Professionally Proud, LLC

The vision: To create a wearable product that professionals can rep definitively and boldly to showcase their belonging to or support of the LGBTQ+ community. This way, their patients and customers feel comfortable with an unspoken level of trust and support before an interaction even occurs. The method and connection is simple: LGBTQ is an acronym of multiple letters with meaning, as are many designations within the healthcare system (MD, DO, RN, MSW, PT, OT, etc.) With the simple plus sign added at the end of most LGBTQ uses, you have a bridge between the acronyms and a fusion of their meaning. The main inspiration for this venture and its products are rooted in patient advocacy and personal experience as a patient, client and working professional in the healthcare setting. There is a lack of explicit acknowledgement of support or belonging that can be addressed through visual aids. While some already exist, few are concrete in their delivery. Along with this, there is a developing cultural shift from a less rigidly traditional professional dress to a more athleisure and relaxed style, providing an avenue for such a brand to exist within the healthcare system specifically. The brand has the intention to expand beyond healthcare into other settings that also use letters as designation of role within the specific setting. This would allow the overarching brand, Professionally Proud, to become an umbrella term for connection of these individuals and provide a visual network of LGBTQ working professionals. In the spirit of advocacy and betterment of LGBTQ+ patient health, a portion of the profits will be donated to LGBTQ+ healthcare.