better than those specifically designed for women. So they decided to create their own genderless clothing line. Peau de Loup first started out as a company that designs button-downs for bodies with curves, but has slowly evolved from creating just shirts to many different clothing items that are gender non-conforming. Through its always-expanding inventory, you can find androgynous-style clothing that is designed for all body types regardless of gender identity. Another bonus is that all fabrics used to make these products are upcycled from other companies, meaning almost zero waste. This year, Peau de Loup has partnered with Queer Food Foundation and GLAAD in order to raise awareness for the LGBTQ+ community.

 

 

Your Open ClosetYour Open Closet binder, $60, youropencloset.com
Shop Now

Your Open Closet undergarments

Founded in 2017, Your Open Closet is a sister company to the Vancouver sex shop Womyns’ Ware. The owners, Ann Boone and Lesley McHale, created Your Open Closet after countless requests from customers for products such as binders, quality underwear to accommodate packers and lingerie for all body types and genders. The line was born with a range of gender-affirming undergarments for all.

 

*Juniper & Eve, Little Rainbow and Dew of the Gods text by Giulia Orsino

This article contains affiliate links, which means The Kit may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our journalism is independent and is in no way influenced by advertising. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set. More information

    More Pride