NEW YORK—June is officially here, which also means Pride Month has arrived. Spanning the whole month of June in honor of the Stonewall Uprising, which began in June 1969 in New York City, Pride Month is a time to “recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally and internationally,” the Library of Congress reports. Pride means something different to everyone, and people celebrate it differently everywhere. For many, Pride is a combination of celebration—parades, parties, and more—and community—supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community who might not have support from their loved ones.

In the optical community, many companies and practitioners are getting involved in Pride in their own ways, too. This week, we’re taking a look at how a few independents are celebrating this special month.

This AMORTINI sunglass style from l.a.Eyeworks is part of a special collaboration between l.a.Eyeworks, Barton Perreira and Blake Kuwahara. Proceeds from these frames will benefit the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Here, Laura Van Brunt, optician and owner of Van Brunt Optical Haus in Costa Mesa, California, showcases the beautiful frames. Image via vanbruntopticalhaus on Instagram


Nancy Lo, OD, and Paul Lovero, OD, of Montrose Eye Care in Houston, Texas, celebrated Pride with a fun Instagram post. Image via montroseeyecarehtx on Instagram



Independent eyewear brand OGI encouraged followers to embrace their true selves this Pride month. Image via ogieyewear on Instagram


In Emerald Park, Saskatchewan, Canada, the Emerald Park Eye Care team wished followers a happy Pride along with a reminder that everyone is welcome in their practice. Image via emeraldparkeyecare on Instagram


Specs Around Town in Bloomington, Illinois, is celebrating Pride and welcoming all with some fun in-store décor that includes frames from WISSING Brillenarchitektur. Image via specsaroundtown on Instagram


Central Florida Retina revamped its logo for Pride. Image via central_florida_retina on Instagram


Independent eyewear brand Laibach & York showcased one of its rainbow designs to celebrate Pride. Image via laibachyork on Instagram


See Eyewear’s rainbow display is a great way to show eyewear during Pride month—or all year round, for those who love color. Image via seeeyewear on Instagram