It was a hundred little things. The way my knees nearly gave out as I climbed down the stairs in the morning. Not fitting in an airplane seatbelt. Falling behind my fellow journalists on a hike during a press trip.
I have struggled with my weight for over 20 years, and now, in my mid-40s, I realized I needed to take steps to set myself up for a healthier future. Over time, my cholesterol and triglyceride levels were rising, and my A1C results showed me getting closer to the pre-diabetes range. In August 2024, I talked with my general practitioner about starting a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). Within a week, I started using compounded tirzepatide from a reputable clinic recommended by my doctor’s office.
My story is not unique. According to report by KFF, an independent source of health policy research, around 1 in 8 adults in the United States have used or are currently using a GLP-1. While Ozempic (a semaglutide) is the most well-known—having gained popularity in celebrity circles in recent years—there are several other brand-name drugs with similar effects. Rybelsus and Wegovy join Ozempic in the semaglutide category, while Mounjaro and Zepbound are brand names for tirzepatide.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide work in similar ways, increasing insulin secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite. Both drugs were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes and are still used for that purpose. Along with a reduced appetite, GLP-1s are successful in reducing “food noise,” or the constant preoccupation with food that many people, like myself, experience.
As this drug quickly changed my life—reducing strain on my muscles and joints and helping me understand decades of disordered eating—I hesitated to share that I was taking a GLP-1. As a lesbian and queer woman who has long advocated (and still does) for body positivity at any weight, I worried my decision would feel like a betrayal to my queer community.
I spoke to six lesbian, bisexual and queer identifying women who are on similar journeys, and were open with their experiences losing weight on a GLP-1. Some were keeping this information close to the vest, while others were happy to share their experience with friends and family.
“I want to feel healthy”
Studies show that lesbian and bisexual women are more likely to be overweight or obese than their heterosexual counterparts. One study done in the United Kingdom showed that queer women were 14% more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI) than heterosexual women.
Weight alone does not automatically determine whether someone is healthy. There are many people with higher BMIs that are living robust and healthy lives. But for others, comorbidities like high cholesterol, increased risk of type 2 diabetes and hypertension can put real strain on their health.
Melissa S., 35, of Kansas City, Missouri, has been on a GLP-1 for a few months. She initially considered it to help manage weight gain associated with a chronic illness.
“I’ve tracked my diet and exercise for a long time to try to find trends in what helps or triggers flare ups with my condition,” said Melissa. “After reviewing this with a nutritionist, she came to the conclusion that my weight gain was likely genetic and I would be unable to lose weight through changes to my diet or activity and would need medication to help.”
Liz S., 34, of Dallas, has struggled with weight for most of her life. Diet and exercise were unsuccessful, and her doctor encouraged her to explore other options.
“At first we discussed it as an option to help with weight loss,” said Liz. “However, I did become pre-diabetic, and this was the best option to help.”
Liz encourages others to talk to their doctors about a GLP-1.
“We all have different bodies and what we need to maintain a healthy life,” said Liz. “What works for some people may not work for others. It is important to find a network of healthcare professionals that support YOU and not just you achieving a number on a scale.”
Jill C., 68, of San Francisco, has experienced fluctuating weight for years and wanted to take action. For her, a GLP-1 has been a game changer.
“It’s a miracle drug, and I couldn’t be more excited for the results,” said Jill. “I only want to feel good and fit into clothes instead of continually growing out of my clothes. I want to feel healthy. And that point is different for everyone. I can be a size 8 and 10 and feel my best, where others are a 12 or 14 and feel their best. It’s personal. But I do have more energy, less body pains, and food is no longer my emotional crutch.”
Ellie S., 25, of Los Angeles, has polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which makes losing and maintaining weight more difficult due to insulin resistance and imbalanced hormone levels. GLP-1s have shown promise in treating PCOS.
Ellie was initially hesitant to start a GLP-1, not wanting to be “that girl from LA who’s on Ozempic.” But she changed her mind after learning she was at risk for becoming prediabetic.
“I swallowed my pride and let her write me a prescription,” said Ellie. S.” And I’m very glad I did.”
Erin W., 44, Detroit, has been using GLP-1s on and off for several years. For Erin W. not only has it helped with her weight, but also curbed her desire for alcohol. (GLP-1s are also showing promise for treating alcohol and other addictions.)
“There have been pros and cons of taking it, but one of the positives for me personally is it curbs my desire to drink alcohol,” said Erin. “And as someone who loves to drink a little too much wine on any given evening, it helps keep that in check and allows me to make healthier choices around alcohol.”
As someone who has stopped and started GLP-1s, Erin acknowledges that getting off the medication can bring back those previous behaviors and issues.
“I’d say a con for me is that once I stop taking it, it’s hard to fight against the ‘food noise’ once the GLP-1 has worn off, which can mean gaining the weight back, as well as increasing my alcohol intake.”
Morgan B. 33, of Boston has spent years slowly gaining weight and not being able to successfully reverse it.
“I’d tried everything, from exercise and diet, to just exercise, to just diet changes, every program under the sun: keto, Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers, macro counting,” said Morgan B. “I consider myself a relatively healthy eater anyway and it simply didn’t matter. Nothing worked.”
After Morgan’s mother had success with a GLP-1, Morgan decided to give it a shot.
“I want to have children at some point, I’m 33 years old, I felt like every year I was putting on another 10-15 pounds despite my best efforts to stop it. I had to try.”
The cost of losing weight
Of the six people interviewed for this article, two had their GLP-1 covered by insurance. Liz S. and Ellie S. were able to get medication prescribed due to a pre-diabetic diagnosis, but the rest of the interviewees paid out of pocket, myself included.
The cost of brand-name GLP-1s like Mounjaro and Ozempic can be prohibitive for many, with uninsured monthly supplies averaging $1,200 to $1,500. Part of the cost comes from proprietary patents on both the drug and the injectable pens patients use.
Compounded medication, which requires self-dosing and insulin needles, costs significantly less—typically between $150 and $500 per month—but remains unapproachable for many.
Doctors are working directly with compound pharmacies to provide more cost effective options for patients. Also, online sites like Hers, Ro, and even weight loss app Noom, offer compound options. This was made possible by supply shortages by pharmaceutical companies like Ely Lilly, which allowed for compounding pharmacies to step in and fill the void. Now these pharmaceuticals are pushing back on compounding.
Coming out about GLP-1s
Talking about weight loss and GLP-1s can be a difficult conversation due to fear of disapproval.
For Morgan, it’s about recognizing where disapproval of GLP-1 may come from.
“It’s easy to throw that blame at each other and tell people they are wrong for accessing GLP-1s,” said Morgan. “But to me, all of that criticism and all of that anger belongs in the places causing these problems: the insurance industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the so called ‘diet and nutrition’ industry. Because at the end of the day, the reality is that we should all be able to have access to the life changing, health changing medications that are out there and that are not limited in supply, whether they are a means of physical survival or emotional/mental well being.”
Erin shares that it took educating her friends about GLP-1s to combat the stigma.
“I think at first when people didn’t know much about it they were not happy about me taking it,” said Erin. “Once I was able to explain where I was coming from and some of the ways it has helped me aside from weight loss, I think they were more open minded.”
However, it still can bring up strong emotions in people, Erin shares.
“I can see it on their faces when I talk about it. I find it a bit contradictory for society, specifically LGBTQ+ folks, to be promoting body positivity and yet when people are admitting to using help to achieve the positivity they are looking for in their own bodies, we make them feel bad for that. That being said, it is not lost on me that not everyone can afford to pay for this out of pocket and that some insurances don’t cover this. I recognize the financial privilege that comes along with being on this medication and that not everyone is afforded the same privilege.”
Ellie S. has mostly kept the news of her GLP-1 use to herself due to responses she’s heard.
“I’ve gently brought up the subject of GLP-1s, just kind of in general, to my friends (basically all of whom are queer) and they will immediately make jokes about it,” said Ellie. “Never really at the expense of people taking it, but more directed at LA’s body positivity issues in general. I know they wouldn’t judge me for taking it, at least not consciously, but it’s still the kind of conversation that is going to take longer than I want it to. Someday, maybe after I’ve been taking it for a little while longer, I’ll let them know that this is something I’m doing. But for now, this is my personal journey.”
Melissa equates the stigma to the bigger issues with obesity and health. Her doctor put it in terms that helped Melissa push past her issues with the medicine.
“No matter the circumstance, there’s this external pressure that being fat is a personal failure,” said Melissa. “That simply isn’t true. There’s also the additional stigma of using a medication to help you lose weight–that you’re just lazy, another personal failure.This also isn’t true. I was hesitant to start this medication because of these stigmas and my doctor explained it like this: you wouldn’t consider it a failure to wear glasses, so why is this any different?”
Liz on the other hand has found her friends and queer community to be very accepting and supportive of her journey.
“They want me to be happy with my health and if this treatment is helpful then they support me,” said Liz.
It’s your journey
Weight, health and identity are deeply personal, and conversations around GLP-1s make that even more complicated. For many LGBTQ+ individuals like myself and the people interviewed here, the decision to use these medications is about more than weight loss—it’s about reclaiming control over our health, breaking cycles of disordered eating, and managing conditions that have gone overlooked.
At the same time, there are real conversations to be had about access, privilege, and the pressures society puts on bodies—especially queer bodies. For those considering this path, it’s not just about numbers on a scale but about feeling good, inside and out.
Some people are open about their GLP-1 journey, others prefer to keep it private, and both are okay. What matters most is that everyone has the options they need to make the best decisions for themselves.
Are you on a GLP-1 and want to share your experience? Email us at newsisout@localmedia.org.