New Year, Still Queer! 🏳️🌈
Queer All Year!
We love the fresh start energy of January, but here at Wander Free and Queer, our mantra is a little different. We aren’t trying to reinvent ourselves. We are leaning harder into who we already are. We are entering this new year with the same passion, the same drive for adventure, and the same unwavering pride. New year, still queer, and more ready than ever to support and empower our community.
Looking Back at 2025: Rest and Reset
2025 was, in a word, recentering. After the whirlwind of 2024, we needed to rest and reset. The deepest joy in 2025 came from slowing down personally. Making the decision to sell our truck and buy a van allowed us some time and space to breathe. We traveled to 3 national parks, hiked endless miles together, swam in cold rivers and lakes, and spent time staring at the mountains and ocean in our camp chairs. We focused on spending time together in nature and finding out more of who we are as individuals, a couple, and as small business owners.
Our biggest professional milestone was finally launching our website at the end of the year. Giving our brand a home base felt incredible. It made everything feel "real." To top it off, we started our Queer Collective. We realized early on that there was a gap in the market for a curated space that specifically bridged the gap between LGBTQ+ artistry and the great outdoors. We wanted to create a digital home that didn't just sell "stuff," but uplifted the voices and talents of our community. Starting the collective was about more than just business—it was about creating an ecosystem where queer makers could thrive and where adventurers could find goods that truly represented them.
Dreaming of 2026: Content, Community and Crochet
As we look ahead to 2026, our mission remains our North Star: To promote LGBTQ+ visibility through selling handcrafted items, hosting community events, and creating content that connects our community to outdoor recreation and travel.
We want to take what we built in 2025 and make it bigger, louder, and more inclusive.
Keep an eye out for our expanding shop and market line up! We not only will have new Wander Free and Queer items in person and online, but also will be adding makers to our Queer Collective throughout the year. We spent our holi-gay season dreaming up patterns for keychains, baskets, and garlands. Chatting with Crafted From Scratch, we decided to offer more of Kat’s items in our shop, so stay tuned for patches and shirts screen printed by one of our favorite Oregon artists! We are also excited to announce that we will be onboarding Fire and Folk in the upcoming weeks as the newest member of our Queer Collective.
Our biggest dream for 2026 is to increase the "community events" aspect of our mission. We want to create real-world spaces where we can gather, learn, and celebrate. We are beginning to host events! Think casual meetups, hands-on creative workshops, and our queer campout weekend! We know what we want to see in terms of events, but we want your input! This community belongs to you. What would you like to see us host this year? Are you craving a group hike? A craft night? A workshop on outdoor safety? Drop a comment below or send us a message—we are listening!
Now, more than ever, supporting brands and businesses that support us is vital! we will continue our work as content creators bridging the gap between brands and LGBTQ+ travelers. In 2026, we are double-down on highlighting businesses, gear brands, and destinations that genuinely support and empower our community to explore the outdoors safely and joyfully. We know our purchases have power. Follow us on social media platforms for recommendations on places to stay, products to buy, and people to connect with that support our queer community.
It Takes a Village
Running a brand like this isn’t a solo trek; it takes a community of talented people to keep us moving forward. We want to send a massive thank you to our "business village":
River and Root photography for all their stunning portrait and product photography that makes our brand shine.
Crafted from Scratch for inspiring us daily, sharing a working space with us, and being our ultimate business go-to.
LC Cartography for their incredible graphic design skills and the stunning artistry they bring to our vision.
We are so lucky to be surrounded by such immense queer talent.
On a Personal Note...
Behind the scenes of the business, the two of us have some personal intentions for 2026, too. We are focusing on finding more ways to joyfully move our bodies—exercise that feels like a celebration, not a punishment. We are itching to fire up the van more often and explore more of the incredible Pacific Northwest wilderness. And, of course, we are committed to continuing to pour our energy into building this brand that means so much to us.
Thank you for being part of our journey in 2025. Let’s make 2026 our most adventurous, connected, and visible year yet.
