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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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So Gymshark is a relatively new sports clothing brand that has become MASSIVE in the past couple of years. Their Instagram is known for featuring incredibly toned, shredded fitness models, however in a bid to become more inclusive they posted a photo of a gorgeous woman in one of their sports bras and leggings. The woman in question is pretty slim overall, apart from on her stomach which is a little flabby - but completely NORMAL. She is by NO MEANS obese, however the comments are absolutely shocking and disgusting. Some choice examples include "this ain't it", "this is disgusting and she should be shamed" and "confidence won't stop your arteries clogging up", but there are far too many comments along these lines to mention. If you're interested in reading the vitriol please feel free to head on over to their page, but the general gist of it is that a large part of their followers feels that GS is no longer a "fitness page" and they are going to unfollow in favour of other brands/pages that only promote the types of bodies that would win physique competitions.
Fortunately GS is replying to each and every comment, happily telling those that wish to unfollow to go ahead and stop supporting their brand if they can't adhere to their ethos and basically being sassy as hell. They are trying to show that not only can you be fit and healthy even if you're not super shredded, but that even if you're not healthy everyone has to start somewhere and the gym/fitness is for every type of body.
I think it's insane that in this day and age this is still a concept that needs to be driven home. Health and fitness are not to be monopolised by the healthy and fit. I'm plus sized and no I'm not healthy (I don't really believe in the Healthy At Any Size movement but I believe in having the right to try and be healthIER at any size) but I'm trying really hard and seeing these attitudes people still have towards people who don't have stereotypical gym bodies is truly disgusting and disheartening.
TLDR; boo to bodyshaming, yay to Gymshark for trying to be more inclusive  |
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I mailed gymshark yonks ago about being more body diverse with the models of their clothing. Not all of us are 20, no stretch marks etc etc. There are all shapes and sizes who use the gym. The comments are honestly cringe |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Just went on the page to have a nosey. Omg some of the comments are horrible, hopefully the brand will more inclusive in future and it's not a publicity stunt "
There was a previous post a couple of weeks ago on their page of a lady with a little back fat. It did receive some negative backlash but nowhere near as much as this one! They have mentioned several times that they are trying to diversify and will be featuring a much wider variety of body types in the future. Hopefully they stick to this, although I don't really see how because their clothes don't exactly run in larger sizes... I remain hopeful though. |
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It's nice that they're trying to be more diverse and are speaking out about body shaming in their comment section. A lot of this gym bunny culture has become so damaging with women now not omly under pressure to be slim but now feeling additional pressure to be toned and have a massive, pert bum im skin tight leggings and to look perfect and beautiful while excercising. I spent 6.5 hours in tbe gym this week but don't look even close to most of their models and never will  . |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Maybe it's not profitable for many companies to show real women. Many brands time and time again have tested between natural real women vs slim photoshopped younger women. The latter always wins by a country mile from what i have seen. Its great to see companies being diverse, its just hard for them to make it perform better. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Maybe it's not profitable for many companies to show real women. Many brands time and time again have tested between natural real women vs slim photoshopped younger women. The latter always wins by a country mile from what i have seen. Its great to see companies being diverse, its just hard for them to make it perform better."
