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Chest binders: How trans men are beating the odds to stay true to their identity
Updated On: 25 June, 2023 09:09 AM IST | Mumbai | Arpika Bhosale
Chest binders—an important healing and identity tool for trans men—is difficult to find and expensive to buy. But things are changing slowly
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One of Sultan Ahmed’s customers poses with a chestbinder that costs R400. It is in huge demand among trans men. Pics/Aishwarya Deodhar
I never thought that sewing would help me make a living in Mumbai,” says Sultan Ahmed. The 25-year-old learned how to make affordable chest binders for fellow trans men while living in a shelter in Goregaon. “I recently moved to my own place,” says the Kandivli-resident, “But when I was living in the shelter, I felt free. However, I knew that I would have to step out and start earning [a living]. I thought of making a chest binder to live my life more authentically. So I made one, and then the word got around. Soon, I was making them for others.”
Chest binders are used by trans men to flatten their breasts. It also aids healing and wards off infection for those who undergo mastectomy as part of the transitioning process after a gender reaffirming surgery. “The skin has to heal and if there is no support to bind it in, it may remain loose in the shape of the former breasts. This can lead to rashes too,” says Ahmed.
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