This One Is for Friends of Dorothy
and their friends, and those friends friends
In celebration of Pride Month, we’re very excited to introduce our newest design: “A Friend of Dorothy Is a Friend of Mine.”
At first, it might remind you of the filmThe Wizard of Oz—but this phrase is much more than that and actually holds deep historical weight within the LGBTQ+ community. Our goal was to create something that not only acknowledges history, but also invites community members AND allies to wear it proudly!
The History
For much of the 20th century, LGBTQ+ individuals were forced to communicate in “coded language” due to global discrimination and criminalization. The phrase “Are you a friend of Dorothy?” emerged as a discreet way for LGBTQ+ people to identify each other safely.
While where it started is still debated, many trace it back to Dorothy Gale fromThe Wizard of Oz (1939), played by Judy Garland, a beloved gay icon. Others point it even further back to L. Frank Baum’s The Road to Oz (1909), where Dorothy says, “The queerness doesn’t matter, so long as they’re friends!”- a line that shows acceptance in a way that still resonates today.
Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present
While “A Friend of Dorothy” might not be as widely used today, it remains a symbol of resilience. We chose to bring it back - not to reclaim that language of the past, but to honor the courage behind it!
By wearing this shirt, you’re saying: I know where we’ve come from. I support where we’re going. And I stand with the community - then and now.
Giving Back to the Community
We believe Pride is about visibility and impact. That’s why (20%) of proceeds from every “A Friend Of Dorothy” shirt will be donated to Q Center. Their work in providing support and safe spaces, aligns deeply with Portland Gears views and the history that this shirt represents.
Join us in celebrating Pride with purpose, acceptance, and love because a friend of Dorothy WILL ALWAYS be a friend of ours.
- The Portland Gear Team