**NOTE: July 1st, 2014. This campaign has ended and we have donated
and shipped the binders to hundreds of youth. Please continue to
support this project here by donating straight to IN A
BIND: http://inabind.transactiveonline.org
Thank you for all the
help! **
For transgender (affirmed male, female-to-male &
genderqueer) youth having a proper chest binder can be a life-saver -
both mentally and physically - I know for me it was. Many transgender
youth (under 21) lack the support they need from their families and
many are not hired for jobs because of gender identity-based
discrimination - this makes it impossible for these youth to get the
binder they need and deserve. Many trans* youth suffer from gender
dysphoria - the intense hatred and discomfort towards their biological
bodies - making a chest binder an absolute need and instant prevention
from suicide (as many youth cannot afford chest surgery). Giving a
binder will boost the confidence of transgender youth in need and
allow these youth to better function in society.
This overwhelming urgency for chest binders is a crisis. Not
having a chest binder can contribute to the severe depression
experienced by many transgender people. The suicide rate for
transgender people is estimated to be a shocking 41%. (Source Below)
In A Bind, a non-profit project under TransActive Education
& Advocacy has 1,401 youth on their waiting list. Not enough
donations are coming in and they were forced to close their waiting
list. It's time to raise the money we need and provide youth with
chest binders.
Our goal is to provide at least 100 youth with new binders from
underworks. Each binder is about $30.00 including shipping. That is
$3000.00 needed. Good news! The Frank Cassata Family Foundation will
match whatever money is raised during this virtual campaign. If we
raise $3,000 that means we have raised $6,000 - that is 200 new
binders for youth in need!
Ninety percent of donations received will go to buying binders
for disadvantaged youth. The remaining 10% will be used to cover the
shipping cost. All binders will be sent to youth on the In a Bind
waiting list. In a Bind accepts applicants age 21 and under from all
over the United States. There are no rules or qualifications around
who applicants are or how they identify. All we ask is that people
only apply for a binder if they need one to curb dysphoria (ie, not
just for cosplay or performance). For more info, visit inabind.transactivonline.org
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/40279043/ns/health-health_care/t/transgender-americans-face-high-suicide-risk/#.UfggjpVNNuU
www.cassatafamilyfoundation.com
www.ftm.underworks.com
www.inabind.transactiveonline.org
www.ryancassata.com