Book Review: Queer Body Power by Essie Dennis

Introduction

Essie Dennis’ Queer Body Power (2022) is a vital and timely exploration of queer identity, body image, and the intersections of gender, race, and ability. This book goes beyond the surface of body positivity, diving deeply into the personal and political realities that shape how queer bodies are viewed, policed, and celebrated in society. Through candid reflections on their own struggles with eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and self-acceptance, Dennis offers a profound and necessary perspective on what it means to reclaim one’s body in a world that often marginalizes those who do not conform to societal beauty standards.

For therapists working with Two-Spirit, trans, nonbinary, and queer clients, Queer Body Power provides essential insights into the unique challenges faced by queer individuals in navigating body image. The book speaks to the radical power of self-love, illustrating how body positivity, when applied through an intersectional lens, becomes an act of both personal liberation and political resistance. Dennis’ work resonates deeply with my own clinical practice, where I support clients in confronting the societal pressures that can lead to feelings of shame, inadequacy, or discomfort in their bodies.

Essie Dennis (they/she) is a writer, artist, and LGBTQ+ content creator whose work has appeared in Cosmopolitan UK, Unicorn Magazine, Diva Magazine, and Glamour UK. As a queer body image expert, Dennis has collaborated with companies like Meta and Dove, and in 2022, they were shortlisted as “Changemaker of the Year” by Blogosphere Magazine. Their writing covers a wide array of topics, including sapphic relationships, queer social and political issues, body positivity, and endometriosis awareness, making them a prominent figure in the intersection of queer identity and body liberation. Dennis’ lived experiences, coupled with their activism, enrich Queer Body Power with a unique voice that speaks directly to those who have often been excluded from mainstream body positivity movements.

For both therapists and queer individuals, Queer Body Power offers more than a narrative—it’s a toolkit for dismantling internalized shame, resisting oppressive standards, and embracing body diversity. It encourages readers to foster compassion for themselves while recognizing the systemic forces that often make body acceptance a struggle. In this way, Dennis provides a pathway for both personal healing and collective empowerment, reminding us that queer bodies are inherently powerful, worthy of love, and deserving of space.

Overview of the Book

Queer Body Power is structured into several key chapters, each addressing critical aspects of body image, queerness, and the societal forces that shape our relationships with our bodies. Beginning with an introduction that reflects on the personal and political realities of queerness, Dennis sets the stage by exploring how queer individuals navigate a world that often fails to acknowledge or accommodate their identities. The book’s structure follows a natural progression, guiding readers through a journey of self-reflection, resistance, and, ultimately, reclamation.

One of the first themes Dennis tackles is the process of reclaiming one’s body. In the chapter “Reclaiming Your Body,” Dennis (2022) discusses how queer individuals often grow up in environments that impose rigid gender roles and body expectations. Dennis argues that reclaiming our bodies involves unlearning these societal norms and redefining our self-image on our own terms. For queer people, whose bodies have often been sites of discomfort or alienation, this process can be deeply healing.

In “Unlearning Fatphobia,” Dennis (2022) addresses the harmful societal narratives that equate thinness with beauty and worth, particularly in the LGBTQ+ community. They draw on their own struggles with disordered eating to highlight how pervasive fatphobia can be, even within queer spaces. This chapter serves as a crucial reminder that body liberation is not only about self-acceptance but also about challenging the societal forces that reinforce fatphobia and marginalize those who do not fit conventional beauty standards.

A particularly notable chapter, “Bodies Are Political,” delves into how queer bodies are constantly scrutinized, judged, and politicized in public spaces. Dennis (2022) writes about the unique pressures queer people face when their bodies do not conform to societal norms. These pressures can manifest in everything from street harassment to the medical system’s treatment of trans bodies. This chapter provides a critical perspective on how our bodies exist in a political landscape, one that disproportionately targets queer, trans, and fat bodies, making it a crucial read for both clients and therapists seeking to understand these dynamics.

Throughout Queer Body Power, Dennis supplements their personal narrative with interviews from a diverse group of queer icons, offering a rich tapestry of voices and experiences. These interviews add depth to the book, showing the variety of ways queer individuals navigate their relationships with their bodies. Readers are introduced to people like Mia Violet, who shares her journey with body image and chronic illness, and R.K. Russell, a former NFL player, who speaks to the pressures of masculinity and athletic performance (Dennis, 2022). By weaving in these stories, Dennis ensures that readers feel represented and seen, regardless of their specific experiences within the LGBTQ+ spectrum.

