About

Hi!

I'm Lily, the owner/operator of Proud Axolotl.

Where It's Been

I started Proud Axolotl (originally PronounPins.org) in 2021 at the age of 15. I was just coming out as transgender, and I couldn't find a pronoun pin that I really liked. A few weeks and some mild obsession later, I started with just 15 pins, before quickly adding customization options.

I kept it going (and growing!) for a little over two years, expanding to pride flags and building wholesale relationships. In the span of a few months, I quickly became burnt out, tired of the kathunk of the button press, and decided to shut things down.

Now, several years later, I'm restarting Proud Axolotl. Why? Short answer: spite. Over the last few years, it feels as if queer rights have been moving backwards. With the Trump administration actively attacking and backtracking rights for most marginalized groups, it feels more important than ever to stand up.

My goal today is to uplift queer voices and support our community. I'll be working with more artists, and be using certain pins to raise funds for organizations that are doing important work to keep us safe.

You can always reach me at lily@proudaxolotl.com.

💜Lily