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EDUCATIONAL TOOLSSpecific Use
Plymouth State University's Graduate Eating Disorders Institute;
Treatment Modalities Eating Disorders classI used the film as part of the course to talk about special populations. Other populations I covered were athletes, men in general, elderly, etc. I intro the film as a documentary on gay men and eating disorders and let the film talk for itself. I did not want to do too much in the way of intro as I wanted to get an unbiased reaction to the film. All of my students thought the film was very effective and many plan to use it in their outreach and teaching efforts. After the film we had a half hour discussion on the film and individual’s reactions. I did not give formal questions as this is a great group of students who have a lot to say and add to the discussion but if I was working with a different group here are some things I may have highlighted:
1. What did you learn about gay men and eating disorders from the film?
2. What is your reaction to the HIV ad campaign shown in the film?
3. Compare the similarities and difference in the underlying psychological issues present in women with eating disorders to those with gay men with eating disorders.
4. How can you build in this population to your eating disorders awareness outreach programs in the future?
This film helped viewers gain a greater understanding of the psychological aspects of coming out and how eating disorders behavior may initially help to numb or distract oneself from the many mixed emotions involved in the process. I am hopeful that this film will be the beginning of a larger discussion on how our society puts pressure on gay men to fit a stereotype, just as our society pressures women to ascribe to a narrowly defined beauty ideal. Travis is a pioneer and a gift to the cause.Kathleen Burns Kingsbury, LMHC,
Co-Author of Weight Wisdom and
adjunct professor