At each of these locations binders are available on a Pay What You Can basis, with a suggested donation of $20, so we can invest in more binders, however if this is not financially feasible we only ask folx to donate what they can afford whether that means $5 or $0.ġ00% of the funds goes back into the program. Each location has knowledgeable staff and a safe non-gendered changing area where people can try on binders to find the proper fit. We have partnered with several local queer led business in Toronto including Flamingo Market and Glad Day Bookshop.ĭue to COVID19 closures/restrictions, our main current walk-in pick-up spot is Glad Day Bookshop!Įach business has kindly offered us space in their shops to display binders and/ or have them available to anyone who walks through the door in need of one. Binders can save an individual’s life, they can provide confidence, freedom, gender confirmation, and the ability to finally express ones’ gender in a way that is safe.
We believe no one should be without a binder simply because they can’t afford it or feel trapped in a certain situation.
Almost all chest binding companies are located in the United Stated, Europe, or Asia making accessing binders both difficult and expensive. Our program was created out of a noticeable need for safe and accessible chest binding options. Many in need of binders are underage, do not have a credit card, and can’t order a binder online without their parents finding out. This can be an incredibly distressing and traumatic experience which in time could lead to internalized transphobia, depression, body hate and shame, self-harm, and even suicide. Your parents are actively transphobic and ignore all aspects of your identity, forcing you to wear stereotypical feminine clothing and constantly referring to you by your birth name and She/ Her pronouns. Imagine you’re a 15 year old trans boy, and you don’t feel safe asking your parents to buy you a binder. Binders are most typically worn by trans-masculine and non-binary individuals. The purpose of a binder is to compress chest tissue, which results in giving the wearer a more masculine or androgynous appearing chest. People may not have access to binders for various reasons including but not limited to:Ī binder or chest binder is a clothing garment which typically looks like a sports bra or tank top. We collect pre-loved chest binders from members of the community who no longer need them and make them available to individuals who otherwise might not be able to access them. We're now mailing Binders across Canada, the USA, and beyond!īindersOUT is a grassroots, volunteer-run program formed in 2016 to give trans masculine people and other trans folx access to affordable (and safe!) chest binders. Goal: Raise enough funds to create a mailing program to reach folx outside Ontario - ACCOMPLISHED!
Goal #2: Raise funds to launch and sustain a special portion of our program to provide FREE Binders to BIPOC Trans Folx!