Two ways to support your customers.

percent of American consumers: The Outside Safe Space.

The Outside Safe Space symbol has been made into pins, stickers, and patches that easily allow people in outdoor and athletic spaces a symbol to put on their apparel, gear or water bottles that communicates to everyone around them that they are an ally – a supportive person – to the LGBTQ+ community. (outsidesafespace.com)

These small products are easy additions to any retail shop, as the international brand Eddie Bauer is proving this June by selling them next to the cash register of their stores across North America.

Likewise, any running retailer can do something as simple as selling these small products, or as grand as creating your own custom product, promotion or event that attracts, speaks to and provides running opportunities to your local LGBTQ+ community.

CamelBak did this in 2022 with the creation of its first Pride product.

And Tifosi Optics is donating $1 from the sale of every product in their Be You Collection to the missional work of the Outside Safe Space program.

The best Pride collections (in the opinion of this writer who’s been studying them for the past eight years and both consulted and modeled for CamelBak on the launch of their first Pride product), are the ones that use the profits from their LGBTQ+ consumers to give back directly to the community, by supporting organizations or events that engender greater loyalty to the sport (and in turn, the brand).

Though many brands write a check to a generic LGBTQ+ nonprofit and wash their hands, why not use those profits to serve the LGBTQ+ runners who bought your product, all while earning yourself another PR opportunity to tell the story of your inclusive company?

Supporting LGBTQ+ Community Opportunities abound, such as sponsoring or serving as the meeting point for your local International Frontrunners chapter (frontrunners.org) or financially supporting the new Queer Running Society (QRS) that launched last month as a clearinghouse to connect LGBTQ+ runner leaders with the running industry (queeringrunningsociety.com).

Another easy option available today would be to reach out to your local city’s Pride organization. Most large cities host an inclusive Rainbow/Pride Run that can always use sponsorships. And if they don’t yet have a Rainbow Run in your city, let this article be your motivation to start one and have your store or brand associated as a leader reaching out to this lucrative community.

So as Pride Month is in full force, here are three Quick Steps you can take to tap into the $1 trillion purchasing power of America’s LGBTQ+ community:

1. Start selling Pride products in your store as a way to show support for this historically marginalized running demographic.

2. Give back to the local LGBTQ+ community as thanks for them giving you their dollars.

3. Sponsor or start a Rainbow Run or other group/event providing running opportunities to the LGBTQ+ community.

Happy Pride Month, from this unicorn! n

About the author

Mikah Meyer is a professional speaker and advocate specializing in LGBTQ+ inclusion for corporations and nonprofits. He has delivered keynote presentations on the benefits of LGBTQ+ marketing from FedEx headquarters to the U.S. Trail Running Conference. He regularly consults major brands on creating their first Pride products, particularly for outdoor and athletic companies. He can be reached at www.mikahmeyer.com

Created Specifically For Runners By Runners

We wanted to find an easier and more natural way to help our bodies heal after running without the need of taking traditional pain medications and supplements. Each of our coffee blends are thoughtfully crafted with natural and organic anti-inflammatory and ECS activating ingredients that not only support your active lifestyle but will also help you go further, train harder, and recover faster.

Caterpy

Caterpy’s patented bump technology and fitted tension allow runners to customize their shoes to fit their foot and turn their favorite pair into a secure, slip-on shoe.

MSRP: $14.95

H2o Audio

H2O Audio waterproof headphones enable runners to load their favorite playlists directly to these bone conduction headphones and listen to music without a phone during a run. Connect them to Bluetooth, or the 8GB of memory holds several thousand songs. MSRP: $179.99

Fresh Kicks

Fresh Kicks sneaker cleaner is available in a kit Made in the USA with a fresh clean scent and handheld style brush. MSRP: $15.99

Blueshift

Blueshift Joint Defense provides protection with TamaFlex to help reduce joint discomfort and stiffness; glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and collagen to support joint strength; and turmeric and antioxidants to help balance inflammation from the impact of running. MSRP: $28

Fulton

Fulton’s Athletic insole offers a cork base that molds to runners’ arches to provide customized support and stability that aligns their body, protects joints and improves comfort. They are certified carbon negative and made in Portugal using entirely sustainable materials. MSRP: $48

Go Guarded

The Go Guarded Hand-Held with Stun Device is a dual defender — stun device up top, Go Guarded blade below – to help runners with self-defense. The loud crackling voltage sound of the stun device may be enough to scare off a potential assailant. But if not, the stun device will deliver a shock that is enough to temporary incapacitate an attacker and the Go Guarded blade at the bottom can be used to defend if the situation does become hands-on. MSRP: $35.99

Fitter

FitFoot by Fitter is a foot and leg exerciser that activates the calf pump to promote blood flow. It is designed to be used while sitting and is a simple way to reduce the risk of blood clots, which can be a serious concern for runners and athletes who spend a lot of time seated and immobile while traveling long distances to and from events. MSRP: $99.95

Petzl

The NAO RL by Petzl has 1500 lumens and Reactive Lighting technology, so runners can turn it on — and forget about it. Lighting for movement automatically adapts to ambient light and Reactive Lighting mode automatically adjusts the brightness and beam pattern — optimizing battery usage and reducing the need for manual operation. MSRP: $169.95

Roka

Roka’s latest iteration of its Oslo sunglasses features upgraded hinges, temples and GEKO grip placement to create a better fit and feel.

