The Ultimate Guide to Getting Free Chest Binders

 *DO NOT ORDER A BINDER IF YOU ARE FINANCIALLY AND SAFELY CAPABLE OF DOING SO OR ARE NOT TRANSGENDER, GENDERQUEER, ETC. THESE PROGRAMS ARE TO HELP THOSE IN CRISIS. 

 *THIS LIST WILL BE UPDATED REGULARLY.

 Chest binders are essential gender-affirming care for trans-masc, nonbinary, and all genderqueer people. Despite this, chest binders are expensive and hard to access safely. Luckily, many LGBTQIA+ non-profit organizations and companies have free chest binder programs and drives that provide these compression garments for those in need. 

 Here are a couple:

US + International

 1. Point of Pride

 Point of Pride is an LGBTQIA+ non-profit organization based in Eugene, OR, and Newark, DE that aims to provide free gender-affirming care for low-income trans people worldwide. Finding its origins in Point 5cc, in 2016, Point of Pride was created with the goal of fundraising to support trans lives. They are now the largest chest binder donation program in the US.

 Requirements for Eligibility:

  • You identify as transgender (FTM, genderqueer, non-binary, genderfluid, gender non-conforming, and every other non-cis identity within the trans umbrella). 
  • You cannot afford to purchase a binder, or you cannot safely obtain a binder.
  • If you are 13 years old or younger, you need parental consent.

 Estimated Wait Time:

  • ~1-2 years (As of Mar. 2024).
  • Currently fulfilling requests made in Nov. 2022 - Feb. 2023 (As of Mar. 2024).

 Offers Discreet Shipping?

 Chest Binder Brand(s) Provided:

  • gc2b
  • Other chest binder brands via donation

 Despite being the largest chest binder donation program in the US, the wait time for a binder is around 1-2 years as Point of Pride averages around 60-75 garment requests daily. 95% of their binders come from the chest binder brand, gc2b, with the other 5% being from a variation of chest binder brands donated by those in the trans community.

 You can find more info about their binder program here.

  CHEST BINDER REQUEST FORM

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 2. Kaleidoscope Youth Center

 The Kaleidoscope Youth Center is a center serving LGBTQIA+ youth between the ages of 12-24 in Ohio, providing queer youth support, youth leadership, and racial justice. With over 10,000 trained professionals and 5,000 visits at their center, the Kaleidoscope Youth Center has been a diverse, supportive, and inclusive center for years. They’ve continued to provide support to those in need with the launch of their KYC Gender Affirmation Project.

 Requirements for Eligibility:

  • Must be within the age range of 13 to 24.
  • Need to keep in contact with Kaleidoscope Youth Center.
  • Identify as trans, nonbinary, genderqueer, etc.

 Estimated Wait Time:

  • 1-3 months (As of Mar. 2024).
  • May take longer for international recipients.

 Offers Discreet Shipping?

 Chest Binder Brand(s) Provided (US):

 Chest Binder Brand(s) Provided (INTERNATIONAL):

  • UNTAG
  • Spectrum Outfitters
  • Fluxion
  • Wonababi

 You can find more info about their binder program here.

  CHEST BINDER REQUEST FORM (US)

  CHEST BINDER REQUEST FORM (INTERNATIONAL)

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 3. Tomscout

 Tomscout is a chest binder brand, selling LGBTQIA+ products since 2016. They have since tried to give back to the community by launching the FTM Freedom Binder Program, hosting a monthly writing competition for trans youth with the top 5 writers winning a Tomscout binder. You can write anything from self-identity, growth, transition, acceptance, etc.

 Requirements for Eligibility:

  • You can’t use ChatGPT or any AI content generators for your story.
  • Must be aged 16 or above.
  • Following Tomscout’s Instagram account: @tomscout.official.

 Estimated Wait Time:

  • ~3 months (As of Mar. 2024).
  • Currently fulfilling rewards from Oct. 2023 (As of Mar. 2024).

 Offers Discreet Shipping?

 Chest Binder Brand(s) Provided: 

 Unfortunately, as of October 2023, all winners must pay for shipping, including international participants. 

