The Gender Library
The Gender Library is an initiative set up by Kaeda our Vice President (Welfare), its purpose is to provide a way for students to borrow gender affirming items during their time at the University of Derby, currently this is in the form of chest binders.
By filling in the following form any student can request the opportunity to borrow one of the six (currently) binders we have available.
Borrowing Form Inventory Document
Safety Information
Binding with care
How to bind safely, comfortably, and responsibly
For some individuals wearing a chest binder is a useful and at times crucial tool which help them to feel comfortable, particularly for transgender and non-binary people who experience gender dysphoria. However, it is important if you are going to be wearing a chest binder that you follow safety recommendations, as it could be harmful otherwise.
Safety tips
- Time limits matter: Adults should stick to 8 hours max, and if you’re under 18, keep it to 6 hours.
- If you do need to wear it longer, take short breaks, find a private spot (like a bathroom) and remove your binder for 5-10 minutes to let your body breathe.
- Never sleep in your binder.
- Listen to your body! If you feel pain, discomfort, or skin irritation, take a 24-hour break, measure yourself, and consider a bigger size.
- No workouts in a binder, it can restrict your breathing and cause harm.
- Wash your binder regularly to keep your skin healthy.
- Bodies change! If your size changes, remeasure and make sure your binder still fits properly.
- If you have a condition that affects breathing (like asthma), check in with a doctor before binding.
- There can be some negative health impacts from binding such as: A sore back or shoulders, Acne or skin irritation, Uncomfortable sweating, Reduced skin elasticity.
Binder care
- Wash on a gentle cycle or hand wash with warm or cold water.
- Dry flat or hang out.
- Do Not iron.
- Consider putting your binder in a wash bag or an old pillowcase when washing in order to protect it from damage if washing in a washing machine.
Gender Neutral Toilets on Campus
Kedleston Road
- The Union Quarter
- Ground Floor in the Library
- North Tower Stairwell between Ground Floor and First Floor
Enterprise Centre
- Ground Floor by reception
Markeaton Street
- Ground Floor
- First Floor
- Second Floor
- Third Floor
- Markeaton Street Workshops
One Friar Gate Square
- Ground Floor
- First Floor
- Third Floor
- Fifth Floor
Chesterfield St Helena
- Ground Floor
- Upper Ground Floor
- First Floor
Cavendish Building
- Ground Floor
- First Floor
- Second Floor
- Fifth Floor
- Sixth Floor
Additional Support
Derbyshire LGBT
Derbyshire’s local LGBT+ charity which was established to provide comprehensive support to individuals who identify and LGBT+ or and other non-heteronormative sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Advice Service
This is our free, confidential, independent advice service, our main areas of advice include academic issues including offences, appeals and issues affecting personal studies; student conduct, complaints and disciplinaries. However our advice team can support you to advocate for yourself regarding things such as getting your preferred name on your student ID.
The Clothing Swap
This is an Officer project ran by Kaeda, Vice Preident (Welfare), which provides clothing for free for students of the University of Derby. All of the clothing which the swap has been donated to the swap by students, Union staff, and University staff. This could be utilized in order to experiment with different types of clothing to find what suits you best without having to spend lots of money on clothing.
Keep an eye on our events page or Instagram to find out when the next pop-up will be.