Lauren Ash shares powerful message for 'people with uteruses': 'They don't own us'
Lauren Ash has a powerful message for women and people with uteruses.
On Monday, the Canadian "Superstore" star took to Instagram to share a photo of herself posing in a black and green bikini. She paired the photo with an empowering caption for her more than 282,000 followers about "celebrating these bodies of ours," as an act of "resistance."
"Friendly reminder to women and people with uteruses, one of the greatest acts of resistance we can all take part in, is celebrating these bodies of ours," the actress penned.
"The bodies they want us to be ashamed of and only use on their terms. They don’t own us, babies," she wrote. "We are all made of beautiful, powerful, magic and that’s why they want to control us. Never forget that."
Fans commended Ash for using her platform to share such an "important message" amid the current "problematic political climate."
"This gorgeousness speaks the truth! Smash the patriarchy y'all!" one fan wrote, while another commented, "Well said, queen."
"Thank you for using your platform FOR GOOD," added another.
"Gorgeous photo and wise words," one fan chimed in.
"I really love that you used an under-boob pic to deliver a message about women's rights," one person wrote. "They wanna control our bodies so we're gonna use our bodies against them however we can."
"Thank you so much for this. I think it's really key for celebrities to use their platforms to raise awareness and keep spreading this important message. We're living in such a problematic political climate, especially as women. We need to take back our bodies!" another added.
This isn't the first time Ash has shared body-championing content via Instagram. In May, the 39-year-old fired back at criticism claiming she is "no longer a role model" because of her recent weight loss.
"You know what's fun? When you're living in a larger body, people post that they're concerned for your health. Then, when you transition into a smaller body, people post that they're concerned for your health. Starting to feel like there's no winning as a woman," she penned alongside a photo of herself in a cropped, white tank top, black leather shorts and black high heels.
"To the people who have DMed me this week telling me I'm no longer a role model because I lost weight, I guess my question is, why was my body the only thing that gave me value as a role model?" she asked. "I've never once promoted weight loss, nor would I ever. I just happen to be in a body that's smaller right now than it was a year ago. And God willing, if I'm privileged enough to walk this earth for a long life, my body will expand and contract and change many times over."
Ash explained that there is no "secret" to her significant weight loss.
"To the countless people asking me my 'secret,' please stop. There is no secret," she wrote. "I removed stress from my life. That's it. It's amazing what our bodies hold onto when in a prolonged state of stress."
She concluded by sharing that she is "confident and happier" in her body since her weight loss, and pointed out that a man wouldn't no longer be considered a role model for losing weight, so neither should she.
"I’m more confident and happier than ever before in my life and I enjoy commemorating that with fashion posts and all that fun stuff. If you don’t like it, and it’s upsetting to you, please unfollow and no need to inform me that you did. I honestly never expected the vitriol I’ve experienced over the past week simply because I’ve lost weight," Ash continued.
"You have no ownership over my body. Nor do you over any person in the public eye. And honestly? Would you ever tell a man he was no longer a role model because he lost weight? Exactly."
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