Spending more time on social media lately? You’re not alone. Quarantine has most of us scrambling for alternatives to our standard forms of entertainment, so it’s no wonder that our screens are getting a little extra love right now. Why not make the most of your time online by following some truly amazing human beings who know a thing or two about celebrating body and sex positivity? If you’re not sure where to get started, our list of Instagram social media influencers is a great way to get acquainted with a few of our favorites.
Nicole Byer @nicolebyer
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBUIAWVHDvW/
You might know Nicole Byer as the side splitting host of Netflix’s show, Nailed It. Or, you could have seen her on an episode of Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Either way, she’s one to follow. And the title of her new best-selling book pretty much tells it all, “#VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE: The Fat Girl’s Guide to Being #Brave and Not a Dejected, Melancholy, Down-in-the-Dumps Weeping Fat Girl in a Bikini.” Scroll through her feed to see her journey towards mastering pole dancing, proving that any one of any size can enjoy the activity.
Tess Holliday @tessholliday
https://www.instagram.com/p/CB9ZlMipiM6/
Tess Holliday, model and politically active social media influencer, is unapologetically firm in her belief that today’s beauty standards are a bunch of baloney. In fact, she coined the hashtag #effyourbeautystandards in 2013 and hasn’t looked back since. You’ll find her posting about her favorite inclusive clothing lines, minority owned make up lines, her blended family, and her personal takes on living with depression and anxiety.
Jameela Jamil @jameelajamilofficial
https://www.instagram.com/p/CB9PGrhDsY_/
It’s hard to see Jameela Jamil without thinking of her character Tahani Al-Jamil from NBC’s The Good Place. But, she’s so much more than that. Jamil is an LBGTQ activist and a staunch supporter of women’s rights. She also started the popular @i_weigh Instagram account which is part of her personal revolt against body shaming. She also hosts a weekly podcast with the same name, available through Apple iTunes. Check out the June 19 episode where Nicole Byer, above, was her guest!
Lorraine C. Ladish @lorrainecladish
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCECbI7gsLM/
Lorraine C. Laddish calls herself a midlife reinvention maven. As a 50-something year old mother of LBGTQ girls, she’s breaking the mold about what it means to be “middle-aged.” Her biggest passion is yoga and she’s not afraid to show followers what it really looks like to fall head over heels for the practice at this age – embracing every inch of her body, stretch marks, wrinkles, and all.
Hannah Wilton @hannahwitton
https://www.instagram.com/p/CByKVvAMj7x/
Hannah Witton is a sex positive influencer who hosts The Banking Book Club podcast where she and a guest review a variety of books dealing with everything from sex toys and reproductive health to everything in between each month. Having lived with a stoma for most of her life, she’s also an advocate for those living with chronic illness and invisible disabilities.
Karley Sciortino @karleyslutever
https://www.instagram.com/p/B87XBkcB5T4/
If you haven’t caught Karley Sciortino’s show, Slutever, on Viceland or read her book by the same name, it’s a must. Her mission is to reclaim the word “slut” and reintroduce it for a world where the discussion of sex is positive and shameless. She’s covered everything on her show from BDSM, sex work, sex parties, and masturbation all with the intent of educating viewer about their own sexual wellbeing.
Jessamyn Stanley @jessamyn
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBv6pk-nx5I/
Writer and yoga instructor Jessamyn Stanley prides herself on making space for people to be themselves. She believes embracing one’s full body and dropping all the preconceived body standards the media puts forth so very often. Stanley believes that yoga is meant for everybody and more importantly, every body and it is the key to working towards self enlightenment. Grab some tips on starting your own at-home yoga practice on her sister page, @underthebellyyoga.
Em Ford @mypaleskin
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8HdN4dJG5o/
Em Ford is a London based model, who suffers from adult acne. She rose to fame after her video, “You Look Disgusting” which featured 97,000 negative comments about her modeling pictures without without make up. It was watched well over 2 million times. She’s a constant source of uplifting body positive messages for her fans as well as those who are struggling with their own self-image.
