Breathe: Journeys to Healthy Binding

Ages 14 And Up, Grades 9 And Up

A graphic guide to chest binding with real-life stories and research-backed advice from bestselling Gender Queer author Maia Kobabe and University of Michigan professor Sarah Peitzmeier.

Breathe arose from the need for an evidence-based resource for folks considering chest binding as gender-affirming care. Its original form was a 32-page digital-only 'zine, but Peitzmeier and Kobabe saw potential for reaching a wider audience with an expanded version with more art and more exploration of what the research really shows about binding, designed to be easily readable as a printed book. This is the result.

To create Breathe, Peitzmeier and her research team interviewed many people of different ages and backgrounds about their journeys with binding, and then she and Kobabe combined excerpts from those interviews with evidence-based resources on binding into this extremely accessible book. The result is both a practical resource for trans and nonbinary folks and an engaging and perspective-broadening read for anyone interested in what it means to be on a journey of expressing one's gender in the ways that are joyful, healthy, and affirming.

About the Author

Maia Kobabe (e/eir/em) is author of the award-winning and bestselling memoir Gender Queer, the most banned book in America for the last two years. E and eir work has been featured in Time, NPR, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and many other outlets. Kobabe also contributed illustration to Joy McCullough’s novel We Are the Ashes, We Are the Fire.

Dr. Sarah Peitzmeier Ph.D., MSPH (she/her) is a social epidemiologist and assistant professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences at the University of Michigan. Her work focuses on gender-based violence and sexual health, particularly in marginalized populations such as LGBTQ communities.

Author Residence: California and Ann Arbor, MI

Maia Kobabe (e/eir/em) is author of the award-winning and bestselling memoir Gender Queer, the most banned book in America for the last two years. E and eir work has been featured in Time, NPR, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and many other outlets. Kobabe also contributed illustration to Joy McCullough’s novel We Are the Ashes, We Are the Fire.

Illustrator Residence:California