NYC Pride Sausage Sparks Meaty Debate

A New York butcher is serving meat with meaning — and a side of sass — with its viral “LGBT sausage,” created just in time for Pride Month. Hand-cranked, twisted, and flavored with lemon, garlic, basil, and tomato (get it?), this cheeky culinary creation from Prospect Butcher Co has become an online sensation, racking up thousands of likes and even more raunchy comments.

On June 20, the Brooklyn-based butcher shared a Pride shoutout on Instagram, featuring a snap of their signature sausage. The caption was innocent enough — “HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! Celebrating with our LGBT sausage all June long. Lemon zest, garlic, fresh basil, sun-dried tomato – perfect for pasta or for throwing on the grill! 🌈” — but the internet, predictably, ran wild.

“Cut or uncut?” one user cheekily quipped, while another admitted, “Ironically, it’s how I like my meat handled.” Others declared it a full-on “sausage fest” and questioned whether any queers were harmed in the making of the product. (Spoiler: they weren’t.) One user helpfully added, “So that’s what it stands for!”

There was even a spirited debate over how to incorporate the “Q” into the LGBTQ meat lineup. Suggestions ranged from quince to Quorn to quinoa, proving once again that queer folks will find a way to make everything inclusive — and delicious.

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From Sausage to Sandwich: The Food Pride Legacy

This isn’t the first time a Pride-themed food has ignited a fiery mix of praise, mockery, and corporate rainbow capitalism critiques. Remember the LGBT sandwich from 2019? British retailer M&S swapped out the usual BLT for a version with guacamole — and a side of backlash. Despite its charitable intentions (proceeds went to a queer youth homelessness charity), many in the LGBTQ community felt reduced to sandwich filler, while right-wing critics frothing over “woke lunch” gave the product an even longer shelf life on social media.

The infamous sandwich went viral again in 2024, after a UK politician tried to dunk on “degenerate” food choices, sharing an image doctored to look current. Luckily, the internet served receipts: the sandwich was long expired — both literally and culturally.

Serving Pride, with a Wink

But Prospect Butcher Co’s Ruth Hunter insists that the sausage wasn’t meant to be performative — just playful. “We love to do fun themed sausage specials,” she said. “The LGBT sausage is definitely a fan favorite… and the innuendos are not lost on us.” She credits butcher Kiera with crafting the recipe, which apparently is so good it gets requested year-round, not just in June.

So what’s the takeaway for the LGBTQ community? In a world where queerness is constantly politicized, sometimes the best form of resistance is laughing, eating, and reclaiming the narrative — even if it’s wrapped in sausage casing. Because if we can’t find joy in a garlic-and-basil bratwurst named after our identities, what are we even doing?

As one commenter said best: “The comment section passed the vibe check.” And honestly? So did the butcher.

Pass the grill.