The multifaceted approach of Queer Body Power allows readers to connect with both the struggles and triumphs of body positivity. Dennis balances deeply personal reflections with broader societal critique, making the book an essential resource for queer clients who may not feel represented in mainstream discussions on body image. It provides practical insight for therapists working with Two Spirit, trans, nonbinary, and queer individuals, offering tools to help clients reclaim their bodies and reject harmful societal standards.

Key Concepts Covered in the Book

Dennis addresses several key concepts that are essential for understanding the unique body image challenges faced by queer individuals. One central concept is “minority stress,” which refers to the chronic stress experienced by individuals from marginalized communities as a result of systemic oppression. Dennis (2022) explains how minority stress disproportionately affects LGBTQ+ individuals, contributing to higher rates of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and body dissatisfaction. They draw on their own experiences and the broader LGBTQ+ community to illustrate how constant exposure to discrimination and societal rejection manifests in the body. For many queer people, their struggles with body image are intertwined with the societal pressures to conform to binary gender roles and heteronormative beauty standards.

Dennis (2022) references research by Nagata et al. (2019), which found that LGBTQ+ individuals are significantly more likely to experience eating disorders compared to their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts. This research highlights the profound impact that systemic oppression has on queer people’s mental health and body image. Dennis weaves this into their personal narrative, illustrating how disordered eating often arises as a coping mechanism for the pressure to adhere to rigid and often unattainable standards of beauty. By centring the discussion of eating disorders within the framework of minority stress, Dennis emphasizes the need for body-positive movements to acknowledge and address these intersecting pressures.

Another key concept explored in the book is the political nature of queer bodies. In the chapter “Bodies Are Political,” Dennis (2022) argues that queer bodies are not only personal but inherently political, subject to heightened scrutiny and regulation in both public and private spaces. They explore how queer people, especially trans and nonbinary individuals, are often judged or targeted simply for existing in bodies that defy societal norms. Whether it is the policing of gender presentation or the ongoing legal and medical battles over bodily autonomy, queer bodies are frequently placed under a lens that imposes societal expectations on how they should appear, behave, or be modified.

This political dimension resonates strongly in therapeutic contexts, where trans and nonbinary clients often grapple with external pressures while navigating their own internal experiences of body dysphoria. Dennis (2022) provides a framework for therapists to understand the broader societal forces at play when working with clients who face discrimination based on their bodies. By acknowledging how queer bodies are scrutinized and marginalized, therapists can better support their clients in reclaiming their bodies and challenging the societal norms that perpetuate body shame and dysphoria. This concept encourages an intersectional approach, recognizing the layers of oppression that intersect with gender, race, size, and disability.

In addition to minority stress and the political nature of queer bodies, Dennis (2022) also tackles the concept of “body liberation.” Body liberation moves beyond body positivity by advocating for systemic change that challenges the structures responsible for perpetuating body shame and inequality. Dennis emphasizes that queer individuals are not solely responsible for their body image struggles—these struggles are deeply influenced by societal norms, media representation, and systemic oppression. The concept of body liberation calls for a dismantling of the harmful structures that perpetuate body shame, fatphobia, transphobia, and ableism. It encourages both individual healing and collective action, framing body acceptance as a radical act of resistance.

Dennis’ articulation of these key concepts provides both a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for therapists working with queer clients. It challenges mainstream understandings of body positivity, pushing readers to think more critically about how societal structures perpetuate harmful narratives around body image. These insights are not only valuable for therapists but for anyone seeking to better understand the unique challenges queer individuals face in navigating their bodies in a world that often refuses to see them as whole and worthy.

