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Chest Binders and Transgender People Chest Binders and Transgender People
(1 day later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
“Chest Binding Helps Smooth the Way for Transgender Teens, but There May Be Risks” (Well, nytimes.com, May 31) minimized the important, often lifesaving, role that binders can have for transgender people.“Chest Binding Helps Smooth the Way for Transgender Teens, but There May Be Risks” (Well, nytimes.com, May 31) minimized the important, often lifesaving, role that binders can have for transgender people.
Like many transgender people, I wore a binder when I could not afford surgery to remove breasts from my chest. The compression shirt allowed me to live more authentically and openly.Like many transgender people, I wore a binder when I could not afford surgery to remove breasts from my chest. The compression shirt allowed me to live more authentically and openly.
For me it was simple. Breasts are associated with women, and I am a man. A binder kept me from needing to wear a bra. I was willing to do anything to make my breasts disappear, even if only for a moment. The response I got from society mattered. I received less scrutiny and mistreatment when my breasts appeared nonexistent. For me it was simple. Breasts are associated with women, and I am a man. I was willing to do anything to make my breasts disappear, even if only for a moment. The response I got from society mattered. I received less scrutiny and mistreatment when my breasts appeared nonexistent.
I never forgot that I had breasts, but it was easier for me to navigate my personal and professional career if the world never knew I had breasts.I never forgot that I had breasts, but it was easier for me to navigate my personal and professional career if the world never knew I had breasts.
The medically necessary health care decisions of transgender people are exactly that: medically necessary. My binder kept me alive. That is the only effect of a binder that should matter.The medically necessary health care decisions of transgender people are exactly that: medically necessary. My binder kept me alive. That is the only effect of a binder that should matter.
Dashir MooreColorado SpringsThe writer is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union in a transgender health care discrimination case.Dashir MooreColorado SpringsThe writer is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union in a transgender health care discrimination case.