Trans Struggles - Tumblr Posts

I am THIS close to sleeping with my binder on

went to the school nurse for some checkup and the first thing she says when i sit down is "so you used to go by # but now you're jacob"

like thanks i almost forgot about my deadname

why do people feel the need to deadname you when talking about the past

i didn't get replaced by some trans guy, you don't gotta pretend like I wasn't trans back then

UGH i have to come out to an old friend, cause he doesn't even know I've changed myt name

fuck being trnas man i wanna skip all this nervous stuff

I was writing in my personal information to my job and it came up an error saying that my ID didn't match my gender (in sweden you can have the femaleID thing or the male ID thing)

so the question becomes, why ask my gender in the first place 🤷

sometimes i wanna tune my vocal chords, i mean how hard can it be

rip em out and tune em like a guitar

Fuck being trans 😭😭😭

I literally just said "yeah" to a teacher when he called my name and im SUFFERING

why do i sound like that. "Yeah 💖✨️"

UGH

I need a trans diagnosis and medication so bad

Like they have given me another meeting about the diagnosis in LATE NOVEMBER

Like do you WANT me to suffer????

Idk how any trans person could exist to the age of getting medicien

Im almost 17 and i avoid reflective surfaces like the plague. Feel like shit every day 😃😃😃😃

Its actually so so hard to introduce yourself with your preferred name and pronouns.

Like even tho i know that no one at uni knows me its just such a struggle and i feel so weird bc ive only introduced myself with she/her and my birth name :|

SOME EVEN ASK ABOUT PRONOUNS AND I STILL CANT BRING MYSELF TO SAY THE RIGHT ONES???🫠

do NOT appreciate the fact that I can still see the outline of my tits when the mirror is foggy fuck you mom.

Cishet: I'd like to change my first name, please!

Government: Okay, awesome. Have fun with your new name!

Trans person: Can I change my name to fit my identity?

Government: Well, we don't believe that you're actually [chosen name], [dead name]. Find at least 65 people who know you as [chosen name] and 5 medical professionals to prove that you've "been trans" for at least 3 years.

So, because T is making my voice drop, I need to know how to baby talk animals. I'm a dog bather and it scares dogs when I try to baby talk and my voice cracks. How do I make animals trust me without my voice sounding like a dying seal?

God okay so I’m going to say this now; PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not risk your health or anyone’s in the form of getting a “cheap” binder of ebay or where ever. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE save your $4-$10 dollars for those cheap ebay ones and put it towards a gc2b binder. Or if you want an Underworks go for that but I highly suggest gc2b. They’re about $40 (with shipping) and will last you WAY longer than any cheap ebay one. They are MEANT for lasting you. I wash mine many times week, wear it daily, Wear them daily. I have two. Had them for almost a year now. But I cannot urge you enough to PLEASE save up your pennies for a PROPER SAFE binder. Binders you can breathe in, binders you can move in, binders that don’t crush your ribs, binders that are comfortable, binders that are safe.

This isn’t a safe binder:

It uses clasps and not compression.

This is a gc2b binder; made by trans people for trans people:

These binders have no clasps but uses spandex to compress you safety. 

Measure your chest before ordering to make sure you don’t get one too small or too large.

Add-on (07/16): YOU CAN BIND NO MATTER WHAT YOUR GENDER ID IS. IF YOU GOT TITTIES, AND WANT TO FLATTEN THEM??? Bind! With proper binders. Below is a copy and paste from a FTM website so that’s why it’s heavy on the transgender and FTM phrases. But you can be a cis-women, agender, non-binary, transgender! This is literally for everyone who wants to bind!

UPDATE (07/12)

I wanted to add more information on where you can buy binders and info in general about binders

You can buy binders from these sites

Products designed specifically for FTM binding:

@gc2b-apparel​​ (OPs #1 Recommendation)

@shapeshiftersinc​

http://www.t-kingdom.com/

https://peecockproducts.com

https://i.lesloveboat.com/

https://www.mansculpture.com/

https://www.danae.info/

http://en.nabeshirt.com/shop/

http://www.esha-taipei.net/en/

Chest binders/medical compression shirts:

http://www.f2mbinders.com/ (AKA underworks)

https://xbody.co.uk/collections/compression-vests

https://www.toolshedtoys.com/gender-expression/binders/

https://morrisdesigns.com/product-category/male-garments/vests/

http://nouvelleinc.com/malevests.aspx

Used Binders

If you can’t afford a binder, don’t despair! Used binders are often passed on by post-op trans men or those whose binders may no longer fit. There are a few programs available that help distribute donated second-hand binders:

In A Bind – Started in 2012, to date In a Bind has provided safe compression garments to over 1500 youth in need. Trans* masculine and genderqueer youth living anywhere in the USA can apply to receive a free binder. In a Bind depends on donations. Recently had top surgery? Go up or down a size? Find a style that works better for you? Donate those binders you’re no longer using!

Black Trans Advocacy FTM Binder Grant

MORF Binder Exchange – Since February 2011, MORF has been providing free binders to trans* masculine people in the UK and around the world. The free scheme (all you pay is the postage) has so far redistributed hundreds of binders. In 2014 alone, over 280 binders were sent out.

FTME Free Youth Binder Program – Age 24 and under only; USA only.

Replace the Ace – USA only

Big Brothers Used Binder Program – Donation required

Mazzoni Center’s Binder Recycling Program – Only for youth enrolled in P.A.C.T.S., Philadelphia.

Point 5cc Tshirt Company – Free binder with purchase of t-shirt

Come As You Are’s Binder Bucks Recycling Program – Canada only

Qmunity Binder Exchange – BC, Canada only.

