The promotion of practices like breast binding as empowering or liberating is problematic, as it glosses over the underlying issues of body image and the societal pressure that drive individuals to modify their bodies. These practices, intended to manipulate the physical form to achieve a desired aesthetic (or an “authentic-self”), often lead to both physical and psychological harm. Although marketed as self-love and self-care within queer circles, the desire for body modification frequently reflects feelings rooted in self-hatred or societal expectations (“norms”) dictating how bodies “should” appear and/or align with a particular “gendered-expression”, rather than genuine self-acceptance.

In this bonus episode for premium subscribers, N3VLYNN critiques the representation of gender ideology in high profile artists and cultural influences, highlighting its contradictions to advocacy for self-love and self-care. The conversation emphasizes how across all cultures, there needs to be space for masculine-presenting women to exist comfortably as themselves, without the pressure or implication that their presentation means they are anything other than the woman that they are.

Referenced in this conversation:

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Janelle Monae's "Nonbinary Freedom" & Self-Love Journey 

Watch our full length episode with N3VLYNN: https://www.widerlenspod.com/p/episode-173

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.widerlenspod.com