Meet Emily Hamann | Co-Founder of Out of the Closet

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Hamann and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The idea for Out Of The Closet came about when a friend who was recently transitioning at a later age was lamenting that even though she was now buying women’s clothing, it all skewed masculine even though she wanted to feel feminine. At the time, I was selling clothing regularly and had a trunk of feminine clothing in her size, so we played dress-up, and she walked away with a new wardrobe. The joy in her eyes as she tried pieces on, coupled with the joy I felt seeing my clothing have a new life gave us the idea to start a free community closet focused on gender affirmation.

My co-founder, Sam Normand, and I both love fashion and clothing but agree that the “fast fashion” culture we live in is throwaway and detrimental to the environment and people in general. We believe that people should have access to clothing that makes them not only comfortable but feel their truest self without finances being a hinderance.

Feeling comfortable in one’s own skin has always been a soft spot for me. I have always struggled with body image issues and body dysmorphia due to a judgmental, stereotypically gendered, and often harmfully conservative upbringing that punished people for their bodies rather than celebrating them.

This idea created our mission, which is to clothe members of the LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalized individuals in need. We also aim to bridge gaps and provide support for other organizations with the same inclusive goals by means of comfortable, accessible, and free clothing via our open closet, permanent racks in the SBC, and pop-up events.

We hope for this service to be a gender-affirming source of peace as folx transition into an outward appearance that fits their identity, move out of conservative/restrictive homes, or just are in need of clothing for a big move, a new job, emergency services, etc.

We hope to redefine what “in-need” means to people coming to us. We find people are less likely to take clothing because they think they aren’t “in need enough.” We’re here to combat that mindset. We think “in-need” can come in so many forms! People in the middle of transitioning needing a full new wardrobe, someone who’s lost everything in a natural disaster, the unhoused population, or someone who’s ever just had to choose between eating/rent/bills or buying something new for an event or a new job. When looks can dictate so much of how we feel, money should never be a barrier.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
A bit about Out of the Closet:

We exist to clothe members of the LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalized individuals in need. We also aim to bridge gaps and provide support for other organizations with the same inclusive goals by means of comfortable, accessible, and free clothing via our open closet, permanent racks in the SBC, and pop-up events.

We hope for this service to be a gender-affirming source of peace as folx transition into an outward appearance that fits their identity, move out of conservative/restrictive homes, or just are in need of clothing for a big move, a new job, emergency services, etc.

We hope to redefine what “in-need” means to people coming to us. We find people are less likely to take clothing because they think they aren’t “in need enough.” We’re here to combat that mindset. We think “in-need” can come in so many forms! People in the middle of transitioning needing a full new wardrobe, someone who’s lost everything in a natural disaster, the unhoused population, or someone who’s ever just had to choose between eating/rent/bills or buying something new for an event or a new job. When looks can dictate so much of how we feel, money should never be a barrier.

At a Glance: A grassroots free community closet focused on gender affirmation.

Our Main Benefits:

– Pop-Up Free Community Closest at local and regional events that are either LGBTQIA+ based or (of course) friendly.

– Permanent Free Racks: Spots for people to stop and “shop” for free clothes guilt-free. Kind of like free libraries or community pantries.

– Ship & Shop: We can ship clothing to people in need, or people can come look through our storage unit that’s laid out like a shop for easy perusing.

Pricing:

Clothing: FREE
Shoes: FREE
Accessories: FREE
Contact Info:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outoftheclosetla/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outoftheclosetLA
Other: https://gofund.me/b7bed446

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
People complain that there’s nothing to do in Shreveport, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. Our community hosts many different local events, festivals, concerts and shows you have to check out! Since we’re nearing Pride Month, here’s a few that are near and dear to my heart as they provide safe spaces for all: Queerport, who does their festival in the fall and showcases all queer vendors and performers.
ShrevePride hosts a spring Field Gay, and a fall Q-Prom and many others events to provide spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community to relive events they couldn’t totally embrace themselves at in the past.
PACE hosts Pride in the Park in the spring and a few other events that just allow the community to come together and celebrate each other, talented artists, and amazing performers!

After those events, head over to Korner Lounge or Bear’s on Fairfield for drinks, dancing, shows and great people!

If you’re into shopping, I recommend supporting local at the Shreveport Farmers Market for delicious food and a spot to pick up great ingredients and cook from home. If you’re more into the retail and artisanal shopping, check out the Bossier Night Market.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To the LGBTQIA+ Community of Shreveport. They’re strong, and pave the way for organizations like mine. It’s been a growing and thriving community since I became involved and I’m so proud to watch it flourish. Right now we need support more than ever to protect them from harmful laws and possible changes we’ll have to fight. This is extremely important for the youth of our community as many of them affect schools and what safe spaces exist within them.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outoftheclosetla/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outoftheclosetLA

Other: https://gofund.me/b7bed446

Image Credits
Feature photo credits Jeremy Hernandez