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 followers on our Instagram @lesbemums 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.
Quick links…
- Arts and craft
- Beauty
- Bookshops
- Clothing and apparel
- Doulas and other birth workers
- Food and drink
- Furniture
- Health and beauty
- Homewear and gifts
- Illustrators
- Jewellery
- Pets
- PR and events
- Adult
- Stationery
- Therapists
- Toys
- Wedding planners
Arts and craft
Ella’s Arty Shop
Ella’s Arty Shop produce beautiful hand-painted coasters, clay stuff and prints. Plus, at the time of writing, they’re only 14!
Check them out: @EllasArtyShop on Etsy / @EllasArtyShop on Instagram
Jaz Moodie
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.
Check them out: @JazMoodie on Instagram
Lavy Stitch
Lavy Stitch make handmade 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.
Check them out: @LavyStitch on Etsy / @LavyStitch on Instagram
Michelle Pan Designs
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.
Check them out: @MichellePanDesigns on Etsy / @MichellePanDesigns on Instagram
So Long Ceramics
So Long Ceramics make handmade wheel-thrown and hand-built ceramics, ranging from mugs and tumblers to water bowls for your pets!
Check them out: @SoLongCeramics on Etsy / @SoLongCeramics on Instagram
Wild Water Art Store
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.
Check them out: @WildWaterArtStore on Etsy / @WildWaterArtStore on Instagram
Yarn Whisperer
The Yarn Whisperer loves all things crochet and knit, and makes hand-dyed yarns. And they don’t just have a shop; they’ve built a community, offering knitting patterns knit-alongs and online tutorials.
Check them out: Yarn Whisperer website / @the_YarnWhisperer on Instagram
Beauty
Dr. Botanicals
Dr. Botanicals is a multi-award winning European vegan skincare company who have one single belief; that natural skincare works.
Check them out: Dr. Botanicals website / @Dr.Botanicals on Instagram / @DrBotanicals on Facebook
Proud Soaps
Proud Soaps make vegan cruelty-free artisan soap and body products.
Supporting charities: Proud Soaps donate 10% of their proceeds to charity.
Check them out: @ProudSoaps on Etsy / @ProudSoaps on Instagram
Bookshops
The Bookish Type
The Bookish Type is an independent queer bookshop based in Leeds that started as a pop-up stall in 2019.
Supporting charities: The Bookish Type hold ‘Second-hand Sundays’ to raise money for good causes!
Check them out: The Bookish Type website / @TheBookishTypeLeeds on Instagram
Category Is Books
Category Is Books is an independent LGBTQIA+ bookshop in the south side 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.
Check them out: Category Is Books website / @CategoryIsBooks on Instagram
Gay’s The Word
Gay’s The Word is the UK’s oldest LGBTQ+ bookshop and a touchstone for the broader LGBTQ+ 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.
Check them out: Gay’s The Word website / @GaysTheWordBookshop on Instagram
Gender Library
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.
Check them out: Gender Library website / @GenderLendingLibrary on Instagram
Paned o Gê
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.
Check them out: Paned o Gê website / @PanedoGe on Instagram / @PanedoGe on Twitter
Queer Lit
Queer Lit is an award-winning queer bookshop based in Manchester. Starting from a stock of 700 titles online, they now have over 2,000 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 the Free Books for Schools programme.
Check them out: Queer Lit website / @QueerLitUK on Instagram / @QueerLitUK on Facebook
The Queery
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.
Check them out: The Queery website / @TheQueeryBTN on Instagram / @TheQueeryBTN on Facebook / @TheQueeryBTN on Twitter
Clothing and apparel
Bohemia Organic
Bohemia Organic is a sustainable clothing brand focusing on four main collections – Bohemia, Wanderers, LGBTQIA+ and Empowerment.
Check them out: Bohemia Organic website / @BohemiaOrganic on Instagram
Feel Good Club
The Feel Good Club create clothing, homeware (eg. candles) and online spaces to spread positivity and love with an aim to normalise talking about how you feel.