How This Book Stands Out

What makes Queer Body Power unique is Essie Dennis’ intersectional approach, which weaves together personal narrative, interviews, and critical analysis to illuminate the diverse experiences of queer, trans, and disabled bodies. In contrast to mainstream body positivity movements that often focus on cisgender, heterosexual women, Dennis (2022) shifts the focus to the bodies that have been historically excluded from these conversations. By centring queer, trans, nonbinary, and disabled people in their narrative, Dennis offers an inclusive vision of body positivity—one that acknowledges the varied ways individuals experience their bodies depending on their intersecting identities. This sets Queer Body Power apart from other well-known books in the genre, such as Juno Roche’s Queer Sex and Fat and Queer, which explore body image and queerness but do not delve as deeply into the fluidity and complexity of the queer body image experience.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Queer Body Power is Dennis’ ability to balance deeply personal reflections with broader societal critiques. Dennis (2022) does not shy away from sharing their own struggles with body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and navigating gender presentation, making the book not only relatable but profoundly impactful for queer readers. Their vulnerability invites readers into their world, allowing them to connect with Dennis on a deeply personal level. For therapists working with Two Spirit, trans, nonbinary, and queer clients, Dennis’ willingness to openly discuss their experiences provides a rich, authentic perspective that can inform therapeutic practices aimed at helping clients navigate their own body image struggles.

In addition to their personal stories, Dennis amplifies the voices of other queer individuals through interviews, further expanding the conversation on body positivity. These interviews introduce a variety of experiences, including stories from disabled, racialized, and gender-diverse individuals who discuss the ways they’ve reclaimed their bodies in the face of societal rejection. For example, Dennis (2022) includes the perspectives of Mia Violet, a queer trans woman, who discusses body image and chronic illness, and R.K. Russell, a former NFL player, who speaks to the pressures of masculinity and athletic performance. By incorporating these diverse voices, Dennis ensures that readers from different backgrounds can see themselves reflected in the book, making Queer Body Power an inclusive and validating resource.

What also sets this book apart is Dennis’ emphasis on the fluidity of body positivity for queer individuals. Whereas many body positivity movements focus on static ideals of self-love and acceptance, Dennis (2022) acknowledges that the journey toward body acceptance is often nonlinear, particularly for queer and trans people whose bodies may undergo significant changes over time. This understanding of body positivity as a dynamic, evolving process is particularly valuable in therapeutic contexts, where clients may be navigating fluctuating feelings about their bodies due to gender dysphoria, medical transitions, or societal pressures. Dennis encourages readers to embrace this fluidity, recognizing that body liberation is not a destination but an ongoing practice of self-compassion and resistance against harmful societal norms.

Dennis’ intersectional approach, their emphasis on fluidity, and their ability to incorporate a broad range of voices make Queer Body Power a standout resource in the field of body positivity literature. For therapists and clients alike, this book offers a fresh, inclusive perspective on body image and self-acceptance, while also pushing readers to consider the systemic barriers that contribute to body shame. Ultimately, Queer Body Power serves as both a personal guide for queer individuals reclaiming their bodies and a call to action for collective resistance against oppressive societal norms.

Conclusion

In Queer Body Power, Essie Dennis offers a compelling and transformative guide for anyone navigating the complexities of body image, queerness, and self-acceptance. By seamlessly blending their personal experiences with the voices of others in the LGBTQ+ community, Dennis provides a roadmap for reclaiming queer bodies in a world that frequently marginalizes and oppresses them. This book is an invaluable resource for therapists looking to deepen their understanding of the intricate relationship between queerness and body image, offering practical tools to help clients embrace their authentic selves and challenge societal norms that fuel body shame. Through Dennis’ deeply intersectional approach, both clients and therapists can find inspiration to embark on a journey of body liberation.

If you’re interested in reading Queer Body Power, I encourage you to support your local library or purchase it from a queer-inclusive bookstore in your community. Some wonderful options include Cross and Crows Books and Little Sisters in Vancouver, Glad Day Bookshop in Toronto, and Venus Envy, Halifax Bookmark, or Agricola Street Books in Halifax. While I’m not affiliated with these bookstores, I believe in supporting local, community-focused businesses across Canada, especially those that foster inclusivity and celebrate diverse voices.

If the messages in Queer Body Power resonate with you, I invite you to consider working with a queer-affirming therapist through our practice. Whether you are seeking support for body image, gender dysphoria, or other mental health concerns, we are here to help. You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation with trans and queer therapist Audrey Wolfe, RCC, or join the waitlist to work with me, Clayre Sessoms, RP, RCT, RCC, RCAT, CCC, ATR-BC. Together, we can explore therapeutic approaches that foster radical self-acceptance and personal growth.

For more book reviews and therapeutic resources, bookmark my blog. Together, we can explore the ongoing journey toward healing and body liberation, embracing the beauty and power within ourselves and our communities.

References

Dennis, E. (2022). Queer body power. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.