What Is Your Body to You?

We asked four queer people, from four different decades of life  What Is Your Body to You?
Samson, 20’s. Gay, Trans guy, doctor of dirty drawings
Ade, 30’s Gay, feeling like my life just started
Billie, 40’s Gay, neuroatypical, living with chronic physical and neurological conditions, still showing up
Finola, 70’s Irish, lesbian, mother, grandmother, disabled woman

When did you first notice your body was being watched

Finola: “Age 5, at RC school, taught by Sisters of Mercy. I’d lost my two front teeth so was made to stand on stage and sing ‘All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.’”

Samson: “Being bullied at school for looking like a lesbian; early puberty when femininity clung to me like a soggy tshirt.”

Ade: “Comments from relatives. I had a smaller head as a child which made my ears look big, and family members commented on this, usually in a teasing way.”

Billie: “Growing up gay in a small world, before I even understood why, my body seemed to invite comment long before I had language for any of it.”