Written by: Alex Wilder (he/him), the Youth Project.
Edited by: Miles Llewellyn (they/them).
The Youth Project is a non-profit organization in the downtown Halifax area that offers programs, support, and resources to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth ages 12 to 25 in Nova Scotia. Since beginning in 1993, The Youth Project has regularly hosted a number of events throughout the year, and has helped start a number of GSAs (Gender Sexuality Alliance) in many schools throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality. Amongst the wonderful resources and programs they hold, one of the most accessed and most needed resources they currently offer is the free gender affirming garments program.
For those who don’t know, gender affirming garments are worn underneath clothing to help temporarily change the shape and appearance of one’s body in a way that is affirming and safe for trans and gender non-conforming (GNC) people. These garments can be incredibly important to the wellbeing and livelihood of trans and GNC people, but can also be quite expensive. Without access to proper gender affirming garments, trans and GNC folks may turn to dangerous methods like flattening their chest with ace bandages, or hiding their genitals by taping them down with duct tape. These methods can cause long lasting damage to the body.
This is where The Youth Project’s free gender affirming garments program comes in. For many youth, affording items such as binders (used to flatten the chest), gaffs (compression underwear), or packers (used to give the appearance of having a penis or bulge), can be near impossible if they don’t have jobs or aren’t “out” to those around them. Binders are approximately $50 or more, and gaffs can be just as expensive. The Youth Project makes it possible for these youth to safely and affordably access these garments.
The program was the safe and accessible option I needed at the time, and I probably wouldn’t have been able to get a binder otherwise.
So how does the program work? On The Youth Project website (youthproject.ns.ca) under the Resources section, there is a page called Gender-Affirming Items. On this page you’ll find how to qualify for the program, the contact information to submit your request, and what information must be included. To access the program, you must be a Nova Scotia resident under the age of 25, and be unable to purchase one of these items yourself. There’s also a list of resources on the garments they offer, sizing charts, and how to use them safely. The Youth Project sources their binders from their in-house seamstress or from the company Underworks, and orders their gaffs from Origami Customs. Occasionally, The Youth Project receives gently used binder donations that they also distribute. The garments are mailed out in discreet packaging by one of the staff at The Youth Project, and a confirmation email is sent to the intended recipient.
As a transmasc youth, I actually accessed this program in high school and believe it to be an incredibly important initiative. The binder I received was in wonderful condition, and it was sent to my school through the youth health nurse, which made me feel much safer when accessing the program.
Below I have included a few anonymous statements from youth who have accessed the program.
“I thought the program was dope. I loved that they ordered it to the school too because I wasn’t out yet, so it’s a safe option for LGBT+ youth which is awesome.” ~Anonymous Youth
“I got my first binder from the youth project when I was 15. I was living in a home that I didn’t feel safe coming out in, and even if I was out, we wouldn’t have had any money to buy one. Thanks to the gender affirming garments program, I was able to get a binder that was honestly life saving for me throughout high school until I could afford to buy my own. The gender affirming garments program is doing wonders for the province of Nova Scotia, where so much of our population is unable to purchase the garments for themselves because of finances or living in a rural area. Without the YP’s support, I likely would have started my journey as a trans person much later in life than my teens.”
~Anonymous Youth
“The first binder I ever got was through the youth project, and it was a fantastic experience. I got it sent to my school’s youth health center as it was not safe for me to have it at home, and it went very smoothly. I still remember calling out to my older trans friend to help me put it on in the gender-neutral bathroom. I walked out, and my whole GSA started to cry when I saw myself in the mirror.”
~Anonymous Youth
Gender affirming garments should be accessible to everyone, but sadly this is not the case. Thanks to The Youth Project, youth across Nova Scotia now have access to them, which can be life saving for trans folks. If you have more questions about the program, you can find the Youth Project on Instagram (@nsyouthproject), or you can visit their website youthproject.ns.ca.