Check them out: Feel Good Club website / @WeAreFeelGoodClub on Instagram
gc2b
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.
Check them out: gc2b website / @gc2b on Instagram
Gay Pride Shop
The 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.
Supporting charities: The Gay Pride Shop donate a percentage of profits straight to LGBTQ+ charities.
Check them out: Gay Pride Shop website / @GayPrideShopUK on Instagram
Gender Free World
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.
Check them out: Gender Free World website / @GenderFreeWorld on Instagram
Lock and Buzz
Lock and Buzz make ‘streetwise’ clothing and accessories, including their own kids range.
Check them out: Lock and Buzz website / @LockAndBuzz on Instagram
Kxmolo
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.
Check them out: Kxmolo website / @Kxmolo on Etsy / @Kxmolo_ on Instagram
Riots To Rainbows
Riots To Rainbows make LGBTQ+ themed clothing and apparel as worn by H from Steps and Lucy Spraggan!
Check them out: Riots To Rainbows website / @Riots_to_Rainbows on Instagram
Soupcans UK
Soupcans UK make gender neutral clothing for all, including babies, as well as accessories such as water bottles and baseball hats.
Check them out: Soupcans UK website / @SoupCansUK on Instagram / @SoupCansUK on Facebook / #LabelsAreForSoupCans
Straycraft
Straycraft is a leather crafter, making beautiful, high quality one-off items, as well as small limited edition runs and personal commissions.
Check them out: @Straycraft on Etsy / @Straycrft on Instagram
Weird Wednesday
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.
Check them out: Weird Wednesday website / @Weird__Wednesday on Instagram
Doulas and other birth workers
Badass Birth
Badass Birth coach birth business owners and 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.
Check them out: Badass Birth website / @Jen_Muir on Instagram / @BadassBirth on Facebook
The Queer Birth Club
The Queer Birth Club was founded by AJ Silver out of necessity to fill the void of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the birth world. AJ is a highly trained and experienced birth and postnatal Doula, a probationary breastfeeding counsellor and a qualified babywearing consultant.
Check them out: The Queer Birth Club website / @TheQueerBirthClub on Instagram / @TheQueerBirthClub on Facebook
Food and drink
Digby Fine English Wine
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.
Check them out: Digby Fine English Wine website / @DigbyFineEnglish on Instagram
Floral Frosting Bakes
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.
Check them out: Floral Frosting Bakes website / @FloralFrostingBakes on Instagram
Proud Beer
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.
Supporting charities: Proud Beer donate 20p of their sales straight to LGBTQ+ charities.
Check them out: Proud Beer website / @ProudBeerUK on Instagram
The Little Red Berry Company
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!
Check them out: The Little Red Berry Company website / @TheLittleRedBerryCo on Instagram / @TheLittleRedBerry on Facebook
Saucy B*tch
Saucy B*tch create artisan, quirky sauces that are vegan and community sourced. Their London-based Saucy B*tches were born using their own dog, The Captain, as their mascot.
Check them out: Saucy B*tch website / @SaucyBitch_shop on Instagram
Tate Bakes
Tate Bakes offer bake-at-home kits as well as home-baked goods for the Essex / East London area.
Check them out: @TateBakes on Etsy / @TateBakesOfficial on Instagram
The Queer Coffee Co
The Queer Coffee Co combine two of the creator’s passions – furthering LGBTQ+ equality and sharing good coffee.
Supporting charities: Every purchase of a QCC product supports the LGBTQ+ community with 20% of profits donated to charity.
Check them out: The Queer Coffee Co website / @TheQueerCoffeeCo on Instagram
Queer Brewing
Queer Brewing was set up 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.
Check them out: Queer Brewing website / @QueerBrewing on Instagram
Furniture
We have space available… Let us know if you would like your business here!
Health and beauty
The Afro Hair & Skin Company
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.
Check them out: The Afro Hair & Skin Company website / @AfroHairAndSkinCo on Instagram
Yard + Parish
Yard + Parish offer a curated online experience where you can browse an array of independent Black-owned brands, ranging from health and beauty to homeware.
