Melanie Cristol

PASSION, PURPOSE, AND PROTECTIVE LINGERIE. Melanie Cristol believes that sex is the key to personal happiness and a thriving society. Rather than treating it as a taboo subject, she views conversations about sex as essential. “It’s a topic that helps us truly connect with other human beings and grow closer with our partners,” she says.

Melanie’s uninhibited approach to intimacy can be traced back to her elementary school days when her parents sought recommendations from a high-school English teacher friend. She suggested novels by V.C. Andrews, unaware that they were “spicy.” “It ended up giving me this perspective on sex that was healthy and welcoming,” she reflects. This experience planted the seeds for her company, Lorals, an award-winning manufacturer of STI-protective intimate-wear that is striving to reinvent intimacy and help everyone feel comfortable, confident, and protected.

Born in Orlando, Melanie enjoyed a happy childhood but says she always struggled with a sense of being different. Growing up in the ‘80s and ‘90s, discussions around being gay were limited, but Melanie’s interest in LGBTQIA+ issues eventually led to her realization of her own sexuality. “Looking back, I think that I had crushes on some of my best girl-friends, and that probably was leaving me pretty isolated,” she recalls.

Her involvement in the Orlando theater culture provided an outlet for expression, and her desire for a bigger stage led her to Columbia University in New York City. It was here that she fully embraced her LGBTQIA+ identity, coming out aged 20, and began advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights. This passion drove her to law school to become an LGBTQIA+ rights attorney.

Before attending law school, Melanie worked at the National LGBTQIA+ Task Force, an “eye-opening experience” in grassroots organizing and campaigning. Working on campaigns in Los Angeles and Cincinnati, she successfully fought for LGBTQIA+ rights and anti-discrimination laws. However, an internship at the civil rights organization Lambda Legal made her realize that the solitary nature of impact litigation was not for her. Melanie transitioned to working at a law firm, and while the work was intellectually stimulating and provided more client contact, she felt unfulfilled. “I had an inkling that there was something different that I wanted in life,” she says.

This desire led to a pivotal moment during a romantic vacation. Concerned about transmitting an STI to her partner, Melanie realized the limitations of existing protection methods like dental dams. This experience sparked the idea for Lorals: a product that combined the protective function of a dental dam with the sensuality and confidence-boosting attributes of sexy lingerie.

BREAKING BARRIERS IN BUSINESS. Starting Lorals wasn’t without its challenges. Melanie discovered that the expertise for latex manufacturing was in Malaysia. Traveling to the country, she navigated cultural differences and downplayed her LGBTQIA+ identity to avoid potential discrimination. “I realized that being open about myself could prevent opportunities for this company that I saw as being bigger than my own personal needs,” she says.

Melanie’s journey was further complicated by misconceptions about Lorals being solely for the lesbian community. While the vast majority of cunnilingus receivers and dental dam users are straight, convincing investors of Lorals’ wide appeal was an ongoing struggle, exacerbated by biases against LGBTQIA+ founders. Despite these hurdles, Lorals has thrived, becoming profitable and gaining a loyal customer base in the US and around the world.

Reflecting on the journey so far, Melanie has valuable advice for aspiring LGBTQIA+ founders. “Recognize that your journey may be harder than others, and you need to be more creative and work harder,” she advises. “Successful fundraising can be a huge help for a growing startup, but if it doesn’t work out, figure out how to make your company profitable.”