Rainbow-themed laptop skins. Rainbow-themed sparkling water. Rainbow-themed mouthwash. It seems no matter where you look, scroll, or shop, there is no shortage of Pride-themed gear to get you through the month of June. But nothing shines quite so bright as TomboyX, a Seattle-based clothing company specializing in inclusive, gender neutral underwear.
The company prides itself on selling clothing for all bodies, regardless of where they fall on the size or gender spectrum. From underwear to swimwear, TomboyX offers options from XS to 4X, with plans to offer even more sizes in the future.
And make no mistake, TomboyX isn’t here to cater to the queer community for one month only, according to its cofounder, Fran Dunaway. Pride has always been a central part of the company, and continues to be so, she says.
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“We aren’t doing this to jump on a trend or a fad,” Dunaway tells Queerty regarding the company’s emphasis on the LGBTQ+ community, body positivity and inclusivity. “We have been here a long time. We are gay owned and operated, so it’s personal to us. It really matters to us in a way that is just part of our DNA.”
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Launched in 2013, TomboyX was founded by Dunaway and her wife, Naomi Gonzalez. The dynamic duo came up with the idea for the company after Dunaway had been struggling to find a button-down shirt to her liking, and discovered there wasn’t much out there for women looking for masculine-style clothing.
It was then that TomboyX was born. Dunaway and Gonzalez started with the usuals: shoes, shirts, belts, and hats. It wasn’t until someone called Gonzalez, asking if they had boxer briefs for women, that TomboyX had their ‘a-ha’ moment: Gonzalez did a quick online search for such briefs, only to find Spanx. Seeing a gap in the market, the couple soon discovered they were onto something great. As soon as they started selling underwear, Tomboy X’s revenue tripled in six months, and has been growing ever since.
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“It’s pretty remarkable, and at times overwhelming,” Dunaway says. “We’ve gotten much busier with many more people. The stakes are higher, but at the same time, we are in awe of how far we have come in such an incredibly short amount of time.”
In addition to offering gender neutral underwear (including packing options), TomboyX has swim trunks, tank tops, long johns, tee shirts and more. The company plans to expand their packing underwear line, and hopes to introduce adaptive bras soon, says Dunaway.
No matter their growth and items available, there is no denying that TomboyX is providing much more than underwear. It’s providing a platform for people to feel comfortable in their skin, regardless of gender, sexuality, or identity.
Just ask Rosalynne Montoya, a self-described Hispanic trans woman and model who recently helped TomboyX launch their Rainbow Pride Collection, and is featured in the company’s latest Pride-themed video.
The daughter of a worship pastor father, and missionary mother, Montoya says religion was an integral part of her upbringing on a small farm in Idaho.
“Religion was my entire identity,” she says. “God came first, and I was second.”
At the same time, it caused her great shame. “I truly hated myself,” she says. “I thought I was disgusting. I didn’t have the language for my own identity, or what being trans was. I didn’t see a future for myself, and would pray for God to change me.”
Eventually, Montoya says she “gradually” found acceptance in herself after going to college and reading books on gender and feminism, as well as taking part in the local drag scene.
She came out as trans in 2015, and got involved with TomboyX two years later. It is a company that Montoya is honored to be a part of, she says.
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“I love that TomboyX is putting trans people at the front,” she says. “I grew up without seeing myself represented, and because of that, I felt alone and isolated.” By giving a voice to the trans community, and letting folks know it is okay to be exactly who you are, “brands like TomboyX are literally saving lives,” Montoya says.
Chey Packard, who identifies as non-binary, black, and trans – and who was also featured in TomboyX’s Pride video – shares similar thoughts. They discovered TomboyX while scrolling through Instagram a couple years ago, and found the brand a refreshing alternative to other underwear companies. “They aren’t Victoria’s Secret,” they said. “Their focus is not on the genital, but on the body, and making sure [their products] are comfortable for all bodies.”
For Dunaway, giving a spotlight to the marginalized, like Montoya and Packard, is a no-brainer, and is part of TomboyX’s business model. “To me, business is personal,” she says. “This is our brand, this is our company, and we are unapologetic about what we stand for and what we represent. We own it.”
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And with Pride Month in full swing, Dunaway could not be more excited, and hopes to “fill the beaches” and everywhere in between with their latest rainbow-driven collection.