Check them out: Yard + Parish website / @YardAndParish on Instagram
Homeware and gifts
Fairholme Candles
Fairholme Candles make beautiful, brightly coloured hand-dipped taper candles as currently featured at Liberty London.
Check them out: @Fairholme_Studio on Instagram
Houseplant.Ed
Houseplant.Ed is a family-run business specialising in the delivery of exotic plants to your door, as well as accessories and expert advice.
Check them out: Houseplant.Ed website / @Houseplant.Ed on Instagram
Jenny Wren Creates
Jenny Wren Creates make sewn items such as face coverings, lanyards and wallets as well as a variety of hand-knits and patterns.
Check them out: Jenny Wren Creates website / @JennyWrenCreates on Instagram / @JennyWrenCreate on Twitter
Leinad Wear
Leinad Wear make colourful crochet and knitwear for your home, ranging from planters to coasters!
Check them out: @LeinadWear on Etsy / @LeinadWear on Instagram
Limbo Candles
Limbo Candles make soy wax candles and ceramics for the eco-conscious, established whilst being in a period of ‘limbo’ last year.
Check them out: @LimboCandles on Instagram
Little Olive Decor
Little Olive Decor create joyful wall hangings and playful homewares using a variety of textiles and air-dry clay.
Check them out: @LittleOliveDecor on Etsy / @LittleOliveDecor on Instagram
Post Green Lanes
Post Green Lanes create gorgeous homeware, from candles and kitchenware to bath and body items to stationery, cards and wrap.
Check them out: Post Green Lanes website / @Post_GreenLanes on Instagram
Punny Dukes
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!
Check them out: Punny Dukes website / @PunnyDukes on Instagram
The Pompomporium
The Pompomporium is home to colour loving maximalism in the form of pom-pom decorations and jewellery, as well as seasonal gifts.
Check them out: The Pompomporium website / @ThePompomporium on Instagram
Illustrators
Dandy Doodlez
Dandy Doodles is a queer and disabled musician, podcast host and illustrator. Her primary focus is on queer and disability representation, and the intersection of these two demographics.
Check them out: Dandy Doodles website / @DandyDoodlezArt on Etsy / @DandyDoodlez on Instagram
Fatties And Feelings
Fatties And Feelings create body-and-soul affirming art and mixed media pieces; striving to reflect and represent the people that are often hidden in mainstream media while cultivating vulnerability.
Check them out: Fatties And Feelings website / @FattiesAndFeelings on Instagram
Katie Abey
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!
Check them out: @KatieAbeyDesign on Etsy / @KatieAbey on Instagram
Live Spiffy
Live Spiffy is “The Happiness Shop”, home to all things self-care, offering a wide range of goods from planners and journals to socks and t-shirts!
Check them out: Live Spiffy website / @LiveSpiffy on Instagram / @LiveSpiffy on Facebook
Oh My Sass
Oh My Sass are home to original and custom made prints, wall art and cards ranging from Disney themed to Spice Girls.
Check them out: @OhMySassShop on Etsy / @Oh.My.Sass on Instagram
Planet Otti (Teri Otti)
Teri Otti is a Cardiff-based mum of two and illustrator at Planet Otti, which offers a beautiful range of cards, prints and badges.
Check them out: Planet Otti website / @Teri.Otti on Instagram
ETFC / Emma Thacker
Emma Thacker is a queer punk illustrator offering cards, prints and vinyl stickers.
Check them out: @ETFC on Etsy / @SaltAndChilli_Emma on Instagram
Jewellery
Délé Jewellery
Délé 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.
Check them out: Délé Jewellery website / @DeleJewellery on Instagram
Kelzo Jewellery
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.
Supporting charities: Kelzo Jewellery give 10% from their Pride Collection to LGBTQ+ charities.
Check them out: Kelzo Jewellery website / @KelzoJewellery on Instagram / @KelzoJewellery on Facebook / @KelzoJewellery on Twitter
Image Gang
Image Gang are the go to place for nostalgic jewels and gold, based in South London and inclusive of all bodies.
