A reflection on queer identity, visibility, and why Pride lives in how we work – not just who we are.

Dear friends,

It’s June and that means Pride Month. A time of celebration, remembrance, resistance, and reflection.

We’ve been thinking a lot about what Pride really means. Not just to the LGBTQ+ community as a whole, but to us, Pip, as an LGBTQ+-owned design studio, and as a team made up of different stories, experiences, and identities.

We’ll be honest: we have mixed feelings about the way Pride shows up in the world today. We see the rainbow logos. The campaigns. The temporary nods to inclusion. And while visibility matters, we believe Pride deserves more than a seasonal spotlight.

Because at its core, Pride isn’t a theme. It’s a protest. A legacy. A truth. A refusal to be erased.

Pride is about being unapologetically visible in a world that still tries to make queer people small, quiet, or safe-for-brand. It’s about taking up space, not just on banners or parade routes, but in boardrooms, briefs, studios, and leadership. It’s about joy, yes, but joy that comes from surviving, thriving, and showing up anyway.

For us, Pride doesn’t just live in our identities. It lives in our work.

It’s in the way we build teams – with care, with empathy, and with the understanding that difference drives better thinking.

It’s in the way we collaborate – with openness, with respect, and with a willingness to unlearn and reimagine.

It’s in the way we design – with intent, with truth, and with representation at the core.

We don’t believe in surface-level allyship or copy-and-paste inclusivity and we’re fortunate to work with clients, partners, and suppliers who share that view. These are people and organisations who don’t just talk about inclusion, but practice it. Those who ask deeper questions, challenge assumptions, and make space for authenticity in their own ways.

Because Pride, to us, is about more than being seen. It’s about being heard. Being valued. Being safe. And making sure others feel the same.

We know Pride means different things to different people. It should, and that’s its beauty. It’s expansive. Fluid. Personal. Political. Not always easy. But always necessary.

So this June, and every month after, we’re standing proud, not just in who we are, but in how we work, who we work with, and what we believe design can do.

We’re not just adding a rainbow. We’re living our truth.

With Pride,

The Pip Crew

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