Valentine's Day is a few days away, on February 14. If you're scrambling to find a gift for your partner(s), we've got the gift guide for you to find the perfect LGBTQ+ friendly Valentine's Day gift for her, him, or them. From beautiful, classic jewelry to a stylish clothing line tailor-made for you and your love, this gift guide is sure to delight.
1. Books from LGBTQ+ Owned Bookstores
If your partner(s) are bookworms, we recommend these two awesome bookstores in New York City owned by queer folks:
Bluestockings Cooperative is New York City's only queer, trans and sex worker run bookstore! Bluestockings works to "empower all people to challenge oppression and participate in creating a society which is equitable, cooperative, and free." They also host a series of events such as Queer Book Clubs, Feminist Book Clubs, book release events, and more. You can visit their store in-person on the Lower East Side, or visit their online store at www.bluestockings.com.
The Astoria Bookshop was co-founded in Queens, NY by wives Connie Rourke and Lexi Beach in 2013. They do several community partnerships with local organizations including schools, reading series, and charitable groups. The Astoria Bookshop is known for empowering diverse writers who are native to Queens, NY. You can visit their bookstore in Astoria, or browse their website at www.astoriabookshop.com.
2. Queer, Inclusive Lingerie
Looking for a gift more on the cheeky side? Spice up your sex life with your partner(s) and support a queer-owned business with lingerie from CantiqLA! Cantiq's lingerie is unique in that it not only "expands past straight sizes into plus sizes" but also offers pieces of lingerie with "more room" to include people with all genitalia.
CantiqLA was founded with the intention of "creating lingerie for all, regardless of body type, race or gender identity." Shop around on their online store at www.cantiqla.com!
3. Art by LGBTQ+ Etsy Creators
Not sure what to buy, and want to browse? Etsy has a page dedicated to art made by LGBTQ+ artists for easy browsing. These queer-owned small businesses offer a variety of items such as apparel, decor, custom art, and more! Whether you buy one larger gift or several small gifts to curate the ultimate Queer Valentine's gift basket, this is a great way to support local queer artists and leave your partner(s) feeling adored.
4. A Donation to a Queer Advocacy Group
If your partner is into social advocacy, one of the most thoughtful ways to spend your Valentine's Day budget is making a donation in their name. There are tons of causes to choose from, so thinking about what means the most to them is key! To make things easier for you, here are ten amazing LGBTQ+ advocacy groups we love:
- The Trevor Project
- GLAAD
- Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
- National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE)
- Sylvia Rivera Law Project
- The Audre Lorde Project
- Red Canary Song
- The National Black Justice Coalition
- The Brown Boi Project
- National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
