Appearance-related social activism in Ireland?

honru

Perhaps as a result of a culture that reinforces a focus on image, appearance is a leading cause of concern for young people in developed countries. Appearance has become central to the self-definition of most women and growing numbers of men, and research evidence charts the extensive and damaging impacts of dissatisfaction with appearance on physical and psychological health across the lifespan.

In Ireland, we see numerous points of social activism for different areas of physical and psychological health — conditions such as breast cancer (e.g., Paint It Pink), prostate cancer (e.g., Movember) and depression and self-harm (e.g., Cycle Against Suicide). These efforts aim to change sociocultural values, ideals, and norms, and reduce prejudice and stigma surrounding these conditions.

In light of the distress that can be associated with appearance, I am curious if there have been instances of social activism in Ireland in relation to appearance? (By appearance, I would mean more general factors such as weight, disfigurements and visible differences that are not specific to race/ethnicity, religion or gender identity).

baby and crumble

honru wrote: »

Appearance in this context would include factors such as weight, disfigurements and visible differences, and alterations, but excludes factors such as race/ethnicity, religion, gender identity and functional disabilities.

You can't separate appearance from gender identity. You really just can't.

Likewise disabilities- so many judgements are based on how you look.

honru

baby and crumble wrote: »

You can't separate appearance from gender identity. You really just can't.

Likewise disabilities- so many judgements are based on how you look.

I agree. I edited the original post which hopefully clarifies what I'm asking.

eviltimeban

I'm not really sure what you're asking.

mynameis905

eviltimeban wrote: »

I'm not really sure what you're asking.

Me neither tbh.

OP, are you asking about activism/acceptance for certain body types/appearances or something?

baby and crumble

I'm wondering if the OP basically wonders if there are grassroots campaigns about acceptance for those who look different?

I don't agree with their insistence (even after an edit) that it should be based around "more general factors such as weight, disfigurements and visible differences that are not specific to race/ethnicity, religion or gender identity"

I think yes is probably the answer for some, but not all. I know that UCD Queer Soc last year (at least I think it was UCD) ran a campaign to highlight how clothes don't signify gender etc.

eviltimeban

baby and crumble wrote: »

I'm wondering if the OP basically wonders if there are grassroots campaigns about acceptance for those who look different?

What, like "Equality For Goths"? "Justice for Cureheads"? "The Society For The Advancement Of The Dapper Gentleman"?

Spirogyra

Zara have just launched a gender neutral range. I also found the question difficult to understand but I assume its to do with gendered clothing?. The Irish androgynous model Ivan Fahy is a male model of female clothes. Great figure mind you and something of a pioneer in an Irish context. Well worth a google.

RainyDay

eviltimeban wrote: »

"The Society For The Advancement Of The Dapper Gentleman"?

I read this as 'The Society For The Advancement Of The Diaper Gentleman' - which might be a smaller society all together.

eviltimeban

RainyDay wrote: »

I read this as 'The Society For The Advancement Of The Diaper Gentleman' - which might be a smaller society all together.

That's for when you get a bit older.

baby and crumble

I for one would be well behind a gender-neutral clothing or looks campaign. The amount of times I get stared at, yelled at or sneered at (luckily I've never experienced anything worse) for looking how I do is substantial.

honru

baby and crumble wrote: »

I'm wondering if the OP basically wonders if there are grassroots campaigns about acceptance for those who look different?

Yes, what I am asking about are with respect to more fluid areas such as body weight, disfigurements (say, loss of a limb), or visible differences (say, visible burnmarks) with respect to appearance. Hopefully that clarifies what I'm asking.

baby and crumble

honru wrote: »

Yes, what I am asking about are with respect to more fluid areas such as body weight, disfigurements (say, loss of a limb), or visible differences (say, visible burnmarks) with respect to appearance. Hopefully that clarifies what I'm asking.

A lot of those will be covered in general campaigns in those areas.

Ie Bodyweight through twitter campaigns to increase body positive feelings/ run by the likes of Bodywhys.

The "disfigurements" and other differences will often be dealt with through campaigns run by disability charities etc.