Matrix can supply a speaker to present to your organisation on any topic relating to older lesbians. They promote appropriate care and support for older lesbians. Matrix Guild Victoria – founded in 1992 by a group of lesbian feminists for the benefit of lesbians over 40 years of age. You may find this link useful to video shared stories and lived experiences of many LGBTI people. Programs include: LGBTI Inclusive practice (HOW2 training, Rainbow Tick), Safe Schools Coalition Victoria, Rainbow Network. Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria – Research, Training, Inclusive practice, Online library, e-newsletter. Through a range of projects, they deliver community-led and culturally appropriate services that improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTI people living throughout Victoria, South Australia, and beyond. Thorne Harbour Health continues to lead the response by providing a range of services which include prevention education, treatment and care of PLHIV and counselling services. The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article.Thorne Harbour Health -formed in 1983 (initially as the Victorian AIDS Action Committee and later the Victorian AIDS Council) as a central part of the Victorian community response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. As the number of gay men seeking cosmetic surgery continues to rise, so too should our understanding and awareness of the influences that motivate them to alter their bodies. 5 To our knowledge, there are no published studies that report if undergoing cosmetic surgery actually improves body satisfaction among gay men.
However, it is clear that for many, the pressure to have the perfect body is a result of low self-esteem. We cannot generalize the motivations behind every gay man’s pursuit of plastic surgery. Aside from plastic surgeons, some colorectal surgeons report that their practice now consists of 20% anal rejuvenation services from the gay community. 7 These noninvasive procedures consist of application of Botox, lasers, bleaching, tightening, or loosening of the anus. 3 In the past few years, the field of “anal rejuvenation” has emerged in larger cities, such as Los Angeles, New York City, or Chicago. LGBTQ+ friendly plastic surgeons report the most common procedures they perform are liposuction, laser hair removal, pectoralis or calf muscle implants, or Botox injections. 5 Gay men are thought to be one of the fastest-growing client bases in the cosmetic surgery industry however, precise data are difficult to obtain because surgeons rarely question patients about their sexual orientation. According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, there was an 18% rise in abdominoplasties performed on men in 2018. 6 This trend is being seen in other countries as well.
In 2020, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported a 29% increase in plastic surgery among men. This has led many gay men to turn to plastic surgery or anabolic steroids to increase muscle mass. Many may feel pressure to resemble the male fitness models they see in leading gay magazines or other online platforms. An article published by The Atlantic states, “The idealized male physique is a major point of cultural reference in the dominant representation of gay men.” 4 Dating apps and social media also may exacerbate body image issues in gay communities. 3Ĭontemporary gay culture places great importance on attaining a body type that portrays masculinity and muscularity.
2 This may be associated with higher rates of subclinical eating disorders seen in gay and bisexual men compared to heterosexuals. The literature also reports that gay men experience more negative body image evaluation and are more susceptible to body comparison than their heterosexual counterparts. 1 Thus, with a goal of attracting men, both heterosexual women and gay men place a great emphasis on physical attractiveness. Multiple studies have found that men prioritize physical appearance in their mate more than women do. Modern society places a significant value on physical attractiveness.