It is traditionally thought that body image issues mostly affect heterosexual women [1], but body image issues can affect people of all genders, race, and sexualities[2]. People who identify as LGBTQIA often are predisposed to having body image issues due to other factors such as fear or experiences of rejection, internalized negative beliefs, or bullying[3].

 

People who are LGBTQIA may be at an increased risk of developing eating disorders, especially in younger populations[4]. Gay males may also be at higher risks of developing body issues due to body image ideals within the community[5].

 

Transgender individuals may experience body disphoria, which is discomfort or dissatisfaction due to the gender they were assigned at birth and the gender they identify as[6]. This can also have an effect on body image[7]. It is important to validate the need for some transgender people to change their bodies through hormones or surgery. 

 

 

 

[1], [2] Jarvis, William, and Holly Gomez. "Body Image and Eating Disorders within the GLBT Community." Illinois School of Professional Psychology. University of Illinois at Chicago, n.d. Web. <https://www.uic.edu/orgs/convening/33-VIF.pdf>.

[3], [4] "Eating Disorders in LGBT Populations." National Eating Disorders Association. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/eating-disorders-lgbt-populations>.

[5] Kaminski, Patricia L., Benjamin P. Chapman, Sandra D. Haynes, and Lawrence Own. "Body Image, Eating Behaviors, and Attitudes toward Exercise among Gay and Straight Men ☆." Eating Behaviors 6.3 (2005): 179-87. Science Direct. Web. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1471015304000947>.

[6], [7] Grossman, Arnold H., PhD, and Anthony R. D'Augelli, PhD. "Transgender Youth and Life-Threatening Behaviors." Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior 37.5 (2007): 527-37. Wiley Online Library. Web. <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1521/suli.2007.37.5.527/full>.