Pride Month is about love, acceptance, and building a better future. Which is why, for the past four years, we’ve been proud to support the It Gets Better Project by donating 100% of sales of our annual Pride collection to the nonprofit, which uplifts, empowers, and connects LGBTQ+ youth around the world.

And this year, we’re even prouder than usual.

Why?

Because this year, for the first time ever, we opened up donations to customers so YOU could contribute at check out. And wow, did you contribute.

In the U.S., customers donated more than $800,000, and in Canada, customers gave more than $100,000. That means that in TOTAL, we were able to raise more than $1.2 million for the It Gets Better Project through this year’s Pride campaign. Yup, over a million bucks, making a difference.

THAT’S ALL YOU.

Ready for an even bigger number? Over the past four years – through YOUR generosity – we’ve been able to donate more than $2 million to help It Gets Better amplify stories of hope and encouragement all over the world.

We try to do our part to promote those stories, too. This year we featured guest posts on our blog about how it really DOES get better from AE associates around the country, including our Global Brand President, a merchandising manager in Texas, and a distribution center supervisor in Kansas.

We also co-hosted a Pride panel with Aerie at our Union Square store in NYC during World Pride, featuring words of inspiration from actor and AerieReal Role Model Samira Wiley, actor Nico Tortorella, AExME Council member Edith Cruz, and DJs (and sisters!) Coco and Breezy, plus a dance party with DJ Tiff McFierce.

This year’s Pride commemorated the 50^th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. In the past 50 years, we’ve seen incredible strides for LGBTQ+ rights, but there’s still work to be done.

Thank you for continuing to do that work with us.

For the fourth year in a row, AE is proud to support the It Gets Better Project by donating 100% of sales of our annual Pride collection to the nonprofit, which uplifts, empowers, and connects LGBTQ+ youth around the world. But inclusivity starts from the inside out, which is why we’re taking this opportunity to reflect on what equality, individuality, and a better future mean to us.

 We kicked off our series of guest posts about love, acceptance, and how it really DOES get better with our Global Brand President, Chad Kessler, and have followed up with posts from associates across the country. Now Patrick, a store leader in Louisiana, shares how he has found purpose in his authentic, happy, open life.

SHOP WOMEN’S PRIDE    |    SHOP MEN’S PRIDE

PATRICK TUCKER

Store Leader in Monroe, LA

I love that AE allows me to be open about my life and live authentically. Growing up gay in the rural South was hard, but the ability to marry my husband in 2016 made the long journey worthwhile.

I would tell my younger self to keep fighting because that’s how you get the life you dream of. I was able to make a difference in my life as well as educate my family and create an atmosphere of inclusiveness.

I find my strength in knowing that what I do now could help someone else later. My favorite quote is from Dolly Parton: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” I am me on purpose and I love my open, happy, authentic life.

Everyone has a story to tell. What’s yours? Share it with #ItGetsBetter @americaneagle to show your support and inspire LGBTQ+ youth around the world!

For the fourth year in a row, AE is proud to support the It Gets Better Project by donating 100% of sales of our annual Pride collection to the nonprofit, which uplifts, empowers, and connects LGBTQ+ youth around the world. But inclusivity starts from the inside out, which is why we’re taking this opportunity to reflect on what equality, individuality, and a better future mean to us.

We kicked off our series of guest posts about love, acceptance, and how it really DOES get better with our Global Brand President, Chad Kessler, and have followed up with posts from associates across the country. Now, Brandon, a store manager in Iowa, shares how the first step to loving others is loving yourself.

SHOP WOMEN’S PRIDE    |    SHOP MEN’S PRIDE

BRANDON KLOUDA

Store Manager in Sioux City, IA

Working for a company that accepts you for who you are has truly made me love coming to work. The amount of support I have received from everyone at AE has truly made me feel welcome and able to be myself. The fact that we support LGBTQ+ communities at AE has a special place in my heart. I spread the word of such support and reach out to people to tell them that AE is a safe and amazing place to work.

I would tell my younger self that it does in fact get better. Coming out as gay and being a single dad scared me to death. But the amount of support I got from family and peers has been overwhelming.

The best advice I’ve received is to be yourself and love yourself.

I celebrate me by being the best version of who I am and accepting the fact that there is nothing wrong with me.

Love yourself so you can love others.

Everyone has a story to tell. What’s yours? Share it with #ItGetsBetter @americaneagle to show your support and inspire LGBTQ+ youth around the world!