Hi, I'm Eli Coughlin-Galbraith. I owned and ran, with my partner Krista, the custom chest binder company Shapeshifters up until December 18th of last year, when we sold it to its new owners, Bryce and Gwen. I'm very happy for them, and I wish them all the best in the years to come.

On December 16th the FDA sent warning letters asserting that chest binder companies are marketing their shapewear as medical devices. Not any other shapewear company; not any sports bra company or compression top company. Only companies that use the word "dysphoria" and market to transgender people. Only those. (Read more here and here .)

We signed the contract of sale on the 18th.

We heard about the regulatory letters sent by the FDA on the 19th, when they were posted. The letter actually landed at the Shapeshifters studio on the 22nd of December.

It required a response within 15 business days of December 16th.

So, Bryce, Gwen, and I were collectively forced by our current federal government to seek urgent legal help and regulatory assistance over the holidays. We have obtained good help. It's not free.

To make matters worse, the moment we began to follow advice and respond to the FDA as recommended, Shopify froze incoming payments to Shapeshifters without explanation. Bryce and Gwen are left without income as we navigate these waters.

I set up this page in response to many friends and colleagues who've reached out to me, asking how they can help to defray the costs of this mess. $1275 will cover advisory expenses. Every dollar above that will go to cover the income that the current owners are losing from suspended payments. (Thankfully, the employees' salaries are covered.)

Thank you all for your support. For me, for Shapeshifters, for its new owners who truly did not deserve this on their literal first day of owning this wonderful business. All of your letters and emails and messages have meant so much in this extremely rough time.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.