(SPOT.ph) In case you've been living under a rock: June is Pride Month! Many of you are probably rocking a wardrobe full of rainbow-colored pieces, either to show your pride or to support your LGBTQ+ friends. But apart from just wearing your support, another way to show solidarity is by patronizing local businesses run by members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you're not sure where to find them, this cool pop-up is a good place to start: Pineapple Lab's The Lil' Gay Shop is bringing together entrepreneurs and artists from the LGBTQ+ community for the month of June!
Founder and festival director Andrei Pamintuan calls The Lil’ Gay Shop "both an exhibition as well as a retail experience" where you can check out products made by members of the LGBTQ+ community. "The products range from locally made apparel to queer literature to cheeky stickers and sex-positive toys," he says. Discover cool brands like Salad Day, Randolf Clothing, Tie-Diet, Teen Idle, INDIO, Artempus, Tatak Inoy, Jouache, Hue & Ai, Coralus, GODS.ph, Estitiks, Hubineer, ILYA, NAWA DOLLS, and Wicked by Will—and be sure to keep your favorites in mind when you drop by so you can continue supporting them even after the pop-up is over!
Here's a quick peek inside:
"The Lil’ Gay Shop is absolutely and unapologetically gay!" says Pamintuan. He notes that the pop-up is part of Pineapple Lab's mission towards inclusivity and providing a platform for local artists. In particular, he says, they wanted to "engage our communities and provide a safe space alternative to the nightlife," as many pride celebrations often take place only when the sun goes down. He says they hope to push for "visibility, social equity, and responsible representation of what LGBTQIA+ artists and makers are all about."
The Lil' Gay Shop is at Pineapple Lab in 6053, R. Palma Street, Barangay Poblacion, Makati City. The pop-up is happening until June 30.
For more information, log on to Pineapple Lab's Facebook page.
