By Jack Hobbs — 2017
It’s no secret that certain segments of the gay community hold high, near-oppressive standards of what counts as sexually attractive. Countless gay men have struggled to see themselves within it as a result.
Read on www.vice.com
CLEAR ALL
We collaborated with several of our favorite talent supporters who are LGBTQ people of color to offer advice to youth on how to navigate the intersections of their identities and protect their mental health.
What began as a proud assertion of identity has itself become a trope; the stereotype of a gay man now is one who goes to the gym and takes care of himself.
So many of the little rituals I have each day—like my makeup or skincare routine—do help soothe and/or rejuvenate me. For me, any type of solo practiced routine is good. But I’ve learned that self-care does not, and cannot, sustain me. And I believe that this may be the case for many of you.
Look more closely and you’ll see.
2
Demand from patients seeking help for their mental illnesses has led to underground use in a way that parallels black markets in the AIDS pandemic. This underground use has been most perilous for people of color, who face greater stigma and legal risks due to the War on Drugs.
Conversations surrounding eating disorders, body image, and beauty standards are generally centered on the narratives of straight, cisgender* women. However, these conversations often exclude the experiences of many LGBT people who also struggle with body image concerns and disordered eating.
Some people harbor the illusion that rest is a luxury they do not have time for, but the reality is that rest is a necessity.
1
The bodies of lonely people are markedly different from the bodies of non-lonely people.
Sadness is a central part of our lives, yet it’s typically ignored at work, hurting employees and managers alike.
If we can process our regrets with tenderness and compassion, we can use these hard memories as a part of our wisdom bank.
3