GENDER AFFIRMING GEAR PROGRAM

The Wood Buffalo Pride Gender Affirming Gear Program is available to help reduce barriers for trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming folks in Wood Buffalo to access gender-affirming gear, such as chest binders, trans tape, packers, gaffs, and breastforms. These items are most often used by trans, non-binary, and gender diverse people to manage gender dysphoria and/or to feel more comfortable with how their body looks and feels.

Wood Buffalo has no local retailers that sell any gender-affirming gear, and we recognize that not all trans, non-binary, and gender diverse individuals in the community have the means to purchase these items online to be shipped here. Our goal is to provide assistance to anyone experiencing barriers in purchasing gender-affirming gear, and to support access to education on safe use of gender-affirming gear.

Types of Gender-Affirming Gear:

Chest binder: a chest compression garment used to flatten an individual's breast tissue
Trans tape: specially-designed tape used to flatten the appearance of breast tissue, without the same level of compression as a chest binder
Breastform: used to create the feel and appearance of breasts
Packer: a penis-shaped wearable item used to create the feel and appearance of a bulge in an individual's pants
Gaff: a compression underwear garment used to flatten the appearance of lower external genitalia (tucking)

HOW TO RECEIVE GENDER AFFIRMING GEAR

You can email our Trans System Navigator at meto@wbpride.ca to set up a time to come to our office at The Redpoll Centre and try on your gear. If you attend the Trans Support Group, we can also arrange to bring gear there for you to try on.

Gender Affirming Gear is available to anyone in the community who needs it at no cost and no questions asked. No one is turned away. We will make sure your gender-affirming gear fits comfortably, and provide you with information on how to care for your gear. If we do not have anything in our inventory that fits you, we can take your contact information to let you know when your size is available.

how to donate

New Gear

Wood Buffalo Pride gratefully accepts the donations of new gender-affirming gear, such as binders, packers, gaffs, trans tape, and breast forms.

Gently-Used Gear

We also accept gently-used chest binders, packers, or breast forms for anyone who would like to pass on gear that they no longer need or fit to someone in the community who can benefit. We accept all styles and sizes of gently-used chest binders, packers, and breast forms, we just ask that they are in good condition and cleaned prior to donating.

Sponsorship

If you would like to support our Gender Affirming Gear Program with monetary sponsorship toward the purchase of new gear, you can donate on our website, by cheque via mail, or in person at our offices with cash or cheque. Please contact meto@wbpride.ca if you have any questions or if you would like more information on how to support the Gender Affirming Gear Program.

Donation drop-off bins are at the following locations:

Wood Buffalo Pride office at The Redpoll Centre (1 C.A Knight Way). Open Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm.
CMHA - Wood Buffalo during our monthly Trans Support Group and Supporting Hearts Caregiver Support Group. The first Monday of the month from 6-8pm.
You can also bring gear to donate at any of our annual Pride Month Events and to our table at the Wood Buffalo Pride Fair.

BINDING GUIDES

Skipping Stone Foundation

Skipping Stone Foundation (Calgary, AB) has created a Gender Affirming Gear: Binders information sheet which contains binder considerations, wearing tips, and care instructions. Skipping Stone Foundation also has an extensive Gender Affirming Gear Resource Page on their website with additional recommendations for all varieties of gender-affirming gear.

bINDERS INFO SHEET

The Pride Centre of Edmonton

"The Pride Centre of Edmonton has created a Safe Binding Guide written by and for people who bind. The guide gives directions on how to put on several different types of binders: pullovers, hook and eyelet, velcro, and zip up. It gives tips on how to take care of your binder, as well as taking care of your body when binding, unsafe binding practices to avoid. The binder guide is available to anyone, not just people who come in for a binder." (Pride Centre of Edmonton, 2023)

Safe Binding Guide