Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

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Need help?

Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

Need help?
Donate

Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

Need help?

Resources, tips and advice specifically for LGBTQIA+ individuals experiencing eating disorders and body image concerns. 

We know that LGBTQIA+ adults and adolescents experience greater incidence of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours, more severe symptoms, and longer delays between diagnosis and treatment.

Homophobia, transphobia, gender dysphoria, discrimination, bullying, trauma, abuse, and alienation from friends or family can all cause emotional stress. In addition to other risk factors, these issues can contribute to body image issues and/or eating disorders.

Scroll down for evidence-based resources, tips, and advice from people who’ve been there themselves.

If you are downloading resources from this page please be aware that the files are up to 10MB

In partnership with Instagram, Butterfly’s Body Pride campaign is dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community around Mardi Gras, WorldPride and beyond!

While Mardi Gras is usually a time of celebration, love and pride, we know it can be difficult for some LGBTQIA+ people.

It’s because of intense and unrealistic expectations of what you “should” look like, amounting in anxiety and pressure that can leave people vulnerable to engaging in disordered eating and exercise behaviours in an attempt to change their bodies. We’re aiming to address and challenge these negative conversations around body ideals and appearance that can spike in the lead up to and during events like Mardi Gras.

Pride at every size, shape and identity. #BodyPride

Find out more

Blogs

Body image pressures as a cis-gendered gay man
Nik shares how he navigated stereotypical ideas around bodies and beauty within the gay community.
Body politics, loving myself and my queerness
Miki shares how the queer community allowed them to make peace with their body.
How my gender identity impacted my eating disorder as a man of transgender experience
Reece shares the impact of not receiving gender affirming care during eating disorder treatment & how his Anorexia evolved once he had transitioned.
Non-Binary Day through a lived experience lens
Non-binary members of the Butterfly Collective share their insights into gender identity and eating disorders.
Having an eating disorder and affirming my gender
Queer advocate Stevie Lane shares their journey towards non-binary body acceptance.
Navigating my sexuality and eating disorder recovery
Mitch shares how homophobia played a part in his eating disorder and why society needs to do better.
How my gender transition helped my recovery
Sexologist and researcher Kai shares how transitioning impacted his eating disorder.
Embracing your queerness is about embracing who you are as a whole person
Chantel shares why some trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people experience unique body image concerns.
A work in progress: my story of eating disorders, neurodiversity and queerness
Zoe shares how they overcame Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder to become a LGBTQIA+, ADHD and mental health advocate.

Watch LGBTQIA+ individuals discussing eating disorders & body image concerns

How culture and gender identity impacts eating disorders
Emily's recovery was made more difficult by health professionals who didn’t understand the intersectionality between their cultural, gender, and sexual identities.
Living with an eating disorder as a trans, non-binary person
Chantel's treatment and recovery was hindered by stereotypes that assume you have to look a certain way to have an eating disorder. They learned to think differently.
Reducing the impact of likes & comments with Style By Deni
Non-binary creator Deni Todorovič shares the part Instagram played in their coming out journey, and how they manage negative comments on social media.
Navigating sexuality and body image issues from an early age
As a ‘closeted queer kid with body image issues’ Patrick grew up thinking his body would never be good enough...but then he realised it already was.
Aboriginal, proud, and LGBTQIA+: #EveryBODY is Deadly
Felicia Foxx started her drag career to broaden the visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community in Aboriginal communities. Here she shares her experience with culture and body image.
Body image, body comparisons, and eating disorders
Katie shares her experience with anorexia and bulimia and what it’s like to be in a same sex relationship while navigating recovery and body image concerns.
Mental health, identity, sexuality, and recovery from disordered eating
Quinn identifies as transmasc, non-binary and queer and lived with an eating disorder for years. Their story is one of finding true self through the ups and downs of recovery.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia & Body Pride: Navigating body image and eating disorders
Featuring Chantel (lived experience) and Tania Nichols (Butterfly's Helpline Supervisor), this webinar explores how unrealistic expectations of what LGBTIQ+ people should look like can leave people vulnerable to engaging in disordered eating and exercise behaviours to change their bodies.

