Issue Number 1015 | The Naked Truth | Advocate.com The Naked Truth  |  | Advocate.com

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The Naked Truth
Twenty-two people of all shapes and sizes strip down, pose, and spill their guts about what they love and hate about their bodies.
A shorter version of this story appeared in The Advocate  September 23, 2008
The Naked Truth

They say you can see a person’s soul if you stare into his eyes—but perhaps the quickest way to really know someone is to have him take off his clothes. That’s why we asked 22 people to undress and bare their insecurities. Some of their hang-ups are unexpected (Really? Too big!?), others are heart-wrenching. All of them will have you looking at yourself differently the next time you’re naked. Click on the links below for profiles, photos, and video for each of the participants.

Jim Andre, 60
San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Likes: arms, chest
Dislikes: waistline

Gustavo Marzolla, 32
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Likes: face, chest
Dislikes: legs

Willam Belli, 24
Philadelphia
Likes: nose, torso
Dislikes: scarred left leg

Dasha Snyder, 38
Baltimore
Likes: brain and feet—“because they get me where I’m going”
Dislikes: scarred abdomen

Patrick Henry, 40
Taos, N.M.
Likes: chest hair and muscle
Dislikes: weight—too skinny

Chad Darnell, 35
Atlanta
Likes: hands
Dislikes: stomach

Trevor Wayne, 30
All over the Midwest
Likes: everything that’s tattooed
Dislikes: forehead

Mark Hersh, 39
Newport Beach, Calif.
Likes: chest, eyes
Dislikes: abs, buttocks

Sean Ching, (age undisclosed)
Hawaii
Likes: his muscles
Dislikes: he sometimes feels fat

Jim Morris, 73
New York City
Likes: body
Dislikes: face

Rodrigo Toledo, 32
Rio de Janeiro
Likes: hands, chest
Dislikes: that he breaks out

Jeff Lukomski, 44
Detroit
Likes: smile, eyes
Dislikes: penis -- too big

Calpernia Addams, 37
Nashville
Likes: eyes
Dislikes: “I’m too tall and too big”

Alexandra Gibson, 26
Agoura Hills, Calif.
Likes: face
Dislikes: thighs

Amanda Grumman, 24
Newport Beach, Calif.
Likes: breasts
Dislikes: “I’m only half Jewish but got the full Jewish nose”

Shawnee Harkins, 26
Dallas
Likes: arms, shoulders, triceps, rear
Dislikes: abs

Amy Rangel, 26
San Antonio
Likes: breasts, height
Dislikes: belly

Corey Saucier, 31
Los Angeles
Likes: masculine frame
Dislikes: stomach

J.T. Chestnut, 19
Rock Ridge–Wilson, N.C.
Likes: legs
Dislikes: belly button, nose

Jim Howley, 33
Hilliard, Ohio
Likes: heart, eyes
Dislikes: “I love all of myself”

Alex LiMandri, 30
Metz, France
Likes: chest
Dislikes: legs

Carlos Fierros, 23
Oakley, Calif.
Likes: face, legs
Dislikes: stomach

Profiles by Neal Broverman, Kyle Buchanan, Japhy Grant

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Jan Emming
    Date posted: 2008-09-20 8:58 AM
    Hometown: Yucca, Arizona

    Comment:

    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.


  • Name: Robert
    Date posted: 2008-09-18 2:29 PM
    Hometown: Bedford

    Comment:

    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.


  • Name: Grace
    Date posted: 2008-09-15 6:09 AM
    Hometown: Boston

    Comment:

    Clearly no news going on that week.


  • Name: Glenn
    Date posted: 2008-09-14 2:36 PM
    Hometown: Philadelphia

    Comment:

    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.


  • Name: harris
    Date posted: 2008-09-10 2:50 PM
    Hometown: santa ana

    Comment:

    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.


  • Name: Javier
    Date posted: 2008-09-10 9:59 AM
    Hometown: La Feria

    Comment:

    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


  • Name: John
    Date posted: 2008-09-10 1:53 AM
    Hometown: San Francisco

    Comment:

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


  • Name: Douglas Jay Martin
    Date posted: 2008-09-09 12:04 PM
    Hometown: Beaver Falls, New York

    Comment:

    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.


