Want to feel good about shopping this Chrismas season?
Holiday shopping is always a struggle. I mean, what do we buy when we don’t REALLY need anything? What about a gift that does good while also benefiting your loved one?
Read on for a list of gifts perfect for the queer activist in your life.
Paintings by Monica Trinidad
Image: Monica Trinidad
Monica Trinidad is a queer, Latinx, artist and organiser who grew up in the southeast of Chicago. She paints gorgeous paintings that show a snapshot of her local community. She also helped found Brown & Proud Press in 2012, a zine and writing collective for people of colour in Chicago. She then went on help found For the People Artists Collective in 2016, a radical group of Black and POC artists in Chicago.
They can be purchased at www.monicatrinidad.bigcartel.com and are around US$10 each.
Same-Sex Friendly Wedding Planner
IMAGE: ivory haus
Ivory Haus is a wedding website that has produced a wedding planner book, as well as selling a range of other wedding focused items like cards, clothing, jewellery and more. The planner is out just a year after the same-sex marriage vote, a groundbreaking decision that means the world to many loved-up members of the LGBTIQ+ community. Summertime is wedding season in Australia and the perfect time to gift your engaged friends the perfect gift for their special day. The diaries can be bought in bulk and are 3 for AUD$198 or six for $33 each. They say either ‘Wife Life’ or ‘Wedding Business’ on them.
Grab them here.
Sappho Jewellery
IMAGE: sappho jewellery
For the history-loving lesbian in your life, Sappho Jewellery makes handcrafted lyre (similar to the one used by the legendary poet Sappho on the Greek island of Lesbos) necklaces. Created by a single queer woman living in NYC who wanted a way to identify other queer women, Sappho Jewellery is a discrete but clear marker that gives visibility to queer women, based on some wonderful history of the poet Sappho and her harp. A portion of all proceeds go towards the Ali Forney Centre, an organisation in the US that provides resources and emergency services to queer homeless youth around the world.
They can be found at www.Sappho.life and are around US$90.
Minus 18
Photographer: Kayzar
Minus18 is an LGBTIQ+ youth organisation that runs queer youth events, formals, and other social projects for the queer youth of Melbourne. They also have countless resources for schools, parents, and newly out queer young people on their website. Their work is super important, being one of the only LGBTIQ+ youth organisations in the country. They offer the ability to make friends, feel seen, and participate in the queer community for young people who are struggling to come out and feel isolated. Minus 18 is a safe space for many young LGBTIQ+ people.
Donations start as small as $6 to $500. Donations can be put towards running youth regional events or covering a young person’s ticket to the LGBTIQ+ formal. And it’s tax-deductible – what more could you want!
You can make a donation in a friend’s name to Minus18 at www.minus18.org.au.
JOY 94.9
IMAGE: joy 94.9
Are you gift-shopping for an avid radio listener? Enjoy a good talk show? Gift them a subscription to Joy 94.9! The only queer radio station in Australia, they offer a bit of something for everyone. With political and funny talk shows and just generally some good audio broadcasts.
Yearly membership is $84 and can be bought through their website at www.joy.org.au
Hares and Hyenas
IMAGE: hares and hyenas
Do you need a gift for a bibliophile? Hares and Hyena’s is Melbourne’s only queer and alternative bookshop and performance venue. Having been around for 26 years and counting Hares and Hyenas is the perfect spot for your queer loved one who loves books. Contact them directly to ask about gift cards. You can also shop for books, calendars, magazines, and more online at their website.
Queer Activist Protest Kit
Image: @protestltd on Instagram
These kits are made up of markers and a blank inflatable sign, the perfect on the go gear for any LGBTIQ+ person who loves going to rallies but knows cardboard signs aren’t environmentally friendly. It even comes with a case! The kits are US$8 including postage and are available at www.protestltd.com/products/
GLAAD Pride
IMAGE: asos
Is your gift recipient a supporter of GLAAD and obsessed with ASOS? GLAAD and ASOS collaborated to put together a gender-neutral collection of tees, totes, rings, and hoodies, all sporting their new ‘&’ inclusive logo. 100% of the proceeds go to GLAAD.
Shop the collection on ASOS here.
Showing Trans Pride
IMAGE: trans is beautiful
Have a trans friend? Show your love for them by gifting them a ‘Trans is Beautiful’ tank. They are around $25, come in muscle tanks and racer-backs, and can be found here!
Wild Fancy Designs
IMAGE: wild fancy design
Is your friend always looking glam and up with the local trends? Wild Fancy Design’s do on-trend jewellery with queer and feminist twists. Like their ‘Yes Homo’ necklace and ‘Switch’ pin. They are affordable with prices ranging from $16-33, you can find them here.
Something For The Young (And Young At Heart)!
IMAGE: big gay alphabet colouring book
Colouring books have been blowing up the past few years. Snag these as the best gift for your queer friends with kids – a gift they can share (or fight over). The ‘Big Gay Alphabet Colouring Book is a 64-page colouring booking illustrating 26 words that ‘highlight memorable victories and collective moments in LGBTIQ+ people’s lives.’ The book retails for $13 and is available at https://etsy.me/2qBnJdG.
Remember Those Lost Before Our Time
IMAGE: thorne harbour
We are lucky to live in a time where HIV/AIDS transmission is in decline, but activists and organisations like the Victorian Aids Council have done the hard yards in supporting those who are positive and helping to turn the tides on the stigma of people living with HIV/AIDS. Has a friend been touched by HIV/AIDS in some manner? Make a donation to the council in their name at www.thorneharbour.org/. Donations span from $30 to $1,000.
Whatever you pick to gift your loved ones, I hope they enjoy it!
