The Pulse - 06/28/24

Pulse Check: LGBTQ BMFers and Allies share their POV on how brands can connect with the LGBTQ community beyond Pride month. ➔

Pride Sets Sail: A Conversation with Billy Bohan Chinique of Virgin Voyages

BMF founding partner Brian Feit sat down with Billy Bohan Chinique, the Senior Director of Global Brand Marketing at Virgin Voyages, to discuss his thoughts on marketing during Pride. ➔

Photo via Smirnoff

The iconic NYC Pride March is this Sunday! Born from the Stonewall Uprising, the parade has become a powerful civil rights tradition since 1970. This year’s theme is “Reflect. Empower. Unite.” Get all the deets on the parade, rally, and ancillary events here. ➔

Photo via Live Nation

DREAMLAND: Pride in Central Park 2024 featuring John Summit and Disco Dom promises to be an electrifying celebration of music and community spirit. With John Summit's dynamic house beats and Disco Dom's infectious rhythms, the event is set to create an atmosphere of joy and unity under the open sky of Central Park. Audiences can expect a night filled with pulsating energy and euphoric vibes, making it a highlight of this year's Pride festivities. Get ready to dance, connect, and celebrate love in its most vibrant form at this unforgettable event. Buy your tickets here! ➔

Photo via DW

Techno capital Berlin pulls out all the stops for Pride, merging it with its renowned club scene. Berlin Pride, also known as Christopher Street Day Berlin, is the city's massive Pride march (nearly 1 million attendees) with DJs, ravers, and performers, creating an open-air street festival vibe. Held on July 27th, this year also boasts an extended Pride Month filled with discussions, parties, and workshops exploring themes like LGBTQ+ aging and the intersection of sports and sexuality. Check out information on this year's parade here! ➔

Photo via Eagle London

The massive Pride in London parade takes place Saturday, with a plethora of ancillary events happening around town. Check out the comprehensive list of London events here, and wrap the weekend with one of our all time favorites – Horse Meat Disco. ➔

Photo via Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Sydney celebrates Pride Month for the entire month of June with a variety of events including film screenings, art exhibits, and dance parties. Visitors can also learn about the city's LGBTQ+ history through drag queen tours. In addition to Pride Month, Sydney holds the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras every February, a massive parade and party that commemorates the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Check out the official website here! ➔

Photo via Pride Amsterdam

The Netherlands, a leader in LGBTQ+ rights with the world's first gay marriage law (2001), boasts Amsterdam, a progressive city with a unique Homomonument honoring persecuted LGBTQ+ individuals. Their upcoming Pride (July 27th-August 4th) celebrates diversity with "Together" as its theme, evident in their famous canal parade with accessible boats. Check out Amsterdams official Pride website here! ➔

Photo via Marta Fernandez

Spain, celebrated as a champion of LGBTQ+ rights for its early adoption of same-sex marriage, takes Pride seriously. The MADO festival in Madrid, Europe's largest, attracts nearly 2 million people annually. This lively event includes a pride parade, a human rights conference, and cultural celebrations throughout the streets. Madrid's vibrant Chueca neighborhood has been at the heart of Pride festivities since 1978. MADO, culminating on July 6th, serves as both a celebration and a demonstration for ongoing LGBTQ+ rights.  Learn more here! ➔

Photo via @abercrombie

Abercrombie & Fitch celebrates Pride with a new collection! Their 2024 Made With Pride includes 30 gender-inclusive pieces perfect for summer festivals and events, with prices ranging from $19 to $90 online. They're also continuing their support of LGBTQ+ youth by donating $400,000 to The Trevor Project, bringing their total donations to over $5 million in support of suicide prevention and crisis intervention. Shop the collection here. ➔

Photo via Shake Shack

Shake Shack is celebrating with a special limited-edition Pride Shake featuring strawberry and blackberry custard topped with mango and passion fruit, whipped cream, and rainbow glitter​​. They are also donating 5% of the Pride Shake sales to The Trevor Project, ensuring a minimum contribution of $50,000 to support LGBTQ+ youth​. In addition to their delicious shake, Shake Shack is promoting inclusivity through their All-In diversity and inclusion program and various other initiatives. Order your Pride Shake here​! ➔

Photo via Versace

Versace celebrates Pride with a vibrant collection featuring their iconic Barocco print reimagined in rainbow colors from the Progress Pride flag. This capsule offers a range of clothing and accessories, including silk shirts, shorts, swimwear, and even underwear. You can find the collection in select stores and online at Versace.com. Plus, 10% of each purchase goes to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, supporting those affected by HIV/AIDS. Shop the Versace Pride Collection here. ➔

Photo via Jean Paul Gaultier & Architectural Digest

Celebrate Pride with a bold new fragrance by Jean Paul Gaultier. Their 2024 limited-edition eau de toilette comes in two iconic bottles featuring artwork by the late great Keith Haring. The fragrance itself is all about inclusivity, featuring citrusy and floral notes alongside musk for a scent that transcends gender. It's available for $155 and part of the proceeds benefit the NYC LGBT Community Center. Check it out here. ➔

