From Victoria’s Secret ads that center thin, white, cisgender, abled-bodied women, to magazines that edit out any sort of fat from a model’s body, we’ve all seen examples of how bodies that do not fit the stereotypical idea of what society deems as “beautiful” be cast out. Those who do not fit the stereotypical ideas of being attractive are often ignored, insulted, and laughed at. These messages can cause insecurity and the belief that one’s body is “not good enough,” or “not pretty enough,” compared to their thinner, abled-bodied peers.

That’s bulls**t.

Our bodies are our own, and they are beautiful in their own right.  And this applies to all bodies – not just those that fit societal standards of beauty, which are often rooted in white supremacy, transphobia, ableism, and fatphobia. Our bodies deserve better than snap judgments about appearance, function, or capability (including those relating to sexuality). And our bodies are not indicators of our value or moral worth.

People deserve to feel good about their bodies, regardless of what they look like. For example, one can appreciate how their body keeps them alive every day and allows them to do their favorite activities. Touch can bring comfort and pleasure regardless of any other considerations.  

The body positivity movement has led to some improvements – for example, advertisements have recently started to include models of all shapes and sizes. However, more often than not, you will see a cisgender, white, abled-bodied model starring in an ad or TV show, proving that media has not yet caught up with the movement (Dove’s “Real Beauty” campaign is a case in point).  Thankfully, the body positivity movement is much more inclusive on social media, where you can often see hashtags like #bodypositivity and #selflove that are inclusive of all people, regardless of race, gender, ability, or sexual orientation.

Everyone deserves to feel good about themselves, both inside and outside of the bedroom. Let’s prioritize consent, communication, protection, and pleasure in our sexual experiences, and remember that our bodies are worthy of love, acceptance, and respect!