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Happy Transgender Awareness week to those who celebrate and welcome, to anyone who’s new here.
13 – 19 of November is Trans Awareness week, and while it’s imperative that conversations around gender, queerness and diversity are always open, this week gives us an excuse to go a bit extra on visibility.
There are so many incredible queer-owned brands in Australia, but often, being small business, they fly under the radar. But now is the time to support these trans and non-binary owned brands, whether it’s buying some cute clothes, trying out a new cafe or jazzing up your denim jacket with some messaging pins.
Below are four of our favourite trans and non-binary owned brands and businesses right now.
Proudkind
Proudkind
Brought to life in 2017 by queer, trans/non-binary artist Luka Wild, ProudKind, is a clothing and accessories brand that celebrates the LGBTIQA+ community and allies loudly.
Their main schtick are shirts with colourful quotes, such as this Non-binary t-shirt ($38), and other fab designs that portray important and empowering messages.
Genkstasy
Genkstasy
Genkstasy is a streetwear brand, founded by creative director Evie Willsteed. With everything ethically ethically and sustainably created in their 100% solar-powered studio in Northern New South Wales, Genkstasy works to remove gendered stigmas in fashion, with fluid designs, like this Defender cropped skivvy ($69).
Instagram / @shortround_
Short Round cafe, in Melbourne / Naarm
Incredible trans activist, Sandy McIntyre, recommends Short Round; a gender-diverse cafe in Naarm.
“Short Round isa cafe I always go to when I’m down in Melbourne/Naarm as it’s the only one that I know of which is run by gender diverse folk and only hire women identifying/non-binary staff.”
Visit Short Round on Instagram here.
Instagram / @risingvioletpress
Rising Violet Press
Rising Violet Press is a queer-owned stationery and apparel business based in Melbourne.
Coming to fruition in 2019, owner Bonnie decided it was time to expand their previous greeting card business ‘Letters by Bonnie’ into an inclusive one stop shop for everything LGBTIQ+, pop culture and feminism.
They make a gorge ranges of pins, key rings, stickers, neon signs and more.