New Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop goes beyond the rainbow

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Apple’s unique Pride bands have been a visible illustration of the ways in which the company stands with, supports and is proudly made up of members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop is new for 2021.
Photo: Apple

Apple has debuted two new colorful, Pride-themed Apple Watch bands and new watch faces to coincide with International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia.

Apple has been releasing Pride Edition Apple Watch bands on an annual basis dating back to 2016. The 2021 upgrades include the ultra-colorful Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop ($99) and a new Pride Edition Nike Sport Loop ($49).

The dazzling Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop features a variation on the traditional Pride flag, with black, brown, light blue, pink, and white colors added in to the usual red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple colors. The black and brown colors represent the Black and Latinx communities, while the other colors represent transgender and nonbinary individuals.

The Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop artfully weaves together the original rainbow colors with those drawn from various Pride flags to represent the breadth of diversity among LGBTQ+ experiences and the history of the movement.
The Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop augments the original rainbow colors with hues from various Pride flags.
Photo: Apple

Meanwhile, the Nike Sport Loop band features the traditional Pride rainbow colors. The new watch bands each have a corresponding Pride watch face.

“Even before the events at the Stonewall Inn brought the LGBTQ+ movement to new prominence, Black, Brown, and transgender activists were key leaders in the march toward equality,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, in a statement. “On many fronts, Apple supports the ongoing and unfinished work of equality for diverse and intersectional communities, and we want to provide every opportunity to celebrate and honor this history during Pride season.”

The Nike Sport Loop updates with a Pride Edition that showcases the traditional rainbow colors and utilizes reflective yarn to aid those engaging in outdoor workouts.
The new Nike Sport Loop Pride Edition mixes the traditional rainbow colors with safety-focused reflective yarn.
Photo: Apple

The new Pride Edition bands are available on the Apple Store website starting today, and will ship May 25. The watch faces will be released in a future watchOS update.

Apple takes Pride seriously

Apple has long been a supporter of Pride. Tim Cook notably came out as gay several years ago. The intensely private Apple boss has said that he did this to help break down barriers for LGBTQ people. Cook has also written opinion pieces for The Wall Street Journal, urging Congress to approve a bill designed to “protect workers against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.” He has even had an anti-discrimination bill named after himself.

The new watch faces certainly look pretty great. If you want to make a social statement of support, while also wearing one of the most stylish bands Apple has yet to put out, you know where to go!

Source: Apple

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