Many guys want to look just right for when Mardi Gras comes around, focusing on their diet and gym routine months before to look as fit as they can for parade weekend.

Last week comedian Joel Creasey wrote a facebook post calling this kind of behaviour in our community out. It was a long post, you can see it on his facebook page or just check out our social media right now, but part of the post said

‘I’m talking to those people who think it is a NECESSITY to be ripped, tanned and have 20k plus Instagram followers to be welcome.

It’s not. I’d take a personality and a sense of humour any day over that photo of your gleaming abs on the beach that has been ever-so candidly snapped of you. “Oh my god how embarrassing who took this photo of me and how did it end up on my Instagram!?” Complete with your attempt at a “whimsical caption” as if we all don’t know what you’re doing.

Please let’s stop starving ourselves, please let’s stop shaming others and please let’s stop posting dumb shit like “T MINUS 3 WEEKS TO MARDI GRAS” next to a piece of steamed broccoli.

That’s not what Mardi Gras is about. And that’s not what our community is about.’

While he was applauded in the media for calling out body shaming when our executive producer went to Sydney he found many locals that had a problem with Creasey’s post.

Steven Spencer was one of these gay men. He shared how Joel’s post made him feel and why we shouldn’t be tearing down the different bodies in our communities, but celebrating them instead.

This segment aired on The Informer on JOY 94.9 on 1st March 2018.