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Feminist identity is a powerful predictor of engagement in gender-based activism. Men's feminist identification is complicated by the uniquely gendered stereotypes attributed to feminist men, which are antithetical to traditional masculine gender role norms. While there is a substantial body of literature surrounding the feminist identity development (FID) process in cisgender women, research exploring men's FID is scant. This study aimed to develop a more comprehensive understanding of men's FID in the context of masculine gender role norms. Twenty-seven cisgender, feminist-identified men (M age = 33.08, SD = 8.42) recruited via social media were interviewed for the study. Through reflexive thematic analysis, the authors extracted five themes from the data: Diverse Feminist Foundations, Turning Points, Evaluation and (Un)Learning, Taking Action, and Feedback. The men described a feminist identity growth process that was complex and ongoing, catalyzed by various moments of dissonance and clarity throughout their lives. They articulated their negotiation of dominant masculine gender role norms, embracing the parts that supported their growth and rejecting aspects that were inconsistent with their feminist principles. Men also shared their unique and creative ways of practicing and promoting feminism and the feedback they received for doing so. We conclude with suggestions for men who wish to support gender equality and those who wish to support men's feminist identity growth. Public Significance StatementGender inequality remains a pressing social issue around the world, but men have the potential to serve as feminist activists. Men's feminist identity development is complicated by stereotypes about male feminists, which are antithetical to dominant masculine gender role norms. This study explored the experiences and attitudes of 27 men who identify as feminists to develop a better understanding of male feminist identity growth.

Objective In the tripartite influence model, appearance‐ideal internalization is identified as a prominent risk factor for the development of body dissatisfaction and subsequent eating disorder (ED) behaviors. For men, prior research has emphasized the importance of both thin‐ideal internalization and muscular‐ideal internalization in explaining later ED behaviors and muscle dysmorphia (MD) symptoms. Previous research in heterosexual men has shown that the associations between muscular‐ideal internalization and ED or MD symptoms may depend on whether the individual has also internalized the thin ideal. However, this interaction has not been examined in research with sexual minority men (SMM). Method The current study collected self‐report data from 452 at risk SMM (i.e., endorsed body dissatisfaction), with ages ranging from 18 to 35 years. Linear regression models were conducted to test the interaction effects between thinness and muscularity internalization on ED symptoms, MD behaviors, and general body dissatisfaction. Simple slopes and the Johnson–Neyman technique were used to investigate significant interaction terms. Results Thin‐ and muscular‐ideal internalization were positively associated with muscular appearance intolerance and dietary restriction with no significant interaction. Muscular drive for size was highest when both muscularity internalization and thinness internalization were high. Muscular‐ideal internalization was positively associated with both cognitive restraint and general body dissatisfaction, but only at lower levels of thinness internalization. Discussion Given the interacting association between thinness and muscularity internalization and aspects of body dissatisfaction, attitudes, and behavior, prevention and intervention programs for EDs and MDs in SMM should seek to dismantle both thinness and muscularity internalization. Public Significance Statement Internalizing—or adopting as one's own—the ideal of a body with low body fat and high muscularity has been shown to lead to muscle dysmorphia and eating disorder symptoms in men. The current study examines whether the combination of thin‐ideal and muscular‐ideal internalization is associated with worse symptoms than either facet alone in sexual minority men. Treatment efforts in sexual minority men should address both types of internalization.

The present study examined how weight status would affect lay perceptions of a White female student presenting signs of eating disorder-related distress. We recruited a mixedgender, weight-diverse U.S. community sample through Mechanical Turk (N=130; 49.2% female) to complete an online survey. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions in which they read a personal statement section of a college application revealing eating disorder-related distress from a student who was either 'overweight' or 'underweight.' Participants evaluated the student on need for support, behavioural prescriptions for eating and exercise, and personal qualities. Although participants recognized a serious mental health concern in both conditions, they were more likely to prescribe eating disorder behaviors to the higher weight student. Findings suggest that weight stigma may bias lay perceptions of and even reinforce an eating disorder when exhibited by higher weight individuals.

Feminist identity is a powerful predictor of engagement in gender-based activism. Men's feminist identification is complicated by the uniquely gendered stereotypes attributed to feminist men, which are antithetical to traditional masculine gender role norms. While there is a substantial body of literature surrounding the feminist identity development process in cisgender women, research exploring men’s feminist identity development is scant. This study aimed to develop a more comprehensive understanding of men’s feminist identity development in the context of masculine gender role norms. Twenty-seven cisgender, feminist-identified men (Mage = 33.08, SD = 8.42) recruited via social media were interviewed for the study. Through reflexive thematic analysis, the authors extracted five themes from the data: Diverse Feminist Foundations, Turning Points, Evaluation and (Un)Learning, Taking Action, and Feedback. The men described a feminist identity growth process that was complex and ongoing, catalyzed by various moments of dissonance and clarity throughout their lives. They articulated their negotiation of traditional masculinity, embracing the parts that supported their growth and rejecting aspects that were inconsistent with their feminist principles. Men also shared their unique and creative ways of practicing and promoting feminism as well as the feedback they received for doing so. We conclude with suggestions for men who wish to support gender equality and the feminist women who wish to support men's feminist identity growth.