“Wearing a binder is freedom”

A look at the Trump administration's targeted attacks on transgender and gender diverse people through the eyes of research, doctors, and patients

On December 18, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent warning letters to 12 manufacturers of chest binders, who they claim failed to register their products as Class 1 medical devices with the FDA; they also said that the companies were illegally marketing the breast binders to children to treat gender dysphoria.

What’s notable is that FDA Commissioner Marty Makary didn’t provide any evidence that the 12 brands in question actually marketed their binders to children, and we currently haven’t found any evidence that it ever happened.

At the same press conference where the letters were announced, sweeping regulatory actions were proposed with the intent of limiting access to gender affirming care for minors. According to the press release, “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will release a notice of proposed rulemaking to bar hospitals from performing sex-rejecting procedures on children under age 18 as a condition of participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs.”

In response to the latest proposed regulations on gender-affirming care for minors, American Academy of Pediatrics President Susan J. Kressly issued a statement. In it, she said, “Patients, their families, and their physicians — not politicians or government officials — should be the ones to make decisions together about what care is best for them. The government’s actions today make that task harder, if not impossible, for families of gender-diverse and transgender youth.”  

Significantly, a study published in 2024 actually found that most gender affirming surgeries in minors happened with cisgender children, not transgender. The study found that “Of the 636 breast reductions among cisgender male and TGD (transgender and gender diverse) adults, 507 (80%) were performed on cisgender males. Of the 151 breast reductions among cisgender male minors and TGD minors, 146 (97%) were performed on cisgender male minors.” 

It’s also not simply transgender and nonbinary people who use the binders that the FDA is concerned about. A range of surgeries and conditions warrant the use of a chest binder, including: mastectomy, lumpectomy, breast augmentations, breast reconstruction, breast reduction, excisional breast biopsy, wire localized breast biopsy, stereotactic core biopsy, radiation therapy, and nursing support. 

If it becomes harder to access chest binders, it could affect a wide range of individuals facing various health challenges. 

Reginald King is someone who wears a binder. He explained, “Wearing a binder is a freedom and a necessary evil to make myself feel more comfortable in my skin.”

Despite the studies showing cisgender minors are more likely to have gender affirming surgeries, and the fact that there hasn’t been evidence of binder marketing to minors, it hasn’t stopped the Trump administration from continuing to target transgender people, especially minors. However, noticeably missing from their rhetoric are the voices of actual patients, families, and doctors who are involved with this every day. 

That’s why voices like King’s are important; they help provide the necessary perspective of a patient who has received gender-affirming care. He explained, “gender affirming care has changed my life for the absolute best! I’ve become more confident, happier, and healthier.” 

Gender affirming care can look different for everyone; it’s not always surgical. Things like hormone therapy, puberty blockers, socially transitioning, mental healthcare, binders, and more are all aspects of gender affirming care. 

The transgender and gender diverse community is small; only approximately 1% of the United States population is transgender, but they still face continuous scrutiny and targeting from President Trump and his administration. 

Despite the fear, people aren’t backing down. Hundreds recently gathered at a rally for transgender youth in Union Square, New York City. Everywhere you look, you’ll find people coming together to support one another in the face of this frightening time for transgender and gender diverse people. 

King’s advice is simple: “It’s easy to be scared, but there’s a shift happening within our communities. Embrace the people around you, seek out safe spaces, and commit to your goals no matter what or who stands in your way.”