Gender, sexuality & eating disorders

Katie is in recovery from an eating disorder, and says her struggles with body image and disordered eating were triggered in high school, when she began to feel on “on the outer” from her straight peers.
One million people in Australia will struggle with an eating disorder during their lifetime, and a significant number belong to the LGBTIQA+ community. Yet only 25% of those living with an eating disorder will ever seek help because they don’t fit the stereotype.
Kai, who identifies as trans, developed an eating disorder that suppressed his puberty, because he thought only women got eating disorders. Mitch came out as gay in the middle of a relapse of anorexia, but was told that his identity was just a symptom of his being unwell.
The history of discrimination against LGBTIQA+ people, along with not enough trained professionals to serve this community, is why many do not get the treatment they need. The good news is there are people working to change that. In this month’s Butterfly: Let’s Talk podcast, we talk to Katie, Mitch and Kai about their recovery, and to Dr. Scott Griffiths and Tarn Lee - two insightful professionals who work in the space. Let’s talk.
The Butterfly National Helpline is free and confidential, and we encourage anyone who thinks they may need help with their body image or eating—or just want to find out more—to call 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or visit butterfly.org.au.

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