🌈 Pride Merch with Purpose: How Brands Can Celebrate Inclusivity Beyond June

🏳️‍🌈 The Evolution of Pride Merchandise in 2025

Every June, brands roll out rainbow collections and custom Pride swag to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community. But this year, the landscape looks different.

According to new data from ASI Research, searches for Pride-related promotional products dropped by more than 50% since 2023, marking their lowest level since 2021.

At first glance, that might sound like fading enthusiasm—but the reality is more nuanced. Many companies aren’t turning away from Pride; they’re turning toward authenticity.

💡 Why Brands Are Scaling Back Public Pride Campaigns

Economic pressures, political backlash, and shifting DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) policies have led some major U.S. companies to reduce large-scale Pride initiatives.

Still, many continue to invest in year-round LGBTQ+ inclusion, focusing on internal programs, education, and authentic engagement rather than short-lived, surface-level promotions.

At More Than Stick Figures, we see this as progress. It’s proof that Pride merch is evolving from performative to purposeful—becoming a lasting expression of values, not just a marketing trend.

🌈 From Rainbow Washing to Real Representation

When done thoughtfully, custom Pride merchandise can foster connection, visibility, and belonging. Here’s how brands are redefining their approach:

• Partnering with LGBTQ+-owned vendors and diverse makers.

• Designing inclusive merch that reflects the full spectrum of identities.

• Extending Pride messaging year-round, not just in June.

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LGBTQ+ advocate Ben Greene puts it best:

“There’s still been a tremendous amount of support. It just looks a little different than it did last year.”

🛍️ How to Create Meaningful LGBTQ+ Promotional Products

If your company is planning branded Pride gifts or inclusive corporate swag, here are a few ways to ensure your impact goes deeper than decoration:

1. Think Beyond June: Choose everyday-use items that keep inclusion visible all year.

2. Partner with Purpose: Work with LGBTQ+-owned or ally-run suppliers like More Than Stick Figures to ensure your spend supports the community directly.

3. Design with Intention: Use Pride colors and messages that tell your brand’s inclusion story.

4. Celebrate Internally: Branded items for your employees can boost belonging and morale.

   
   

Whether it’s custom Pride apparel, eco-friendly drinkware, or inclusive desk gifts, meaningful merch tells people they belong—and that message lasts far longer than one month.

❤️ Consumers Still Value Pride Support

Despite corporate cutbacks, 70% of consumers say Pride-branded merchandise has a positive or neutral impact on their perception of a brand (GLAAD survey).

As Monica Maglaris of Liberty Print Co. says:

“Promo can promote inclusivity and diversity by showing fear and division are not American values.”

At More Than Stick Figures, we believe branded gifts can do more than promote a logo—they can promote belonging. Pride-themed or not, every item we create is designed to celebrate authenticity, connection, and community.

✨ Let’s Create Pride Merch That Means Something

Ready to create custom Pride swag that celebrates inclusivity and sparks connection all year round? ?

👉 Contact More Than Stick Figures to start designing your next collection.Together, we’ll create inclusive, meaningful, and sustainable promotional products that make everyone proud to wear your brand.