“Pride really is about community and is ultimately a time to celebrate and get unapologetic about who you are,” she says. “One of the people in our Pride video says, ‘we’ll turn a riot into a rainbow’ and I think that is absolutely beautiful… Pride is not about you, it’s not about me. It’s about us, and we want people to really celebrate that.”
Brian
I don’t want underwear that doesn’t focus on the genitals. I want underwear that is designed to accommodate my genitals properly.
Catholicslutbox
I personally love how pc and body-positive- (gross, no thank you- i don’t want to see that)- they are when it comes to women, but all the men they feature are all fit.
I know trans men are typically on steroids and lift, but what about the fat bio-men?
Loki
This isn’t “gender-neutral”… it’s not like there are any natal men in lacy Victoria secret panties in their line-up.
Heywood Jablowme
“offering gender neutral underwear (including packing options)….” “The company plans to expand their packing underwear line….”
At first, I assumed “packing” must mean the styrofoam peanuts they put in the shipping box, lol.
But apparently “gender neutral” underwear is for anyone who’s NOT packing an actual pen!s? (or not much of one?)
Loki
I think the “packing” they’re referring to is a prosthetic like Mr. Limpy….
ftmessentials(dot)com/products/classic-packy
ElPillo
How is a bra-top gender neutral?
Catholicslutbox
They can be beneficial for fat dudes at the gym or runners
Loki
@slutbox
UnderArmour and the like already sell compression shirts as the sports bra equivalent for men. If you have gynecomastia… well, best to see your doctor for the appropriate medical device.
iamru2
“Revolutionizing the underwear industry” lol yae sure you are.
OzJosh
If the “gender neutral” underwear includes “packing options” then it is, ipso facto, NOT gender neutral – it is entirely designed around gender. If the lack of bulges in these photos are anything to go by then they should probably be called “gender neutered”.
Mikey E
This was seriously disturbing and off-putting. You can see the mastectomy scars on the shirtless “men.” Why on Earth would an underwear company think that these images are going to make actual men want to buy their product?
truthseeker
@Mikey E
Just think, if you cut off any other body part because you don’t want it anymore (hands, feet, ears, etc) then people say you’re crazy. But if you want your private parts cut off, then you’re considered brave
Cam
Sweetie, if you’re going to have two of your screenames respond to each other, you may want to wait a bit more time before you have them agreeing with each other. (Eye Roll)
truthseeker
@Cam
The only one with 2 accounts (or more) here is you. You go by Cam and DCguy. You never add to these discussions. What in my statement was logically false?
willcutabitch
“Why on earth would an underwear company think that these images are going to make actual men want to buy their product?”
They’re operating under the impression that “real men” aren’t insecure whiney little bitches.
Cam
Queerty is posting an article about a company owned by LGBTs that provides clothing.
If the idea of this company enrages you so much, don’t by their clothes.
But please feel free to explain why the same accounts that routinely defend bigots also hate a company where LGBT people are making a profit. Hmmmmm
Brian
I’ll explain. People aren’t enraged, they are pointing out how dumb the concept of gender neutral underwear is.
Cam
Hi Brian,
I”m talking about Mikey and Truthseeker’s comments
truthseeker
@Cam (DCguy)
I’m not enraged nor have I said there should be a boycott (something I’m sure you would support if you didn’t like the business). I’m just pointing out the nonsense of this concept
Do you ever add substance to the discussion or just use your pre-programmed phrases with everyone? It’s like a child’s toy that only has 3 phrases when you pull its string
TinoTurner
I had a gay owned small business that I bought ads for on queerly. When I suggested a story about me to promote the idea of gay business owners, they refused to write a story about that because they said they don’t want to write a story that might be construed as an advertisement…
Jared MacBride
“Come out” as “non-binary.” They’ll write a story about you every other day.
kookookachoo
Goodness, me. As said above, no one is forcing anyone to buy this clothing or to even “like” this company. Some of y’all obviously don’t like it. I’ve joined a gym in order to continue my cardio rehab that I began after recovery from heart failure. I think I’ll buy some new clothing from this fabulous company, especially swimwear, which I lack right now. The company fulfills a niche market that is not well covered by most others that would like to sell me clothing. I, for one, plan to patronize them.