There’s a fine line between self-expression and self-objectification, and nowhere does it become more blurry than on social media.
We know where we come down on the matter: If it feels good to show some skin, don’t let the haters get you down. And if your feed is 100% bathroom mirror selfies and you’re constantly glued to your ‘likes’, maybe think about taking a picture of a sunset sometime.
For many, baring our birthday suits requires summoning substantial courage, and it can feel liberating to take that leap of faith.
That’s the camp The Flash and Love, Simon star Keiynan Lonsdale belongs to, and in an inspiring Instagram share, he sheds some fear along with his clothes.
He writes:
Dance naked, lose followers, gain leaders. | – ***P.s. why is it deemed wrong to not wear clothes? We’ve been taught poorly, & groomed to hold shame for ourselves, our human bodies. No matter what we look like, each of us is made to feel incorrect inside our own physical form, told that in order to survive & be a functioning, liked, & well respected person in society, we should hide this form from the world. That shit sounds whack to me. Now, I’m not at all at the confidence level to be neked in public lol, maybe one day i hope, but I’m sure as hell working on sharing & showing off my body to myself.. and it feels good.
Vince
Self objectification on Queerty of all sites. Blasphemy I say.
Vince
I love how twinks think they’re always the pioneers in everything they do.
Dymension
Hah! Funny…and true!
surreal33
I agree. It is truly comical in 2018 a grown man (I use man very loosely) thinks nudity is revolutionary or evolved. Mr Lonsdale your trite, inane, musings magnify your dearth of talent.
Lacuevaman
the only time i have agreed with you
Ghent
He gets one point for using the word “deems.”
barkomatic
As I’ve walked around NYC this summer I have noticed that in general people seem to be significantly more uptight about clothing and I’m not sure why but it seems to be a culture change. It used to be that if it were really hot and you weren’t inside a business or at work a lot of guys would walk around without shirts on for awhile. I rarely see that now at least in the part of the city I live and work in. It seems to now be considered “trashy”.
Yet you go to a park or jog and it’s still acceptable. Cross that magic line though and it’ll weird people out for some reason–maybe just in NYC I don’t know. Now, there are some guys who look really, really good without their clothes on, such as Keiynan but not all of us do. Anyway, I’m all for hot guys like him taking their clothes off but I’ll keep mine on for the most part.
Josh447
I know what you mean. The male body has gotten alot more media attention over the years (thx Markymark/Calvin Klein) and with the rise of gay liberation, the two may have somewhat nixed it for some guys taking off their shirts in public. Not to mention the puritanical religious right rising out of the ocean like a raging Godzilla. I think a combo of those things has had a strong effect on guys baring their shirtless bods in the general public. Lots of homophobia swirling around the world etc.
There never used to be that stigma, it was a normal non sexual thing to do. Now I think some guys may think twice. I even notice myself putting on a t-shirt to go out to get the mail. I never would have done that years ago.
Xzamilloh
Oh, yeah. Cute, single-digit body fat, gorgeous caramel skin, and enviable sinewy body curves. You’re so brave.
Donston
I am getting a lil tired of pretty people thinking nudity is a statement. You just wanted to show off your body. No big deal. And he’s likely very aware he’s not gonna lose any followers over that photo. It’s not like he has Christian “fan base” or anything.
GetOffMyInternets
Another day, another post from David trolling Instagram for “news”.
Mike
I’m a naturist and I agree with Keiynan Lonsdale completely (though I must admit his body is much better looking than mine). If all he’s ever done nude is post selfies, I hope he opens up enough to come to a nude beach sometime.
Bob LaBlah
For a super hero character I am disappointed in his body. He should be a LOT more muscular than that. I am wondering if the kid is a narcissist because in nearly all pictures posted he is by himself or if he is with anyone else the pics are still all about him.
missannethrope
It’a not like Grant Gustin is any more muscular. They’re fast, not necessarily strong.
Kangol
He has a nice, lean body. Some superheroes are more about sinews and speed than sheer muscle.
ShowMeGuy
He’s trying way too much to be relevant all the time. Keiynan does realize that Colton Hayes already has that job, right?
DuMaurier
Well, you have a great body and obviously have enough confidence for that pic, as you certainly should have, so….you know…shut up.
Kangol
Go to Kismet or Lighthouse on Fire Island, Sandy Hook in New Jersey, or Haulover Park in Miami, and you’ll see lots of nude guys (and girls and others). And they aren’t all cute, lean young guys like Keiynan either.