Pride collections are something that corporations come out with every June, ranging from queer apparel to rainbow cat toys (yes, Target, I’m looking at you). The real question is, is it really necessary?

Some people find the Pride collections to be ways to show who they are, unapologetic and loud. Others find it as a way for corporations to earn more money. While both are valid points, I personally am one of the ones who loves to show off my identity through clothing, loud and proud. 

There are right ways to do it, though, and that’s for companies to actually collaborate with queer designers to create things that people like, and to donate some of those profits to queer non-profit organizations. 

Since 2015, Converse has donated $3.4 million to a variety of queer organizations, some of which include the “It Gets Better Project”, the “Ali Forney Center”, “BAGLY Inc.” and a plethora of others. 

Michaels is also a corporation that donates to Pride organizations, the main one this year being “PFLAG”. Their Pride collection mainly focuses on different crafty things, such as different garlands, a few wreaths, and then plenty of shirts and fun around-the-house items. 

Target on the other hand, there’s been some issues with their Pride collections over the years. 

This year, they have yet another set of cat toys, along with new bird sets. The bird sets aren’t inherently queer, with one of them featuring two birds on a boat, one dressed more masculine and one dressed more feminine. 

Also listed under this year’s Pride collection, are different music albums from artists such as KATSEYE, Britney Spears, and Chappell Roan. There’s also a few books included as well, like “Heated Rivalry”, “Heartstopper”, and the “Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”. 

Also, in 2023, there was a bunch of backlash on some of the items that were being sold, which resulted in Target removing a bunch of different items, but also changing the placement of the Pride collection in stores. 

I remember going in one day, middle of June, and realized that the display in the front had already been changed over to Fourth of July merchandise, rather than the Pride gear that was there the previous week. 

As a baby gay at that time, I was devastated. 

I didn’t know what had caused it, but then in 2024 there was a much smaller collection in store, and it was moved to the back. Again. If Target isn’t proud of their Pride collection, why should we buy from them?

But putting myself back in 2023 as a baby gay, seeing myself being represented felt amazing. Pride collections can give people a sense of belonging, especially when part of the world doesn’t think that they belong.

So, as controversial as some Pride collections may be, they might actually be doing more good than harm.