Owin Pierson, LGBTQ+ activist and mental health advocate, joined Cheddar News which Pride brands and products to purchase that support the LGBTQ+ movement ahead of celebrations this weekend and as anti-LTBGQ+ backlash is on the rise.

<div class="block">Owin Pierson, LGBTQ+ activist and mental health advocate, joined Cheddar News which Pride brands and products to purchase that support the LGBTQ+ movement ahead of celebrations this weekend and as anti-LTBGQ+ backlash is on the rise.</div>

Wake Up With Cheddar

Brands That Give Back During Pride Month

And welcome back friends. The Chet's need to know news show I Baker Pacho and I'm Lana. And our celebration of pride continues here on Cheddar News. Yeah. And as members of the LGBT Q Plus community and their allies queue up for a fun filled pride weekend, it's important to get your look just right. So what a better way than purchasing from brands familiar that actually give back to LGBT Q organizations. So here to walk us through it all is LGBT Q and mental health advocate Owen Pearson. Thanks so much for joining us. Thank you for having me. It's great and happy pride, pride. So let's talk first about why it's so important to know where your money is going when you shop for pride pro uh for products out there. Well, first off as an Asian American and queer person, diversity and representation is so important. And you know, even me, even me wearing these nails, it's just to show that these nails are amazing. It's just to show that you're a safe person to come out to a safe person, to be around a safe person, to have that space to just celebrate and be joyful. So for me, it's just an important time to really show that with so many anti LGBT legislations happening. So for me, it's, it's more of a rally, it's more of a protest, but it's also a time to celebrate and be unique and show that to the white man. Well, now there's a term called Rainbow Washing that's been growing now becoming a real thing. Can you explain to a lot of people who may not understand it what it is, right? So Rainbow Washing is a way that brands use to be performative. It's a way to showcase the, hey, June is coming around, let's slap on a rainbow logo on our products to hopefully bring in some LGBT customers when it really, we're as an LGBT person, we're looking for uh not performative activism. We're looking for Ally Ship all year round. So when people do that Rainbow Washing, it really confuses people and it's a harder way to really celebrate and be a part of the community because the Rainbow are everywhere. Now, it's like, OK, that's great. But where are you the rest of the year? And we've seen that especially with Bud Light and Target over the last little while. Uh let's go through some of these amazing items in particular from these amazing companies. So uh walk us through what you have over here. If you need something affordable for the weekend, we're starting here, right? You're looking for something affordable it's last minute, New York City pride is happening this Sunday. Um Over here we have Abercrombie and Fitch and these beautiful trousers, shorts are super cute. It's more of like a, a pastel look. So I really like these. This bandana right here is just an easy way to stop the sweat but also just have an accessory. I also like having small rain. I like right here. This, this hard goes from red to the flag just like that. And by the way, Apple and bitch raised over $4 million supporting L GB Qi A youth. Uh and they partner obviously with the, with the Trevor project and we like as well. Let's talk. Uh uh we have about a minute left. Let's talk footwear from Reebok. So Reebok's Rainbow Pride Gear is so amazing. They're going to an amazing LGBT organization. Um They also have their jersey, but I really like these shoes. I think these are comfortable to wear and there you got the Rainbow right there. So, yeah, and I love that. Reebok raises funds to support under serves black and brown LGBT Q youth in the Greater Boston area. Yes, we love supporting diversity and shoes in one box. So and really if you wanna splurge, what items should we do to splurge? So everyone likes to splurge on your friends or your loved ones, but it's also important to treat yourself with some love. So you have this cute coach uh products here, this one, the bucket hat is my personal favorite. I love when you're getting this, they have these bags and again, some beautiful. I love the, I love the tea bag right here for when you're going to. And by the way, coach, celebrating a decade in a partnership with the Hetrick Martin Institute. And they also continue to partner with the Point Foundation and Centrelink Community Center as well. Uh Owen such a pleasure to have you here. Happy pride. Enjoy the weekend you're going with us.