Fundraiser for Binders for Trans Youth

[Anonymous]

So I don't want to start a sh*tshow, but I just learned that my child's school has a club, which had a table set up at its club fair during the school day, so presumably administration and a faculty member served as a sponsor for it. This club's purpose is to raise funds for students who wish to buy binders (i.e. undergarments that flatten the appearance of chests). This is a high school so some ninth grade students are still growing, in puberty etc. (13-14 year old girls). There was a google form for any student to request a binder and the club would provide one. I'm sure there are students who can't have these things mailed to their homes or lack the funds to buy them. But in terms of medical supervision, mental health support etc., should this be a student-run school club? It just seems crazy to me that kids are doing this for other kids without parents and medical supervision but ostensibly with consent of MCPS (although I am fairly sure they have no idea this is happening).

I don't want this to devolve into a conversation about being transphobic. I am not suggesting kids who want/need these binders should not have access to them. I am suggesting some adult in their life may want to know they are doing this before causing potentially irreparable damage or injury to themselves.

Is this worth bringing up to someone at the school or are kids just allowed to organize whatever they want? I think as a parent if my child did not want me to know and was obtaining a binder through school without my knowledge but with the knowledge of the school I'd be livid. Or does this fall into the bucket of things kids can do at school that they don't need parental involvement for (such as advocating for a different name to be used, changing their gender from the one assigned at birth, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Leave it alone. No one cares what you think in MCPS. MCPS is pushing this as its inclusive agenda. My children's schools have constant indoctrination via home room and other class lectures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Leave it alone. No one cares what you think in MCPS. MCPS is pushing this as its inclusive agenda. My children's schools have constant indoctrination via home room and other class lectures.

This. Public school stinks with regards to this. If you even bring up the idea that you disagree with this, you will be branded a homophobic bigot and everyone will hate you.

There is zero room for disagreement and zero room for discussion in MCPS as to why this *might* not be a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Hope they’re saving some money for the lawsuits that will show up down the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I don't want to start a sh*tshow, but I just learned that my child's school has a club, which had a table set up at its club fair during the school day, so presumably administration and a faculty member served as a sponsor for it. This club's purpose is to raise funds for students who wish to buy binders (i.e. undergarments that flatten the appearance of chests). This is a high school so some ninth grade students are still growing, in puberty etc. (13-14 year old girls). There was a google form for any student to request a binder and the club would provide one. I'm sure there are students who can't have these things mailed to their homes or lack the funds to buy them. But in terms of medical supervision, mental health support etc., should this be a student-run school club? It just seems crazy to me that kids are doing this for other kids without parents and medical supervision but ostensibly with consent of MCPS (although I am fairly sure they have no idea this is happening).

I don't want this to devolve into a conversation about being transphobic. I am not suggesting kids who want/need these binders should not have access to them. I am suggesting some adult in their life may want to know they are doing this before causing potentially irreparable damage or injury to themselves.

Is this worth bringing up to someone at the school or are kids just allowed to organize whatever they want? I think as a parent if my child did not want me to know and was obtaining a binder through school without my knowledge but with the knowledge of the school I'd be livid. Or does this fall into the bucket of things kids can do at school that they don't need parental involvement for (such as advocating for a different name to be used, changing their gender from the one assigned at birth, etc.)

If you're concerned, you could look up and contact the club sponsor and ask for more information.

[Anonymous]

MCPS is now busy with everything except education

[Anonymous]

I doubt this type of fundraising is actually going through the official MCPS financial fundraising process (it’s pretty onerous to set up), in which case MCPS has little to say about it. Students have free speech on campus and are allowed to form clubs to advocate for all sorts of issues, including sharing information about donating to a cause. Having a sponsor doesn’t mean MCPS endorses the club, it means a teacher agreed to be the adult present (for safety purposes) in the room when the club meets.

