Sir Mix-a-lot may like a big butt, but anybody who's actually got back has stressed over its size. Similarly, slim types with smaller handles worry that there isn't enough of them to love. No matter where each individual body falls on the curvature scale, there's a stereotype to bring it down: voluptuous types are slutty, the streamlined are asexual, and there are serious consequences if those lady (or man) lumps don't fit inside the gender box you were assigned at birth. The more racialized a particular body is, the more stringent the judgments tend to be.
This Pride, we present the Ethnic Aisle Ass Issue. Our goal is to dissect how race and ethnicity in Toronto intersect with issues of body image, beauty, sexuality and the all-important ass. We've got some fun stuff, including our first-ever audio post and playlist, and some serious thinking. As always, we're taking this very, very personally.
Photograph by Bruce Tuten
Shake your rump! Download an asstastic playlist, courtesy of Cherrybomb’s DJ Cozmic Cat.
Karen K. Ho is tall, curvy, and Chinese. Crazy, right?
Hot for teacher: Vivek Shraya shares the story Bubble Butt, from his book God Loves Hair.
Jaime Woo reveals the most shocking thing about being a faceless torso on Grindr.
Our first audio post! In “How To,” MC Jazz takes on the ultimate signifier of feminine beauty: Barbie, of course.
Farzana Doctor’s poem Open Bar is about one-night stands, commitment ceremonies, long-term relationships, and s-e-x.
If Kim Kardashian and Rihanna have taught us one thing, it’s that someone else can like your rearview, but if you flaunt it, you’re a slut. No fair, says Renee Sylvestre-Williams.
“Desire doesn’t care what your politics are.” Navneet Alang kisses a white girl, just like Undercover Brother.
Speaking with Denise Balkissoon, sexual health counsellor Rahim Thawer discusses HIV prevention, fetishes, stereotypes and, most importantly, keeping the ass fun.