Feedback from Younger LGBTIQ+ People

The GenB (Intergenerational Body Positivity) Project shares body positive messages from older LGBTIQ+ people to younger LGBTIQ+ people.

The project is a response to research showing some younger people don't feel positive about their bodies. This may be particularly the case for younger LGBTIQ+ people. We also know that some older people also don't feel positive about their bodies.

We have been working with older people in Daylesford, to help them feel more positive about their bodies - and to send messages of encouragement to younger LGBTIQ+ people. The project is an initiative of Celebrate Ageing Ltd, a charity that includes the Centre for Intergenerational Power.

About this survey
This survey shares body positive messages from five older LGBTIQ+ people to support younger LGBTIQ+ people. We invite you to read the messages and then tell us what you think about each message. The survey takes about 5-10 minutes to complete and is confidential. At the end of the survey we will ask if you want to write a body positive message for an older LGBTIQ+ person.

Having a tough time?
If you are having a tough time, there are lots of great services out there to help, with free, confidential support - by phone, email or text. Check out the following links:
  • https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
  • https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Question Title

* 1. Please read the following message from June and write a response to the message in the space below.
"My message to young Queer people is to keep a quizzical critical eye on the way you are thinking. Not a self-hating eye. Be a little self-amused. We are all susceptible to suggestions. Be aware of how we allow ourselves to be manipulated by the beauty industry. Everywhere you look there are messages about how we are expected to present ourselves. Try to protect yourself from the vortex of superficiality about the way people look. Be the boss. We are influenced by the way others think, but don’t get sucked into it. Play with it. Your value has nothing to do with how you look. That’s not a thing. It’s a fantasy. Try to separate fact from fiction. If you are playing Monopoly you know you are not really buying Bond St. That’s what Fashion is like. It’s not who you are." June

Question Title

* 2. Please read the following message from Catherine and write a response to the message in the space below.
"I have never thought of myself as beautiful. I knew there were ‘rules’ about who was considered beautiful and who wasn’t. I knew these rules focused on women’s bodies and were terribly unfair – but I still wanted to fit in. Later when I came out - I felt marginalised, disempowered and even less beautiful. But now I realise ‘the margins’ can be a place of power. I don’t have to fit into anyone else’s rules. I am a beautiful human being with a body that works, and I am grateful for it every single day. Deciding my own value has been a liberation. My message to younger LGBTIQ+ people is – your opinion of you is the one that matters most. Celebrate your body for the life if gives you. Celebrate the amazing person that you are." Catherine

Question Title

* 3. Please read the following message from Max P and write a response to the message in the space below.
"There is so much bullshit coming at us constantly about the way we are expected to look. Your body is not like everyone else’s body, because your life is not like everyone else’s life. There are no perfect bodies. It's important to accept yourself. Sometimes being Queer we can feel pressure from other people to be something we are not. I know that’s not easy. But remind yourself you are as good as everyone else. If you find it difficult to accept yourself, then make friends with people who love you for who you are and who remind you that you are beautiful just as you are." Max P

Question Title

* 4. Please read the following message from Max N and write any feedback in the space below.
"As a teenager I felt like my body wasn’t good enough or didn’t fit into what was considered masculine. I used clothing as a protective coverup, but that encouraged bullying and the occasional physical aggression and name calling … . But now I know that beautiful isn’t just about my body, it’s also about my mind. My journey is one of evolving as a person and accumulating wisdom. I have always avoided conflict as I feel it damages me, and it takes a long time to recover, so I always tried to have a safe space. I have found that Mother Nature has been a great healer for me in appreciating the beauty of our surroundings. Try not to compare yourself to others. Know that you are loved by others, despite feeling you may not be. Being comfortable and kind to yourself is a journey taken one step at a time. Find people you trust to talk through things with. Don’t keep it to yourself and be overwhelmed. You’ll get there, like I have." Max N

Question Title

* 5. Please read the following message from Ricki and write any feedback in the space below.
"I’m happy with who I am. I don’t hide who I am. If someone doesn’t like how I look – then don’t look. Take your gaze somewhere else. I’m happy. I found my inner peace. My body is my temple, and I celebrate it. That makes me feel good and it reminds me I have accepted myself. My message to young people is that being you is so important. If you are a bigger person or have skin imperfection, or don’t have use of a limb – using your uniqueness is your space on this planet. Embrace that. Embrace yourself." Ricki

Question Title

* 6. Were these messages useful for you? (please click one response)

No Somewhat Very much
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

Question Title

* 7. Do you think these messages could be useful for other younger LGBTIQ+ people? (please click one response)

No Somewhat Very much
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

Question Title

* 8. Would you like to write a body positive message to an older LGBTIQ+ person? (use the space below to write your message).

Question Title

* 9. Would you like to make any other comments?

T