The Great LGBTQ UK Business Directory!
You may remember in 2019, I created our ultimate list of LGBTQ Bloggers, Influencers and Content Creators. This was in an attempt to diversity people’s social media feeds as well as quash any excuses when it comes to including LGBTQ people in brand campaigns and promotions. I’d lost count how many times I’ve seen a homogeneous collection of influencers with little in the way of diversity, so I thought I’d do something about it to point people in the right direction.
Fast forward a year later, and my focus is now on LGBTQ-owned businesses. The reason for this is because, quite often, independent businesses have a difficult enough time being seen – let alone when you’re an LGBTQ Business. It is well documented that people will often actively avoid a business or brand if they’re associated or part of our community. It’s too divisive, apparently.
Plus, LGBTQ Business owners often support LGBTQ charities via their sales – sometimes more so than large corporations – so why wouldn’t I want to promote that?
Everyone on this LGBTQ Business list has been recommended to us via our followers on Instagram or by the owners themselves, therefore this is an ever-growing list. If you would like to be added to the list or would like to recommend an LGBTQ Business, complete the form at the end of this post.
Jump Straight To…
Art & Craft
Ella’s Arty Shop produce beautiful hand-painted coasters, clay stuff and prints. Plus, at the time of writing, they’re only 14!
Jaz Moodie draws naked people. That’s it. That’s the post.
Seriously, though, their aim is to “Reclaim Nxdity” through their commission-based art. They encourage you to take nudes for yourself.
Lavy stitch make hand-made embroidered art of varying themes; from Flags to The Powerpuff Girls to Megan Thee Stallion. They also offer custom orders as well as embroidery tutorials.
Michelle Pan Designs is a graphic and surface pattern designer; specialising in logos and branding for small businesses. They also offer their own wide range of prints and graphics, as well as totes, stickers and badges.
So Long Ceramics make Handmade wheel-thrown and hand-built ceramics; ranging from mugs and tumblers to water bowls for your pets!
Wild Water Art Store is a London-based print-maker and artist; featuring themes around nature, Queer joy and Bookshops! They also offer workshops and commissions.
Beauty
Dr. Botanicals is a Multi Award Winning, European, Vegan Skincare Company who have one single belief; that Natural Skincare Works.
Proud Soaps make vegan, cruelty free artisan soap and body products.
Charity: 10% of proceeds go to charity
Bookshops
The Bookish Type is an independent Queer bookshop based in Leeds; starting as a pop-up stall in 2019.
Charity: Their ‘Secondhand Sundays’ to raise money for good causes!
Category Is Books is an independent LGBTQIA+ bookshop in the southside of Glasgow.
They hope the bookshop is a space to learn about, be inspired by and share in their love of queer books, history, art, activism, writing and storytelling.
Gays The Word is the UK’s oldest LGBT bookshop and a touchstone for the broader LGBT community. The bookshop was set up in January 1979 by a group of gay socialists as a community space where all profits were funnelled back into the business.
Gender Library is for everyone: you don’t need to be trans or queer to request a book. It comes from a place where Books are expensive and requesting them in person at a library might out or embarrass you. Allies are encouraged to make donation when making a book request.
Paned o Gê is a an independent, queer bookshop based in Wales, Paned o Gê is also a social enterprise designed to highlight, promote and celebrate LGBTQ+ talent and creators.
Queer Lit is an award-winning Queer bookshop based in Manchester. Starting from a stock of 700 titles online, to now having over 2000 titles in their store in the city which opened in 2021. They also donate around 100 LGBTQ+ books each month to schools across the UK, as part of our programme, ‘Free Books for Schools’
The Queery is an independent queer radical bookshop and community space.
Based in Brighton, the shop will be a co-op, owned and run by its members. Its main focus will be the benefit of the local queer community.
Clothing & Apparel
Bohemia Organic is a sustainable clothing brand focusing on 4 main collections – Bohemia, Wanderers, LGBTQIA+ and Empowerment.
Feel Good Club create clothing, homeware (Eg. candles) & online spaces to spread positivity & love with an aim to normalise talking about how you feel.
GC2B was founded in 2015 and is a trans-owned company based in Maryland (shipping to the UK!). They provide accessible, comfortable, and safe binding options designed by trans people, for trans people.
Gay Pride Shop sells exactly what it says on the tin. From books to to hats to pin badges, this Manchester based shop is your go-to for Pride merch.
Charity: A % of profits go straight to LGBTQ charities.
Gender Free World make stunning gender-free, size-inclusive clothing; from shirts to underwear. Made in London and Spain, they offer a wide range of gorgeous colours and patterns.
Lock and Buzz make “streetwise” clothing and accessories, including their own kids range.
