The Naked Truth

I liked the article – the photos were dignified and compassionate, and the text was humane. Well done. That said, I must agree with the criticism of some readers that many (most!) of the individuals featured absolutely WILL be considered attractive and above-average by large segments of the population. If we are going to discuss body images and the widespread dysmorphia foisted upon us by our cultural climate, we might have a more meaningful outcome by selecting people who will discuss it while remaining clad. The very fact that this was an article about people posing NUDE drastically limited the selection of who would be willing to lay it bare emotionally too. I doubt that I would have been willing to pose nude in addition to talking about my own body-image insecurities. A realistic exploration of this subject would be better effected by asking a wide array of normally-dressed people to speak of their insecurities and fears, rather than asking them to ALSO bare everything physically.

For an article about "all shapes and sizes", I must say I was disappointed to see pretty much the same look that all magazines portray. This look is of gorgeous people with perfect bodies. There was maybe one or two people that did not fit the "perfect body" type. As a person who has issues with his own weight and body image, I am saddened that there was very little diversity in actual body type. The men were pretty much all muscled or thin, except for one. It does not show the real diversity in the LGBT community at all. Where bodies range for thin to thick and everything in between. I feel it further perpetuates the idea that men, gay men especially, are to be muscled, thin, and perfect.

Clearly no news going on that week.

How did you find a fat guy, who was willing to pose nude, yet say the typical self-loathing stuff comparing himself to the stereotypical "gay"(Hollywood or NY fashion industry) ideal. Has he not found the bear community yet? There are a lot of gay men out there who will find him very attractive, belly and all.

Were all of these guys recruited in West Hollywood?? How sad that these stereotypes continue in a national publication. Only one heavy guy in the profiles, and the way the photographer set him on a box on the floor was even more demoralizing.

i am very upset, because for the past few issues there has been a lack of hotties on the cover....especially this issue note to self: burn issue

What a let down - where is the hottie on the cover? Give me Mr. Skinny legs...

Does anyone find it odd that in the naked truth noone was naked. No genitals... How odd for a foward looking magazine, that you are so prudish that noone showed their penis especially Mr. " I want a smaller penis." Why this "hiding". Perhaps if we were more open about the human body, I and many others wouldn't have a fascination with pornography.

Sad to see the ADVOCATE perpetuate the stereotype that all LGBT have the perfect bodies that can be touched up with plastic surgery for any 'flaws'. Too big of a penis? Unless it affects their basic sexual or urinary function, how is that a problem? What about those, like myself, who have a disability, that affects basic functions, such as walking and sex, yet are just as gay, bi, trans, or lesbian as an able-bodied LGBT? Being disabled doesn't mean they don't face rejection and discrimination. It's sad when even HRC's store is inaccessible. Or when if I were to live in San Antonio, TX, I can't go to their local LGBT center cause of stairs. ADVOCATE should've made the effort to find LGBT w/ visible disabilities who are happy with who they are. The only one featured that knows what true self-acceptance of the 22 is Jim Howley. The rest should be thankful of who they are and follow HIS example.

i truly think everyone is good in this special edition. But J.T. Chestnut really impressed me by being young and having to suffer through a lot of oppression and discrimination in the South. Everyone looked lovely, but that young man is going to be something so influential and positive when he gets older