Trans resources, starting with trans tape
April 25, 2022 9:35 PM Subscribe
My apologies in advance if I'm using the wrong words or phrases; I'm an outsider, trying to help a kid. So, this sixteen-year-old kid is a close relative who was born & raised female but has talked obliquely about being trans. She's still using "she/her" and what she wants to start with right now is a way to bind her breasts. So, two questions: first, is there a "trans tape" that's made specifically for this? I don't know if standard athletic tape (for ankles and knees) would work. And second, all I know about for resources are PFLAG and Lambda Legal; where else should I be directing the kid and the parents?
Here is a free sewing pattern for a binder, if you or she or supportive friends/family can sew.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:23 PM on April 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:23 PM on April 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
Compression sport bras are a solid intro to compressing breasts - it can be uncomfortable (ramping right up into actual harm and affecting top surgery in the future as well). It does depend on sizing, but they have been a good first choice.
Using trans tape is different to binding with tape just as a note. It has limited use for larger chests and is more like the breast tape cis women use to go braless (which does seem similar to physio tape, the stretchy stuff but I haven't had personal experience). It also runs risks of irritation if there is any sensitivity to latex/adhesive.
posted by geek anachronism at 1:36 AM on April 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
Using trans tape is different to binding with tape just as a note. It has limited use for larger chests and is more like the breast tape cis women use to go braless (which does seem similar to physio tape, the stretchy stuff but I haven't had personal experience). It also runs risks of irritation if there is any sensitivity to latex/adhesive.
posted by geek anachronism at 1:36 AM on April 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
"trans tape" is kinesiology tape rebranded. If buying from a trans-owned business, I'd consider the rebrand acceptable, otherwise deeply suspect. The appeal is that it's not an extra layer in summer, but I believe it's a method that only works for a subset of people (it became a thing (hell, kinesiology tape became a consumer product) long after I had top surgery). But buying a binder is going to be cheaper if she intends to bind routinely. Depending on the size of her chest, Title 9 brought the Frog Bra back, and that's probably cooler in summer
(I do giggle at the idea of binders being purpose-built. It's arguably true, but the original market in the US was cis men with gynecomastia. Underworks (who dominated the US market pre-gc2b) eventually noticed that they had a second customer base. I am out of the loop these days, but you used to see a greater variety of design coming from the companies in Taiwan and Hong Kong because they were specifically designing binders, whereas the US companies had this clear repurposed-medical-garment design lineage. GC2B et al may now do adjustable closures, but that used to be strictly the Asian companies.)
Resources are extremely regional and you'd have to tell is where they are. As a rule, do not trust generic LGBT organizations on trans issues. PFLAG and Lambda Legal are actually exceptions, in that they have long records or working on trans stuff. However, because it's decentralised, local PFLAG groups will be hit or miss. Some places will have trans-specific PFLAG groups. The traditional place to send parents was the Trans Family of Cleveland listserv, but I think it might have truly died with Yahoo Groups. (I will say that my mom bounced hard off the PFLAG booklet and found the listserv tedious.) Lambda Legal aren't going to offer much in the way of resources (not their thing) but it's them and the National Center for Lesbian Rights who did the legal and legislative advocacy when there were not larger trans-specific organizations. The HRC does not give a shit about trans people. Internalize that.
posted by hoyland at 3:30 AM on April 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
(I do giggle at the idea of binders being purpose-built. It's arguably true, but the original market in the US was cis men with gynecomastia. Underworks (who dominated the US market pre-gc2b) eventually noticed that they had a second customer base. I am out of the loop these days, but you used to see a greater variety of design coming from the companies in Taiwan and Hong Kong because they were specifically designing binders, whereas the US companies had this clear repurposed-medical-garment design lineage. GC2B et al may now do adjustable closures, but that used to be strictly the Asian companies.)
Resources are extremely regional and you'd have to tell is where they are. As a rule, do not trust generic LGBT organizations on trans issues. PFLAG and Lambda Legal are actually exceptions, in that they have long records or working on trans stuff. However, because it's decentralised, local PFLAG groups will be hit or miss. Some places will have trans-specific PFLAG groups. The traditional place to send parents was the Trans Family of Cleveland listserv, but I think it might have truly died with Yahoo Groups. (I will say that my mom bounced hard off the PFLAG booklet and found the listserv tedious.) Lambda Legal aren't going to offer much in the way of resources (not their thing) but it's them and the National Center for Lesbian Rights who did the legal and legislative advocacy when there were not larger trans-specific organizations. The HRC does not give a shit about trans people. Internalize that.
posted by hoyland at 3:30 AM on April 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
GC2B is great, though their color/style selection is limited. Shapeshifters has a huge range of customizable binders and a sew your own kit. They are a lot pricier, though. TomboyX has some compression tops, but I haven't tried them; I've only bought their boxers. I have heard excellent things about the Dylan Bra from Girlfriend Collective, but it's too high on the neck for me so I haven't tried it. The comments have a bunch of pleased binder-alternative users, though.
