Despite the stereotypical image of a cis, white, thin heterosexual woman the media often portrays, eating disorders are actually more prevalent in the LGBTQ+ community. According to a 2018 survey by the Trevor Project, 54% of LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-24 have been diagnosed with eating disorders, and 75% suspected they had struggled with one at some point in their lives.
Of those, transgender people had the highest rates of eating disorders overall with 71% of heterosexual transgender survey responders reporting an eating disorder diagnosis.
NEDA compiled a list of just a few of the factors that may contribute to the alarming numbers of eating disorders in the LGBTQ+ community:
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Coming out: Fear of and experience with rejection
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Internalized negative messages/beliefs about oneself due to sexual orientation, non-normative gender expressions, or transgender identity
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Experiences of violence, resulting in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which can increase one’s risk of developing an eating disorder
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Discrimination
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Being a victim of bullying
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Discordance between one’s biological sex and gender identity (Gender dysphoria and body dissatisfaction in transgender people are often cited as links to eating disorders).
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Homelessness or unsafe home environment (Up to 42 % of homeless youth are LGBTQ-identified and 33% of youth who are homeless or in the care of social services experienced violent assault when they came out)
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Body image ideals within some LGBTQ cultural contexts (such as fatphobia among gay men, the stereotypes of thinness equating to androgyny, and hyperfeminine beauty standards for transgender women)
NEDA also identifies these barriers to treatment:
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Lack of availability of culturally competent treatment, which addresses the complexity of unique sexuality and gender identity issues
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Lack of family/friend support if not a part of an accepting family/community
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Insufficient eating disorder education among LGBTQ resource providers who are in a position to detect and intervene
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Lack of access to safe spaces like LGBTQ community centers and LGBTQ healthcare resources
Pride might look like a colorful celebration focused on fun, but it is rooted in protests against police violence and discrimination. You can continue that work for visibility, freedom, and safety by helping LGBTQ+ people access the resources and treatment they need to recover from eating disorders.
Here’s how to support LGBTQ people in eating disorder recovery this Pride month
Donations
Kindful Body is a treatment partner to a wonderful nonprofit, Project HEAL, which is led by a queer CEO and has an eating disorder treatment equity fund for the LGBTQ+ community.
The Trevor Project has a mental health helpline which may be a first step towards getting help for an eating disorder, or support for the suicidal ideation that often accompanies eating disorders. Support their work here.
Binder Drive sends free binders to trans and nonbinary folks in need. These gender-affirming garments can help with gender dysphoria and body image.
Resources
LGBTQ+ Support Groups
ANAD hosts an LGBTQ+ Eating Disorder Support Group Mondays at 5pm EST / 2pm PST
The Eating Disorder Foundation also hosts a virtual support group for LGBTQ+ individuals 18+ on Wednesdays, 5:30 – 6:30pm (MT).
LGBTQ+ Eating Disorder Memoirs
Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi
Second Son: Transitioning Toward My Destiny, Love and Life by Ryan Sallans
My Thinning Years: Starving the Gay Within by Jon Derek Croteau
Hunger by Roxane Gay
Not Otherwise Specified by Hannah Moskowitz
Starving In Search of Me: A Coming-of-Age Story of Overcoming An Eating Disorder and Finding Self-Acceptance by Marissa LaRocca
Lesbian Crushes and Bulimia: A Diary on How I Acquired my Eating Disorder by Natasha Holme
Purge: Rehab Diaries by Nicole Johns
Instagram Accounts
LGBTQ+ readers, we see you, and we are here for you, this month and every month. You are worthy of recovery and it is possible for you.
Our therapists Lucia, Jasmine, Casey, Meghan, and Juliana have experience working with LGBTQ+ clients and helping with identity and self-image concerns. You can learn more about each clinician here.
If you are interested in working on your eating disorder recovery with our wonderful treatment team, contact us for a consultation.