  • Name: Carlos Mitchell
    Date posted: 2008-09-08 9:21 PM
    Hometown: Reseda, CA

    Comment:

    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.


  • Name: Russell
    Date posted: 2008-09-08 5:39 PM
    Hometown: New York

    Comment:

    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


  • Name: Nobrokenwing
    Date posted: 2008-09-08 2:44 PM
    Hometown: Moro

    Comment:

    I am so glad for this issue, as I am a plus size woman on the verge of coming out. I am so scared I am not good enough. But this has giving me hope.


  • Name: John
    Date posted: 2008-09-08 2:42 AM
    Hometown: Martinsburg

    Comment:

    I thought...finally someone has done a decent article about body image in the gay population. Needless to say I was very disappointed. None of these men have any issues. All of the men are somewhat to very athletic build. Where are the men with say love handles, beer guts, or at the other end of the spectrum...underweight? It's sad that this article only continues to re-enforce negative attitudes about body image. A better title should have been "Pretty People with Problems."


  • Name: Kyle
    Date posted: 2008-09-07 4:40 AM
    Hometown: Sudbury, Ontario

    Comment:

    This article was fantastically done. That being said, I feel that a vast majority is being neglected. With the article being about body image and self-perception of said image, I feel that there should have been some 18, 19, 20, 21 year old people featured because, as we all know, in this day and age, they are the ones most susceptible to negative body images and how the media portrays them, like in this article for instance. Sean Ching "sometimes feeling fat"? There is so much more in the world to worry about. Suck it up.


  • Name: Tim
    Date posted: 2008-09-06 5:47 PM
    Hometown: Saint Paul, MN

    Comment:

    What an absolutely, utterly worthless article.


  • Name: Jeff
    Date posted: 2008-09-06 5:17 PM
    Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI

    Comment:

    All the males here, except the overweight Carlos, have fit, healthy-looking bodies. Not a realistic collection of men when dealing with the topic of body image and self-esteem in my opinion. Nice try, Advocate.


  • Name: David
    Date posted: 2008-09-06 1:07 PM
    Hometown: Arlington VA

    Comment:

    I really liked the concept of this article and praise the subjects for really putting it all out there... but I'm a bit disappointed in one thing. Lets be honest, most of the folks here are 'above average.' You really have to put yourself in a different mindset to read most of these pieces, and listen to the guys self-image problems -- when these are the guys who WILL be approached in a bar for their looks alone. Even the 70yo guy. Add a bit more reality.


  • Name: woofydude
    Date posted: 2008-09-06 9:55 AM
    Hometown: bear

    Comment:

    Skin sells zines. Saying that, this featured article, "the naked truth" has got a lot of juices flowing. A big dick, yea, should be the least of any guys worries. As I have always said, I can find at least one great characteristic about any guy, at any age. So guys, take your assets, make them your crown jewels, be happy with them. And watch out for me giving you Mega Hairy Muscle hugs when you least expect them.


  • Name: Tom Martindale
    Date posted: 2008-09-05 8:30 PM
    Hometown: Austin, TX

    Comment:

    Try living with Neurofibromatosis (NF) and have big and small skin bumps all over your body. Too big a penis? Too skinny legs? Walk a few feet in my shoes


  • Name: Eric A. Hauser
    Date posted: 2008-09-05 2:47 PM
    Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

    Comment:

    I think the photographer and the models did an incredible job of highlighting those things that were beautiful about each subject. I've always looked at people and recognized that in every person there is something beautiful and I'm glad that each person was able to identify something beautiful about themselves. "Wishing I had that problem," comments do little but reinforce the same image issues that this photo essay was trying to explore. I hope that everyone can find the beauty in themselves and work to highlight that rather than working to hide those things they don't like. Complaints about the unrealistic images that are imposed on the community are something that we need to face ourselves. No one forces people to make these decisions. We make choices to obey or disobey these standards. It took a long time for me to reach a sense of happiness about the way I look and when asked "Would you date yourself looking like that?" I happily answer "Yes!"