Besides, parents are foolish to think that a student who wishes to bind isn’t already doing that. Purchasing proper binders is actually more like to reduce a health risk for these students. It sounds like the club identified an actual need in their school and is solving it. Good for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I doubt this type of fundraising is actually going through the official MCPS financial fundraising process (it’s pretty onerous to set up), in which case MCPS has little to say about it. Students have free speech on campus and are allowed to form clubs to advocate for all sorts of issues, including sharing information about donating to a cause. Having a sponsor doesn’t mean MCPS endorses the club, it means a teacher agreed to be the adult present (for safety purposes) in the room when the club meets.

Besides, parents are foolish to think that a student who wishes to bind isn’t already doing that. Purchasing proper binders is actually more like to reduce a health risk for these students. It sounds like the club identified an actual need in their school and is solving it. Good for them.

There should be a requirement if money is collected on MCPS property that there is accountability.

[Anonymous]

How does this affect you Op? Who cares. I’m not trans, but I had giant boobs from the time I was 12 and I had to wear supper right shirts under another shirt as a “binder”. It doesn’t affect you. Butt out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I don't want to start a sh*tshow, but I just learned that my child's school has a club, which had a table set up at its club fair during the school day, so presumably administration and a faculty member served as a sponsor for it. This club's purpose is to raise funds for students who wish to buy binders (i.e. undergarments that flatten the appearance of chests). This is a high school so some ninth grade students are still growing, in puberty etc. (13-14 year old girls). There was a google form for any student to request a binder and the club would provide one. I'm sure there are students who can't have these things mailed to their homes or lack the funds to buy them. But in terms of medical supervision, mental health support etc., should this be a student-run school club? It just seems crazy to me that kids are doing this for other kids without parents and medical supervision but ostensibly with consent of MCPS (although I am fairly sure they have no idea this is happening).

I don't want this to devolve into a conversation about being transphobic. I am not suggesting kids who want/need these binders should not have access to them. I am suggesting some adult in their life may want to know they are doing this before causing potentially irreparable damage or injury to themselves.

Is this worth bringing up to someone at the school or are kids just allowed to organize whatever they want? I think as a parent if my child did not want me to know and was obtaining a binder through school without my knowledge but with the knowledge of the school I'd be livid. Or does this fall into the bucket of things kids can do at school that they don't need parental involvement for (such as advocating for a different name to be used, changing their gender from the one assigned at birth, etc.)

It sure sounds like you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does this affect you Op? Who cares. I’m not trans, but I had giant boobs from the time I was 12 and I had to wear supper right shirts under another shirt as a “binder”. It doesn’t affect you. Butt out.

A tight shirt is not a “binder”. Binders can and have caused health problems for kids who wear them, including permanent damage. Students at school schools not be providing them to other students behind their parents backs. MCPS is asking for trouble by allowing this to happen on school grounds.

[Anonymous]

Do you mind sharing what school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does this affect you Op? Who cares. I’m not trans, but I had giant boobs from the time I was 12 and I had to wear supper right shirts under another shirt as a “binder”. It doesn’t affect you. Butt out.

A tight shirt is not a “binder”. Binders can and have caused health problems for kids who wear them, including permanent damage. Students at school schools not be providing them to other students behind their parents backs. MCPS is asking for trouble by allowing this to happen on school grounds.

Binders are much better than ace bandages which kids are using when they don't have access to actual binders. I agree with the PP that this is likely helping make sure students aren't hurting themselves.....

[Anonymous]

Is t this considered a medical device? I would definitely contact the principal and the school nurse to make sure they are aware.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does this affect you Op? Who cares. I’m not trans, but I had giant boobs from the time I was 12 and I had to wear supper right shirts under another shirt as a “binder”. It doesn’t affect you. Butt out.

A tight shirt is not a “binder”. Binders can and have caused health problems for kids who wear them, including permanent damage. Students at school schools not be providing them to other students behind their parents backs. MCPS is asking for trouble by allowing this to happen on school grounds.

Binders are much better than ace bandages which kids are using when they don't have access to actual binders. I agree with the PP that this is likely helping make sure students aren't hurting themselves.....

Even regular binders can cause fractured ribs and damaged breast tissue. Allowing students to provide them to other students without any adult guidance seems like a big mistake.