WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT... BODY neutrality

The American hairstylist, activist, author, and television personality explains why the term "body positivity" no longer serves him

- Jonathan Van Ness

I never knew I was body positive. I was positively aware I had a body, but one I found unbearably undesirable to myself and, from what I'd been told, definitely to other people. For much of my life, I couldn't find one thing about the way I looked that I enjoyed. It took me decades to accept my body and eventually celebrate it. As someone who is known for practising self-love, I'm often unintentionally reminded of the double-edged sword of being associated with body positivity.

People are constantly saying things to me like, "You're so inspiring for wearing those crop tops and taking your shirt off. I could never do that!" Or, "I have an average body too! I struggle with confidence, but then I see you and it gives me hope."