Butches who don't bind

[Words]

Originally Posted by Martina

So basically, you just happen not to bind. The title of the thread is "Butches who don't bind." You said you thought you'd ask about it. What do you want to know? Are you just interested in what people do in general or specifically in the decisions made by butches who don't bind? I assume the latter given your topic. If so, what about that decision interests you, given that you don't have to make it?

Also, pointing out that you don't have to bind because you are muscley is asserting a certain privilege. But maybe you knew that.

What Martina said.

[jac]

I don't bind.

Not that I haven't thought of it. I actually I have wanted to bind in the past and periodically in the present but first and foremost, I can't stand feeling constricted by clothing! I purposefully stretch shirts that feel snug in any way or buy a size bigger for the comfort of feeling loose and free. I just don't like bras and really don't like sports bras either, so I'm in a "bind" so to speak... (play on words).

I guess there are times I want my chest flattened but then again, for the most part, it's okay that it's there. I know if I lost some weight and did some lifting they would drop in size and tone up and I would be very content with that.

I do appreciate that my girl doesn't mind that I don't bind.... and is also okay if I chose to. It is however a part of the physical feminine in me that I am most accepting of. And I have mentioned to my mom, who is a breast cancer survivor for over 5 years, that if it was possible to give a breast transplant to survivors that matched with me, I would gladly give them up, otherwise I guess they're hanging around till the day I die... (another play on words)

[The_Lady_Snow]

Originally Posted by stephfromMIT

Binding was mentioned in my "non-packing" thread. So I thought I'd ask about it. I don't, mostly because I have nothing to bind. (my muscles made my boobs disappear)

Are you writing a book!? You ask some deep questions!!!

Do any of the butches you know bind? Does Amanda have an opinion about it if you choose to? Have you thought about or tried binding?

[bkisbutchenuff]

My personal preferance is to not bind....when all is said and done - I'm female and appreciate what I have to offer...my girls are my girls....

[Words]

Know what I'm really not getting here Steph?

You said somewhere else I believe something to the effect of ''to my annoyance/whatever'' I pass. Yet according to what you write, everything about you speaks to your wanting to look super duper masculine. You don't shave your body hair. You were masculine clothing. You work out to the point where your 'boobs' have disappeared (which, unless you were more or less flat to begin with, I find amazing since even the world's best female bodybuilders still have what appear to be breasts).


So my question is, is there any step you've taken to help folks realize you're female, thereby doing away with any confusion? Not saying you should have to...simply wondering why, if passing is so annoying for you, you might not have.

Words

[lettertodaddy]

Originally Posted by Words

You said somewhere else I believe something to the effect of ''to my annoyance/whatever'' I pass. Yet according to what you write, everything about you speaks to your wanting to look super duper masculine. You don't shave your body hair. You were masculine clothing. You work out to the point where your 'boobs' have disappeared (which, unless you were more or less flat to begin with, I find amazing since even the world's best female bodybuilders still have what appear to be breasts).

For what it's worth, when I lost 150 pounds and worked out 3 hours a day, 7 days a week, I went from a DDD cup to a small B cup. So it is entirely possible to go from being quite busty to rather small-breasted if you work out.

[ruffryder]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

How do you discuss this in your circle of peeps, I'll be honest the only time I've known about butches binding is here online, most if not all the butches I know don't.

Right. This seems to be more of a thread question for trans if Steph is looking for why people bind, with what, etc.. Once again confused by a thread and what the OP is looking for exactly in an answer or just if she wants to discuss butches binding in general which I would probably say there would not be much info. there. However some butches mentioned that they do and some do so for other reasons than just binding, some for medical, etc.. It has already been mentioned that alot of butches identify as female and that includes breasts, and embracing their female parts so there would really be no reason to bind other than the reasons already mentioned here.

Originally Posted by stephfromMIT

Novela-What was wrong with my response to your PM? Sorry to all if I've been lax in answering for myself the questions I ask. I've new to this community, and would hope I'd receive the benefit of the doubt. Since it seems that is not forthcoming, I feel it's best for all if I leave you.

ahhh I don't think you're that new steph. Afterall you've posted more than some that have been members for years and started threads some haven't even. . .and I think you have been receiving the benefit of the doubt here.

As for the binding, I have and I do sometimes but I ID as trans. Not sure what exactly you want to know about binding. My preference is a compression muscle shirt. I feel I don't always need to bind and most times I don't. Do you also want to know if we "pass" without binding or binding because I do either way and most times not binding.

[jac]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

Are you writing a book!? You ask some deep questions!!!

I have wondered the same thing!! Of course I have also wondered if Steph is doing some sort of MIT research/thesis for that next degree... Hmmmm are ya?
I like the questions... It's brought new perspective to the place and has created conversation and community interaction. Just curious though....

[The_Lady_Snow]

Originally Posted by stone4play

I have wondered the same thing!! Of course I have also wondered if Steph is doing some sort of MIT research/thesis for that next degree... Hmmmm are ya?
I like the questions... It's brought new perspective to the place and has created conversation and community interaction. Just curious though....

Well that's what I thought, but steph said she's not had any gender studies classes. The topics are definitely loaded and not only has good convos happened but damn some ugly shits been said as well all in the name of opinion.

I'm curious as to how stephs real time experiences with butches are.

[girl_dee]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

Well that's what I thought, but steph said she's not had any gender studies classes. The topics are definitely loaded and not only has good convos happened but damn some ugly shits been said as well all in the name of opinion.

