looking.

words.

"...gay men don’t necessarily need a reason to desire fitness, and a much simpler explanation comes down to aesthetics: We’re attracted to what we’re told is sexy, and this creates an insatiable desire to look a certain way. In 2012, a British poll found that 48 percent of gay men surveyed would sacrifice a year of their life to enjoy their ideal body now, and another 10 percent would give up 11 years, killing themselves to be beautiful. The gay community’s subcultures each have their different ideals—and the standards vary between bears and twinks. However, if you don’t look like a Ken Doll (or the muscle bear equivalent), you might do whatever it takes to fit that mold."

SLATE: Gay Men and the Tyranny of Body Image