82. Gay Gym Culture

A Jaded Gay

Gay men tend to grapple with complex feelings about body image, influenced by societal ideals that often emphasize a lean and muscular physique. As a result, gay gym culture is often marked by a complex interplay of such body standards, which can both motivate and challenge individuals within the community to base their self-perception on chasing an idealized appearance.
In this episode, we're exploring the intersection of gay culture and gym culture, along with how societal conceptions of masculinity on gay men's self-image and relationships can lead to feelings of insecurity, inadequacy, and the pursuit of often unrealistic physical ideals.
Additional Resources:

• 32. Gay Men and Body Obsession
• Fitness Culture
• The History of How the Modern Day Gym Came to Be
• Wrestling and Weightlifting: The WWF and Fitness in the 1980s
• The Evolution of San Francisco’s Gay Gym Culture
• YMCA
• Working, Out
• 19. The Queer History of Disco
• 24. Gay Villages: Won't You Be My Gaybor?
• Reported Effects of Masculine Ideals on Gay Men
• Eating Disorder Statistics
• Gay Men and Body Image: What You Need to Know
• It’s Complicated: Exploring Why Gay Men Have Such a Unique Relationship with the Gym
• The Sweaty Homophobia of the Gym

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1. Snarky Opener (00:00:00)

2. Episode Introduction (00:00:24)

3. Holiday Break (00:02:00)

4. Gay Gym Culture (00:04:53)

5. Tarot (00:05:50)

6. What is Fitness and Gym Culture? (00:06:54)

7. The History of Gym Culture (00:07:17)

8. The Turner System (00:09:43)

9. Strength Machines Emerge (00:10:42)

10. The Modern Gym Craze (00:11:14)

11. Weightlifting Increases in Popularity (00:12:52)

12. The History of Gay Gym Culture (00:13:39)

13. It’s Fun to Stay at the YMCA (00:15:03)

14. Health & Fitness During the HIV/AIDS Crisis (00:15:48)

15. Gay Gym Subgroups (00:16:13)

16. Disco and the Rise of Gay Gym Culture (00:17:18)

17. Gym Locations (00:18:48)

18. Richard Simmons (00:19:07)

19. Societal Conceptions of Masculinity (00:19:43)

20. Gay Men’s Distinct Masculinity Ideology (00:21:46)

21. How Do Gay Men Define Masculinity? (00:23:36)

22. Impacts of Masculinity Ideals (00:25:10)

23. Body Image Issues in Sexual Minority Men (00:28:18)

24. Gym Class Trauma (00:29:10)

25. Media Portrayal of Gay Men’s Bodies (00:30:33)

26. Homoeroticism Meets Homophobia (00:31:32)

27. Don’t Body Shame (00:33:50)

28. Be Kind to Your Body (00:35:13)

29. Episode Closing (00:36:03)

30. Connect with A Jaded Gay (00:40:14)

31. Outtake (00:41:36)