Body Pride Campaign

#LUMBodyPride

Concerns around body image, fitting in, and being liked are normal, but can sometimes develop a destructive intensity as one tries to fit in at college or in other social spaces. These concerns are often fueled by a dizzying number of images of beauty from mainstream media, as these images are often narrow in the representation of diverse bodies. As our media world becomes more filtered, we are given fewer opportunities to reflect on how beauty and body-ideals are a social construct. 

The Body Pride Campaign, with the support of many Loyola students, designed five magazine covers featuring a diverse group of Loyola students with body-positive messages. Each magazine cover focuses on a variety of body pride messages, such as: health, gender expression, race, size, ability, complexion, and style. We want to invite you into this conversation by having you consider the following questions:

• Why do we think we should look a certain way?
• Where does our idea of the ‘ideal’ body come from and who benefits from this ideal?
• How does the ‘ideal’ image of women’s and men’s bodies differ from culture to culture?
• What is beauty?
• Who decides what is beautiful?
• How do images we see in the media affect our daily lives?
• What can we do to change society’s perceptions of the “ideal” body?
• What messages do we receive through popular culture regarding body image?
• How do these messages influence how we feel?
• How do these messages influence how we make decisions about our lives?

Together we can lead Loyola toward becoming a place where we celebrate the beauty in EVERY BODY and encourage students to speak more openly about their experience with body image. 

• If you’d like to facilitate a conversation about body pride, please reach out to the counseling center for program consultation; a Body Pride workshop module is available. 
• If you, or someone you know struggles with body image concerns, the Counseling Center is here to help! To make an appointment, students can call 410-617-2273. 

Check out the magazine covers!
Essence Magazine cover	Glamour Magazine cover	GQ Magazine cover
Latinx Magazine cover	Men's Health Magazine cover	Out Magazine cover