Suffolk clothing company donates 60% of their profits to LGBTQ+ charities
It was founded by 2 brothers after the World Cup in Qatar
Two brothers from Ipswich have started a clothing company donating 60% of their profits to LGBTQ+ charities.
The idea came to them following the World Cup in Qatar, where homosexuality as well as campaigning for LGBT rights is criminalised.
Steven Garrod is one of the founders of Rainbro, with brother Martyn coming up with the name.
"We had loads of ideas, but Rainbow was the one that just made sense. We're both brothers. We're both gay and it plays on Rainbow. So it was perfect."
How the World Cup inspired a clothing brand?
The decision to host the World Cup in Qatar last year faced widespead criticism because of the country's human rights record.
Stonewall commented on "the country’s persecution and criminalisation of LGBTQ+ people, which sees those engaging in same-sex relationships threatened with fines and time in prison, or even the death penalty under some circumstances."
Steven told us they were watching, and could see how Qatar "wasn't an LGBTQ+ friendly."
"It was horrible... Personally, for me, I'm not very much into football, but that frustrated me more because there are still people in our community that love football and I feel like that gets neglected a lot."
"So seeing that and seeing them (the players) get prosecuted for just wearing a wristband to show their support, was ridiculous"
Here Steven is referring to the 'One Love' armband that many players decided to wear to show their support of the LGBTQ+ community despite Qatar's rules.
However, FIFA regulations forced teams to abandon plans to wear pro-LGBTQ rights armbands on the pitches.
It was here the brothers decided to create Rainbro.
"We discussed our frustrations and we were like, right, let's make a difference. That's why our company give 60% of our profit to LGBTQ+ charities.... (we) took it upon ourselves to make a brand that would give back to the community."
What charities do they donate to?
We asked Steven why they chose to donate 60% of their profits to different LGBTQ+ charities he told us, that it's over half it's a significant amount and they "want to make a difference in the world."
They donate to Kaleidoscope. "Kaleidoscope helps LGBTQ+ people in other countries with their human rights."
"They help them to live a more free open life in their own countries, where it's less accepted.
"They work really hard with other countries trying to get those human rights for everyone. A
Our Colours Youth Network," helps people around the UK who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, but also people of colour in that community, and gives them the resources to live a full life.
"Not a Phase charity which is our chance transgender charity.
"They help people with their transitioning. They give a lot of information to those who are transitioning and give a lot of information to the parents as well so that they can understand and support their family members.
"Our last one is The Terence Higgins Trust, they help people living with HIV and their goal is to make the world an HIV place to live.
"So they help with giving information to people as well. So that people don't look down on people with HIV as well."