As we’re making our way through Pride Month, cities around the world have been hitting the streets to celebrate the LGBT community with parades, festivals and dance parties. Major retailers are hopping on the pride bandwagon and, in light of recent headlines, are offering designs that make a marriage equality statement.
Oh JCPenney, how we love you. You’ve stood your stance when the mean mommies began boycotting your choice of Ellen DeGeneres as a spokesperson. Then you released an oh-so-sweet Mothers’ Day ad followed by an equally adorable Fathers’ Day one. You love the gays and we love you. For Pride Month, the LGBT-friendly megastore has released a simple and to-the-point tee stating “Love is Love. Don’t hide your pride.” What else needs to be said?
For the month of June or while supplies last, Target offered four t-shirt designs embellished with words such as harmony and pride. Singer Gwen Stefani even designed one of the shirts, which features the phrase, “Love is love.” Unfortunately, only eleven days into the month and they’ve already sold out of their stock. Hopefully you raced to their online store when we first wrote on it but if not, there’s always ebay.
Macy’s has teamed up with the Human Rights Campaign and, for the month of June, is selling merchandise such as “Vote Equality” t-shirts in its San Francisco, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Boston, Columbus and St. Louis stores. “Macy’s is proud to recognize and honor our LGBT employees and customers during Pride Month with our nationwide Pride+Joy campaign,” says Macy’s senior vice president William Hawthorne. One hundred percent of the proceeds from sales will go to HRC’s fight for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.
“During Pride Month and throughout the year, we will remain committed to supporting the LGBT community through a variety of initiatives including our long-standing partnership with the Human Rights Campaign,” he adds.
While these tees are great for the family parade, they’re not exactly Dance at the Pier-worthy (unless you want to run the risk of being lectured by a drag queen, or plan to take said shirt off—which we highly approve). American Apparel’s collection features neon “Legalize Gay!” tanks which are far more fitting for the sweaty skin-to-skin action you can expect to experience at Pride dance parties.
Happy Pride Month, everyone!
