happy pride with 15% off

proud

at je mérite, i deserve, we believe that visibility is sacred, and inspiration is a form of inheritance

as we begin pride month, we honor the LGBTQIA+ icons who have shaped art, style, resistance, and radical self-love

these are the visionaries who remind us that we deserve to take up space

today we honor six of our muses:

OCTAVIA BUTLER

a groundbreaking science fiction author and credited with being a prophet of socio-economic and political movements

an award-winning author of thirteen books; a shy loner, she found solace and company in words

we often forget the A in LGBTQIA+, but we will never forget octavia butler

ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE

a little known queer writer inspired the cultural awakening of black art and expression known as the harlem renaissance

born into a legacy of advocacy for racial justice, as the child of archibald grimke, the 2nd black to graduate from harvard law and vp of the naacp; as well as, sister to racial equality and women's rights advocates, and prominent abolitionists angelina and sarah grimke 

ALEXYA SALVADOR

a reverend at the metropolitan community church in são paulo, is not only the first transgender pastor in brazil but, perhaps, in all of latin america

SYLVESTER

the gorgeous, androgynous falsetto that powered futuristic disco hits

a musically singular talent whose mélange of disco, soul, and dance; one of the most uncategorizable talents of the ‘70s and ‘80s

JANELLE MONAÉ

a grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, performer, producer and covergirl spokesperson known for her unique style and groundbreaking sound

and last but not least

LAVERNE COX

a four-time emmy-nominated actress, emmy-winning producer, and a prominent equal rights advocate and public speaker

the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for a primetime acting emmy and made her the first trans woman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream scripted television series

happy pride

these icons, and so many more, remind us that pride is more than a month

it’s a practice of visibility, truth, and becoming

may we continue to learn from their legacies, feel their presence in our own self-expression, and carry their wisdom into everything we create

we deserve to be bold. we deserve to be celebrated.

with love and celebration,

tamara charese