Bib Boards

BibBoards Snap & Lock Bib Fasteners keep any event bib number safe, straight and secure to clothes without making holes, rusting or jabbing any fingers. They are fully customizable and are made from recycled materials. MSRP: $32

Kiss My Face

Kiss my Face Strengthen 2-in-1 Shampoo/Conditioner Bar is infused with strengthening Monoi Oil and nourishing Shea Butter to strengthen hair, support healthy hair growth and minimize future damage. MSRP: $9.99

Aetrex

The Aetrex Plantar Fasciitis Kit helps runners combat Plantar Fasciitis with four essential tools — orthotics, a foot roller, a stretching guide and a recovery shoe for leisurely wear. MSRP: $99.95

Roll Recovery

Roll Recovery’s R1 Percussion Device has four key elements: compact and powerful, quiet operation, over seven hours of battery life and is built with the high-quality materials. The R1 operates with 40W of power, has four speed settings, four attachment heads and is packaged in aircraft-grade aluminum anodized body. MSRP: $129

Bag Balm

The Balm Stick is a moisturizing skin balm in a twist-up stick for on-thego use. Made with aloe vera, Vitamin E and lanolin to soothe and renew skin to target split heals and chapped lips, to chafing and windburn prevention. MSRP: $9.99

Tifosi

Tifosi’s Rivet provides a streamlined look while still having adequate coverage. The lightweight half-frame design and lens vents help prevent fogging and the shatterproof polycarbonate lenses offer 100 percent UVA/UVB protection and have been amplified in size to create a fit for M-L face profiles. MSRP: $79.95

AMPHIPOD

Amphipod’s Hydraform Chiller Handheld delivers body cooling with a triple-wall cushioned insulating sleeve with integrated Cool Zone palmcooling features and drink-chilling Ice-Wall Technology. The dual-action cooling handheld keeps hydration colder. MSRP: $30-$35

HEALI

BLUESHIFT

Blueberry Peach Crisp is inspired by traditional blueberry peach crisp recipes from the South, capturing the sweet blueberries and juicy peaches that makes this a delicious dessert staple, with a buttery, crisp finish. MSRP: $8.99

Heali is a therapeutic kinesiology tape infused with menthol and magnesium to help alleviate runners’ pain. Created by healthcare practitioners and athletes, the Heali tape combines kinesiology tape and pain creams into one solution. MSRP: $19.99

Knuckle Lights

The Safety Gear Bundle by Knuckle Lights includes all of the gear runners need to stay safe and be visible — a fully adjustable reflective vest, two LED safety blinkers and two reflective armbands. MSRP: $30

Leki

The UltraTrail FX.One Superlite featherweight pole is intended for competition use by runners experienced with running poles. It comes equipped with the Trail Shark, the first gripstrap system developed for trail running. MSRP: $239.95

SUNSKI

Sunski’s sustainable sunglasses are designed for wear on the trail or on the weekend. These polarized sunglasses are fit tested for comfort. MSRP: $58

DOCTOR HOY’S

Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel is a topical analgesic made for before, during and after activity. The natural ingredients combine Arnica Montana, a natural anti-inflammatory, with five percent Camphor and five percent menthol to provide pain relief. The Pain Relief Gel provides a coolto-warm sensation to warm the muscles before activity and aids recovery for relief from arthritis, sprains, muscle strains, backaches and joint pain. MSRP $19.95

Suunto

The Suunto Vertical comes in two variations — Solar/Titanium and Stainless Steel. Both feature dual band GPS/GNSS, off-line mapping and 95-plus sport modes, music controls and weather reports.

MSRP: Solar/Titanium $839; Stainless Steel $629

Go Sleeves

Go Sleeves built-in kinesiology strips secure, correct and support key ligaments, tendons and muscles in and around calves, Achilles, shins and knees, to help repair and recover. Go Sleeves can be used for training and post-workout to. MSRP: $89.95–$152.95

Body Glide

In 1996, Body Glide pioneered a product category focused on running, offering reliable, non-greasy, plant-derived ingredients in balms made to help protect against foot blisters and chafed skin. Pictured are Body, also For Her with added emollients. MSRP: $5–$17

N Ak

Näak Ultra Energy Drink Mix provides 250 calories per 500ml of water that makes it fast-acting and easy to ingest. It provides all the nutrients runners need for training and races with 55g carbohydrates, 650mg electrolytes,1300mg BCAAs and 8g protein. MSRP: $35