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Recent literature regarding men's body image has called for increased understanding of body areas of concern to men, other than muscle and thinness. Accordingly, men's concerns with body hair, and hair removal (depilatory) practices, emerged as a new area of research attention. Prior literature suggests men-and especially gay men-may idealise a smooth torso, and engage in various forms of depilation to achieve that aesthetic. The present study is a qualitative investigation of the perceptions of body hair among a sub-group of gay men: gay athletes. Contrary to the opinions expressed by gay men more generally, the participants in this study shared a lack of concern regarding body hair, and rendered depilation as unnecessary, unattractive, and unnatural. These results indicate the importance of investigating subpopulations when conducting body image research among gay men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are substances that can facilitate muscle growth and development. They are of appeal to a variety of individuals, including competitive athletes and persons dissatisfied with their body image-especially gay men. In this qualitative study, 16 elite gay male athletes from the United States, Canada and Australia were interviewed regarding their opinions of AAS, masculinity, homosexuality, and sport, among other issues. The athletes expressed a general dislike of AAS, asserting the substances were un-masculine, un-natural, un-healthy, and un-sportsmanlike. Despite these reservations concerning AAS, the athletes described their own use of other ergogenic substances. A contradiction thus exists between the athletes' reasons for not using AAS and the athletes' reasons for using other substances. These findings are used to critique and nuance contemporary theory in body image research, masculinity, and sexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the period from 2000 to 2007, 45 peer-reviewed articles have been published regarding body image in gay men from Westernized cultures. Despite that academic focus on gay men's bodies, little attention has been paid to the methods and methodologies used to generate that knowledge. This article conducted a systematic literature review of the peer-reviewed articles published during that eight-year period so as to engage in an analysis and critique of the methods used in gay male body image research. Emergent themes from the review included the need for improved recruitment methods, the precarious role of the Internet in body image research, a need for clarity regarding the definition of homosexuality and bisexuality, a lack of longitudinal data, the need for psychometric standardization, and openness regarding methodology on the part of qualitative research. Suggestions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Men's bodies have been increasingly placed under scrutiny in contemporary Western culture. Gay males have been identified as presenting a greater risk of body image disturbance than heterosexual males as a consequence of the aesthetically driven gay culture. While there are few services available for gay men with body image concerns,there are even fewer available for gay men from non-English speaking cultures. This is a concern for young gay males coming from masculinised cultures in which living up to archetypal heterosexual masculine ideals is a cultural family imperative. This paper reports qualitative research with six Asian gay males living in Adelaide, Australia, aged 18-25. A life historical perspective provides reflections on the participants' bodies growing up gay in masculinised cultures. The paper also highlights the men's current plight as they struggle to come to terms with being Asian gay men living in a white, heterosexual, Anglo-Australian environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Men's bodies and body image have attracted increasing attention from researchers and popular press journalists during the past decade. Arguably, Western culture tends to identify men's body image issues as heterosexual notions. Although research on gay men's body image has increased, a cultural myth remains that gay men are more susceptible to body image concerns and eating disorders due to the aesthetic-oriented gay culture. This article reports in-depth interviews with fourteen young gay men on issues of bodies and body identity, particularly regarding masculinity. The men, aged 18-25 and living in Adelaide, Australia, identify aspects of gay culture with the capacity to promote and reinforce body image concerns among gay males. A life historical perspective provides reflections on participants' bodies in school, including those of growing up young and gay. Current body-based issues are identified, highlighting the plight of many gay males regarding the physical-aesthetic-driven culture in which they exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]