Lift Up! 

"Lift Up" is a collaborative GRAC (Gender Resource and Advocacy Center) and CREC (Campus Recreation) project aiming to create specific resources and special hours within the Sparks Fitness Center for marginalized students across the spectrums of gender and body types. This work is being done in order to center and empower the nuanced experiences of marginalized students as they attempt to approach the fitness community on campus.

Lift Up! Hours for 2022-2023 academic year is on every Sunday 4pm to 6pm in the Sparks Fitness Center.

B4B at the GRAC:

Binders/Breast Forms 4 Bearcats (B4B) is a gender affirmation program offered through the Gender Resource and Advocacy Center that provides chest binders and safe binding educational resources to Willamette University students looking to alleviate gender dysphoria and find gender euphoria. Our intention is to provide a healthy, safe, and private option at no cost for students in an effort to support self-determination and reduce common financial and/or social barriers. Funding has been provided by the Community Action Fund for Equity and Sustainability.

Binders for Bearcats Application Form

Breast Forms for Bearcats Application Form

Email grac-info@willamette.edu for more information about the B4B program and check out this article or video for more tips and tricks about binding. 

Safe Binding 101:

  • binding is not risk free
  • never use ace bandages
  • practice caution if  you use Trans  or KT Tape 
  • don’t bind for more than 8 hours, and take breaks during the day if you can
  • never bind when you’re sleeping, napping or sick
  • avoid binding if you’re doing physical activity (running, dancing, working out) 
  • If you wear it daily try to 1-2 days  off each week
  • listen to your body

Red Flag Feelings:

If you experience any of these, take a break! your body needs rest (or your binder’s too tight) -

  • back/chest/shoulder pain
  • tingling or numbness
  • shortness of breath
  • lightheadedness
  • skin marks or irritation
If these feelings are persistent  and/or concerning, please consult a medical provider:
Bishop Wellness Center @ WU  (503) 370-6062
Salem Urgent Care on Bellevue St. 
(503) 814-5554

 

Community Resources

The list of community resources below is not exhaustive but hopes to provide information about key concerns for Willamette Students. Please send us an email if you are concerned about information being outdated, irrelevant, or you have additional subjects/websites to contribute.

Willamette University

Gender Resource and Advocacy Center (GRAC)

Address
Montag Loft
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
GRAC: 503-370-6728
Sexual Assault Response Advocates Hotline: 503-851-4245
Confidential Advocate: 503-375-5361

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