#51: How does gender identity intersect with body positivity?
with Allegra Gordon, ScD, MPH and LB Moore, M.Ed., M.Ed.
In this episode we discuss…
Allegra and LB’s work in different capacities with LBBTQ youth, and how their identities and lived experiences inform their perspectives
unique body- and body image-related stressors faced by trans and gender nonbinary youth
dysphoria, and variations in how it’s experienced
transphobia, at the interpersonal and systemic level
gender-affirming medical treatments
“passing” and its nuances
why gender has to be part of conversations about young peoples’ relationships to their bodies
when “body positivity” vs. “body neutrality” are useful
findings from research and clinical experience about appearance ideals for trans and gender nonbinary youth
appearance ideals that come from the dominant culture, and can also come internally from within trans and nonbinary communities
the role of safety in pressure to fit appearance ideals
stereotypes and stigma in appearance ideals, and how hereosexism, sexism, racism, and fatphobia intersect
support, resilience, and community strengths
what parents can do to build awareness of and increase protective factors for their kids
making change at the policy level, and the research on the impact of supportive policies
LB and Allegra’s answers to the million dollar question
Guests’ recommended resources:
this update from ACLU’s Deputy Director for Transgender Justice about recent legislative efforts around the country that would harm transgender kids
Nalgona Positivity Pride - an Xicana-indigenous organization that provides intersectional eating disorders education and community-based support for people of color who are struggling with troubled eating and poor body-image
Resources mentioned:
the full bloom podcast episode #20 with Carly Guss and Sabra Katz-Wise
Researcher Dr. Allegra Gordon and clinician LB Moore join us for a fascinating conversation about gender and body positivity — touching on the research as well as clinical and lived experience. We discuss the unique stressors faced by trans and gender nonbinary youth, the need for a nuanced approach to body positivity, variations in appearance ideals, and their impact. We also learn how parents and providers can help strengthen protective factors for the young people in their lives.
Allegra Gordon, ScD, MPH (she/her) is a social epidemiologist and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health. She also holds an appointment in the Department of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and is a faculty mentor with the Harvard Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders (STRIPED). Trained as a social epidemiologist, she uses quantitative and qualitative research methods to understand the mental and physical health impacts of stigma and discrimination as well as the effects of gender norms on the health of young people across sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. She earned her doctorate at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Master’s of Public Health at Columbia University. She has been involved in the field of LGBTQ health for over 15 years. Current research projects related to body image and eating disorders include a national survey of transgender and non-binary young adults about how body image affects intimate relationships and sexual health and studies on the health impacts of weight stigma among adolescents and young adults. In collaboration with Trans Folx Fighting Eating Disorders, she is currently running The BRIGHT Project, a formative research study aiming to adapt evidence-based eating disorder prevention interventions for transgender and non-binary young people. She was born and raised in Berkeley, CA and now calls Boston, MA home.
LB Moore, M.Ed., M.Ed (they/them or ze/zir) is a behavioral health professional, educator, and the LGBTQ+ Program Manager at Program RISE and Framingham GLASS, a program providing services centering the needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ youth of color and young people living with HIV. LB is also a clinical research assistant at Boston Children's Hospital in the Department of Adolescent/Young Adult medicine as an interviewer, data analyst, and writer within the Trans Teens and Family Narratives Project (PI: Dr. Sabra Katz-Wise), investigating how social support (and its absence) impact trans teens and their family members over time. Ze earned two Master of Education degrees from Boston University: one in Physical Education and Coaching, and the second in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Sports and Performance Psychology. Zir clinical work has focused on work with LGBTQ+ youth of color, with specialization working with transgender and gender nonbinary (T/GNB) clients and those living with HIV. Zir writing and teaching has frequently focused on T/GNB people and body-related challenges including dysphoria, internalized oppression, disordered eating, dysmorphia, and negative body image, as well as body-related joys including gender affirmation, body neutrality and positivity, internalized liberation, and supportive body image. LB is a white, trans, nonbinary Jew with disabilities, a focus on intersectional justice, and a love of plants.