The Importance of Subtle Pride

If you browse this website and our social media profiles, you’ll find a lot of support for the LGBTQ+ community. I’m a queer artist, but well before the time that I considered myself a part of the community, I have always felt passionate towards LGBTQ+ equality. And since starting my own small business, I knew I wanted to be the creator of pride themed jewellery and accessories just as much as other inspiring projects and creations.

An example of some of my earliest pride themed creations.

A lot of my early creations were very obviously pride themed, but as the years passed, I have been enjoying making subtler accessories as well. If you have paid a visit to our stall at an event (thank you very much, if you have!), you would have likely seen ‘subtle pride’ items at our market stalls, and for good reason.

I have lost count of the times that someone walked up to the stall and said:

“You have my flag!”

“Oh, it’s the *insert flag here* colours!”

“Is that intentional...?”

Yes, yes and yes!

The world is an infamously cruel place. I will not use the words transphobia or homophobia for this blog because, as so eloquently put across various quotes on the internet, they are not afraid, just an asshole. But the point remains that cruelty under the hands of bigots still tries to reign. Even in 2025, queer equality and more accurately, equity, are at risk with new rulings and elections.

Many examples of this ongoing epidemic of discrimination and bigotry are being reported in the Untied (not a typo) States of America and in Europe, however Australia is certainly not safe. Queensland has been making many dark turns by not only directly targeting the healthcare of transgender youth and recently passing legislation that will indefinitely delay the overdue anti-discrimination reforms that were due to start on the 1st of July, 2025. Because of this, we need to be vigilant in not allowing hatred for others rule the roost and allow Australia adapt the bigoted policies we should be standing against.

Rainbows never fail to make me smile, and I am sure I am not alone!

With the above in mind, to be a positive light in a world of darkness, and a safe space in a place of open uncertainty, feels like my role as a human being.

I want to make accessories that people love and feel represents them, and subtle pride is the perfect way to do so. They are often just a blur of colours and patterns, completely unique to one another. At a glance, educated on pride flags or not, it often doesn’t look like a particular flag, and can easily be palmed off as a random design. And for someone who isn’t queer, they are more than welcome to enjoy and purchase the piece as well! There is no use in gatekeeping the love of colours. It only damages all communities involved.

The pieces I make can – and should – be loved by everyone.

Found a piece that represents you? That is fantastic!

Like the colour or the pattern? All yours!

It warms my heart when people purchase pieces of subtle pride for a loved one. I have had people contact me in search of subtle pride for a friend who has come out, but cannot be openly queer due to an unsupportive family. I have had people buy customisable pendants for their trans children, to celebrate and acknowledge who they are. And I think it is beautiful. It is beautiful to see random acts of kindness and support for other people’s journey, and an eternal acknowledgement that even though they may be ‘different’, they are not unloved.

Part of the community? An ally? Rainbow lover? I'll never tell!

Subtle pride is not only for oneself, but a fantastic opportunity for allyship, and I have seen that first hand as an artist.

If you have a loved one who has come out to you and you wish to honour and support, Accessories by Antoinette always offers customisable accessories for no additional charge for any flag that we may not have yet made. Pride is important to us, and true allyship is a necessary stance in today’s world.

If you are someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, Accessories by Antoinette is a safe space, at markets and online. We will continue to fight for the rights of queer people and offer a place free of judgement and bigotry wherever we can. We offer discrete packaging to help protect your identity if you are in a place where it is not safe for you to come out.

Thank you for reading! Are you out and proud? Or do you prefer subtler examples of pride to wear? Perhaps you are an ally who shows your support through rainbow accessories? I would love to hear your story!

Kimberley (they/them)

Accessories by Antoinette