Lena Dunham’s New “Sick” Tattoo Divides Fans

Lena Dunham’s attempt to embrace her chronic illness has left her fans divided over the message it sends.

Dunham suffers from endometriosis, a disorder which causes irregular tissue growth in the uterus. She has recently gotten a new tattoo, so she can better cope with her health issues.

She posted a picture of the tattoo — the word “sick” spelled out in yellow rope on the back of her neck – on Instagram.

“Sometimes the thing you’re most scared of being called is the best thing you can call yourself,” she captioned underneath the photo. “Thank you @havenstudiobk for labeling me … and to my sisters in this dizzying but starry slog- i am lasso’d to you!”

The photo has created a lot controversy online, sparking support and criticism from others.

Supporters of Dunham, see the tattoo as a testament to Dunham’s struggles, and her attempt to reclaim her identity from her illness, and the labels associated with it. However, others have taken issue with the tattoo, calling Dunham’s actions regressive.

“I think this is quiet regressive. As someone who lives with chronic illnesses I would never physically label myself as synonymous with that word,” a commenter wrote. “I never saw you with that label before — only the strength of being you despite illness. Just like me. You sticking that word behind your head also sticks it behind mine.”

Dunham addressed the remark, saying she wants to feel pleasure by “owning the phrase that has often been used negatively.”

Dunham has had a total hysterectomy, and 12 others surgeries in order to relieve the pain caused by her illness. One of the surgeries, involved the removal of her left ovary.

On Saturday, she posted an image of her surgery scars and with the caption, “Anyone who knows me (or knows *of* me) equates me with 2 things: nudity and pelvic pain,” Dunham wrote. “I’ll take it if it lets me spread the good word.”

“And now, I’m dating & connecting my scars from 12 surgeries as part of my endo sister @georgiewileman’s campaign #thisisendometriosis (March is endometriosis awareness month) to raise awareness of endometriosis and the multiple surgeries that are performed every year to try and ease the symptoms of an incurable disease that effects roughly 1 out of 10 women, yet is so often ignored or dismissed as a mental health issue (uh yeah, when you ignore our pain it sure becomes one!) Let’s make some noise this coming bikini season.”

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