10 Trans-Owned Businesses to Shop This Holiday Season

The Business: Ash + Chess

Gift Idea: Every Body Is a Good Body T-Shirt ($30)

Queer and trans couple Ashley Molesso (she/her) and Chess Needham (he/him) run this stationery company out of Richmond, VA. You'll discover everything from greeting cards to T-shirts with a vintage and colorful look. They often use their artwork to make a political statement and to uplift the queer community, according to goodbuy.

The Business: Untamed Supply

Gift Idea: Aspen Trail Candle ($24)

What's not to love about candles made from domestically grown, natural soy wax? The brand creates scents inspired by nature, a love of adventure, and a deep sense of community. "In 2021, our owner and founder came out publicly as trans," the brand wrote on faire.com, "and we realized then that advocacy and justice for LGBTQIA+ folks is something our local community isn't familiar with (we are midwesterners), and we have grown and shifted our mission to be as inclusive as possible, especially when it comes to trans rights. Our new tagline is 'U.S. for all of us' and we try to embody that daily.

"We are a small, 2-person team, and we put love, care, and really good ingredients into what we make. Our intention is to bring people together through scent, even if it's in the smallest of ways."

The Business: Automic Gold

Gift Idea: Initial Necklace ($195)

This chic and stylish brand has a major goal in mind: make fine jewelry inclusive and accessible. The designs come in a wide variety of sizes and are made to be worn 24/7; yes, you can wear everything in the shower or to bed. Everything is made with solid reclaimed gold, and production is done in New York City.

The Business: Dragun Beauty

Gift Idea: DragunEgg TRANSformation Kit ($55)

The brand's site states: "Dragun Beauty is inspired by founder Nikita Dragun, a trailblazing Transgender woman who believes no one should have to hide who they are. We create transformational makeup that celebrates people of all ages, races, sizes, genders, and identities as they unleash their fantasies and showcase their beauty. . . . Nikita Dragun is an Asian-Hispanic-American entrepreneur who gained millions of fans by sharing her journey as a transgender woman online. . . . Nikita Dragun continues to use her platform to share her transformations and advance the LGBTQ+ beauty conversation. An activist at heart, she works with the LGBT and Trans Wellness Centers and supports inclusion and diversity for all ages, races, sizes, genders, and identities."

The Business: Both& Apparel

Gift Idea: The Franklin Top ($59)

goodbuy explained that founder Finnegan Shepard was inspired by his own transition to start Both&. As a trans man, Shepard was frustrated by the lack of options in the fashion market. "Instead of designing in a vacuum, Both& is working directly with the community to shape a brand that answers to our needs and desires," Both& Apparel's site states. "Everything we do – our designs, our research, and the space for storytelling at the heart of our brand – is done in conversation with our community."

The Business: GC2B

Gift Idea: "Pride Is Where the Heart Is" Mug ($20)

GC2B created the original chest binder designed by trans people for the trans community. Since 2014, founder and CEO Marli Washington has been using his experience as a trans man of color to design binding options that are safe, accessible, and comfortable. (That includes people of all shapes, sizes, and colors, according to goodbuy.) The site offers additional merchandise like mugs, T-shirts, and shorts.

The Business: Rise Market

Gift Idea: Pride Is All Year Round Tee ($30)

"At Rise we help introduce customers who care to LGBTQIA2+ small businesses, entrepreneurs, and creators who will help them thrive," the brand states on its site. "Unlike other marketplaces, we prioritize inclusivity and accessibility in all that we do. From the design of our website and user experience to the brands allowed on Rise — we put LGBTQIA2+ communities first. 5% of your #VisiblyQueer purchase goes to 6 LGBTQIA2+ charities we love. . . . Since launching in 2020, we've supported more than 500 queer artists and entrepreneurs internationally."

The Business: Play Out Apparel

Gift Idea: The Bailon Stripe Crop Top ($38)

The brand's focus is to positively impact queer visibility and represent queer celebration. "Queer people, gender nonconforming, and transgender individuals deserve to see themselves joyously reflected in clothing and brands," Play Out Apparel's site states. "And allies, of course, are welcome in our community to shop, support, engage, and enjoy Play Out's signature soft underwear and streetwear. We are queer, lesbian, gay, trans and non-binary owned. We represent those words with care and with an openness to continue to evolve and serve our community and beyond. . . . We are a Social Good Enterprise with 20% net profits going to LGBTQ+ & BLM organizations. We are gender, race, age, sexuality, size (XS - 5X), and ability inclusive."

The Business: Awarewolf Apparel

Gift Idea: Be Yourself T-Shirt ($22)

"Our company was founded by Landon Reed who in 2015 needed a boost in finances to accomplish his goal of obtaining top surgery," the brand website explains. "Landon had a vision of an LGBTQIA+ owned and operated clothing company. Clothing that is made by our community and for our community! Since then, Landon's vision has transformed our small company into a unique, one-of-a-kind brand that our customers have been flocking to since its inception in 2015. Awarewolf prides itself on our ability to give our customers a wide array of styles. Some of which are geared toward aspects, subjects, or subgroups of our vast community. Our brand also offers the comfortability of discretion for those who aren't fortunate enough or ready to be 'Loud and Proud.' We are happy that we can produce a 'subtle' way of spreading awareness throughout the community."

The Business: My Pride Store

Gift Idea: Progress Pride Flag ($12)

To learn about more about My Pride Store, read founder Andrea Saunders's point of view, shared on the brand's website: "I started My Pride Store because once I finally accepted who I am and started transitioning it did not take me long to find out how expensive it can be. . . . I had to find some way to pay for my transition. Which is how my pride store was born. We started by buying a button maker and selling buttons on Etsy. It slowly picked up so we added Pride flags to our inventory. We were pouring our love into every package we sent and soon saw the results as My Pride Store began to really take off! . . . As we continue to grow we start to look to the future. Our next goal is to create a safe working environment for LGBTQIA+ members to feel safe and accepted."

If you would like to give the gift of your support to the trans community this holiday season, there are also plenty of organizations you can offer your time and attention to. The National Center For Transgender Equality advocates for and provides resources to transgender people nationwide. The Transgender Law Center — the nation's largest trans-specific, trans-led organization — works to change policy in an effort to advance the rights of transgender people. Gender Proud is a media organization working to change the narrative around trans stories. The Trans Women of Color Collective centers the experiences of those who remain the most vulnerable to discrimination and violence. You can also donate directly to TranSanta here.