I think that may have been true a few years ago but lately with this huge shift towards diversifying there has been more of a desire to see products demonstrated on different body types so that the consumer gets a better idea of what it would look like on them. ASOS even introduced a feature where they photographed one item of clothing on many different models so that the customer could choose to view the one that most closely resembled their own shape as a kind of "virtual try-on". Their Instagram is also the poster child for inclusivity  to the point where they include the preferred pronouns of the model. And going by their comments, most of their followers LOVE it  |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"It's nice that they're trying to be more diverse and are speaking out about body shaming in their comment section. A lot of this gym bunny culture has become so damaging with women now not omly under pressure to be slim but now feeling additional pressure to be toned and have a massive, pert bum im skin tight leggings and to look perfect and beautiful while excercising. I spent 6.5 hours in tbe gym this week but don't look even close to most of their models and never will . "
Yeah I think it's the same for guys too tbh, all these Love Island type men with perfect bodies plastered all over social media. It's unbelievably toxic. |
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"So Gymshark is a relatively new sports clothing brand that has become MASSIVE in the past couple of years. Their Instagram is known for featuring incredibly toned, shredded fitness models, however in a bid to become more inclusive they posted a photo of a gorgeous woman in one of their sports bras and leggings. The woman in question is pretty slim overall, apart from on her stomach which is a little flabby - but completely NORMAL. She is by NO MEANS obese, however the comments are absolutely shocking and disgusting. Some choice examples include "this ain't it", "this is disgusting and she should be shamed" and "confidence won't stop your arteries clogging up", but there are far too many comments along these lines to mention. If you're interested in reading the vitriol please feel free to head on over to their page, but the general gist of it is that a large part of their followers feels that GS is no longer a "fitness page" and they are going to unfollow in favour of other brands/pages that only promote the types of bodies that would win physique competitions.
Fortunately GS is replying to each and every comment, happily telling those that wish to unfollow to go ahead and stop supporting their brand if they can't adhere to their ethos and basically being sassy as hell. They are trying to show that not only can you be fit and healthy even if you're not super shredded, but that even if you're not healthy everyone has to start somewhere and the gym/fitness is for every type of body.
I think it's insane that in this day and age this is still a concept that needs to be driven home. Health and fitness are not to be monopolised by the healthy and fit. I'm plus sized and no I'm not healthy (I don't really believe in the Healthy At Any Size movement but I believe in having the right to try and be healthIER at any size) but I'm trying really hard and seeing these attitudes people still have towards people who don't have stereotypical gym bodies is truly disgusting and disheartening.
TLDR; boo to bodyshaming, yay to Gymshark for trying to be more inclusive "
I we wonder why there is so much body dis-morphia |
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"It's nice that they're trying to be more diverse and are speaking out about body shaming in their comment section. A lot of this gym bunny culture has become so damaging with women now not omly under pressure to be slim but now feeling additional pressure to be toned and have a massive, pert bum im skin tight leggings and to look perfect and beautiful while excercising. I spent 6.5 hours in tbe gym this week but don't look even close to most of their models and never will .
Yeah I think it's the same for guys too tbh, all these Love Island type men with perfect bodies plastered all over social media. It's unbelievably toxic. "
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It's vile behaviour from very sad individuals. That woman has been called 1001 things from random people and they get away with it and not once will they stop and think about how their words could affect her. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"It's nice that they're trying to be more diverse and are speaking out about body shaming in their comment section. A lot of this gym bunny culture has become so damaging with women now not omly under pressure to be slim but now feeling additional pressure to be toned and have a massive, pert bum im skin tight leggings and to look perfect and beautiful while excercising. I spent 6.5 hours in tbe gym this week but don't look even close to most of their models and never will .
Yeah I think it's the same for guys too tbh, all these Love Island type men with perfect bodies plastered all over social media. It's unbelievably toxic. "
I think most men don’t take any notice, they know it’s not the standard body type, it’s not something that Is high on the list of conversation topics at work between the blokes. |
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"Just went on the page to have a nosey. Omg some of the comments are horrible, hopefully the brand will more inclusive in future and it's not a publicity stunt
There was a previous post a couple of weeks ago on their page of a lady with a little back fat. It did receive some negative backlash but nowhere near as much as this one! They have mentioned several times that they are trying to diversify and will be featuring a much wider variety of body types in the future. Hopefully they stick to this, although I don't really see how because their clothes don't exactly run in larger sizes... I remain hopeful though. "
I think we face growing pains as we try to improve. It's across a lot of sectors. (The makeup blog I follow got abuse recently for pointing out that naming eyeshadow in a way that's only workable for white people isn't cool in 2020) |
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By *mberWoman
over a year ago
Preston |
"It's vile behaviour from very sad individuals. That woman has been called 1001 things from random people and they get away with it and not once will they stop and think about how their words could affect her. "
They don't care, that's the issue.
I had a quick look through too. Good on gymshark. I'll be honest her body shape looks a lot more like the people I see in my life than the women who have 6 packs in the rest of the feed.
Some people are unpleasant, it's a good filter.
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I'm glad I don't care what I look like in the gym but I'm perpetually frustrated that many types of gym clothing are only available in smaller sizes, eg finish at size 14 OR the clothing are of a design that simply is ill fitting if a person hasn't got a washboard stomach. I'm happy to chuck a loose cotton t-shirt on rather than skin tight vests etc, but I do understand that many people are put off engaging in fitness due to the sorts of attitudes demonstrated on Gymshark's page. Glad Gymshark are being supportive |
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"It's nice that they're trying to be more diverse and are speaking out about body shaming in their comment section. A lot of this gym bunny culture has become so damaging with women now not omly under pressure to be slim but now feeling additional pressure to be toned and have a massive, pert bum im skin tight leggings and to look perfect and beautiful while excercising. I spent 6.5 hours in tbe gym this week but don't look even close to most of their models and never will .
Yeah I think it's the same for guys too tbh, all these Love Island type men with perfect bodies plastered all over social media. It's unbelievably toxic.
I think most men don’t take any notice, they know it’s not the standard body type, it’s not something that Is high on the list of conversation topics at work between the blokes. "
Maybe but I've also met men with terrible body dysmorphia who despite being incredibly fit and toned/muscular, they're never satisfied and miserable about their bodies. An ex of mine had a lot of anxiety about it and would panic if he couldn't get to the gym. He would constantly imagine himself as skinny despite needing size large tofit his chest and struggling to find jeans to fit his thighs. |
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I've nky found the offending pic/post but had a quick look at the Gymshark FB page. I'm pleased to see them including para athletes, such as amputees. I am irritated with the whole "inspirational" thing though. Most of us don't want special praise for doing things that everyone else does without even thinking. Like walking etc |
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"Maybe but I've also met men with terrible body dysmorphia who despite being incredibly fit and toned/muscular, they're never satisfied and miserable about their bodies. An ex of mine had a lot of anxiety about it and would panic if he couldn't get to the gym. He would constantly imagine himself as skinny despite needing size large tofit his chest and struggling to find jeans to fit his thighs. "
Agreed |
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"I've nky found the offending pic/post but had a quick look at the Gymshark FB page. I'm pleased to see them including para athletes, such as amputees. I am irritated with the whole "inspirational" thing though. Most of us don't want special praise for doing things that everyone else does without even thinking. Like walking etc "
Yeah... Disability represented good. Inspo porn... miss |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"It's vile behaviour from very sad individuals. That woman has been called 1001 things from random people and they get away with it and not once will they stop and think about how their words could affect her. "
She is recovering from an eating disorder (if you check her Instagram page she mentions it and has posted before and after pics of her recovery) so I am assuming it was even more devastating seeing people judge her so abhorrently. She has since posted a photo with a great statement related to the entire incident. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"It's nice that they're trying to be more diverse and are speaking out about body shaming in their comment section. A lot of this gym bunny culture has become so damaging with women now not omly under pressure to be slim but now feeling additional pressure to be toned and have a massive, pert bum im skin tight leggings and to look perfect and beautiful while excercising. I spent 6.5 hours in tbe gym this week but don't look even close to most of their models and never will .
Yeah I think it's the same for guys too tbh, all these Love Island type men with perfect bodies plastered all over social media. It's unbelievably toxic.
I think most men don’t take any notice, they know it’s not the standard body type, it’s not something that Is high on the list of conversation topics at work between the blokes. "
Hate to disagree but I know plenty of men my age who are OBSESSED with the gym and nutrition and, like Lacey said, freak out if they have to miss a workout. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"It's vile behaviour from very sad individuals. That woman has been called 1001 things from random people and they get away with it and not once will they stop and think about how their words could affect her.
They don't care, that's the issue.
I had a quick look through too. Good on gymshark. I'll be honest her body shape looks a lot more like the people I see in my life than the women who have 6 packs in the rest of the feed.
Some people are unpleasant, it's a good filter.
