Over the past few days, our editorial team paused to reflect on how to approach our coverage of Berlin CSD. The traumatic events at the Berlin CSD left us shaken, and we sat with the photos of the Levi’s® truck and the vibrant parade for a long time, questioning whether it felt right to publish them so soon. But the answer became undeniable: we have to. Now, more than ever, visibility is our strength. Shrinking back into the shadows is not an option. Standing up for our community, honouring our shared spaces, and refusing to be erased is how we move forward together.
When looking at corporate involvement during Pride season, it’s easy to feel sceptical about temporary solidarity. But Levi’s® stands as a rare, long-term exception. This isn’t a brand that simply slaps a rainbow on a t-shirt for one month a year; Levi’s® has a documented, decades-long history of active support and systemic advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community. Long before corporate allyship was fashionable, the company was implementing non-discrimination policies, offering domestic partner benefits, and standing alongside queer people through moments of crisis and celebration alike. That enduring commitment felt tangible on the streets of Berlin, where their truck served as a gathering point of joy, safety, and community right before the city was hit by tragedy.
That history of protection and solidarity is deeply woven into the brand’s Pride 2026 Collection, titled “Together, We Ride.” Inspired by the legacy of early queer motorcycle clubs, the collection pays homage to the community protectors who turned denim and leather into both armour and identity on the open road. At a time when queer spaces needed guarding, these clubs served as chosen families, forging safety and freedom through unapologetic self-expression.
Continuing their concrete support, Levi’s® accompanies the launch with an annual $100,000 USD donation to Outright International, supporting the organisation’s global work for LGBTQIA+ human rights.
In moments like this, when our safety and peace are threatened, remembering where we come from and who stood beside us gives us the strength to keep going. We wear our history, we protect our own, and we keep riding together.