I'm curious as to how stephs real time experiences with butches are.

Yes and if my opinion is part of some official research project i'd like to know.

[The_Lady_Snow]

Originally Posted by Cajun_dee

Yes and if my opinion is part of some official research project i'd like to know.

I guess if it feels creepy deep down I'd not engage with steph. It's a bit obvious she likes hot topics and that her wording is either a thought out process or she has issues knowing how to post or what verbiage to use(though it's hard to believe considering the MIT background)

If she's using this community as guinea pigs I hope she's got permission from folks before doing so. Reality is that we'll never really know cause computer screens hide a lottttt, for all we know she's a doctor or somethin'..

<-- only plays a doctor during consensual scenes

[Words]

Official research doesn't bother me as much as the thought of someone getting their jollies by asking questions that bear no relevance whatsoever to their life/their experience. Sorry steph, but this is a bit like me coming in and asking whether big breasted femmes have trouble finding extra large bras when I'm a modest 36B and have no desire to increase my bust size.

I'm really not trying to silence you and I'm trying to be as tactful as possible but in your enthusiasm to facilitate conversation, do you not ever stop to think about the way in which your question will be perceived?

Words

[jac]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

Well that's what I thought, but steph said she's not had any gender studies classes. The topics are definitely loaded and not only has good convos happened but damn some ugly shits been said as well all in the name of opinion.

I'm curious as to how stephs real time experiences with butches are.

I find it interesting to be asking such intense questions of the community if not for curiosity of her own accord or for information gathering.... I would like to think that if these questions and answers are being used for anything other than her own personal curiosity and questioning within herself, that Steph has enough integrity and professional ethics to give fair knowledge to those of us participating. Not saying this is the case... but I won't say it hasn't crossed my mind. Exploitation is a serious offense...

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

Well that's what I thought, but steph said she's not had any gender studies classes. The topics are definitely loaded and not only has good convos happened but damn some ugly shits been said as well all in the name of opinion.

I'm curious as to how stephs real time experiences with butches are.

I'm curious as to how stephs real time experiences in journalism may be coming along. What a great research pool.

are we not readng between the lines and titles? We should.

[Martina]

I feel like Words does here. THere has been precious little sharing on Steph's part, but a lot of us have ponied up some intense things (that's on us).

I am assuming some naivete on her part. For one thing, she does not know the divisions in our community that some of these topics bring up.

Weatherboi's post rang true for me that some of the topics are worded in a way to get woman ID'd folks to bring up some stuff that is potentially divisive. That's fine if it's a thread started out of a need from part of a community. If it's just curiousity, and that curiosity is not naive, then yuck. If it is naive, I guess it's on us not to wander in and expose our souls. I certainly did on one thread.

[weatherboi]

Originally Posted by stone4play

I have wondered the same thing!! Of course I have also wondered if Steph is doing some sort of MIT research/thesis for that next degree... Hmmmm are ya?
I like the questions... It's brought new perspective to the place and has created conversation and community interaction. Just curious though....

Funny I don't see these threads she has started as a place for conversation or community interaction. I see them as space that has been created for people to freely say some pretty judgmental opinions about what doesn't work for them instead of just focusing on what does work for them personally.

Binding is hard on the body, and done long term can cause permanent damage. If somebody doesn't have to do it then don't and be happy for it.

[jac]

Originally Posted by weatherboi

Funny I don't see these threads she has started as a place for conversation or community interaction. I see them as space that has been created for people to freely say some pretty judgmental opinions about what doesn't work for them instead of just focusing on what does work for them personally.

Binding is hard on the body, and done long term can cause permanent damage. If somebody doesn't have to do it then don't and be happy for it.

I understand what you are saying... and maybe I should have elaborated more clearly by saying that, the conversation whether good or bad has brought new perspective "to me." I have learned from the interactions within the community and I have found that through this experience there are areas that I will be more cautious of speaking out on and more aware of others' wording. I will openly admit that I am gullible at times and willing to give others the benefit of the doubt... and I absolutely agree with you on the "judgmental opinions" instead of "just focusing on what does work for them personally."

[weatherboi]

Originally Posted by stone4play

I understand what you are saying... and maybe I should have elaborated more clearly by saying that, the conversation whether good or bad has brought new perspective "to me." I have learned from the interactions within the community and I have found that through this experience there are areas that I will be more cautious of speaking out on and more aware of others' wording. I will openly admit that I am gullible at times and willing to give others the benefit of the doubt... and I absolutely agree with you on the "judgmental opinions" instead of "just focusing on what does work for them personally."

You elaborated fine. I was just borrowing your words for a jumping off point. Just the way this thread is titled, to me, creates a negative space and I am not sure why. Maybe because it seems clinical or maybe because, to me, I have never had a negative encounter in a group of peers when we have discussed what we do, to take care of what we all have, in all our own personal ways...until here/online. In all my bowling leagues, softball teams, soccer teams, social, and business networking encounters have I felt such a need to separate, as I do here/online. It is usually just good healthy fun followed by some more drink/food and fun.

[The_Lady_Snow]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

Are you writing a book!? You ask some deep questions!!!

Do any of the butches you know bind? Does Amanda have an opinion about it if you choose to? Have you thought about or tried binding?

How do you discuss this in your circle of peeps, I'll be honest the only time I've known about butches binding is here online, most if not all the butches I know don't.