In a story of resilience, a Mexican entrepreneur shares her journey of overcoming adversity as she navigates the challenges of hate towards transgender people and the LGBTQ+ community. Her inclusive lingerie brand is nearly destroyed by this animosity, but it is through the power of love and the unwavering support of those who value inclusion that she is able to rise from the ashes and emerge stronger than ever before.

In a world that strives for the respect for diversity, there are still intense battles to be fought. Today, I will share with you the inspiring story of my student Maria Guadalupe Martinez Ramirez, affectionately known as Malu. At the age of 31, Malu is a courageous and passionate entrepreneur hailing from Aguascalientes, Mexico. Her brand, Boreal, represents more than just inclusive lingerie; it symbolizes a space of freedom and support. However, this empowering journey was on the verge of being extinguished due to transphobia. Yet, with love and unwavering determination, Malu defied the odds and experience and rebirth. In her early days, Malu developed a keen interest in inclusive lingerie as she observed the glaring disregard for the needs of transgender and LGBTQ+ people within the fashion industry. Motivated by her aspiration to bring about change, she embarked on training to become a lingerie designer, with a focus on creating garments that catered to people of diverse anatomies, sizes, and gender identities.

So, she established Boreal, not just as an inclusive lingerie brand, but as a sanctuary where diversity is embraced without any form of judgment or prejudice. In Malus’ own words, «We are a close-knit community that supports, nurtures, and cherishes one another.» However, both this community and brand faced numerous arduous trials and tribulations.

The launch of the inclusive lingerie campaign was a thrilling milestone for Malu. She had poured her heart and soul into crafting each garment, with the sincere intention of empowering individuals to embrace their bodies with comfort and confidence. However, what unfolded next was an unimaginable onslaught of hate and hostility.

Comments began inundating their social media platforms. Instead, the support and celebration of diversity that she had hoped for, Malu found herself confronted with a deluge of transphobic and discriminatory remarks. The attacks were vicious and even included threats, forcing her to confront an overwhelming wave of online hatred

For Malu, these comments dealt a devastating emotional blow. She began to question herself and even her decision to create inclusive lingerie. Thoughts like «why are they attacking something that is meant to be inclusive and loving? » tormented her. The seemingly unyielding intolerance and lack of understanding from others weighed heavily on
her.

Even in adversity, Malu stood firm with her inclusion commitment. However, the harsh words affected her deeply. This dark episode almost shattered her passion and hope.

And, unfortunately, she stopped the inclusive garment production. But even though she distanced herself from the project, she never stopped receiving requests from people who needed garments that made them feel comfortable and fit their anatomy.

Also, the discovery of support at a distance, such as that from the Academia de Lencería from Argentina whose students wrote tirelessly messages such as “I didn’t know your project, but as far as I can see, people love what you do, and you have excellent ideas, keep going!”, motivated her even more.

She then gradually encouraged herself to take small orders again from her friends, who never stopped insisting that she return to production. Just as Malu expressed with gratitude, “That support was the little push that I needed to return and find my passion.”

And that is how Malu, with the support of her friends, the LGBTQIA+ community, and other people who value her vision of an inclusive community, prompted her return. Nowadays, Boreal rose from the ashes and is designing its inclusive lingerie for all sizes and all anatomies.