2024-06-21 00:43:34
“Already in kindergarten, I informed myself that after I develop up, I’ll do that,” says Honza Volf about his transition, which he went by means of two years in the past. Earlier than his breast tissue was eliminated, he used a self-made binder to tighten his chest to cover his female curves. That is how the model of the primary Czech binders, Johana’s mission, was born, which Honza runs together with his sister Bára. They mix a standard story, performance and aesthetics.
“I made my first binder out of softshell materials with Velcro. I used to be sweating profusely in it,” remembers 24-year-old Honza Volf with amusing. A binder is a tool designed to tighten or flatten the chest for a extra masculine look. “We did not suppose that this could result in a joint mission. However we now have been very shut since childhood, and Honz’s story and our skilled focus naturally linked all of it,” describes Honz’s sister, Bára, who’s 5 years older.
They began producing and promoting the primary Czech binders beneath the Johana’s mission banner three months in the past, and since then they’ve had greater than 50 orders. Whereas Honza sews them by hand of their studio in Chýn close to Prague, Bára takes care of communication, promotion and visible id. The primary prototypes had been created immediately on Honzo’s physique when he was on the lookout for the best option to flatten a girl’s chest, and he sewed binders at house within the evenings.
Binder has an impact on psychological well-being
“I nonetheless keep in mind the second when Honza referred to as me saying that he had discovered a brand new lower and if he ought to attempt it,” remembers Bára with amusing. “The binder is lined to satisfy the flattening operate. On the similar time, it’s made of 1 piece of fabric and the seam is in the course of the chest, not within the armpit. It additionally copies his anatomy. Because of this, there are not any bruises,” explains Honza, who studied textile design, hairdressing and make-up. He at the moment works part-time as a dressing up designer in a theater.
They agree with Bára that, for instance, American binders meet performance, however are worse by way of aesthetics. “We would like our binders to be comfy and delightful. That is the one manner they may also help the psychological well-being of people that will really feel comfy because of them. Via our mission, we’d additionally wish to carry to gentle what transgender and non-binary individuals expertise. It goes hand in hand with elevating consciousness of the subject non-binary and the language related to it,” says Bára, who graduated from AVU and, like Honza, partially makes a residing as a graphic designer and content material creator.
“Moreover, ordering binders from America is unecological as a result of carbon footprint and costly. The individuals who want it are sometimes youngsters who do not have a lot cash,” provides Honza and begins to inform his story, which, in keeping with him, might be merely divided into three section.
I hid my hair beneath a cap
“The primary was already in kindergarten, after I thought I wished to be like boys. For instance, I hid my hair beneath a cap. The subsequent section began in puberty, when my physique began to vary and I did not be ok with it,” describes Honza , who resolved his emotions with Bára.
“We went for lengthy walks collectively, the place we talked about all the things,” he remembers. “She helped me identify what was taking place to me, kind it out in my head,” provides Honza, who lower his hair quick on the age of 14 and began dressing like a boy. At the moment he additionally informed his mother and father what was taking place they usually accepted his “change”. On the similar time, he additionally began seeing a intercourse therapist.
Ultimately, nonetheless, disagreements arose within the prolonged household over Honzo’s id and influenced his mother and father’ opinion as properly. “It was a troublesome, chaotic three-year interval. All of the sudden I did not know who I used to be and I wasn’t shifting wherever,” admits Honza, who fumbled like this till he was in his twenties. “Nonetheless, this time allowed me to make up my thoughts and make my very own selections,” he emphasizes.
I wished to make sure
On the age of twenty, with the help of Bára, he determined to transition. He began taking hormones, modified his identify and had surgical procedure to take away his mammary gland. “It went easily, all the things labored out for me, I had no issues with something,” he says, admitting that he was very scared at first.
“I requested myself if it was the suitable choice, as a result of some adjustments are irreversible. For instance, the thickening of the voice or the expansion of a beard resulting from hormones. I wished to be satisfied that this was a very good step. Immediately I really feel nice. I couldn’t think about that I’ll really feel so good,” smiles Honza. Along with Bára, in addition they plan to provide crop tops, bras and different equipment.
“I could not have imagined that I might really feel so good,” smiles Honza. | Photograph: Jakub Plíhal
The transition additionally scared Bára, who needs to speak overtly about how such a change impacts family members by means of the mission. “Though it is most likely absurd, I used to be afraid of what it will be like if I immediately had a man subsequent to me as an alternative of a lady. Luckily, Honza and I may discuss all the things overtly, despite the fact that I attempted to not switch my fears to him. Immediately I discover them pointless, however on the similar time I do know that they’re fully pure in such a case,” he says.
The unique identify was given a brand new that means
Her greatest drawback was utilizing male pronouns and altering her identify. “Even when I attempted, I could not use it. Exactly as a result of we’re so shut. Honz was sorry, but it surely could not be rushed. We communicated with one another, I stated that I revered him, however on the similar time I could not go on the expense of myself, stifle it I defined that it was a change for me as properly,” explains Bára. “Though it was troublesome for me and I used to be offended that it took her, I might advise different trans individuals to be tolerant. You may inform when the opposite individual cares about you,” provides Honza.
Ultimately, it’s Honzo’s so-called deadname that grew to become the identify of your complete mission. “When Bára got here up with it, I informed her if she was loopy,” they snort collectively. “I noticed how traumatic it’s for Honza when somebody makes use of a reputation he does not determine with,” remembers Bára. “On the similar time, no different identify spoke as a lot in regards to the mission as this one. I then thought that it might be a type of remedy, the place you assign a reputation or the identify of a factor that has traumatic and ugly connotations to you with one thing new that you just imagine in. All of the sudden it would get power,” concludes Bára.
Video: Špinar: After I accepted the concept that I used to be a girl, all the things fell into place (8/6/2022)
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