A display on the campus of Iowa State University promoted “Trans YouTubers and DIY Undergarments” to promote “influencers, identity and community building.”
The description of the display noted there remain significant gaps in the clothing market for queer and transgender people. It notes that social media has become “highly influential” in the fashion world.
“Some queer and trans individuals navigate the lack of commercial clothing options by fashioning DIY garments or modify existing garments to suit their preferences,” it states. “Beginning in the 2010s, many trans individuals have published DIY trans-supportive undergarment videos on YouTube.”
The exhibit features four do-it-yourself trans-supportive undergarments and three other garments designed and produced by trans YouTubers.
“These objects and stories represent just some of the many parts of trans identity,” the display states. “We want to emphasize to our visitors that there are multiple and varied ways to identify with and express trans identities.”
The display at the taxpayer-funded institution of higher learning includes definitions for various “identity” terminology. It notes the “difference” between gender identity and “assigned sex at birth.” Gender identity, it claims, is a “person’s internal sense of being a man/male, woman/female, both, neither or another gender.” Assigned sex at birth is “most often based on on the child’s external anatomy.”
Also provided are “underwear terminology…”
Packing: a term used to describe having a non-flesh penis.
Packer: any object used to create a bulge in a person’s pants.
Packing harness: straps or specially made undergarments designed to make wearing a soft packer more comfortable and secure.
Packing pouch: supportive items worn for the purpose of securing a packer. “This allows anyone of any gender to ‘sport a package!'”
Tucking: method used to tuck external genitals to create a flat aesthetic.
Gaff: helps biological men achieve a flatter, more gender-affirmed look
A gaff and a packing pouch are among the items prominently displayed.
Here was the display:
According to the Iowa State “LeBaron Gallery” website, the display is located outside the 1009 LeBaron Hall Conference Room.
“The gallery features student and faculty-curated exhibitions utilizing objects from the permanent collection and also loaned or newly acquired objects depending upon the exhibition topic,” the website states.
This particular exhibition highlights how trans YouTubers design trans-supportive undergarments and communicate how to make them at home. It was curated by an MS student in Apparel Merchandising and Design and the Agatha Huepenbecker Burnet endowed graduate teaching and research assistant at the Iowa State University and Clothing Museum.
