Matthew Numer – The Conversation

Queer men are using comics as a medium of self-expression to challenge, destabilize or embrace ideas about body image. Here, an excerpt from ‘Garden’ by Derrick Chow. ('Garden' by Derrick Chow)

July 14, 2019

Pow! Comics are a way to improve queer men’s body image

Phillip Joy, Dalhousie University; Matthew Numer, Dalhousie University; Megan Aston, Dalhousie University, and Stephanie Gauvin, Queen's University, Ontario

Queer men’s comics are contributing to changing cultural narratives about what queer men’s bodies should be, and health researchers are taking note.

Body ideals can often lead gay men into feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem and depression. The photographer captioned this image, ‘You just want to go in the fetal position and you kind of feel alone.’ (Moe)

January 6, 2019

How body ideals shape the health of gay men

Phillip Joy, Dalhousie University and Matthew Numer, Dalhousie University

In this photography-based research project, gay men document their struggles with body image, and challenge current beauty standards.

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