It’s Pride month! So, you know what that means, a bunch of random groups and corporations who think adding a rainbow to their logo counts as support for the LGBTQ+ community (ahem).
But among the trash, there are some genuine gems (see: here). In the world of beauty and wellness, queer-owned candle company Boy Smells is leading the way in doing Pride the right way. To celebrate, it has dropped a limited edition collection entitled Pride Radiance.
Comprising five scents – Dynasty, Ambrosia, Extra Vert, Rosalita, and Philia – each candle is inspired by one of the accompanying campaign’s faces: RuPaul’s Drag Race season 13 winner Symone, 13 Reasons Why actors Brandon Flynn and Tommy Dorfman, model Leyna Bloom, and make-up artist and drag performer GottMik.
“Having grown up in the 80s and 90s during a time when being queer came with fear and shame, I have been moved to see our community step into its power with a wider representation and meaningful shows of solidarity,” Matthew Herman, co-founder of Boy Smells, told Byrdie.
Beyond representation, the Pride Radiance collection will give back to the community with 10 per cent of sales (a minimum of $100,000) going to the Trevor Project – an LGBTQ+ organisation for suicide prevention and youth crisis intervention.
Pride Radiance is available now here.