Feminism and Weight Anxiety
[Trigger Warning for fatphobia, body policing, depression, anxiety and maybe eating disorders]
New video from Holly-Rae discussing body positivity, feminism and personal insecurity.
This Dame:
Tumblr: http://toughtea.tumblr.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/missraaae
Blog: http://toughtea.wordpress.com
I’m new to tumblr, or this tumblr so not many people may see this. Also I was planning on doing this as a vlog for ‘Those pesky dames’ on youtube but I suck at vlogging. I am however confident as a writer so I thought I would do it like this.
I am twenty eight years old. I love Harry Potter, caffeine, chocolate, cake and the colour green. I have one older brother. I am left handed. I have a wonderful boyfriend. I love Christmas. I have recently lost 5 stone. I am bisexual. If you know me, it is hugely likely that the last thing I mentioned on that list will come as a surprise to you. This is not something I have made known to a lot of people. This is something I have struggled with massively over the years. I felt it was time to stop hiding something about myself that I have no reason to be ashamed of. I have known that I’m bisexual since I was about twelve years old and had a massive crush on Ginger Spice. I was TERRIFIED of these feelings. I knew I liked boys, but also liked girls. I didn’t know anyone else who felt this way and was convinced there was something wrong with me. When I was seveteen I was diagnosed with clinical depression, something I still recieve treatment for. I found day to day life incredibly hard, and buried any questions over my sexuality whilst I dealt with what felt like a dark cloud over my head. When I was 19 I made the decision to tell a few friends and family about my feelings about my sexuality. I was laughed at by a few people and told it was a phase by a few others. The most supportive were the school friends that I drunkenly told in the cubicle of a gay nightclub. Unfortunately I woke up the next day paralysed with fear of people knowing- I wasn’t ready for this to be a part of my identity. So I phoned the friends and said I was drunk and had been joking. To those friends now- I’m sorry I lied. Since then, I have struggled with these feelings a lot, ranging for complete acceptance to complete denial. But in the last year, things have changed for me. I am no longer obese and finally happy in my own skin and body. I have a very supportive boyfriend who loves me for who I am, something I never thought I would find with any partner. And I finally seem to be accepting my mental health issues and am making new strides to being a healthy person. So I felt now was the time to tell people about this part of myself. It doesn’t change who I am- my likes or dislikes. It doesn’t change my relationship- I am happy and committed and with someone who accepts me for who I am. It doesn’t change me as a daughter, sister, cousin, niece or friend. I hope it doesn’t change the way people feel about me, but for those it does, that is something I accept. I have seen so many people being courageous about their sexuality and identity and I have hidden in the background. No longer- it’s time to stand up and be counted. I won’t be afraid to be myself any more.
Love Jen.
Live chat is Beat’s online service where you can talk to others who are in a similar situation in real time. The chance to talk online in a safe environment can be a really useful and positive experience. The Live chat is facilitated by an experienced Beat moderator who checks everything that is posted before it is shared.
We have just launched weekly live chats for young people under 25 offering support to men, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transvestite and transsexual (LGBTT) individuals and the black and minority ethnic community (BME).
BME and LGBTT young people: join us every Tuesday 6.45-8pm
Young men: join us every Thursday 6.45-8pm
This list of UK-based mental health contacts is printed in the zine, but I want it here too (click to make larger). If you would like a transcript, please message me and I can sort that out.
There’s some great support networks out there. People do want to hear from you, and they do want to try to help.
Get your copy of the zine here for £2.
Can years of enduring racial discrimination leave a person as damaged as a returning soldier? New research seems to suggest just that.
A recent study out of Penn State University has found that chronic exposure to racial discrimination is analogous to the pressure troops can feel in combat and war. Researchers found that many African-Americans who’ve been faced with racism struggle with debilitating stress similar to soldiers returning home from war.
Battling Life Suck
Unfuck Your Habitat: http://unfuckyourhabitat.tumblr.com
Abbey Night: http://girlunlocked.tumblr.com/post/18440599678/unfucking-my-relationship-wit…
Other things to make you happy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyUXoap67N8
http://i.imgur.com/KdXqD.gif
Those Pesky Dames:
Tumblr: http://thosepeskydames.tumblr.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thosepeskydames
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thosepeskydames
This Dame:
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/somekindofbecca
Tumblr: http://somekindofbecca.tumblr.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/beccarothwell
Calm down dear, big boys don’t cry.
Emotions: a mini lesson in how sexism screws us all.
How are you feeling today YouTube?
If you’re finding it hard to cope, struggling emotionally or just need someone to talk to call the numbers below or visit their website for further help.
UK
Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90
http://www.samaritans.org
USA
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
http://www.hopeline.com/
Outside the UK/USA
Visit http://www.befrienders.org to find your nearest helpline.
Tell us how you’re feeling:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thosepeskydames
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thosepeskydames
This Dame:
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/somekindofbecca
Tumblr: http://somekindofbecca.tumblr.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/beccarothwell
