BODY IMAGE AND THE

LGBT COMMUNITY
unique body challenges

WHAT IS LGBT?
LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
Lesbian - female who experiences love or attraction to other
females.
Gay male who experiences love or attraction to other males
Bisexual Someone who experiences love or attracted to both men
and women
Transgender does not confide to conventional notations to male or
female identification
The term is used to refer to anyone who is non heterosexual

DEFINING HOMOPHOBIA
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are more likely to
experience intolerance, harassment, and violent threats
This is greatly influenced by homophobia the fear or hatred of
homosexuality
Homophobia can be brought on by religious, political or moral beliefs
Homosexuality is still illegal in some countries and can result in
imprisonment or even death

RIGHTS OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY

The Declaration of Human Rights grants the right to an individual
without distinction.
Some people still debate if this declaration includes the LGBT
community
LGBT acceptance is growing worldwide some countries have
legislated anti discrimination laws for the LGBT community
Areas of acceptance are mostly North America, South America,
Australia and Europe
A fight for equal rights and privilege in laws such as marriage, and
parenting remain a current issue
Today focus remain on education of homophobia to others

SO WHAT HAPPENS?
Laws cannot always change the

attitudes of people

Many are mistreated at home, at school and at work

Violence against LGBTs include being bullied, tortured, sexual assaulted,
being beaten and even killed

WHY?
Because society portrays a social norm for love between
male and female

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

In 2014 LGBT youth were:
8 times more likely to commit suicide
6 times more likely to have depression
3 times more likely to used illegal drugs
Have increased sense of self worthless

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Lack of access to role models

Lack of opportunity to socialize with other LGBT
Have feelings of isolation

RELATING TO BODY IMAGE

Eating Disorders have a large influence on the LGBT community
Research shows higher rates of body dissatisfaction among gay or
bisexual men
Studies claim lesbian women have lower ideals to be thin than
heterosexual women

MEN
Thinner and more muscular ideal
Strive to seem youthful in appearance

WOMEN
There is false believe that women in the LGBT
community have no body concerns
This is due to a strong acceptance on body fat
Reports show many LGBT women discard the
female image portrayed in the media however
some still struggle with weight and eating disorders
There is a inner struggle between value in the
lesbian community and standards of self
acceptance or belief
Beauty standards tend to vary greatly among
women in the LGBT community
Studies show there is a lower body satisfaction
among masculine (butch) lesbians

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Retrieved from
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REFERENCES

Jarvis, W., & Gomez, H. (n.d.). Body Image and Eating Disorders within the GLBT Community.
Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Retrieved from:
https://www.uic.edu/orgs/convening/33-VIF.pdf
Subhrajit, C. (2014). Problems faced by LGBT people in the mainstream society: Some
recommendations. International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies,
1(5), 317-331. Retrieved from
http://www.ijims.com/uploads/cae8049d138e24ed7f5azppd_597.pdf