  • Name: Gerry
    Date posted: 2008-09-03 10:08 PM
    Hometown: Dallas, Texas

    Comment:

    I grew up with a mother and other figures in my life starving themselves to look a certain way. By my teen years I learned from them how to go without eating and to hide my joy for food. As a younger adult so many gay guys around me tried to get me to bulk up and workout to gain muscle. Now in my mid 30's I am still "thin & skinny" dealing with body image but, with a better understanding of who I am. I love myself and have the love of my Husband of nearly 8 years. I do not need my family or my "gay" family telling me what body type to have. Let's love each other for who we are not what others tell us beauty is. Thanks so much to the models who took the leap to show the rest of the world we are not all YOUNG, Toned & Blond. As this issue needs more coverage as it is so damaging.


  • Name: Robyn Smith
    Date posted: 2008-09-03 8:07 PM
    Hometown: Philadelphia

    Comment:

    I loved this article. The diversity of the views and the physiques reflect the spectrum of our community! I see beauty in every individual that was bold enough to strip down and open up. Bravo advocate!


  • Name: Ben Wilson
    Date posted: 2008-09-02 11:52 PM
    Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

    Comment:

    Body image issues come entirely from inside ourselves. Sure it feels like the pressure comes from those fortunate or dedicated enough to have great bodies, but if you are surrounded by people who literally do make you feel like you should have a fantastic body (i.e. above and beyond what is merely "healthy"), then it is your mistake for surrounding yourself with these people. The gay community (in generalised terms) does rely on physical perfection far too much, especially when compared to how flawed so many gay relationships are (but then we're never gievn any sort of role models growing up though, are we?). Alas, we often slip into this sort of "mode" without even realising it. We all need to have the courage to be ourselves and stop giving people that permission to make us feel that pressure. As Lilly Tomlin said: "I always wondered why someone didn't do something about that. And then I realised I was someone".


  • Name: Derek
    Date posted: 2008-09-02 6:51 PM
    Hometown: Bloomington, IN

    Comment:

    I have a feeling people who have bad body images wouldn't be too easy to get to strip naked for a magazine. I know I wouldn't. I think it's interesting, despite a lack of extreme diversity, that nobody really felt perfect, and I would assume that was the point? I mean, I already know what an overweight person is going to say, so perhaps the point is that "hello gay people, you don't have to fit into this stereotype, these people aren't satisfied with the way they look either." Anyway I think the photos are well-done, and the selection in the print magazine makes a lot of sense. Yeah, shoving a bunch of naked people in a supposed "news magazine" is sort of a ploy, but I think the photographer did a really beautiful job. The photo of the "token fat guy" is really beautiful, all of the photographs in the magazine at least I think are flattering and seem to promote positive thinking... Maybe I'm just a protagonist but it seems like that was the point.


  • Name: Glenn Kennedy II
    Date posted: 2008-09-02 1:06 PM
    Hometown: Tampa

    Comment:

    Generally, it was interesting to see how some people perceive themselves, and it was very interesting to see men of an older age because that is reality. Everyone seemed to be average and around their standard weight tables for their age, what seemed to be missing was individuals that weight has been an issue their whole lives. It is an unfortunate reality that, even though it may not be the case 100% of the time for gay women, men go a majority of the time on how you look clothed or naked. And that is so sad because there are gay men out there of all sizes that are just as interesting and sexy who don't live in a gym or have to go to a doctor to achieve a firm butt, well oiled abs, or a HOLLYWOOD smile. I thought it interesting that not one individual found themselves happy just the way they are overall.