 You can find more info about their binder program here.

  CHEST BINDER REQUEST FORM

_________________________________________________________________

 4. The Fluxion 

 The Fluxion is a chest binder brand based in Singapore, creating high-quality, breathable, and sensory-safe binders for trans and gender-diverse folk everywhere. The Fluxion has since expanded its efforts to provide safe and life-saving binders to those who are low-income with their Free Chest Binder Try-Out Program.

 Requirements for eligibility:

  • Identify as trans, nonbinary, genderqueer, etc. 

 Estimated Wait Time:

 Offers Discreet Shipping?

 Chest Binder(s) Provided: 

 Binders are shipped out in a limited quantity every month and are sent out on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you aren’t selected, you will be placed on a waitlist. Similar to Tomscout’s FTM Freedom Binder Program, you must pay the shipping fee if selected.

 You can find more about their binder program here.

  CHEST BINDER REQUEST FORM

_________________________________________________________________

US

 5. Trans Essentials

 Trans Essentials, formerly known as FTM Essentials, is a company with over 20+ years of experience providing gender-affirming garments and equipment for trans folk globally. They created their Free Youth Binder Program in collaboration with their parent company, Early 2 Bed in hopes of supporting trans youth across the United States.

 Requirements for Eligibility:

  • You must be aged 24 or below.
  • Be located in the US.

 Estimated Wait Time:

  • ~90 days or 3 months (As of Mar. 2024).

 Chest Binder Brand(s) Provided:

 Offers Discreet Shipping?

 Recipient selection is lottery-based as Trans Essentials has a limited amount of binders to donate. You are free to reapply after 90 days if you aren’t selected. The binders are shipped quarterly during the months of January, April, July, and October

 You can find more info about their binder program here.

  CHEST BINDER REQUEST FORM

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 6.  American Trans Resource Hub

 The American Trans Resource Hub is a trans-inclusive non-profit organization that works towards helping support transgender people and their navigation with their transition. Founded in 2020, they’ve gone above and beyond to help provide gender-diverse people with the necessary care they need with their free binder program and other support programs.

 Requirements for Eligibility:

  • Do not identify as cisgender.
  • Must be 13 years or older, due to regulations.
  • Must be located in the USA or its territories.
  • Must be truly in need of a binder and cannot obtain one any other way.

 Estimated Wait Time:

  • ~2-3 years (As of Mar. 2024).
  • Currently fulfilling requests made in July. 2021 (As of Mar. 2024).

 Offers Discreet Shipping?

 Chest Binder Brand(s) Provided:

  • gc2b

 You can find more info about their binder program here.

  CHEST BINDER REQUEST FORM

_________________________________________________________________

 7. Phoenix Transition Program

 The Phoenix Transition Program is a trans-oriented non-profit organization created in 2020 to help transgender and gender non-conforming people in times of crisis. One of their many aid programs includes their Binder Giveaway Program.

 Requirements for Eligibility:

  • Live in the US area.
  • Identify as transmasculine.
  • Be 18 years or older.
  • Unable to purchase a binder.

 Estimated Wait Time:

 Offers Discreet Shipping?

 Chest Binder Brand(s) Provided:

  • gc2b

 Binders are sent out on the 15th of every month.

 You can find more info about their binder program here.

  CHEST BINDER REQUEST FORM 

_________________________________________________________________

 8. DC Area Transmasculine Society (DCATS)

 The DC Area Transmasculine Society, or DCATS for short, is a trans-led non-profit that provides resources aiding transmasculine people around the DC area and has been doing so since 1998. They provide other services like needle exchanges where you can exchange used needles for new ones for HRT injections as well as free chest binders.  

 Requirements for Eligibility:

  • You live in Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia.
  • You cannot afford a binder. 
  • You do not currently own more than one binder. 
  • Your chest causes you gender dysphoria.
  • You were assigned female at birth.
  • If you are 13 years old or younger, you need parental consent.

 Estimated Wait Time:

 Offers Discreet Shipping?

 Chest Binder Brand(s) Provided:

  • gc2b

 You can find more info about their binder program here.