Let's Talk with experts and those with lived experience

All about #BodyPride as an LGBTQIA+ human
We chat to #BodyPride content creators Allira, Jeff, Matt and Jonti, as well as a 78er, Peter, who was at the first Mardi Gras, about why they’re choosing to participate in WorldPride with BodyPride, starring their unique, kind, and most authentic selves.
Gender, sexuality and eating disorders
Why too many LGBTIQA+ people do not get the support and treatment they need - and what we can do about it.
Sex, intimacy and body Image
Negative body image can really impact our sex lives, but we can improve it for much greater enjoyment.
In Depth with LGBTQIA+ specialist Kai Schweizer
Sexologist and trans and gender-diverse researcher Kai talks about how transitioning can impact recovery.
Matt Hey x JOY Drive: Body image and Pride Events
Alright, Hey! chats to JOY Drive about new research from Butterfly surrounding body image and pride events.

In the News

‘Mardi Gras shred’: Why Pride celebrations bring body anxiety for many
Eating Disorder Treatment Often Excludes Transgender People
'I didn't want a feminine body': Calls for eating disorder services to better support LGBTIQ+ patients
The ‘Intense Pressure’ The LGBTQIA+ Community Feels To Look A Certain Way At Mardi Gras
“You’re Powerful” Allira Potter On Body Positivity, Coming Out And Being Enough
Jonti Ridley On The #BodyPride Campaign & Staying Confident For Sydney WorldPride
'I am me and that is enough' Allira Potter on navigating appearance pressures during pride season
Why eating disorders are misunderstood and mistreated in LGBTQ+ communities

Research papers and scientific articles

Eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors in the LGBT population: a review of the literature
An emerging evidence base shows that LGBT+ individuals are at higher risk of developing disordered eating or an eating disorder, with several unique risk factors that are important to consider.
Trans and nonbinary individuals’ descriptions of their eating and body concerns
This study details trans and non-binary individuals’ experiences of eating disorders, disordered eating and/or body image concerns in relation to their gender identity and gender expression.
Fat is feminine: A qualitative study of how weight stigma is constructed among sexual minority men
This study examines why weight stigma is so common among sexual minority men.
Beach body ready? Shredding for summer? A first look at "seasonal body image"
Over 70% of sexual minority men reported changes to their body image across Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter
Private Lives 3
Conducted by Latrobe University, PL3 is Australia’s largest national survey of the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people to date.
Writing Themselves in 4
The largest ever study on the experiences of LGBTQA+ young people aged 14-21 in Australia, asking questions about their experiences with education, homelessness, harassment, assault, mental health, community connections and more.
Why do queer men experience negative body image? A narrative review and testable stigma model
Queer men experience greater body dissatisfaction are more likely to develop eating disorders. This narrative review moves towards an understanding of systemic-level negative body image for queer men.

The Butterfly National Helpline

Our counsellors receive LGBTIQA+ training and are committed to providing free, confidential and non-judgemental counselling, referrals and information to anyone experiencing an eating disorder or body image issue, as well as their friends and family.

We understand that gender and sexuality are complex issues and unique to each individual. We make no assumptions about your story and we do not discriminate. To learn more about eating disorders and how the impact LGBTQIA+ individuals, visit this page.

Whether you need support for yourself or someone you care about, call our confidential Helpline team on 1800 33 4673, chat online or email support@butterfly.org.au

butterfly helplinEFind a professional

 

EDV: BLOOM Support Group

This group is exclusively for the LGBTQIA+ community (Victoria residents only) who are experiencing eating disorders. It is a safe space to discuss the dynamic challenges of eating disorders, body image, gender identity and sexuality and how this is impacting you at the moment. 

MORE INFO

Q Life

QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Call 1800 184 537, 3pm-midnight, 7 days a week.

Visit Q Life Website

 

Minus18

Through a preventative model of mental health support, Minus18 support LGBTQIA+ youth by focusing on life-affirming social inclusion, education, advocacy, and youth empowerment.

Visit Minus18 website

 

Lifeline

Lifeline provides 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14 or chat online.

Visit Lifeline’s website

 

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Butterfly acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work as the first people of this country.
We commit to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in health care. We welcome all help-seekers and strive to create a safe place for all people, irrespective of their size, shape, age, abilities, gender, sexuality, cultural background, language, economic status, profession or location.

Butterfly acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work as the first people of this country.

We commit to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in health care. We welcome all help-seekers and strive to create a safe place for all people, irrespective of their size, shape, age, abilities, gender, sexuality, cultural background, language, economic status, profession or location.

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