OVERVIEW

The TGD Clothing Swap is a project of Trans and Gender Diverse Bendigo and Beyond (TGDBB). TGD clothing swaps are FREE events where communities can come together and celebrate the full diversity and opportunities of self expression through fashion. They are an opportunity to socialise and explore gender expression in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.

TGDBB have delivered more than 20 TGD Clothing Swap events to LGBTIQA+ communities across regional Victoria, including Bendigo, Maryborough, Shepparton, Werribee, Kyneton, Wangaratta, Echuca and more,  providing more than 3000 FREE items of clothing and accessories while connecting thousands of people with a safe space to explore fashion and socialise without gendered expectation or judgment.

The clothing swap events are free to enter and all items are free to take, with no need for participants to bring any items to swap if they do not wish to. This is due to the ongoing support by the general public who continue to donate items of clothing, shoes and accessories (some of which are brand new). Clothing swap volunteers are engaged to provide support and create a positive 'shopping' experience for all attendees.

WHY IS THIS PROJECT IMPORTANT

Trans and gender diverse people face additional barriers to safely accessing clothing and accessories than most people. Being asked to leave, told they don't belong and the long list of micro-aggressions faced by trans and gender diverse people make shopping for clothing an anxiety filled, potentially dangerous and horrible experience for many of this community.

Additionally, when a person begins transition, they often have a wardrobe that does not align with thier gender expression and it is very costly to replace an entire wardobe. This cost comes on top of the gender affirming medications, specialist appointments, potential loss of employment, seperation/divorce and other financial burdens often faced by people at the beginning of transition.

TGDBB beleive that everyone has the right to safely access clothing that helps them feel affirmed, confident and proud of who they are. 

WHERE DOES YOUR SUPPORT GO

Truck hire and fuel costs - TGD Clothing Swaps are delivered in regional areas where access to clothing and social connection and trans support services are limited. These are typically areas where isolation, transphobia and negative attitudes towards difference are greater. Delivering our TGD clothing swap in these areas helps to connect individuals to support services, provide healthy trans visibility and create positive attitudes towards trans and gender diverse people in those areas.

Improved infrastructure - Our goal is to produce a similar positive shopping experience that most other people have the privilege of enjoying while ensuring the safety of our volunteers and guests. Using quality clothing racks, display cases, marquees and other infrastructure that can be safely transported, adapted to either indoor or outdoor settings and stored in an appropriately accessible and safe location between events, helps us to create this positive experience.

All the little things - TGDBB have been successful in obtaining grant funding to support some of the major costs in establishing the TGD Clothing Swap, although there are all the little things that are not accounted for in these funding opportunities. Volunteers work very hard to deliver these events, often giving an entire day to load the truck in the early hours of the morning, travel to the event, set up the large amount of infrastructure, engage positively with all attendees, pack up, return travel and unload the truck late into the evening. Volunteers meet at various times between events to sort clothing donations, maintain infrastructure and plan future events. It provides appreciation and support for these hard working volunteers when we have some money in the kitty to pay for lunch, help them with transport costs or purchase volunteer lanyards etc. These are the little things that go a long way.