  CHEST BINDER REQUEST FORM

_________________________________________________________________

 9St. Cloud Pride 

 St. Cloud Pride is an LGBTQIA+ organization located in Central Minnesota, sparking awareness and discussion around homophobia, transphobia, and sexism while supporting those in the LGBTQIA+ community. Since 2010, they have hosted annual pride parades, celebrating inclusion and queer joy. They now have a free binder program aiding those in need.

 Requirements for Eligibility:

  • Must experience gender dysphoria. 
  • You cannot safely afford or access a binder.

 Estimated Wait Time:

 Offers Discreet Shipping?

 Chest Binder Brand(s) Provided:

  • gc2b

 St. Cloud Prides does prioritize those who live in the central Minnesota area

 You can find more info about their binder program here.

  CHEST BINDER REQUEST FORM 

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 10. OUT Maine

 OUT Maine is a pro-LGBTQIA+ non-profit organization helping Maine’s trans and queer youth thrive in an ever-growing, hostile country. It’s known for its community-based events and inclusive education for schools in the state of Maine. It has focused its efforts on providing dysphoria relief to trans youth across the Pine Tree state.

 Requirements for Eligibility:

  • Identify as trans, nonbinary, genderqueer, etc. 
  • Must be between the ages of 14 and 22.
  • Must need a binder but cannot afford or safely attain one.
  • Be a legal Maine resident.
  • If you are 13 years old or younger, you need parental consent.

 Estimated Wait Time:

 Offers Discreet Shipping?

 Chest Binder Brand(s) Provided:

  • gc2b

 You can find more info about their binder program here.

  CHEST BINDER REQUEST FORM

_________________________________________________________________

 11. Portland Outright

 Portland Outright is a non-profit organization based in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to empowering LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities through advocacy, education, and support services since 1988. They offer a variety of resources, including a free chest binder program for transgender and gender-expansive individuals.

 Requirements for Eligibility:

  • Must be 13 years or older, due to regulations.
  • Live in Maine at the time of shipping.

 Estimated Wait Time:

 Offers Discreet Shipping?

 Chest Binder Brand(s) Provided:

  • gc2b

 You can find more info about their binder program here.

  CHEST BINDER REQUEST FORM

_________________________________________________________________

 12. Prairie Pride Coalition 

 The Prairie Pride Coalition fights for LGBTQ+ rights in McLean County, Illinois. They've been active for years, working towards achieving full civil rights protections for the community. They organize events, provide gender-affirming resources, and advocate for understanding and respect through education and outreach.

 Requirements for Eligibility:

  • Be trans, gender-nonconforming, gender queer, etc.
  • Live in the DeWitt, Livingston, McLean, Peoria, Tazewell, and Marshall counties.

 Estimated Wait Time:

 Offers Discreet Shipping?

 Chest Binder Brand(s) Provided:

  • gc2b

 You can find more info about their binder program here.

  CHEST BINDER REQUEST FORM

_________________________________________________________________

International 

13. Amor Sensory

 Amor Sensory is a chest binder brand that produces sensory-friendly and size-diverse compression garments based in the country of Australia. Established in 2018, Amor Sensory has been seeking out different ways to make binders more accessible for people of all backgrounds thus their Pay-It-Forward Binder Program was born.

 Requirements for Eligibility:

  • If you are below the age of 13, you cannot apply.
  • You must live in Australia.

 Estimated Wait Time:

 Offers Discreet Shipping?

 Chest Binder Brand(s) Provided:

 Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important to Andy Amor, the founder of Amor Sensory. Those with disabilities or are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person are given priority when it comes to who will receive their chest binders first.

 You can find more info about their binder program here.

  CHEST BINDER REQUEST FORM

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 Although these resources may not be accessible, new programs and donation drives are released yearly. Be on the lookout for binder giveaways on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. Any local LGBTQIA+ organizations may be able to provide chest binders free of charge. Places like r/transtrade are also ways to trade any existing binders or gender-affirming products with new items with fellow trans people online. Hopefully, someday, we can make gender-affirming care low-cost and completely available for transgender people worldwide.

 

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