This May 17, 2021, the world celebrated International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. To highlight the rights of the LGBTQI+ community, we celebrate all the advances the people have made in recent decades. Although the community has come a far way since a decade ago, progress continues to have its obstacles.
Despite taking one step forward with gradual expansions of anti-discriminatory legislation, there are still news stories of homophobic attacks that persist, reminding us that things still could be better. There is no doubt that discrimination is a huge barrier to achieving equality and inclusivity. When we are isolated from one another, unable to show our most authentic self, we need to learn to accept, understand, and nurture self-expression.
As our way to celebrate the past holiday, we recall some of our favorite ‘Pride’ sneakers that pave the way for sneakerheads in the LGBTQI+ community and beyond. The culture of streetwear is ultimately about expression and belonging. Why not share your love for love today?
Adidas NMD R1 ‘Pride’ (2020)
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To celebrate Pride month last year, Adidas came up with the NMD Pride R1 Pride, a sneaker that gives a nod to love of all types between everyone by incorporating the colors of the pride flag in its design. The upper of the shoe is made of shades of white and off-white, with the entire toe box, tongue, laces, and midfoot coming in white. The Three Stripes logos on both sides of the sneaker also come in white. Behind the shoe on the heel tab, there is a white overlay that sports the Adidas logo with the trefoil in white, while a large pullout tab on the back sports “Love Unites.” The pride colors appear all over the shoe’s midsole, featuring splashes of yellow, orange, purple, green, and red. The lateral side of the shoe features two tabs connecting the midsole to the upper. Adidas branding with the trefoil also appears on the tab near the midfoot and top of the tongue.
Adidas Stan Smith ‘Pride’ (2020)
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In line with the theme of inclusivity and celebrating pride month, the Adidas Nike Jogger Pride 2020 comes with a white upper with multicolored detailing all over the top in the form of overlays. The toe box, midfoot, tongue, and laces of the shoe are white. An orange overlay appears near the toe box, yellow near the midfoot, green near the ankle, blue near the bottom of the lace structure, and purple near the top of the lace structure. The heel counter of the shoe appears in black with the Adidas and Trefoil logo in a rainbow-colored theme. The shoe is also supported by a large white mid and outsole.
Shop ADIDAS STAN SMITH ‘PRIDE’ 2020 on Novelship
Coming in a clean low-top silhouette and multiple colors present on the sneaker, the Adidas Stan Smith Pride 2020 comes with a white upper and a subtle, casual silhouette. The back of the shoe features the same pattern in yellow and white stripes. The pride theme continues with the trefoil branding, which appears on the insole of the shoe as well as on the back of the heel tab in a rainbow-colored pattern. The Adidas and Stan Smith logos appear on top of the white tongue in a gold overlay as well, while a white Adidas logo with the Trefoil is embossed on the lateral side of the shoe.
Converse Chuck 70 Low ‘Pride Rainbow’
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Coming in a multicolored theme all over the upper, the toe box of the shoe comes in white, while the tongue and laces on the shoe appear in black. The entire upper of the shoe consists of slanting stripes in all colors of the rainbow, with criss-cross white stitching visible on each layer. There are extra eyelets present on both sides of the shoe providing added breathability and ventilation.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High ‘Pride aWhite’
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These Converse Chuck Taylors appear in a high-top version in the ever-popular silhouette in the form of the All-Star High Pride White. The shoe is very clearly split into two different color themes with a diagonal line almost parallel to the lace structure through the middle. Both shoes have a multicolored design that starts on the right side of the shoe and ends on the left and features all colors of the rainbow, as well as brown and black. The Pride theme also carries to the back of the shoe, where the midsole features the words Diversity Equality Love on the left shoe, while the right shoe’s sole says Converse All-Star.