Photo by Bonus Action
It’s been an incredibly difficult year for the queer community in the United States. As a non-binary, queer individual, I’ve never had to make such difficult and life-altering choices to keep myself and my family safe. This included moving states from Idaho to Washington, where we could enroll our young son in school this fall without being anxious that something terrifying might happen. Because of this, when the TeeTurtle Cloudhead Pride Unicorn arrived on my doorstep, I opened the box and immediately burst into tears.
It has been an incredible privilege to see this little, colorful friend up close, as Bonus Action was provided with a sample of “Unity” to check out here in our office. The sweet little unicorn is made of soft, plush fabric, with a little weighted body that allows them to stand up on a shelf or table. Unity’s entire body is colored with the Progress Pride Flag, complete with a glittery white horn on their forehead.
Sweet Representation During Troubling Times
As a member of the queer community, it has been difficult beyond measure to watch as pride displays have been scrubbed from stores and representation of any sort has faded from places that were broadcasting it via trumpet scores just a few years ago. When my son was born in 2020, I thought he would grow up in a world where having two moms would be completely normal.
Five years later, it feels even more terrifying than when I was growing up as an out teen in the 2000s.
I’ve felt very detached from pride this year. We are still recovering from the extreme pivot in safety and inclusion in our hometown that spurred our move to Seattle. We are learning to go out in public again. Remembering how to speak about our life without careful censorship so as to protect ourselves and our son.
Pride displays, if present at all in stores, have been pushed to the back by clearance racks, holding a strange collection of plastic sunglasses, cheap bobbles, and ugly, empty promotional slogans.
That’s what makes Unity so special. This little unicorn has been a sparkling beacon of hope in an otherwise upsetting and difficult year. They are a reminder that there are safe spaces, and that the queer community is resilient and will keep fighting to live safe and normal lives.
TeeTurtle is an LGBTQAI+-owned company, and the debut of Unity comes at a time when we all need a little, rainbow unicorn reminding us that the world is magical and that our existences are valid.
Unity Purchases For the Trevor Project
To make Unity that much more special, every purchase of this adorable little Cloudhead plush will see $2 dollars donated to the Trevor Project. Unity costs $11.99 on the TeeTurtle official website and Amazon.
The Trevor Project is an incredible non-profit organization that provides essential services to LGBTQAI+ individuals, including mental health and crisis support that may otherwise be unattainable. The hotline has been helping Queer communities for decades. It is a service I have used many times in my life, and one that I know has saved the lives of other queer-identifying people in my life.
I have struggled with purchasing anything pride-related in recent years due to serious trust issues with businesses that have walked back their support. However, I can say with all my heart that if you want to make a pride-related purchase this June, Unity from TeeTurtle is exactly the sort of comfort cuddler that goes to a good cause.
We are living through some extremely hard times right now, but looking at Unity on my desk each day reminds me that I am seen, my reality is valid, and that there are so many beautiful unicorns out there fighting for the same better future I genuinely hope we one day achieve.
**Bonus Action was provided with a sample of the TeeTurtle Unity Cloudhead plush for the purpose of this review**
If you or a loved one is currently struggling with mental health or experiencing thoughts that could be harmful to your safety, please reach out to The Trevor Project or the 988 Lifeline for immediate help and intervention.
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