"
Exactly, her body is so normal. It's not even like she is extremely over or underweight, I don't understand why people are so triggered. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I'm glad I don't care what I look like in the gym but I'm perpetually frustrated that many types of gym clothing are only available in smaller sizes, eg finish at size 14 OR the clothing are of a design that simply is ill fitting if a person hasn't got a washboard stomach. I'm happy to chuck a loose cotton t-shirt on rather than skin tight vests etc, but I do understand that many people are put off engaging in fitness due to the sorts of attitudes demonstrated on Gymshark's page. Glad Gymshark are being supportive "
Same, although I have noticed that many brands are now running plus sized lines. And if I'm totally honest I'm not really at the stage where I'm personally okay with showing my flab to the world in tiny lycra shorts and bralets haha, I'm far more comfortable in a baggy tee and leggings. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I've nky found the offending pic/post but had a quick look at the Gymshark FB page. I'm pleased to see them including para athletes, such as amputees. I am irritated with the whole "inspirational" thing though. Most of us don't want special praise for doing things that everyone else does without even thinking. Like walking etc
Yeah... Disability represented good. Inspo porn... miss"
I get what you mean, I also balk sometimes at pictures of obese women in workout gear with a caption like "LOOK AT HER SHE'S FAT AND SHE'S DOING IT". Some brands do it super tastefully, where it's just a reminder to people that society is diverse and all sorts of people can do all sorts of things, but yeah like you say other times it's just tacky as hell. |
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"I've nky found the offending pic/post but had a quick look at the Gymshark FB page. I'm pleased to see them including para athletes, such as amputees. I am irritated with the whole "inspirational" thing though. Most of us don't want special praise for doing things that everyone else does without even thinking. Like walking etc
Yeah... Disability represented good. Inspo porn... miss
I get what you mean, I also balk sometimes at pictures of obese women in workout gear with a caption like "LOOK AT HER SHE'S FAT AND SHE'S DOING IT". Some brands do it super tastefully, where it's just a reminder to people that society is diverse and all sorts of people can do all sorts of things, but yeah like you say other times it's just tacky as hell. "
Hey, we're all for having para athletes "on display" but I think most of us would like to be treated the same way as everyone else eg we're nowt special for being able to get to the gym, stick on some kit and do some sort of exercise. Yes, our exercise might look a bit different/adapted compared to the equivalent able bodied sport, but that's fine. I can't run, but I can push like hell. I can't play running basketball, but I can push, dribble and shoot. My pal who is an amputee can run, but he has half a bionic leg, but that doesn't make him any more wonderful than anyone else running. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Its a "how to get people to come to our website exercise" do you work for them OP? "
This really. It's what I do for a living only in beauty....
Sell a lifestyle, sell ppl what they want to hear, sell a product, ooopps make loads of $$$ selling essentially the same shit everyone else is pedalling.....  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Build value into the same shit others are offering and charge a moral premium for it, innit.... ....ppl can and do buy whatever they like obviously, but I don't think they realise why they do a lot of the time.... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Its a "how to get people to come to our website exercise" do you work for them OP?
Someone can be for representation of all body types without trying to sell something..."
They should set up a non-commercial website, aye.... |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Its a "how to get people to come to our website exercise" do you work for them OP?
This really. It's what I do for a living only in beauty....
Sell a lifestyle, sell ppl what they want to hear, sell a product, ooopps make loads of $$$ selling essentially the same shit everyone else is pedalling..... "
I don't understand your point. Obviously I get Gymshark's post was marketing, all Instagram posts by businesses are... My issue was with the reaction to it. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Its a "how to get people to come to our website exercise" do you work for them OP?
Someone can be for representation of all body types without trying to sell something..."
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"Its a "how to get people to come to our website exercise" do you work for them OP?
This really. It's what I do for a living only in beauty....
Sell a lifestyle, sell ppl what they want to hear, sell a product, ooopps make loads of $$$ selling essentially the same shit everyone else is pedalling.....
I don't understand your point. Obviously I get Gymshark's post was marketing, all Instagram posts by businesses are... My issue was with the reaction to it. "
Marketing that tries to be less toxic in some ways. There oughta be a law banning such nonsense  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Its a "how to get people to come to our website exercise" do you work for them OP?