Kxmolo is an analytical chemist and interdisciplinary artist (they/them). They are based in London and are of British-Nigerian descent. Their work is influenced by their interests and studies in science/science fiction, Afro-Futurism and ’90s anime.
Riots To Rainbows make LGBTQ-themed clothing and apparel as worn by H from Steps and Lucy Spraggan!
Soupcans UK make gender neutral clothing for all, including babies, as well as accessories such as water bottles and baseball hats.
#LabelsAreForSoupCans
Stray Craft is a Leathercraft; making beautiful, high quality one off items, as well as small limited edition runs and personal commissions.
Weird Wednesday are Cardiff based and proudly queer! Emma & Cora are sellers of all sorts; ranging from clothing to wallets and bum bags!
They’re eco friendly where possible and sizes go up to 5XL.
Doulas & Other Birth Workers
Badass Birth coach birth business owners & educate badass doulas, with the aim to shake up the birth world to give birth workers courage to find their voice and stand confidently in advocacy of their clients, their beliefs and their craft.
The Queer Birth Club was founded by AJ Silver out of necessity to fill the void of LGBT+ inclusion in the birth world. AJ is a highly trained and experienced birth & postnatal Doula, a probationary breastfeeding counsellor and a qualified babywearing consultant.
Food & Drink
Digby Fine English Wine launched its first wines for sale in 2013 in Selfridges, won its first trophy in 2014 and has gone on to great adventures around the world in the years since then. It is a bold and exuberant modern brand of luxury English sparkling wine.
Floral Frosting Bakes tarted in 2016, selling the first ever vegan macarons made with aquafaba (chickpea water). The business has now expanded to offer celebration cakes and cupcakes for every occasion, plus treats available to your door anywhere in the UK.
Proud Beer are not a large, multinational brewer. They’re the original queer beer for good; just a small queer team with a love for craft beer.
Charity – 20p of sales are donated straight to LGBT Charities.
The Little Red Berry Company are an award winning, family-owned company established in 2011. They produce a wide range of Gins, flavoured Gins, Gin liqueurs, Vodka liqueurs and their best seller, Blackberry Whisky liqueur!
Saucy B*tch create artisan, quirky sauces that are Vegan and community sourced. Their London-based Saucy Bitches were born using their own dog, The Captain, as their mascot.
Tate Bakes offer bake-at-home kits as well as home-baked goods for the Essex / East London area.
Queer Coffee combine two of the creator’s passions – furthering LGBTQ+ equality and sharing good coffee.
Charity – Every purchase of a QCC product supports the LGBTQ+ community with 20% of profits donated.
Queer Brewing was setup to provide visibility in and around the brewing world for LGBTQ+ people, as well as to build a community, advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and raise money for vital LGBTQ+ charities.
Vookie are the home of delightful Vegan Cookies, ranging from individual cookies to wholesome slabs!
Where To Find Them:
Furniture
*Space Available*
Health & Beauty
The Afro Hair & Skin Company is an award winning afro beauty and wellness business located along the beautiful English coast; championing wellness for Black Womxn.
Yard & Parish offers a curated online experience where you can browse an array of independent black-owned brands, ranging from health & beauty to home ware.
Homeware & Gifts
Fairholme Candles make beautiful, brightly coloured hand-dipped taper candles as currently featured at Liberty London.
Houseplant.Ed is a family-run business specialising in the delivery of exotic plants to your door, as well as accessories and expert advice.
Jenny Wren Creates make sewn items such as face coverings, lanyards and wallets as well as a variety of hand-knits and patterns.
Leinad Wear make colourful crochet and knitwear for your home; ranging from planters to coasters!
Limbo Candles Soy make wax candles + ceramics for the eco conscious; established whilst being in a period of “limbo” last year.
Where To Find Them:
Little Olive Decor create joyful wall hangings & playful home wares using a variety of textiles & air dry clay.
Post Green Lanes create gorgeous home-ware; from candles and kitchenware to bath & body items to stationery, cards and wrap.
Punny Dukes is a real life neverland; created by Illustrator Katie Abey.
Enjoy magical themed gifts, books, stationery, postcards, prints, badges and so much more!
The Pom Pom Porium is home to colour loving maximalism in the form of pom pom decorations and jewellery, as well as seasonal gifts.
Illustrators
Dandy Doodles is a Queer & Disabled musician, podcast host and illustrator. Her primary focus is on queer and disability representation, and the intersection of these two demographics.
Fatties and Feelings create body-and-soul affirming art & mixed media pieces; striving to reflect and represent the people that are often hidden in mainstream media while cultivating vulnerability.