  • Name: Dave
    Date posted: 2008-09-01 2:08 AM
    Hometown: Boston, MA

    Comment:

    While some of the profiles in this article were heartfelt, sincere, and seemed to represent the spirit of being comfortable with one's body, I felt that other profiles didn't work. Why did you feature a guy like Lukomski, a "blond and bronzed former competitive swimmer," who explains that having a large penis was his biggest insecurity? It seemed more like a glorified personal ad for Lukomski who even admits how important physical attention is to him. Is he really "insecure" about this or was it another way to get attention? Either way, I feel it was a poor choice for this kind of article aimed at a community known to idolize endowment. I would encourage the Advocate to focus on the many, many other "Average Joe's" out there who may not have the six-pack abs, the flawless body, or the youth desired by so many people in both the gay and straight world, but are still attractive and beautiful nonetheless. Let's get some new images out there instead of more of the same. Thanks.


  • Name: Don
    Date posted: 2008-08-31 9:50 PM
    Hometown: Chicago

    Comment:

    I think there are some interesting people in these stories, esp. the web stories. I think its interesting to hear a guy with a six pack say he thinks hes fat..it shows the pressure people. No matter how perfect one looks to you, they may feel different when they look in the mirror. It should just help show you nobody is ever truly happy, and maybe you can not be so hard on yourselves. I cant believe how sensitive everyone is about the penis issue..everyone claiming they wish that were their problem and being mean about it-I think you are all the ones causing insecurity not the guy who's complaining about it. You should realize your comments only reinforce these porn sized expectations. I know Ive had to pass on dating guys cause they had that problem. They hated having a large penis because it does get in the way.Why wont you size queens accept that just cause you're stretched out and cant get enough, that that's not how everyone else thinks! Shame on Advocate?! NO! Shame on you!!


  • Name: Julio
    Date posted: 2008-08-31 8:47 PM
    Hometown: Chelsea, Manhattan

    Comment:

    I agree with the comment made by Roz here. I wish my only complaint was that my penis was too big. Looking through the pictures and the people here, I couldn't relate to any of the males here. I mean featuring a model who says he wishes he could eat more of what he wants? I guy with a big penis and only one guy who is over weight? Come on...its pretty one-sided if you ask me. If anything, looks are what drives the gay male community and if you really want to Advocate against negative body image, focus on how what the everyday man looks like, then don't feature men with 6-pack abs! Lets get real here and stop perpetuating the Ken Doll stereotype!! Shame on you!


  • Name: Larry Dick
    Date posted: 2008-08-31 12:42 PM
    Hometown: Allen Park, Michigan

    Comment:

    Self perception is such a puzzling subject for us all. If you think about your image we all have a "type" of our own. The idea of looking better comes from self-critisicm. We should remember one thing, don't beat yourself up too bad. We are all good looking in some way. Play up the positive and play down the negative. Everyone has the ability to look better you just need to learn how to do it.


  • Name: Liam Patterson
    Date posted: 2008-08-31 12:33 PM
    Hometown: San Jose, Ca

    Comment:

    I have to echo Rox's comments. It's interesting in an article devoted to "Everyone has body issues", all the people represented are close to physically perfect. Where are the amputees? Where are the people who have a REASON to think they fall outside of the "Beautiful" label? Why feature a guy who is tall, blond and blue eyed whose biggest body complaint is that his penis is too large!? Come on Advocate, HE is exactly why the rest of us HAVE body issues!!! It's bad enough that the Advocate has to feature half naked men on the cover to get attention, but this article was one of the laziest "Skin for cash" stunts in a long time. Beautiful men featured, sure, but there is no insight on "everyone has body issues" here.


  • Name: Roz
    Date posted: 2008-08-30 1:50 PM
    Hometown: Brooklyn

    Comment:

    How ridiculous. One fat guy and all the rest are skinnies? What about in between? Where are the guys with beer bellies and no asses? Getting a body-diverse group of people to strip was the easiest thing in the world and you failed. This magazine is a joke. It's times like this that I remember why I dislike gay culture. F*** you.


  • Name: Joe
    Date posted: 2008-08-29 3:11 PM
    Hometown: Los Feliz

    Comment:

    Gotta say, there could have been more diversity, but the folks you got were well chosen and represented well. Looking forward to many sequels and seeing the progression of body image and viewpoints.


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