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Men’s Bodies

Listening to the Voices of Young Gay Men

University of South Australia

Men’s bodies and body image have attracted increasing attention from researchers and popular press journalists during the past decade. Arguably, Western culture tends to identify men’s body image issues as heterosexual notions. Although research on gay men’s body image has increased, a cultural myth remains that gay men are more susceptible to body image concerns and eating disorders due to the aesthetic-oriented gay culture. This article reports in-depth interviews with fourteen young gay men on issues of bodies and body identity, particularly regarding masculinity. The men, aged 18-25 and living in Adelaide, Australia, identify aspects of gay culture with the capacity to promote and reinforce body image concerns among gay males. A life historical perspective provides reflections on participants’bodies in school, including those of growing up young and gay. Current body-based issues are identified, highlighting the plight of many gay males regarding the physical-aesthetic-driven culture in which they exist.

Key Words: gay men • body image • in-depth interviews

Men and Masculinities, Vol. 7, No. 3, 270-290 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/1097184X04271357


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