For further support, location may be useful. My neck of the woods, Western Mass, has the amazing Translate Gender, with support groups and therapy and other projects-- summer series, conferences, teacher training, etc. They've also got a resources page with both local and national orgs, so worth looking through even if it's not local to you. I haven't used the services of TransHealth Northampton, but more than one of their providers was a previous healthcare provider and I would fully support any project they're part of of. Their site also has a resources guide, so if, for instance, you sort by youth and 'gender gear,' you get a list that includes Callen-Lorde Safe Binding tips (pdf). That PDF has a list of low cost options for binders, too.
Thanks for supporting questioning and queer youth in your family <3
posted by carrioncomfort at 5:36 AM on April 26, 2022 [4 favorites]
For further support, location may be useful. My neck of the woods, Western Mass, has the amazing Translate Gender, with support groups and therapy and other projects-- summer series, conferences, teacher training, etc. They've also got a resources page with both local and national orgs, so worth looking through even if it's not local to you. I haven't used the services of TransHealth Northampton, but more than one of their providers was a previous healthcare provider and I would fully support any project they're part of of. Their site also has a resources guide, so if, for instance, you sort by youth and 'gender gear,' you get a list that includes Callen-Lorde Safe Binding tips (pdf). That PDF has a list of low cost options for binders, too.
Thanks for supporting questioning and queer youth in your family <3
posted by carrioncomfort at 5:36 AM on April 26, 2022 [4 favorites]
Yes, a binder is what she should probably start with! Others have given good recommendations for binders above.
There is in fact such a thing as trans tape which you may find if you google. It’s typically used by smaller-chested people who want to have a flat bare-chested look — e.g. for wearing a button-down shirt open in the front. It’s definitely an option, but applying the tape correctly can be pretty challenging and time-consuming. Binders are much easier and usually better for someone who’s just starting out.
posted by mekily at 7:22 AM on April 26, 2022
There is in fact such a thing as trans tape which you may find if you google. It’s typically used by smaller-chested people who want to have a flat bare-chested look — e.g. for wearing a button-down shirt open in the front. It’s definitely an option, but applying the tape correctly can be pretty challenging and time-consuming. Binders are much easier and usually better for someone who’s just starting out.
posted by mekily at 7:22 AM on April 26, 2022
Response by poster: Thanks for your supportive answers, everyone. To address one issue: the family is in a deeply rural location south of the Mason-Dixon line and an hour away from the nearest college town. There is a drop-in/support center at that town, so I'll recommend the family check that out.
To address the next issue, I'll encourage the kid to stay away from duct tape/athletic tape and to try either a compression sports bra or a binder. Had no idea there were so many nice options! Many thanks for all the great links; keep them coming.
posted by fuzzy.little.sock at 9:25 AM on April 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
To address the next issue, I'll encourage the kid to stay away from duct tape/athletic tape and to try either a compression sports bra or a binder. Had no idea there were so many nice options! Many thanks for all the great links; keep them coming.
posted by fuzzy.little.sock at 9:25 AM on April 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
Hi! Grown-up transmasc here. Make sure that your relative does not wear her binder to sleep or exercise, and gives herself breaks from wearing it! As wonderful as it feels to be flat-chested, constant binding (especially during sleep) has lots of health risks.
posted by maighdeann mhara at 10:23 AM on April 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by maighdeann mhara at 10:23 AM on April 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
Southern Comfort is the long-standing trans conference in the south. The website says "hopefully we'll pull off 2021", so that's not a great sign they'll survive the pandemic, but you never know.
Rural areas and small cities are hard. It's not that there aren't trans people (well, except in rural areas without many people period...), but you never know if it's small city A or small city B in the opposite direction that's going to have the resources/community.
posted by hoyland at 8:08 PM on May 4, 2022
Rural areas and small cities are hard. It's not that there aren't trans people (well, except in rural areas without many people period...), but you never know if it's small city A or small city B in the opposite direction that's going to have the resources/community.
posted by hoyland at 8:08 PM on May 4, 2022
« Older Canadians working remotely for USA-based companies | Need a Good Water Filtering System for a Rental Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
Improper binding can be legitimately dangerous and cause real damage to the ribs and spine. If she has supportive parents who can help get the right kind of shape wear and who are okay with her changing up how she presents as she figures out herself, it can be a literal lifesaver, or at the very least save a ton of money in medical bills and a ton of stress in physical pain down the line. A good binder is important, and being careful with how long you wear it is great, and being comfortable enough to not wear one at home and still be respected as your chosen gender is absolutely fantastic.
There are, by the way, plenty of cisgender women who wear binders because they prefer the look. So she might find that she is a woman with a more androgynous gender presentation. It’s excellent that she feels comfortable talking about this with a relative.
Places for further support for the family will depend on location. If you could share what state they are in, or their closest large metropolitan area, that would be helpful. PFLAG is a great start though, and they may be able to take it from there.
posted by Mizu at 9:53 PM on April 25, 2022 [14 favorites]