Rainbow capitalism is a thing, and we know that this year more than any other, corporate Pride merchandise has experienced backlash thanks to right-wing provocateurs. While it’s disappointing that stores like Target and Kohls have pulled some of their Pride themed goods, they’re corporations. On the one hand, it’s powerful to see major retailers have these items available in store, but on the other hand, there’s no question to anyone — queer or ally — this is an easy cash grab. While we know this year is trickier since actual violence from fascists has been an issue, we have not seen these same organizations give money directly to queer organizations or people who are under attack every single day. All of that is to say as much as rainbow capitalism is important to deconstruct, it is June and there are thousands of small queer creators across the world who can and should benefit from love, support, and cash money this time of year.
Today, let’s look at a whole host of awesome bookish stickers, pins, and, of course, bookmarks that celebrate all things LGBTQ+ and Pride. All of these creations come from Etsy, and I have done my best to make sure these items are made by or curated by the shop owner. Etsy has become increasingly a place for the use of drop shipping, which we especially see in the T-shirt/sweatshirt department. Someone will mock up a design in Canva that they’ve put together after seeing what’s popular on Etsy, then they’ll outsource the work of producing and shipping to another place. This doesn’t mean they aren’t making something, but there is something that feels a little too mass produced for the purposes of this particular roundup. It is impossible to always know or tell, so know they might pop up here too (I’ll save the deeper dive for another post).
Let’s celebrate all things LGBTQ+ readers, bookworms, and pride.
Choose your Pride flag with these rainbow stacks. $4 for whatever style you’d like.
Speaking of queer romance, if you’re a member of that book club, there’s a sticker for you, too. $2.50.
Read more, hate less. Seems pretty obvious and yet…$4 and up, depending how big you’d like your sticker.
Found family is an important element of so many queer peoples’ lives. Celebrate with this found family pin. $16.
If you’re a part of the LGBTQIA+ book club — whether that’s a thing you are or place you go — this pin is for you. $12.
Pride Bookmarks
This set of four LGBTQ+ themed bookmarks are great for you…or if you’re feeling generous, for sharing with your friends, too. $10 for the set of four, though you can buy them individually, too.
A fun element of this rainbow pride bookmark is that the top part actually holds onto the page where you’ve stopped. $7.
Here’s another gorgeous vintage pride bookmark. I don’t think there is anything I don’t love about it. $5.
This is a ghost pride parade. This is a ghost pride parade I did not know how much I needed. $6.50.
Pick the pride colors that you need and enjoy them every time you open your book with these heart bookmarks. $4.50.