How Gender Norms Play a Role in Eating Disorders—Plus, LGBTQIA+ Resources for Healing
Beneath all the rainbow flags and chants of affirmation lies a painful truth: Existing in a world of binary gender norms and narrow beauty ideals contributes to an elevated risk of eating disorders within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Research shows that, in the United States alone, sexual minority adults are 2–4 times more likely to suffer from eating disorder symptoms than their heterosexual, cisgender peers.
However, due to societal barriers such as stigma, discrimination, finances, or lack of identity-affirming care, many LGBTQIA+ folks can’t access the treatment they need, reports the Journal of Eating Disorders.
Here at Project HEAL, we believe that radical acceptance, affirming support, and access to treatment for all bodies is vital to queer liberation. So, let’s discuss the role gender norms play in eating disorders and explore some queer-centered resources to help sustain recovery.
The Link Between Gender Norms and Eating Disorders
According to another recent study in the Journal of Eating Disorders, 60 percent of LGBTQIA+ adolescents exhibit at least one eating disorder behavior—and these symptoms often continue well into adulthood. This is especially the case for transgender or gender non-conforming folks, nearly 70 percent of whom base their self-worth on how much they weigh.
Because eating disorders are such complex illnesses, we can’t overlook how a queer person’s environment and the sociocultural expectations around them can influence body dissatisfaction or weight-control behaviors.
That’s where gender norms come in.
What is “Gender Norm”?
A gender norm is a socially constructed belief that shapes how both men and women are taught to function, interact, and present themselves within mainstream culture.
Notice the deliberate use of “men and women”—in many cultures, gender norms erase or devalue the experiences of anyone outside the heteronormative two-gender framework. Within this framework, in the U.S., women are expected to look thin, while men are expected to look strong and muscular
Thus, someone who presents as conventionally masculine or feminine is often treated more favorably than someone who presents as non-binary. It comes as no surprise that in a recent survey of almost 9,000 queer men and non-binary folks, most respondents said they feel pressure to reflect traditional masculine norms.
Similarly, research shows that queer women are prone to frequent dieting and compulsive exercising in pursuit of thin feminine ideals. Many transgender folks also use weight-control behaviors to repress bodily functions and physical characteristics that can lead others to scrutinize or mis-gender them.
Pressure to conform is often a result of the shame, trauma, discrimination, stigma, and rejection that queer folks navigate in mainstream society. But it also comes from internalized norms within the LGBTQIA+ community.
As with anything in life, this phenomenon is nuanced. According to the Journal of Sex Research, for some, a connection to other queer folks helps alleviate body dissatisfaction. Whereas for others—especially racial minorities and those in larger bodies—queer stereotypes (i.e. “the lean, muscular gay man”) can exacerbate poor body image.
Why LGBTQIA+ Folks Are More Vulnerable to Eating Disorders
As you can see, the influence of gender norms is extensive, and the impacts are often severe. From the internal shame of not presenting as “masculine” or “feminine” enough, to the intense fear of harm simply for existing outside these narrow binaries, gender norms can make queer folks particularly vulnerable to eating disorders.
Here are a few more contributing dynamics that increase eating disorder risk factors in LGBTQIA+ communities.
Minority Stress: Nearly half of all transgender or nonbinary adults experience discrimination in public. As a result, some queer folks turn to disordered behaviors to cope or control their body, and thus, minimize the discrimination.
Rejection and Isolation: According to another poll of about 3,700 young adults, almost half of those who identify as queer are estranged from at least one relative. Fractured relationships with their families—and in some cases, peers, faith communities, or other connection points—can lead to feelings of rejection, isolation, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. This is fertile soil for an eating disorder to take root.
Body Dysphoria: The term “body dysphoria” refers to an intense level of discomfort or dissatisfaction with your appearance, often leading to extreme behaviors in an effort to change it. This is particularly common among trans folks, who are more likely to exhibit body image distortion, internalized physical shame, restrictive eating habits, compulsive exercise, body checking, and a sense of detachment from themselves.
Lack of Affirming Care: Many eating disorder treatment centers or healthcare providers are not set up to meet the diverse, unique needs of their LGBTQIA+ patients. This lack of identity-affirming care can result in misdiagnosis, exclusion from healing communities, barriers to treatment access, and poor recovery outcomes. In fact, some queer folks aren’t even taken seriously in treatment settings because they don’t conform to the thin feminine stereotype that clinicians often associate with eating disorders.
LGBTQIA+ Resources to Support Your Healing Journey
Despite the harmful gender norms, societal pressures, and healing barriers that LGBTQIA+ communities face, an increasing number of queer-centered organizations and platforms are on the frontlines to confront these disparities with affirming, accessible support. Below are a few resources for queer folks who are ready to embark on eating disorder recovery.
National Alliance for Eating Disorders
The National Alliance for Eating Disorders runs a free pro-recovery group each week for queer folks of all genders who experience eating disorder behaviors.
These virtual meetings are led by queer therapists. The goal is to nurture a safe environment where folks can connect, heal, and feel valued alongside others in the LGBTQIA+ community. You must be at least 18 years old to join this group, and all conversations remain confidential.
Queer Magic Podcast
The Queer Magic Podcast is hosted by Luis Cornejo (he/they), certified therapist and co-owner of PsychoSocial Therapy, which tailors mental health services to the needs of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC clients.
On Queer Magic, Cornejo delves into all sorts of topics, from the intersection of diet culture and queer bodies to the role of joy in authentic gender exploration and transition.
If you’re looking for a podcast that unapologetically celebrates queer embodiment, empowerment, and self-expression, this is the healing resource for you.
FEDUP Collective
FEDUP Collective is a platform that raises awareness for the critically high incidence of eating disorders in trans, intersex, non-binary, and other gender-diverse communities. FEDUP also offers tools for treatment providers to establish more affirming, inclusive care models in their practices.
For eating disorder sufferers, FEDUP has two free online groups: one for anyone who identifies as gender-diverse and one for BIPOC folks who identify as gender-diverse. You must be at least 18 years old to join either of these groups.
Project HEAL
Project HEAL is on a mission to make eating disorder treatment more affordable and equitable for those in marginalized communities, including LGBTQIA+ folks. Our treatment placement, financial assistance, and clinical assessment programs will reduce the systemic barriers that can prevent you from accessing the care you need from clinicians who affirm your gender expression or identity. Apply for treatment support today or learn more about our programs.
Heal and Thrive with Pride in Your Authentic Self
Eating disorders can feed off silence, shame, and invisibility, all of which LGBTQIA+ folks have continually been forced to navigate. But the truth is, you deserve to feel safe as your authentic, unique, vibrant self. Healing is possible, and life on the other side of an eating disorder has so much in store for you.
