Wicked Bodies

In development / Release date 2023

Wicked Bodies is a national digital resource toolkit designed to foster positive culturally competent engagement in treatment and support centres, universities, and non-profit programs working with LGBTQ+ groups with disordered eating, eating disorders and body dysmorphia.

Creators

• Truefaux Films
• Dr Phillip Joy, PhD (Health), PDt, M.Sc, Assistant Professor, Mount Saint Vincent University, NS
  

Dr Phillip Joy’s research shows that insufficient time is spent training  health professionals in university programs to effectively understand the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ people and their health. Common barriers include a lack of culturally competent & safe treatment, pressure to be thin, and lack of supports from family and friends.  In our personal communications with our partners it was determined that there is a lack of resources to use with their LGBTQ+ clients.

Featuring first-person subject profile videos, Wicked Bodies presents lived experiences of a diverse range of LGBTQ+ individuals navigating socio-cultural pressures, gender expectations and peer-based ideals around body weight and shape. Wicked Bodies provides clinicians the resources to engage their clients with cultural competency, and is a reference for culturally appropriate LGBTQ+ engagement when training the next generation of healthcare workers.
Importantly, Wicked Bodies will help to reduce stigma, generate hope, and invite more open conversation among those struggling with disordered eating, eating disorders and body dysmorphia.  “Wicked Bodies gives LGBTQ+ voices the mic to share their own lived experience authentically”, stimulating conversation to challenge and disrupt rigid body ideals, improving the health and wellbeing of our communities.

 “In my twenty years in the field, I have never seen a resource like this before.
I cannot underscore the importance of this work.”

Anita Federici, Ph.D C.Psych,
The Centre for Psychology
and Emotion Regulation

 "The format Wicked Bodies presents is something that we at Body Brave find to be incredibly impactful for providing hope. This hope extends both for those struggling with disordered eating who are seeking help, and for those working to support them, either professionally or personally.”

Erin Huston Training & Education Coordinator, Body Brave

Partners & Collaborators

• Eating Disorders Nova Scotia NS
• Body Brave ON
• MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning NS
• Bridgepoint Centre for Eating Disorders SK
• Anita Federici Ph.D C.Psych & Owner of The Centre for Psychology & Emotion Regulation ON
• Dr Olivier Ferlatte Professeur Adjoint Département de médecine sociale et préventive École de Santé Publique de l’Université de Montréal QC
• Youth Project NS
• Community Based Research Centre (CBRC) BC, ON, NS
• Dieticians of Canada ON
• Halifax Pride NS
• National Eating Disorder Information Centre ON
• Dr Megan Aston Professor School of Nursing, Dalhousie University NS
• Looking Glass Foundation BC
  

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Are you interested in supporting or participating in this project?

Contact Hannah Minzloff

hannah@truefaux.ca 902.223.9479

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 "In this time of increased hardship due to Covid-19, a documentary series provides
a fresh and innovative way to share stories of adversity and resilience
while ensuring youth understand the possibility of a healthy and happy queer adult life."

Courtney Connor Development Officer & 2SLGBTQ+ Project Lead, MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning