The Deeply Spiritual Reason Gay Men Are Flashing Their Butts On Instagram
Thirst-trap selfies are a dime a dozen on social media these days, but the men who are posing sans pants for The Travelin’ Bum Instagram account are looking to bare more than just their perfectly shaped posteriors. (Although they’re definitely showing those off too.)
The account was created as a way for gay men who may have struggled with their sexuality or the coming out process to celebrate feeling comfortable in their own skin. The creator, who wants to remain anonymous, posts submitted pics of people’s butts in public places alongside the personal stories they send about learning to love themselves.
“The nudity is something that makes light of what may be a difficult situation,” the 24-year-old told Elite Daily. “The concept of nudity behind The Travelin’ Bum was to allow people to ‘free’ themselves from their secrets they have been holding in. [It allows] them to bare it all and be their true self, finally.”
The founder said he receives about 100 to 150 messages each week from gay men who want to submit a story and a photo, but he only posts those that support the account’s overall message of living out and proud as their true selves. (Though having a photogenic bottom also appears to be taken into consideration during the selection process.)
“The LGBT community has gone through so much for generations, and we are slowly making strides for equality still in 2017,” the founder says. “By stripping in public, it shows you are comfortable with who you are as a human, and I think people should be proud of that whether you are male, female, gay or straight.”
