Do the right thing! Buy gifts from our queer and lesbian sisters. Here are EPOCHALIPS’ TOP TEN PICKS (OK, 11!) of lesbian and queer owned businesses where you can find that special gift online for your pals and lovers!

OLIVIA TRAVEL

If you are looking for the ultimate escape with your partner or your best friends, look no further than Olivia Travel, THE travel company for lesbians. Olivia has been serving the lesbian community since 1973. They take women on all different types of vacations around the world—from cruises and luxury cruises, to resorts, riverboats, and even adventures. There are still a few rooms left on the Caribbean Islands, Bermuda to New York Cruise featuring the amazing LP  next Spring! Whether you’re traveling solo, with your partner, or with a group of friends, you’ll gain memories and new friends that will last a lifetime! 

NIK KACY FOOTWEAR

Photo: Rob Eves

NiK Kacy Footwear is a brand inspired by the fashion needs of both its founder and the larger LGBTQ community. NiK Kacy, who identifies as genderqueer and transmasculine, designed their first collection of gender-equal shoes in order to provide a solution for the on-going divide between shoe designs and the gender binary. Their first collection, named “Fortune”, consists of 5 classically masculine-influenced styles, now modernized with colorful contrasts and re-proportioned to fit everyone in and outside the gender spectrum. NiK’s desire for gender equality extends further by expanding their label to include the latest collection of androgynous (gender-neutral) styles titled “Destiny”, and the upcoming “feminine of center” collection, featuring high-heel styled shoes in the same genderfree sizes ranging from 34-47 (US women’s 3.5 to men’s 14), as well as, an agender accessories line, including holster wallets, belts and bracelets. NiK Kacy hopes to develop a truly gender-equal footwear and fashion collection so that all people can express their authentic selves without being boxed in a gender binary. Their philosophy is simple… fashion is about style, and style should never be limited by gender or identity. Follow @nikkacyfootwear on social media.

EPOCHALIPS BOOKS

We just found one last box of books!  GAME CHANGERS- LESBIANS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT is a special collectors edition. It’s not too late to order a copy or two for a holiday gift or for your own coffee table. And the best part? Proceeds from your donation/purchase help get the books reprinted and into the California public schools! The gorgeous, colorful 144 page large-format book features pull-out ‘fun fact’ game cards and features extraordinary lesbians including Kate Kendell, Marga Gomez, Page Hodel, Jewelle Gomez, Franco Stevens, Mariah Hanson and many more! Order by Dec 13th to get them in time for Christmas. We also have fun posters for your kid’s room or classroom! Hurry before they sell out!

TOMBOYX

TomboyX was founded the way many brands are, trying to fill a need that had gone unfilled for far too long. Owners (and tomboys) Fran & Naomi asked themselves, “How hard can it be to make good underwear?” And by that they meant underwear that fit regular bodies and fit how they see themselves. And underwear that anybody could feel comfortable in, regardless of where they fell on the size or gender spectrum. “We started TomboyX because we wanted clothing that matched how we felt on the inside and we knew that there were so many people out there that felt the same way! We want to empower everybody to feel great in what they’re wearing – no matter who they are.” In trying to fill a need, they unwittingly unleashed an outpouring of emotion. The comments and conversations, e-mails and letters that they read from their customers told them they were onto something bigger. We LOVE this underwear!!! 

THE FIND

The Find  is a groovy store in Fairfax, California that features local made vintage finds, new and second hand cool stuff – with a cozy cabin vintage camping aesthetic. Tomboy and gold star lesbian Jane Brooks is the owner and unofficial Mayor of Bolinas Street in Fairfax. This is a super fun town to come find local made holiday gifts that fit in the budget. Great restaurants, organic food stores, coffee shops, live music every night of the week (in several venues) plus an excellent movie theater are all within a few blocks in downtown Fairfax- this place is well worth a weekend day trip getaway during the holiday season.

THREE WOMEN IN A BOX FILMS

Winner of over 30 film awards, Snapshots is a gift of love for the season. Written by our very own Jan Miller Corran, directed by Melanie Mayron and featuring a fantastic cast including Piper Laurie and Cathy Debuono, Snapshots is about love. Love of family. Love of a life that stays present in ones memory for decades. A reminder that the right to love who one wants to love is an ongoing journey from generation to generation. Snapshots is the film that reminds us all that through laughter and tears it is all about love. Get your DVD today! 

WILD RAINBOW AFRICAN SAFARIS

Take a journey of a lifetime to Africa with Jody Cole of  Wild Rainbow African Safaris!  Many people dream of visiting Africa during their lifetime, but few truly experience the magnificent wonders of this continent. Jody Cole is the owner of Wild Rainbow African Safaris, and her sole purpose is to share her love of Africa with you through her safaris.The Misty Mountains and Endless Plains Safari, August 25-September 5, 2019, is the perfect holiday gift! This adventure filled trip will take you on a whirlwind 12 day and 11 night journey from Dian Fossey’s misty mountains of Rwanda to the endless plains of Tanzania.  It’s an adventure that promises to renew your soul and expand your mind.

WET FOR HER

Wet For Her has redesigned the must-have double dildo: Union. The ideal accessory for your lesbian couple to have fun and love. The Union is sure to quickly become a favorite for the two of you and your lover. More than a simple dildo, the Union double dildo becomes an extension of your body without a harness. They sent me one but I haven’t tried it yet 😉 You’ll have to go on the site to find out how this thing works!

SCARLET CITY COFFEE CO.

If you have a coffee lover on your list, Scarlet City Coffee Company roasts the very best. Owners Jen St. Hilaire and Susanna Handow believe that the future can be humane, sustainable and delicious. They deliver magnificent, ethically-sourced coffees, medium-roasted and expertly blended for espresso and more that will blow your mind. Their Espresso Bar at 3960 Adeline Street in Emeryville, CA  is a great place to meet an OK Cupid date for coffee and play a pinball game or two. They will also ship fresh roasted coffee right to your door. Extra points for fun board games and no wifi.

STACKED DECK PRESS

Stacked Deck Press was founded in 2015 to cultivate diversity and excellence in LGBTQAIU comics publishing. I saw these amazing coloring books at Clexacon earlier this year. At $15 a piece, these are a truly perfect gift for every lesbian on your list!

IMMIGREAT DESIGNS

Fantastic custom bowties for every occasion. There are great reasons to buy from Immigreat Designs. Adriana Santos, the designer of Immigreat Designs says: “I make bow ties. My father gifted me an old sewing machine a few years ago and I started experimenting and soon developed a passion for sewing bow ties. My bow ties have helped pay my lawyer fees as I applied for a U-Visa in 2013, after being robbed at gunpoint in Oakland. That experience shifted a lot for me emotionally, it built up my courage and drove me to apply for college.” Custom orders are available! Email Adriana at immigreatdesigns@gmail.com.