“Never reflected anywhere”: Body image among ethnoracialized gay and bisexual men

• Gay/bisexual men of color present unique body image issues due to social oppression.
• Social oppression has a negative impact on the wellbeing of gay/bisexual men of color.
• Gay/bisexual men of color resist culturally dominant body image ideals to maintain wellbeing.
• Intersectionality enhances the understanding of body image of gay/bisexual men of color.

A growing body of literature has highlighted the increased prevalence of body image concerns and associations with health outcomes among gay and bisexual men (GBM). Little research, however, has examined the link between body image and social oppression for ethnoracialized GBM. Using an intersectionality lens and qualitative inductive analysis, data were collected through focus groups and interviews with GBM (n = 61) who identify with one of four ethnoracial groups (Black, East/Southeast Asian, South Asian, Latino/Brazilian). Three main themes emerged: (1) body image idealization in gay/bisexual male culture, (2) negotiating a racialized body image, and (3) negotiating the impact of body image on relationship with self and others. The study results highlighted how multiple forms of oppression (e.g., racism, sexism) intersected with one another to impact the body image and overall well-being among ethnoracialized GBM.