Check them out: Image Gang website / @ImageGang on Instagram
Mopbox
Mopbox are a Cardiff-based shop that makes unique, handmade jewellery and key rings, as well as charms and stickers!
Check them out: @Mopbox on Etsy / @Mop_box on Instagram
Pets
Holler
Holler are a Brighton-based contemporary boutique for the discerning, style-conscious canine, selling unique dog accessories, quality clothing and luxurious homewares.
Check them out: Holler website / @HollerStoreBrighton on Instagram / @HollerStore on Facebook
The Stately Hound
The Stately Hound offer stately accessories for your ‘Stately Hound’, from dog collars and leads to groomin’, food and beds.
They also offer information and advice relating to caring for your beloved pet.
Check them out: The Stately Hound website / @TheStatelyHound on Instagram / @TheStatelyHound on Facebook
PR and events
Sappho Events
Sappho Events create safe, sober and social events for LGBTQ+ 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!
Check them out: Sappho Events website / @SapphoEvents on Instagram / @SapphoEventsUK on Facebook / @SapphoEvents on Twitter
PR For The People
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.
Check them out: PR For The People website / @PRForThePeople on Instagram
Adult
Kandid
Kandid is a sexual wellness company on a mission to take the stigma out of sex toys for everyone. Kandid is a space for all.
Check them out: Kandid website / @Kandid on Instagram
Self And More
Self And More are a small, woman-owned online sex toy shop and boutique based in London where toys are for bodies, not genders.
Supporting charities: Self And More donate 5% of their profits to the Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT), an LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity.
Check them out: Self And More website / @SelfAndMore on Instagram
Stationery
Heckin Unicorn
Heckin Unicorn make ‘subtle’ LGBTQ+ gifts and stationery, from socks to cards to pin badges.
Check them out: Heckin Unicorn website / @Heckin.Unicorn on Instagram
Marblehead Studios
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!
Check them out: Marblehead Studios website / @MarbleheadStudios on Instagram
Nonbinary Baps
Nonbinary Baps is a multidisciplinary illustrator and creator.
“They mostly enjoy exploring themes of queer identity social issues and trans activism – they want you to feel seen, and valued.”
Check them out: Nonbinary Baps website / @Nonbinary_Baps on Instagram / @NonbinaryBaps on Facebook
Not A Phase
Not A Phase are a lesbian-owned shop from the Northeast of the UK, selling everything from jewellery to flags. They ship worldwide too!
Check them out: Not A Phase website / @NotAPhaseShop on Instagram
Proud Science (Jamie Gallagher)
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!
Check them out: @ProudScience on Etsy / @JamieBGall on Instagram
Queer Little Shop
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!
Check them out: Queer Little Shop website / @QueerLittleShop on Instagram
Sophie Kathleen
Sophie Kathleen offers uplifting and inclusive designs that are both eco-friendly and sustainable.
Having started in 2020, Kathleen offers a wide range of stickers, calendars, cards and more!
Check them out: Sophie Kathleen website / @SophieKathleenn on Instagram
Therapists and counsellors
Think2Speak
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.
Check them out: Think2Speak website
Tracey Woolf Counselling
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.
Check them out: Tracey Woolf Counselling website
Toys
Grin & Bear
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!
Check them out: Grin & Bear website / @GrinAndBearLDN on Instagram / @GrinAndBear on Facebook / @GrinAndBearLDN on Pinterest
Timeless Toys
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.
Check them out: Timeless Toys website / @TimelessToysUK on Instagram / @TimelessToysUK on Facebook
Wedding planners
Queer Weddings UK
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.
Check them out: Queer Weddings UK website / @QueerWeddingsUK on Instagram
What about your business?
Are you in the UK and want to be included in our LGBTQ+ business directory? Fill in our form and let us know!
EMBED: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpfxOhY4hkLEsZr5YSAk3pdAr_jFu251sBE-5h4kpYitiHKA/viewform?embedded=true
Feature image credit: Ricardo Gomez Angel / Unsplash
