For many, gender-affirming gear is an important part of feeling comfortable and happy in their bodies. What that means can vary from person to person! Some types of gender gear are made specifically for trans and nonbinary people. But anyone can use gender gear, no matter what their gender is!
What is gender gear? Why do people use it?
Gender gear can be anything from clothes, to chest binders, tucking gaffs, packers, stand-to-pee devices, and breast forms.
Dressing a certain way doesn’t determine someone’s gender. You can’t always tell what someone’s gender is just by looking at how they dress or present themselves. But for a lot of people, how they dress can make them feel more confident and comfortable with their gender! And everyone deserves to feel comfortable with their appearance.
Where can I get gender gear in Montreal?
Unfortunately, gear can often be expensive or hard to find. But lots of queer/trans community organizations have supplies for free or pay-what-you-can! In Montreal, some of these organizations are:
Project10
Project10, or P10, is a Montreal organization that supports the social, mental, and sexual well being of LGBTQIA youth aged 14-25. They offer active listening, group drop-in hours and accompaniment for appointments, as well as free gender gear for youth age 25 and under.
More Info
- Gender gear available by appointment with the Trans Activities Coordinator. Appointments can be made through an online form on their website
- Contact by email
- 514-989-4585 (call or text)
- 10138 Rue Lajeunesse Suite #301, Montréal, QC H3L 2E2 (near Sauvé metro)
Jeunesse Lambda
Jeunesse Lambda is a Montreal organization aimed at supporting queer and trans youth aged 14-30. In addition to providing gender gear, Jeunesse Lambda hosts a Friday night drop-in space, and offers active listening appointments and free haircut days.
More Info
- The office is typically open for a drop-in on Fridays from 6-9 pm or you can email them for an appointment at a different time
- 514-543-6343
- 1575 rue Atateken, Montreal QC, H2L 3L4 (near Beaudry Metro)
Union for Gender Empowerment (UGE)
The Union for Gender Empowerment operates out of McGill university but services are available to anyone who needs them. They run a coop that stocks free safer sex supplies and gender gear, a wheelchair accessible drop-in lounge and library, and support for gender and name change processes. They also have an online form for ordering gender-affirming gear and other supplies for pick-up.
More Info
- Online contact form
- 413-3600 rue McTavish, Montreal QC, H3A 0E7 (near McGill metro)
Center for Gender Advocacy
The Center for Gender Advocacy operates out of Concordia university but services are available to anyone who needs them. They have a pay-what-you-can gender gear program and peer support services for LGBTQ+ people. They also offer support and accompaniment services for trans people seeking gender-affirming care.
More info
- Online appointment form
- 2110 Mackay Street, Montreal QC, H3G 2J1 (near Guy-Concordia metro)
What about online options?
There are lots of places to get gender-affirming gear online! Most online shops offer discreet shipping options. You can find a comprehensive list of online shops selling gender gear here. In addition, some popular options include RodeoH, gc2b, and GenderGear.ca.
DIY Gender Gear
You can make a lot of gender gear yourself using stuff you might already have around your home! Below you’ll find some DIY options for binders, gaffs, and packers.
Binders
- Layering sports bras can help compress your chest. Using ones that are a little snug, and don’t have built-in cups will work the best.
- You can also make a binder out of an old pair of tights or leggings.
Gaffs
- You can make a gaff out of a pair of pantyhose and a tube sock! First, cut the elastic waistband off of a pair of tights. Then, cut the elastic part off of a tube sock. Next, thread the waistband of the tights through the tube sock. Finally, put your legs through each side of the waistband with the sock part in the middle, and pull it up like a pair of underwear. If you need a visual, this video can walk you through it!
Packers
- You can make a basic packer by stuffing a sock with other socks and molding it into the shape you want.
- If you want something more detailed, you can make a packer out of three pairs of knee-high nylon stockings, athletic tape, and scissors.
