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Body Culture
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 Looking
Queer : Body Image and Identity in Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and
Transgender Communities (Haworth
Gay and Lesbian Studies) by Dawn Atkins (Editor)
Looking Queer contains research, first-hand accounts, poetry, theory, and
journalistic essays that address and outline the special needs of
sexual minorities when dealing with eating disorders and
appearance obsession. More than 60 contributors provide their
knowledge and personal experiences in dealing with body image
issues exclusive to gay and transgender communities. Written by
both men and women, the topics and research in Looking Queer offer insight into the lives of people you can relate to, enabling
you to learn from their experiences so you, too, can find joy and
happiness in accepting your body.
Finding a way to reshape our vision of
ourselves...
Since the book came out I have had the priviledge to give
readings, lectures and workshops around the country. What I have
heard has truly inspired me to continue this work. Our communities
are beginning to talk about these issues and it is none too soon.
In the introduction to Looking Queer I wrote: I
believe that we must have the vision to imagine communities where
all of us are not merely accepted but welcomed and appreciated. We
must begin to reshape our way of "looking," not
necessarily the way we look. If we are able to see the beauty in
diversity and experience the erotic of connection, I believe that
we can build truly healthy communities where our bodies will
become a source of joy and power. This collection has much to
teach us. By looking at the pain, the struggles, and the healing
that people have experienced, I know we can find ways to improve
not only our own self-esteem and comfort in our bodies but create
mutually supportive communities. "Looking queer," then,
will mean looking at our bodies differently and at different
bodies with equal joy.
Let's find a way to reshape our vision of
ourselves and our communities. When we do that, we can do
anything! -- The author, Dawn Atkins , May 15, 2000
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The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery (ASAPS) is a not-for-profit educational organization
providing current information on the many types of cosmetic
procedures performed by doctors certified by the American Board of
Plastic Surgery.
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Body & Society was launched in 1995 to cater for the upsurge of interest in the
social and cultural analysis of the human body that has taken
place in recent years.
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The Body's mission is to use the
Web to lower barriers between patients and clinicians; demystify
HIV/AIDS and its treatment; improve
patients' quality of life; foster community
through human connection.
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The human body consists
of about 60 trillion cells of various shapes and functions, whose
morphological, biochemical, biophysical, developmental properties,
as well as interactions among each other, have been studied
intensively. Despite the wide variety in cell phenotypes, the
genomic DNA carried in each of them is essentially identical,
being the faithful copy of that originally carried in the
fertilized egg...
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The U.S. Human Genome Project (HGP), composed of
the DOE and NIH Human Genome Programs, is the national coordinated
effort to characterize all human genetic material by determining
the complete sequence of the DNA in the human genome. The HGP's
ultimate goal is to discover all the more than 80,000 human genes
and render them accessible for further biological study. To
facilitate the future interpretation of human gene function,
parallel studies are being carried out on selected model
organisms...
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Body Positive explores taking up occupancy
inside your own skin, rather than living above the chin until
you're thin. It is a set of ideas that may help you find
greater well-being in the body you have.
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Our society places high economic, as well as
social, value on men who look young and fit. In fact, a
growing number of patients opting for plastic surgery are men.
These men come from all walks of life, and are concerned about the
impression they make...
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The French performance artist whose assumed name
is Orlan has embarked on a campaign of self-transformation through
plastic surgery. The photo-documentation of her
operation/performances furnishes both the imagery and the
financial support for her art. Below, the author grapples with the
many issues raised by a body of work that gives new meaning to the
term "cutting edge."
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Essay by Mike
McCabe
Excerpt:
On their voyages across the surface of the
earth, 15th and 16th century maritime explorers referred to the
unknown regions of the globe as Terra-Incognita or
uncharted territory. They roamed the surface of the world blindly,
unaware of the significance of its contour. Without the luxury of
a map, early explorers had no meaningful framework that could
orient them in their travels, there was no top or bottom to
anything. There was nothing but the stars to help them understand
their relationship to the vastness of the horizon...
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This page highlights the philosopher, Susan Bordo, who is best known for her work in body studies and theory.
Bordo has written extensively on body
culture. Perhaps her most well known work is Unbearable
Weight, but there are other works as well. Click HERE for a Bordo bibliography.
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Body Culture Resources
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