Shop Here: Choose Love x Pride in London StoreBy Angelica Malin
A new pop-up store has opened to raise funds for LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers during Pride in London. Run by charity Help Refugees, the Choose Love x Pride in London store at St Martin’s Courtyard and Mercer Walk, Covent Garden invites everyone to celebrate diversity and provide vital support to LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers.
Choose Love x Pride in London: The Store
Now open, the store sells just one t-shirt, an iconic rainbow coloured ‘Choose Love’ logo designed for Help Refugees by Katharine Hamnett. Priced at £20, all the profits from each sale go towards supporting LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers around the world.
In the run up to Pride in London, a series of free events will be taking place inside the Choose Love x Pride in London store at St Martin’s Courtyard and Mercer Walk, just follow the rainbows. On Saturday (7th July), enjoy complimentary multi-colour makeovers with Smashbox before picking up a rainbow Choose Love t-shirt and heading off to join the Pride Parade.
Choose Love x Pride in London: Help Refugees
Despite London being a city of diversity and tolerance, life for LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers can be a real struggle. The Choose Love x Pride in London store is an inspiring space, where people can learn about the experience of LGBTQI+ refugees, while doing something practical to help.
One project the money raised will support is Say It Loud Club. Set up by Ugandan refugee Aloysius Sali, who worked full-time as a nurse for years to support the growing Say It Loud community, this project now helps 200-300 LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers every month.
St Martin’s Courtyard and Mercer Walk, Covent Garden, London, WC2 (2 mins from Covent Garden and Leicester Square stations)