Trans Fellas

Northern Ireland Binder Scheme –  Age 25 and under, N. Ireland only

morfbinders.wordpress.com

Point of Pride

FreebieBinder Sthlm – Sweden

Trans Clothing Exchanges are another place where you can often find inexpensive binders. You can also try asking around for a hand-me-down binder on one of the mailing lists for trans guys or check out LiveJournal’s FTM Garage Sale and the FtM Sales, Swap, and Support group on Facebook.

How to Choose a Chest Binder

If you still remember your old bra size, you can find out your binder size by using the Bra to Chest Size Converter Tool. If you don’t know your old bra size, you can measure yourself the old-fashioned way:

Take a snug measurement of the fullest part of your chest using a tape measure (best if measured while clothed) and write that number down onto a sheet of paper.

Measure underneath your chest where the crease is and write that number down as well.

Add those numbers together and divide the sum by 2. This number will differentiate your size not only from brand to brand but from binder to binder as well.

Selecting a binder brand and style can be difficult: there are so many options that it can be overwhelming! Plus, there aren’t very many reviews of binders other than those about Underworks’ and T-Kingdom’s more popular models. After buying your binder, help make the experience easier for guys in the future by contributing your review to one of the review sites listed below.

Essentially, there are two types of binders: short ones and long ones. The short ones end right at your waist. The down side of these is that if you carry some extra weight, short binders tend to roll up and act more like a bra. The long ones can be pulled down past your waist by several inches, however it’s inevitable that it will still roll up. To reduce the chances of this, wear a belt. Choosing between a short and long binder has more to do with your body type, specifically your abdomen, and not your chest size.

Lastly, consider the location of the company you’re buying from. Buying from a company that’s closer to you can save you a significant amount of money on shipping costs.

How to Put On a Chest Binder

It might seem silly, but you’re probably going to need some help figuring out how to put on your new binder, particularly if you purchased one of the longer styles.

Put your binder inside out and upside down.

Step into your binder and pull the bottom of it up, ideally to your belt line. The binder should still be inside out and upside down.

Use the sleeves as handles to pull the top of the binder (the end closer to your feet) up to your shoulders.

Put your arms through the sleeve holes and adjust your chest to your needs. You may need to pull the bottom of the binder out from underneath itself if you don’t want it folded under. For others, leaving it folded under may help stop the binder from rolling up.

For gc2B binders: You will put it on as if it were a tank top. It’s a bit tough the first couple of times but will get easier with time. Have someone there to help you.

Rule of thumb: 

Full binder (whole torso) you put it on by stepping into it.

Half binder (just your chest) you put it on over your head.

Don’t be disappointed if you look in the mirror and it looks like you have one big boob in the middle of your chest. You just need to adjust your chest. Reach in from the neck hole and push your chesticles down and out. You’re basically pushing your nipple toward your armpit to achieve the flattest looking chest possible.

FTM Chest Binding Tips

Very important: When binding, you should not by any means feel as though you can’t breathe or like you’re going to pass out from a lack of oxygen.

Binders aren’t the most comfortable things in the world. To make binding more comfortable, and to reduce the possibility of the binder moving around a bit, some guys wear a light shirt underneath.

Depending on the size of your chest, you may need to layer clothing on top of the binder to get optimal chest flattening. You’ll find that some of the shirts in your closet require you to layer more than shirts in your wardrobe.

You can swim in your binder. Just wear a sleeveless or sleeved T-shirt over it. Don’t worry if your binder seems less effective after a swim, this isn’t permanent. Simply wash it and it will go back to normal.

Your chest will look bigger than it really is when you look down at it. Check in the mirror for a more accurate side view.

Not all binders breathe well, and the reality is that you’re probably going to get hot. If you’ve already started testosterone, you’re definitely going to sweat. The build up of sweat can irritate your skin causing rashes and sores. Wearing a thin cotton shirt that breathes well underneath your binder may help prevent this. If you find this uncomfortable, try applying corn starch to your body before putting on your binder to help keep it from holding in moisture. If you’ve already experienced skin irritation of some sort, take care of it the same way you would an open wound. Washing the irritated area with anti-bacterial soap will keep it clean and help it heal faster.

Conclusion

Chest binding, as cumbersome as it may seem, can be very freeing for transgender men. There’s a plethora of quality FTM chest binding products available for body types of all shapes and sizes. Regardless of what you use for binding, please remember to put your health first. Now that you’re armed with all the information you need to find the right binder for you, go forth and feel more comfortable in your skin!

FTM Chest Binder Reviews

Chest Binder Reviews Site: Written reviews of various chest binding products. Binders are rated for effectiveness, comfort, and discreetness.

Binder Reviews’ YouTube Collab Channel: This is a collab channel dedicated to providing reviews of a wide variety of chest binders on different sizes and shapes of people.

(Note: These sites are no longer updated.)

More FTM Chest Binding Resources

Inside the Landmark, Long Overdue Study on Chest Binding

Top Surgery in Transgender Men: How Far Can You Push the Envelope?

Binding Safely for Your Body: Tips for All Body Types and Sizes

The 6 Best Tips for Binding in the Summer

Hudson’s Guide to FTM Binding: Includes a complete list of other products you can use for chest binding, such as compression garments and sports bras.

FYI Binding Tips: The Butchelor has some useful tips on how to put on a binder, how to keep it from rolling up, and how to wash a binder.

Do you have any tips about binding? Want to share your experience with a particular binder brand or model? Do you know of other binder manufacturers, particularly those outside of Asia and the US? Please leave your comments below.

Last updated: 12/20/2017

So i mentioned to my sibling (they/she/he) that i have very bad body dysphoria and that that makes it very shitty to shower which is why i usually shower in the dark. And like now that it's spring it's getting harder to do that bc the blinds don't fully work when it's light outside.

So they put something over the windows so that i can shower in the dark i-