Photo via @reneerapp

Reneé Rapp rose to fame with her standout performance as Regina George in the Broadway musical "Mean Girls," showcasing her powerful voice and captivating stage presence. An openly lesbian artist, Reneé advocates for LGBTQ+ representation. With 6MM monthly listeners, she recently performed at Coachella, taking social media by storm. Catch her next concert this weekend at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Stream her music here. ➔

Photo via Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association

Fire Island, New York is a world-famous LGBTQ resort destination. From the fabulousity of the Pines, to the inclusive cool of the Grove – there’s no better time to visit the carless barrier beach gay mecca than now. Don’t miss the legendary “Invasion of the Pines" on July 4th – a nearly 50-year old tradition where a ferry full of drag queens make their way from Cherry Grove to the Pines, uniting the two communities in one big party. Check out our Fire Island travel guide here. ➔

Photo via Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein launched their "This Is Love" Pride campaign with actors Cara Delevingne and Jeremy Pope. Celebrate with a vibrant Pride collection featuring classic Calvin Klein pieces with rainbow accents. Two limited-edition shirts support LGBTQIA+ rights, created with partner organizations. Calvin Klein is committed to the community, donating over $240,000 to relevant NGOs and hosting in-store fundraising efforts. Cop the Pride collection here! ➔

UGG teams up with comedian Alok Vaid-Menon for a showstopping Pride collection! The URSeen line features bold neon platforms ($180) and an asymmetrical fur dress ($125), designed for all genders to express themselves freely. Alok, who grew up feeling like they needed to hide, aimed to create pieces that empower LGBTQ+ people to embrace their confidence. The collection celebrates Pride with a vibrant campaign featuring Alok's friends. UGG's commitment to the LGBTQ+ community goes beyond Pride month with year-round donations to organizations promoting inclusion and their first-ever Pride float in the LA Pride Parade. Check out the collection now! ➔

Photo via UGG

Photo via Pitchfork

The sequel to the award-winning Joker is a musical thriller hitting theaters this October. BMF friend and client Lady Gaga joins the cast as Harley Quinn, the iconic and potentially bisexual supervillain. While it's unclear how the film will handle her sexuality, a musical with Lady Gaga in a potentially Queer role is a noteworthy event for fans. Don't miss Joker: Folie à Deux on the big screen! Watch the trailer here. ➔

Jacques Agbobly and The Standard have partnered for Pride 2024, unveiling a collaborative artwork with painter Harlan Hue. The custom piece showcases two gender-fluid figures embracing amidst a vibrant palette of blues, oranges, and purples. "Our aim was to highlight unity and community safety," stated Agbobly, noting that the design incorporates elements from their latest collection, Bienvenue Á Bord, which explores themes of self-discovery and communal belonging. Available as a whimsical illustrated T-shirt, this exclusive creation can be purchased at select Standard hotels worldwide and online here. ➔

Photo via Shop The Standard

Photo via Entertainment Weekly

The 77th Tony Awards were a night of LGBTQ wins! "Merrily We Roll Along" triumphed with actors Jonathan Groff and Daniel Radcliffe both winning their first Tonys. Sarah Paulson also snagged her first award. "The Outsiders" and "Stereophonic" dominated their categories, with "Suffs" adding a touch of LGBTQ history. Get the full list of winners here. ➔

Discover TomboyX, an apparel brand founded with a commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, offering inclusive sizing and styles. Their Fit For You, Just As You Are collection promotes empowerment and inclusivity in shopping. From briefs to boxer briefs, bras, and more, their range includes vibrant rainbow options ideal for Pride Parades. TomboyX supports the community through regular donations to LGBTQ+ non-profits. Explore and shop their diverse selection here! ➔

Photos via TomboyX

Laura and Kelly Moffat, self-described tomboys, struggled to find wedding attire that suited their style, highlighting a broader issue they had faced throughout their lives. Laura Moffat, now director of marketing for Kirrin Finch, recalls how they often had to choose between ill-fitting menswear or overly feminine womenswear. Their experiences and conversations with women, transgender men, and non-binary individuals inspired them to start Kirrin Finch. The brand aims to fill the gap in gender-defying fashion with menswear-inspired apparel designed to fit diverse bodies, offering a range of items including pants, vests, jackets, and suits. Shop Kirrin Finch here! ➔

Photo via  Kirrin Finch

Photo via US Weekly

Dwyane Wade is committed to showing public support for his daughter Zaya, especially during Pride month. He believes listening, learning, and accepting his children is crucial. Zaya came out as transgender in 2020 and Wade has been vocal about his love and acceptance. He sees Zaya thriving because of this support. He recently launched Translatable, an online community to help transgender children and their families. Check it out here. ➔

Photos via @tommy.dorfman and @johnhardyjewelry

Actor Tommy Dorfman is proudly showcasing her creativity and photographic skills for John Hardy's new Pride collection, the Rainbow Gemstone Collection. This collection features ethically sourced gemstones and benefits GLAAD, an LGBTQ advocacy organization close to Dorfman's heart. Dorfman even got to collaborate with friends for the campaign shoot, making the whole experience even more special. Buy the collection here! ➔