Katie Abey makes positive things for proud weirdos; a true rainbow haven of weird! Their creativity is endless; with products ranging from coasters and mugs to affirmation cards and jumpsuits!
You can also find them at Moonpig and Paperchase!
Live Spiffy is “The Happiness Shop”, home to all things self-care; offering a wide range of goods from planners & journals to socks and t-shirts!
Oh My Sass are home to original and custom made prints, wall art and cards ranging from Disney-themed to Spice Girls.
Teri Otti is a Cardiff-based mum of two and illustrator at Planet Otti which offers a beautiful range of cards, prints and badges.
Salt And Chilli is a Queer Punk illustrator offering cards, prints and vinyl stickers.
SofaKingBored is an artist offering cards made from pen and watercolour that are both ethically made and plastic free!
Jewellery
Dele Jewellery is founded by fashion model and digital creator Howey Ejegi, who was inspired to launch Délé jewellery after his mother, to celebrate Confidence, self-love, and Positivity.
Kelzo Jewellery was born during lockdown 2020 following the need for more funky and quirky jewellery! As well as a variety of collections they also custom orders.
Charity: 10% from their Pride Collection go to LGBTQ+ Charities.
Image Gang are the go to place for nostalgic jewels and gold, based in South London and inclusive of all bodies.
Mop Box are a Cardiff-based shop that makes unique, handmade Jewellery and key rings, as wellm as charms and stickers!
Pets
Holler are a Brighton-based contemporary boutique for the discerning, style-conscious canine, selling unique dog accessories, quality clothing & luxurious homewares.
The Stately Hound offer Stately accessories for your Stately Hound; from Dog Collars & Leads to Groomin, Food and Beds.
They also offer information & advice relating to caring for your beloved pet.
PR & Events
Sappho Events create safe, sober and social events for LGBT+ women and non-binary people across the UK.
Events centre around common interests such as literature, film, crafts, history, well-being, advocacy, gaming, dating, outdoor activities, and lots of tea and coffee!
PR for The People are an inclusive PR company based on London.
Run by couple Lucy & Toya and established during lockdown, they’re working to fill the gap in the market and allow everyone to share their story.
Adult
Kandid a sexual wellness company on a mission to take the stigma out of sex toys for everyone. Kandid is a space for all.
Self and More a small, woman-owned, online sex toy shop & boutique based in London where toys are for bodies, not genders.
Charity: 5% of profits go to AKT, an lgbtq+ youth homelessness charity.
Stationery
Heckin Unicorn make “subtle” LGBTQ gifts and stationery, from socks to cards to pin badges.
Marblehead studios create hand illustrated and colourful goods. They celebrate queer culture and are a gender free zone! They encourage everyone to be their true and unique selves and embrace eco friendly practices!
Nonbinary Baps is a multidisciplinary illustrator and creator.
“They most enjoy exploring themes of queer identity social issues and trans activism – they want you to feel seen, and valued.”
Not A Phase are a Lesbian-owned shop from the North-East of the UK, selling everything from jewellery to flags.
They ship world-wide too!
Proud Science are for the lovers of Science, Dinosaurs and Space.
If you’re LGBTQ+ and into STEM (and pin badges!) – then this is for you!
Queer little Shop is the endeavour of Ren, the writer of Queer Little Family blog, based in Wales.
They offer a variety of fun and Queer badges, stickers and more!
Sophie Kathleen offer uplifting and inclusive designs that are both eco-friendly and sustainable.
Starting in 2020, Kathleen offers a wide range of stickers, calendars, cards and more!
Therapists & Counsellors
Think2Speak are advocates for conversations for good and know the power of making space for time to talk. They offer support groups as well as therapy services and offer support to both LGBTQ people and Organisations.
Where To Find Them:
Tracey Woolf Counselling is an experienced and professionally qualified therapist providing counselling in Norwich as well as online, working with a wide range of issues, such as anxiety, LGBTQ-related matters and the impact of COVID.
Where To Find Them:
Toys
Grin & Bear are a London-based maker of luxury, handmade Teddy Bears.
Their founder, Michael Dankwah, turned his back-room hobby into a business, and is now stocked on Liberty of London!
Timeless Toys are the home of beautiful, quality wooden and plastic-free toys.
Based in Hove, East Sussex their toys are 100% Sustainable, 100% Ethical, 100% Non-Toxic, and 100% Eco-Conscious.
Wedding Planners
Queer Weddings UK are the UK’s first company that delivers weddings to LGBTQ+ couples.
Owned by Lexie Lenoir, she offers Wedding day coordination as well as Full event planning.
Are you in the UK and want to be included in our LGBTQ Business Directory? Complete the form below!
Image Credits:
Banner: Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash
Rosie Kerr on Unsplash
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