Gift with gusto!
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood for Pexels
The pressure joy of the holidays is with us — so it's time to put on our thinking caps and choose gifts for the people in your life who may have everything or are seemingly pleased by nothing. The urge to go to the corner drugstore and pick up a dusty candle or uninspired box of candy is strong, but resist! Read through for some inspired ideas from the editors of Out and The Advocate.
D by Diesel fragrance
We're a tad obsessed with this light, fetching, non-gender specific scent in the sexy (and refillable) bottle; one editor is now in the habit of spritzing every time he walks out the door. "D symbolizes the desire of the free minds to come together to leave their mark for a better future," Diesel proclaims. "A sensual olfactive interpretation that compliments all skins leaving an unforgettable memory." (1.0oz: $49; 1.7oz: $70; & 3.4oz: $92, global.diesel.com)
'The Bars Are Ours: Histories and Cultures of Gay Bars in America,1960 and After'
Author Lucas Hilderbrand's sprawling tome looks at the ways watering holes shaped modern queer identity. Traveling from New York to Los Angeles, Houston to San Francisco, and many points in-between, Hilderbrand — a University of California professor and author of a book on the drag film classic Paris Is Burning — dives deep. The results are impressive; the book is being showered with praise, including by The New York Times. (Hardcover, $119.95, Paperback, $32.95, Kindle, $31.30, Duke University Press)
The Pride Store
Equalpride — publisher of Out, The Advocate, Plus, and Pride.com — just launched its new e-commerce site, ThePrideStore.com. It's a one-stop shop for all kinds of curated products, with an emphasis on LGBTQ+ businesses. A portion of each purchase made on ThePrideStore.com contributes to the fight for equal protections, supporting individuals in their quest to live their most authentic lives. Look for beauty products, jewelry, clothing, art, food, pet care, and much more. (ThePrideStore.com)
Explorer Coffee
The LGBTQ-owned cold brew coffee brand offers an inspired range of cold brew concentrates, chai concentrates, premium flavor syrups, and functional elixirs allowing a very elevated coffee experience at home. Cason Crane, the first out individual to climb the Seven Summits, is the founder of Explorer Coffee (hence the name). "Leading a brand rooted in purpose has been central for Cason since the beginning, with supporting LGBTQ+ causes and artists being of the utmost importance for the brand," according to the company. Explorer has been donating a portion of its holiday sales (100 percent of all proceeds from Giving Tuesday!) to The Trevor Project, which offers aid and assistance to LGBTQ+ youth. (various prices, ExplorerColdBrew.com)
'The Risk It Takes to Bloom'
Raquel Willis's recently released memoir,The Risk It Takes to Bloom, delves into the intersecting challenges that she's faced as a Black trans woman activist while embracing those identities full stop.
The author, a former executive editor of Out, opened up about navigating a world still full of racism and transphobia.
“I’ve experienced misogyny, transphobia, and so much more,” Willis shared, shedding light on the intersecting struggles.
The Risk It Takes to Bloom also explores themes of isolation and the importance of community support, which are particularly significant for those marginalized within the LGBTQ+ spectrum. In her book, Willis’s story of growing up in Georgia includes poignant experiences like attending a family funeral during a crucial stage of her transition. This event illustrates the intricate balance of maintaining a personal identity while navigating familial expectations and societal norms, even while not fitting into either. (Hardcover, $29, Kindle, $14.99, St. Martin's Press)
Roborock S7 Max Ultra Robot Vacuum with RockDock® Ultra
Many here at equalpride still do the old-fashioned sweeping thing, but the young 'ins on staff are really into A.I. housekeeping. One favorite that emerged is the Roborock S7: "The S7 Max Ultra offers a complete hands-free cleaning experience without compromising any features, such as the RockDock™ Ultra all-in-one docking system, 5500 Pa HyperForce® suction, VibraRise® mopping system, and Reactive Tech obstacle avoidance. In other words, the S7 Max Ultra combines all of the best features into one powerful device." It's a pretty penny, so it give it someone who's been really good this year. ($949.99, us.roborock.com)
L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Serum
Youthful, awake eyes don't take all that much work — a lot of sleep and a little Revitalift (which comes in various iterations; pictured is the Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid Serum). This affordable mainstay from L'Oréal is a great stocking stuffer for someone confident enough to not take offense at receiving a beauty product. (Rarely over $35, lorealparisusa.com)
Kwanzaa Alligator Candleholder
Take part in Kwanzaa — the annual celebration of African-American culture that lasts from December 26 to January 1 — with this beautiful candleholder, handmade in Ghana with detailed craftmanship and chiseled alligator design. ($72.50, AfricanHeritageCollection.com)
Bloomsy Box
Having a living pop of color in your living room, bedroom, or kitchen really does do wonders for your soul. But dragging those peonies or hydrangeas from the grocery store or florist can be a major pain. Gift a subscription to Bloomsy Box, where your friend or loved one can receive fresh flowers every month or week. (various prices, BloomsyBox.com)
Queer Media!
Of course we have to plug ourselves! Please consider gifting a subscription (or five) to Out and The Advocate, which have been chronicling the queer community for 31 and 56 years, respectfully. You'll get exclusive features, photographs, and interviews with icons like Brandi Carlisle, Billy Porter, and Jamie Lee Curtis. And, wowza, do we have some exciting stories planned for 2024! (Starting at $14.95, Out.com)