This really. It's what I do for a living only in beauty....
Sell a lifestyle, sell ppl what they want to hear, sell a product, ooopps make loads of $$$ selling essentially the same shit everyone else is pedalling.....
I don't understand your point. Obviously I get Gymshark's post was marketing, all Instagram posts by businesses are... My issue was with the reaction to it. "
They posted for the reaction and reacted to it make more profit - it's what business does. Genuinely this is actually what I do for a living. Do you wonder why GS have suddenly come to the forefront of a very competitive market? It's not luck or great morals, but great marketing! I promise I'm not trying to be a knob for the sake of it, just pointing out how we all fall for it and how GS will sell more product because of the cunty remarks the "trolls" (assuming they are real ppl and not "manufactured" comments for the purpose of marketing)....
I appreciate your point was an honourable one, but linking it with the marketing excercise of a business diluted the message in what could have been a more effective and hard hitting post imho.... |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Its a "how to get people to come to our website exercise" do you work for them OP?
This really. It's what I do for a living only in beauty....
Sell a lifestyle, sell ppl what they want to hear, sell a product, ooopps make loads of $$$ selling essentially the same shit everyone else is pedalling.....
I don't understand your point. Obviously I get Gymshark's post was marketing, all Instagram posts by businesses are... My issue was with the reaction to it.
They posted for the reaction and reacted to it make more profit - it's what business does. Genuinely this is actually what I do for a living. Do you wonder why GS have suddenly come to the forefront of a very competitive market? It's not luck or great morals, but great marketing! I promise I'm not trying to be a knob for the sake of it, just pointing out how we all fall for it and how GS will sell more product because of the cunty remarks the "trolls" (assuming they are real ppl and not "manufactured" comments for the purpose of marketing)....
I appreciate your point was an honourable one, but linking it with the marketing excercise of a business diluted the message in what could have been a more effective and hard hitting post imho...."
Yeah I'm sure they would put a woman recovering from an eating disorder through the trauma of this incident on purpose
The intention behind the post was OBVIOUSLY for profit, I'm not stupid. But I don't think there is any way they would have anticipated this level of backlash, especially with so many other sports and clothing brands having so much praise heaped on them for doing the same thing.
I'm sorry my post is not hard hitting enough for you. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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its just another thing people are complaining about.
im wondering if the model you are referring to is a m_mber of staff.
im not surprised by abusive commments to be honest. seems to be the norm these days
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Good for GS.
The internet is a sesspit."
Don't get me started on Daily Mail comments, they make me sad for humanity  I wonder if these people are so physically perfect |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"its just another thing people are complaining about.
im wondering if the model you are referring to is a m_mber of staff.
im not surprised by abusive commments to be honest. seems to be the norm these days
"
She's an Instagram influencer |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Good for GS.
The internet is a sesspit.
Don't get me started on Daily Mail comments, they make me sad for humanity I wonder if these people are so physically perfect"
They don't reflect humanity.
They just represent a macrocosm of individuals with a high dose of bile who believe everyone should listen to their opinion.
Not everyone is like that. |
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"Good for GS.
The internet is a sesspit.
Don't get me started on Daily Mail comments, they make me sad for humanity I wonder if these people are so physically perfect
They don't reflect humanity.
They just represent a macrocosm of individuals with a high dose of bile who believe everyone should listen to their opinion.
Not everyone is like that."
I hope that these Neanderthals shouting about inclusivity are just making noise because their time is up and they're scared. I really do. |
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By *r SxxMan
over a year ago
Kent |
They've gained a new follower in me!
Obviously I've always been aware of them, but their products aren't usually my kind of thing. Seen a few of their recent posts, big respect to them.
More company's should follow! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"its just another thing people are complaining about.
im wondering if the model you are referring to is a m_mber of staff.
im not surprised by abusive commments to be honest. seems to be the norm these days
She's an Instagram influencer"
ok thank you.
then my feeling would be other instagram women are jealous and getting others to throw abuse.
this does happen |
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