Yes, obviously. Blog over.
But fine. Let’s unpack it.
It's Christmas. Again. The season of mince pies, forced family gatherings, and pretending you know what to buy people who already own everything, including a sourdough starter they will definitely neglect. At some point, while staring at the “Gifts for her” aisle and realising everything is either a pamper set or a novelty mug that says “insert wine here”, you might ask yourself a very important, deeply philosophical question: Should I buy LGBTQ art as a Christmas gift?
Buying LGBTQ art is not just gifting something pretty. It is supporting real queer creators (like your favourite socially questionable lesbian artist, hello), it is giving someone a unique piece of queer culture and a subtle way of saying “I have taste and emotional depth”.
Let’s look at reasons why LGBTQ art makes a perfect Christmas gift and why it's better than socks.
1. LGBTQ art actually means something
Look, anyone can give a scented candle, in fact, everyone has given a scented candle. They are the currency of people who run out of ideas but still want to appear thoughtful. But LGBTQ art is personal; it carries identity and history.
When you give someone a piece of lesbian art or queer art, you are giving them:
A slice of queer joy
A piece of representation
A subtle conversation starter when their aunt visits and goes “oh that’s… interesting”
This is powerful, meaningful and also slightly mischievous, which makes it perfect for Christmas.
2. LGBTQ art is extremely giftable for people who are hard to buy for
We all know someone who is impossible to shop for. They claim they want “nothing”, but you know that giving them nothing will turn into a lifelong passive aggressive anecdote.
Here are some examples of people who would definitely want LGBTQ art:
The houseplant killer
The friend who collects houseplants but kills every single one. Give them art. Art does not die, it doesn't turn yellow and it does not rot in a terracotta pot of shame.
The minimalist
Art hangs on a wall. It does not count as clutter. They can keep their minimalist aesthetic while also adding personality.
The straight friend
They know more lesbian pop culture references than you do, so honestly they deserve something. Give them art as a thank you for being your aggressively supportive winglady.
3. What if they hate it? (They probably will not, but let's soothe your anxious mind)
Ah yes, the horrible thought we all get while Christmas shopping. What if they open the gift, look at the print you carefully selected, and react with the expression of someone who has just discovered a sh*t in their bed? Here are your solutions.
A) Tell them art is deeply personal and you will exchange it happily
This makes you look generous and relaxed.
You can say “I wanted to support a queer artist and I thought this would suit you, but if you want to pick another print, that is completely fine.”
Then you become the good guy, the benevolent Queer Santa.
If they swap it, you get a win.
If they keep it, you get a win.
B) Sometimes context helps. Put a note in with the gift explaining why you bought this for them.
Did it remind you of a memory you shared together?
Are you trying to support them with a new transition in their life?
Do want this artwork to be a gentle reminder that you're always thinking of them.
I have multiple pieces of artwork in my house that aesthetically I'm not keen on, but they bring back memories of a person or place that I don't want to forget.
C) The surprise rehoming trick
Worst case. Absolute worst case.
They do not like it, do not want it, and look at it like it insulted their mother.
You say:
“No problem. I will take it back. I actually wanted it anyway.”
Now you look gracious and selfless, while also reclaiming a cool piece of art for yourself.
You cannot lose. You literally cannot lose.
D) But honestly, they will probably love it
You are overthinking it.
People love artwork, especially when it has personality, humour, colour and queer joy.
People love knowing you chose something intentional and people love gifts that feel like stories rather than products.
4. Support a lesbian artist this Christmas
Now look, I would never tell you to support a specific lesbian artist, that would be shameless self promotion and I would never stoop to that level. Anyway, here are some internal links to my artwork.
5. LGBTQ art is timeless
Trends age, like Oodies and air fryers (I own an air fryer and three Oodies (each of which go on regular rotation so no one feels left out)). But queer art? It ages like fine wine and good cheese. It carries stories that people return to, even when aesthetics shift, LGBTQ art maintains cultural importance.
Sapphic art from a sapphic artist does not stop being sapphic simply because next year’s interior trend is “beige with hints of more beige”.Your gift remains meaningful long after the novelty fondue sets have been donated to the local charity shop.
6. LGBTQ art makes a statement without you having to do any emotional labour
Want to tell someone you love and support their identity, but do not want to say it out loud because your emotional bandwidth is currently at 14 percent? Art does that.
Want to give someone a gift that says “I see you” but do not want to accidentally tear up in front of them and blame it on your allergies? Art does that.
Want to give your partner something romantic without choosing jewellery because you panic under pressure? Art does that too.
And if the person receiving the gift is not queer themselves but appreciates queer culture, gifting art is a fun way to subtly gay up their home environment. A public service, really.
7. A gift that supports real people, not corporations
You can buy a generic department store print of a random forest. Or you can support an actual LGBTQ artist living, working and probably drinking tea somewhere in the UK.
Buying queer art means:
You support independent creators
You keep queer culture alive
You help fund future weird projects
You give something unique rather than mass produced
And yes, buying art from an independent lesbian artist means you directly contribute to my ability to continue making increasingly questionable content, which is arguably a very important community service.
8. Representation matters, even as a gift
Imagine someone opening your gift and realising it is not just something they will hang on their wall, but something that reflects who they are. Or who they love. Or a community that has shaped them.
Representation is life changing. Visibility is powerful. Christmas gifts are usually not. So when you combine the two, you get something deeply meaningful.
Giving someone LGBTQ art can be a small but supportive act. A way of saying:
“You matter.”
“You are seen.”
“You deserve to take up space.”
“You deserve art that speaks to you and not another mug shaped like a cowboy boot.”
9. It is a bold move for navigating family politics
Christmas often involves families, and families often involve opinions. This means gifting LGBTQ art can do many things:
A) Reveal someone’s allyship in real time
If they smile, great.
If they look confused, fine.
If they clutch their pearls, you have created fun festive drama.
B) Provide a safe but spicy conversational topic
Someone will ask “What does it mean?”
Someone else will respond “Oh, she is a lesbian artist.”
Someone else will whisper “I think I saw this on Instagram.”
You can sit back with your mulled wine and pretend you had no idea this would happen.
C) Distract from the yearly political argument
If the art is bold enough, no one will talk about Brexit.
You will also become known as the cool gift giver. The person who gives art, culture and personality instead of panic buying novelty socks on Christmas Eve.
So… should you buy LGBTQ art as a gift this Christmas?
Yes. Absolutely, without hesitation and with enthusiasm.
Whether it is lesbian art, queer art, sapphic art or anything created by an LGBTQ artist, these pieces carry emotion, humour, representation and joy in a way few other gifts can.
This Christmas, skip the boring and predictable gifts. Get your friends and family something queer, colourful, thoughtful and slightly weird.
They will love it.
And if they don’t, you can take it back and hang it in your own home.