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The Need for a New Definition of Beauty Standards
A new My Health Agenda episode featuring Jennifer Rodríguez is out this week and we can’t wait for you to find out her story. Jennifer defies the beauty standards society and shared how she learned to stand up for herself — Her body, mind and spirit— and find new healthy ways to be conscious of her health. There’s so much to find out, learn and unlearn about beauty standards, that we did a little research about the evolution of LGBTQ beauty, specifically.
We can’t deny that the definition of beauty nowadays seems to be hinged according to society’s specific standards. While it’s especially tougher for those within the LGBTQ community, it’s also frustrating to realize that companies who capitalize on beauty trends – especially black and Latinx LGBTQ beauty — are the same ones who exclude them along the way.
The constant stigma, prejudice and discrimination that LGBTQ people face daily contribute to exclusion in a wide variety of aspects, including the beauty world. In fact, approximately 33 black and Latinx LGBTQ have been allegedly murdered this year alone. This statistic alone already demonstrates how there is still a lack of collective acceptance of its members, especially towards people of color. Moreover, it reflects that gender-nonconforming people, transmen and transwomen are basically invisible in the beauty world, despite their massive contributions.
The Struggle in Body Image
Because of the continuous discrimination imposed on the community, LGBTQ+ people often experience large levels of minority stress. This minority stress extends to LGBTQ body image as well. A study shows sexual orientation and internalized negative attitudes regarding homosexuality tend to predict higher levels of body dissatisfaction. The same also goes for both binary and non-binary transgender people, whereas another study discovered a significant link between the harassment and a low level of self-esteem and body appreciation. Because of this, LGBTQ self-love is simultaneously being affected as well.
The need for a new definition of beauty
For all it’s worth, it’s apparent that we break free from the beauty norms that society constantly imposes, especially towards the LGBTQ community. This goes beyond slapping rainbows on walls or waving pride flags during pride month, only to forget all about what the advocacy stands for long after it ends. If companies truly want to include the Latinx LGBTQ community in the conversation, it’s imperative that all the efforts yet to be attempted must transcend the bare minimum.
If we want a new definition of beauty, it should always start with inclusivity. Members of the LGBTQ community should be given sufficient room and liberty to express themselves without following harsh standards. There should be avenues for them to share their lifestyle without getting harassed for it, a place where they are free to voice their opinions.
Evolution of LGBTQ beauty standards through the years
Fortunately, there is some type of progress seen when it comes to inclusion in the beauty world. Compared to previous years, society now tries to adhere to an expansive world where everyone is beautiful regardless of shape, size, gender, or race. There is now recognition in the efforts to break free from traditional beauty standards – evident in a couple of magazine covers we see today – such as being accepting in genderfluid clothes and including more LGBTQ people of color in the scene. While these are instances that are truly worth celebrating, we still have the responsibility to keep urging for a more inclusive space that is safe for everyone to be themselves.
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