Health
The relationship of shame to the coming-out process in gay men and lesbians
Scenario 1You're on the school playground during recess. You're about nine years old. You see a group of kids playing and you walk over to join their game. As you approach — halfexpectant, half-apprehensive — one of them sneers at you and another laughs. You hesitate a moment, wanting to move forward, but wanting to [...]
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Stress and Relaxation
Is life speeding up? It seems like we need to do more and more just to keep up. There’s always new technology to learn about, there’s loads of school work, homework, exams, training and Uni work to complete to get a good job. Then there’s job-hunting, working, making ends meet, relationships with friends, partners and [...]
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Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a normal feeling that people have when they are faced with something that could be dangerous or difficult, embarrassing or stressful. Exams, job interviews, talking in front of a group, learning a new skill (such as driving), all make people feel anxious. The feelings of anxiety can include feeling upset, tense and uncomfortable. [...]
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Body Obsession
For decades, mental health professionals, researchers and the popular press have assumed body image problems and eating disorders were women's illnesses. Because of their association with women, many men have been hesitant to admit that they struggle with these issues for fear that they would be considered “less manly” or “effeminate.” Additionally, it has just [...]
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The Facts About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death amongst Canadian women. In the past ten years, close to two million women in North America were diagnosed with breast cancer, and over 500 000 of them died. On average, that is close to one woman every ten minutes. Shocking, sickening, frightening words like these are [...]
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Do I Look Fat?
Societal pressures play a major role in the dieting patterns of females – they always feel a need to look perfect! However, problems arise when the definition of perfect is the fat-free, carbohydrate-free, protein-free, pretty-much-everything-free body of an anorexic or bulimic model. So… what does that leave in her diet? Well… mostly water! For hundreds [...]
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Dykes Go Skin Deep
After years of using only a little bit of soap and water and the trusted old Oil of Ulay, most of us now realise that we might have to put a little extra effort into looking after ourselves. Since your skin will be with you for your entire life, it`s important that you take care [...]
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Some Muscle Myths
Muscle turns to fat when you stop lifting weights, right? You’ve heard that conversion formula before, now find out why it doesn’t add up physiologically. We sought to debunk this and other weight-training myths with the help of certified strength and conditioning specialist Everett Aaberg, director of education and personal training for International Athletic Club [...]
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Pumped Up: Gay Men and Gay Culture
Throughout the gay community, the term “Chelsea Boy” is used as a dismissive put down, and has become synonymous with a muscled man who is a circuit queen. In the same way feminism has deconstructed the notion that beautiful, well-built women are “mindless bimbos,” it is important for gay men to challenge the pervasive view [...]
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Working Out: Taking It Too Far
I witnessed this scenario at a nightclub recently. It’s remained in my thoughts for some time. Being “hot” is an undeniably appealing prospect, and, let’s face it, a ripped, gym body can raise your “hot factor,” especially in the gay scene. For many, a great body can create a sense of self-confidence that even a [...]
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Équipe AlterHéros
Julie-Maude Beauchesne
François Paquette
Dee Gamme
Samuel A.
Marion Téjédor