8 Plant-Based LGBTQ+ Businesses to Support Pride Month Now (and Always)
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Every June, pride events remind us of the courage, pain, and persistence that got us where we are today. Mercy For Animals has been honored to stand with the LGBTQ+ community over the years because fighting for the rights of any oppressed group helps protect the rights of all.
Below are eight completely plant-based LGBTQ+ businesses that could use your support during Pride Month and beyond:
Seitan’s Helper
Amanda Fox runs her plant-based pop-up, Seitan’s Helper, with her wife, Cheyanne. The couple offers handmade vegan deli meats and decadent plant-based sandwiches, including their BEC—house-made seitan maple bacon, chickpea omelet, rind cheddar, roasted red pepper jam, and “seitanic” sauce on a potato-onion roll. Amanda says of her work:
I end up doing a lot of research about the actual meat, where it popularly comes from, what it goes with. All the seasonings.
Find locations serving Seitan’s Helper deli meat here.
The Fiction Kitchen
Chef Caroline Morrison started The Fiction Kitchen with her partner and co-owner, Siobhan Southern, in 2013. Together they serve an array of decadent vegan dishes, along with signature cocktails, local beers, and wine, to patrons in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Dulce Vegan Bakery & Cafe
Idalys Sansores and her wife, Howell Belser, founded Atlanta’s Dulce Vegan Bakery & Cafe as a place for anyone to come in and enjoy a tasty plant-based pastry, breakfast sandwich, or coffee. Tragically, Howell recently passed away after battling cancer, but Idalys continues to honor Howell’s desire “to cultivate an experience of joy, community, and acceptance. A safe space for the LGBTQ community. A place where ALL people from all walks of life feel welcome.”
Dulce Vegan Bakery & Cafe is currently open for pickup and patio seating.
Lagusta’s Luscious
Lagusta Yearwood founded the brand in 2003 to reflect her passion for social justice and contribute to building a strong local community of collective care. Combining a love of homegrown ingredients with a commitment to environmentalism and animal rights, Lagusta’s Luscious makes chocolates that taste good and have a positive impact on the world.
Gay 4 U
Gay 4 U is an Oakland-based vegan restaurant run by trans woman Sofi Espice. The restaurant has proudly declared that “Trans POC Eat Free,” delivered free food to people living in Oakland’s downtown encampments and underserved neighborhoods, and made a point of hiring from the trans-POC community. You can support Gay 4 U by donating to their GoFundMe!
Yeah Dawg
Yeah Dawg skillfully crafts gourmet hot dogs and brats using only whole-food ingredients, like beets, sweet potatoes, and sunflower seeds. The company says they are “queering capitalism” and has a mission to hire LGBTQ+ chefs and entrepreneurs as much as possible.
Dear Mama LA
Desiree Flores of Dear Mama LA serves vegan Mexican cuisine based on family recipes. A beacon in her Boyle Heights community, Desiree gives back through serving delicious, healthy food; supporting queer poetry nights; and so much more.
Maxine’s Heavenly
Maxine’s Heavenly offers tasty crunchy and chewy vegan cookies. Not only does the CEO mentor other LGBTQ+ business owners, but all of the executives and 30% of the staff belong to the LGBTQ+ community. Grab a box today!
Stay up to date on all things queer and vegan this Pride Month by following Mercy For Animals on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!