ADVERTISEMENT

Lena Dirscherl, who is known online as BoPoLena, is an artist and body acceptance activist, and they can perfectly blend the two together.

Recently, BoPoLena has been working on an illustration series dedicated to the male body. More specifically, the struggles that come with it—both internal and external.

"It seems I've struck a nerve with this message: body positivity is not only for women," BoPoLena said. "No, it's for all genders! Men also suffer [from] diet culture and the pressure to look as 'attractive' as possible. But you all are already beautiful! You are great the way you are! You don't need diets or gyms to be worthy! You are already worthy and loved!"

More info: bopolena.com | Instagram | Patreon

RELATED:

    BoPoLena started drawing and posting body positive messages every week on Instagram in August 2016. "I realized very quickly that most people assume that body issues, eating disorders and the struggle for acceptance are 'women's issues,'" BoPoLena told Bored Panda.

    "[But that] is not true at all! However, that might be the reason why the body positive community online is dominated by white able-bodied heterosexual cis women. Which I think is ironic since the whole movement has its origins in the Fat Acceptance Movement which was led by black women and people of color."

    #3

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    TheLazyPoki
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    YES. Men crying is deemed too feminine, and that seriously needs to stop. Crying is just a natural thing that people do, and it isn't okay to just bottle up your emotions to seem more like a man. If anything, people should be more feminine if this is what comes of being masculine.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #4

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    denzoren
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We don't wear clothes apparently...just drape some tarpaulin and we're good to go.

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    BoPoLena isn't the only soldier on the front. In recent years, male celebrities, including Chris Pratt, Ed Sheeran, and Robert Pattinson have been increasingly vocal when it comes to insecurities about their looks.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    And it's been long overdue. Research by psychiatrists at UCLA shows that overall, people nowadays feel worse about the way they look than they did in the 1970s.

    The problem concerns not just college guys hitting the gym to try to get a date: around 90 percent of boys in middle and high school exercise at least occasionally with the specific goal of bulking up. It's about time we start speaking about it more.

    #5

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ScarlettofHydraIsland
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And neither are the pictures you see on Instagram. Lighting and angles matter, and also, people (like me) tend to suck in their stomachs.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #6

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Completely :) We need to encourage men to not be ashamed of bolding. It is a natural process and one that its nobody's fault.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    As you can see, BoPoLena features a very diverse set of characters in their work. "In each of my series, I focus on a different group that hasn't been represented very well in the BoPo community yet. I did an illustration series on men, on non-binary folx, on intersex people and my next series will be on trans people of all genders."

    The artist also plans to tackle disabilities and chronic illnesses in the future but they still need to do more research on these topics. "I'm always in close contact with people of the groups that I try to represent in my art in order to amplify their voices."

    ADVERTISEMENT

    BoPoLena says it's their goal to spread body positivity for all people, in all bodies, so that everyone can feel represented in the movement, and if you ask me, they're doing one heck of a job.

    #8

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Xottel
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well I have always been skinny (not on purpose, I hated it) and this looks like my best school buddy and me

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ryan Deschanel
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Really? I'm 5'6 / 171cm tall, so why does everybody hate / reject / despise me because of that?

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #11

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Daria B
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A moderate amount of femininity is attractive, to be honest. But tastes vary by individuals anyway, so just try to be comfortable with who you are. If you keep your aesthetics and mannerisms for others, there's always going to be someone who doesn't like you, so not worthy bothering for that.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #12

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ambar
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    everyone needs emotional support, men need it as much as women!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #13

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have always been more attracted to men considered short. As a short woman it just makes more sense.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #15

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ambar
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    struggles to me are ok and help you grow. having family issues and need to cry that's ok! having money issues and need to cry that's ok! need to vent that's fine!

    #16

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    #17

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Valisbourne Spiritforge
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's just genetics, not whatever standard of "manliness" applies to having a beard.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #20

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also most women don't really want a big penis, or at leas the ones I asked about this. We need forplay not a big c**k.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You should only do it if its to make yourself happier.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #27

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Daria B
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know this is specifically referring to intersex people, as explicitly stated within the picture. However, I'd really like to point out how someone's voice - whether it's talking or singing - can really be an amazing charming point that can do wonders to a woman/man's psyche. When talking about attraction, the topics tend to put so much focus on the visual parts of the body, and the voice is often overlooked, but it can be such a strong point sometimes.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #29

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Iggy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Please don't do that. If you want to go, great. If you don't, great.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #31

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Terry Smith
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm really wrestling with this one lately - trying to eat better. Gotta remember it's about being fully nourished rather than controlling facets of my appearance.

    #33

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #34

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #35

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    TheLazyPoki
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes. Stretch marks are natural, and I like to think of them as battle scars that show your journey through life. And so is acne and acne scars. Everyone in their life is going to have acne, and some of us have it for longer than others. These are just things that the human body does, and they should always be normalized.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #36

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #38

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #39

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Karl Baxter
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now in my 50s I have come to terms with never being able to grow a full beard. Flip side of that is I tend to look a bit younger than my more hirsute peers.

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #40

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #41

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would rephrase this as 'there aren't inherently feminine or masculine things'.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #42

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #43

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    #44

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ambar
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    your arent alive just to lose weight, pay bills and get girls!

    #45

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ryan Deschanel
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    No, we are not, and everyone reminds us of that fact every f*****g day.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #46

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #49

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #50

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Sleazy Weaver
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But sometimes it's important to take advice from friends & family if they notice you're not quite yourself. Maybe you're overworking & your loved ones can see how stressed you are. Maybe they were trying to say, "I think it would be better for you if you'd relax this weekend instead of working on that project that's been stressing you out." Don't completely disregard what others have to say, especially those close to you.

    #51

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Zebwe
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think we, women have a great role in making this a reality too. Don't laugh (let alone ridicule) when you see a man cry. For example in movies they often make it into a joke, like as if that were to be the funny thing, man crying, hahaha. No need to support that by laughing along...

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #54

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ryan Deschanel
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Don't give us orders. Are we supposed to remain lonely, rejected, hated and miserable forever? Well, some people need surgery to get out of this pit.

    #55

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not sure about this one. There isn't a thing as 'not being muscular enough for a man'. But being underweight is a health problem. Anorexia in men is often ignored.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #57

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #58

    Body-Positivity-Men-Art

    bopolena Report

    Add photo comments
    POST