Gender affirming care IS self-care.

The LGBTQ+ Center works to make Lake County a place for the LGBTQ+ Community to thrive, and our pursuit of that goal includes providing resources to our community members who would not otherwise be able to afford them. New chest binders can range in price from $40 to $75+, and this can be cost prohibitive for many.  We are proud to offer a free chest binder to anyone who needs one.

For many trans and non-binary individuals, the ability to present in a way aligned with their gender identity is deeply important for their mental and emotional well-being. By removing financial barriers and providing binders as part of our broader mission of inclusion and support, we hope to enable individuals to more safely, affirmingly, and confidently live their authentic selves.

Requirements:

Participants must be:

• A resident of Lake County for the past 60 days (proof of residence required)
  
  

Overview

Everyone is eligible to receive one (1) binder to get you comfortable with fit and started on your journey. Walk-ins are welcome for the initial binder. A staff member will discuss fitting and safely binding with you.

For community members who cannot afford binders, we offer up to four (4) binders annually. Eligible candidates are Lake County residents who qualify for financial aid. Participants will work with the LGBTQ+ Center Lake County case worker to meet the program requirements. This program requires an appointment. The program has a maximum annual benefit of two-hundred dollars ($200.00).

Risks and Precautions with Binding

Chest Binder Risks

• Wearing a binder that is too small can restrict breathing and damage your ribs
• Can cause skin irritation – let your skin heal before binding again
• May cause numbness or tingling – remove binder immediately if you feel these

Safety Precautions While Chest Binding

• DO NOT USE ACE Bandages: they are not designed to stretch and can restrict your breathing and damage your ribs
• Never wear a binder while sleeping.
• Do not wear it more than 8 hours out of every 24.
• Never wear more than one binder at a time
• If you feel numbness, tingling, or shortness of breath while wearing the binder, remove it immediately and let your body recover.
• Never wear a too small binder: you can damage your ribs and restrict your breathing
• Keep your binder clean.
• Go at least one day a week without binding

Sites for general information about binding:

Fenway Health Guide to Binding: (https://fenwayhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/Binding_Resource_Guide.pdf)
Point of Pride Binding Guide: https://www.pointofpride.org/binding
Chest Binder Sizing Guide: https://gc2b.co/pages/sizing

Note: these sites are provided as a reference only, we do not endorse a specific brand.

Program Terms and Conditions

Participants must provide basic contact information including name, address, phone and email when available. Participants may be asked to provide additional release forms for verification of income, benefits or other documentation necessary to verify eligibility for financial support and administer this program.

Participants must meet with LGBTQ+ Center Lake County case workers for an initial intake process to establish financial eligibility. Program eligibility will continue for a term of one year or until the participant no longer qualifies for program eligibility. Participants are required to meet in person with a case worker after any change in sizing.

Participants understand and agree that this program is subject to availability at the sole discretion of the LGBTQ+ Center Lake County and participation in this program may be altered or discontinued at any time and for any reason. Participation in this program does not constitute any form of contractual agreement between the LGBTQ+ Center Lake County and the participant.

Click here to set your appointment online, call us at 847-975-3561, or email us at info@lgbtqlc.com

Disclaimers

The LGBTQ+ Center Lake County is not a provider of medical services and cannot provide medical advice about any treatments a participant may undergo. Case workers may provide medical information to participants which is not the same as medical advice. The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other materials provided in conjunction with this program are for informational purposes only. No materials provided are intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read. Representatives of the LGBTQ+ Center Lake County are not attorneys and cannot answer any questions of a legal nature. However, representatives may discuss their experiences or the experiences of others with the court system.