A new body positive hashtag is making its way across Twitter: #ThighReading.
Coined by Twitter user @princess_labia on July 20, the hashtag encourages people to share unretouched photos of their thighs. Stretch marks, scabs and scars are all welcome.
palm readings pic.twitter.com/eaXBcVO7HX— EMO SLUT (@princess_labia) July 20, 2015
show me ur #thighreading— EMO SLUT (@princess_labia) July 20, 2015
@princess_labia, who declined to share her real name, told Mashable that #ThighReading came to her "after I had the idea that my stretch marks told a story the same way I had been told my palms did." She says posting images of her stretch marks felt empowering, even before she realized that other women would join in.
Then the photos from other women and girls came pouring in. Women have shared images of burns, scarring from self-harm, birth marks, bruises, cuts and cellulite, in order to refute the notion of perfect thighs.
Birthmark, stretch marks, childhood scars. #imsofly #thighreading pic.twitter.com/Ob17eT1waJ— Mimi Boyle (@mimiboylewrites) July 26, 2015
#thighreading I have loads of stretch marks, but they're still beautiful I'm a work of art & so are you #bodyposi pic.twitter.com/JrVkWfFp30— frankie loves louis (@PUNKAFHALSEY) July 21, 2015
stretch marks from my eating disorder, they hold the strength it took to survive #Thighreading pic.twitter.com/Ks2iQ7K8Hj— bagelprincess (@bagelprincess) July 21, 2015
@princess_labia In my pijies. Here are my thunder thighs w/ a birthmark and burn scar on the left. #thighreading pic.twitter.com/BsMNeZQeEE— Hadriana De Madiana (@HadrianaBubble) July 23, 2015
Every day I become more and more comfortable with myself and my body. I am more than my stretch marks. #thighreading pic.twitter.com/JpasREW6tl— ragamuffin (@indeliblestar) July 27, 2015
TW self harm scars// #thighreading stretch marks, cellulite, varicose veins, hair, scars, love it all@princess_labia pic.twitter.com/qlMWi2ZKGo— bby clit (@notcliona) July 21, 2015
"For those of you not on Twitter, imagine a 15-year-old girl scrolling through #ThighReading or other body positive hashtags and finally being able to see an image reflected back at her that she resonates with," @princess_labia told Mashable.
"That's the best part, in my opinion. I truly believe that when you post a picture of your stretch marks, acne, body hair, belly rolls, ect ect ect [sic], you are not only celebrating yourself, but celebrating every girl who has ever felt like her imperfections define her. I post my pictures for me, but mostly for her."