LGBTQ+ Business Launches During Lockdown

Online gift shop It’s a Gay Thing opens for business, selling the iconic LGBTQ+ products you never knew you needed!

Last weekend It’s a Gay Thing launched its LGBTQ+ owned online gift shop.

Owner and creator, Ryan Fanthorpe, has worked in hospitality since he was 19 – almost a decade – including running LGBTQ+ and drag clubs, bars, events in London, Manchester and Liverpool. Unfortunately, the industry was, and continues to be, one of the most heavily affected by the COVID pandemic. As the months rolled on, with no end in sight, it became clear that he would not be going back to work any time soon – and when he did, it would not be the same industry he had loved for the best part of the last ten years.

Refusing to be beaten, Ryan brought together his graphic design skills and years working with the LGBTQ+ community to create It’s a Gay Thing!, something he thinks the the community will love. So, what’s in store? T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, pins, phone cases and more meet your favourite LGBTQ+ heroes, drag queens, pop culture icons! Gemma Collins t-shirts? Linda La Hughes phone cases? Pat Butcher hoodies? They have it all.

As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Ryan appreciates the importance of giving back. A percentage of a number of specific product sales go to LGBTQ+ and BAME charities, including the Terrance Higgins Trust.

Ryan said, “2020 was a year we could have never imagined, but we’ve all made the most of it! It’s been one of the greatest challenges I’ve faced, not just trying something new but finding the motivation during lockdown. This has really given me something to get out of bed for and I’m really excited to get it out there finally!”.

Check it out at www.itsagaything.co.uk!