CHECK NRW #2

Why is the body so important in our modern
society?
The body itself has played an important role in
every society at all times. Today we have a lot of
media that communicate these body images. In
the days before the Internet, there were printed
representations in magazines or in art that were
not so permanently present. Today an ideal image
of the body is constantly available and it is reproduced
again and again. A comparison is made on
all channels. Being bombarded with so many ideal
body images on a daily basis, our own body image
can be affected, often forcing us to have its ideals.
It tends to affect everyone who participates in
public life, but is primarily encountered in social
media. This is especially the case on Instagram
as it is a very visual platform.
Is this pressure particularly noticeable in the
LGBTIQ* community?
You have to differentiate here. On average, gay
men*, for example, started using online dating
apps and the internet relatively early on. As a
result, the “attractive” body has always been
particularly important to them – and the pressure
to meet these expectations is correspondingly
high. Trans* and inter* people, on the other
hand, are often confronted with their bodies
and how society receives them. Here the body
is often at the center of an entire identity that
is attacked from many sides. They are hit all the
harder by criticism and gossip.
What consequences can body shaming have
for those affected?
In addition to a general feeling of inferiority
that leads people to withdraw, it can trigger
self-harming behavior. This can lead to eating
disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, as well
as sports addiction and extreme bodybuilding.
The latter is often associated with the use of
artificial steroids, which can have a lasting
effect on one’s quality of life. But even without
pronounced symptoms: making fun of people or
their physical features, insulting them because
they look the way they look, that does something
to those affected – but sometimes this is
only noticed much later.
What would have to change in society so that
such discrimination no longer occurs?
Photo: Cristian Newman_unsplash.com
Body images and norms do not change overnight.
Here, the legislator is required to deal
more with hate speech and other phenomena
and, on the other hand, to make campaigns
more successful. In addition, there are social
movements that react to this, such as the body
positivity movement, which campaigns for the
acceptance of one’s own individual body.
Where can those affected find support?
The particularly badly affected group of young
people can turn to the classic youth support
offices. For LGBTIQ* persons, advice centers
at SUB, LeTRa, diversity or the Münchner Aids-
Hilfe are in the best position to refer affected
people to the appropriate offices. (ts,mb)
(Interview: Bernd Müller)
Münchner Aids-Hilfe e.V.
Lindwurmstrasse 71, 80337 Munich
www.muenchner-aidshilfe.de
CHECK NRW #2
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