Fat Acceptance FAQ
Fat Acceptance is a social justice movement that includes three distinct parts :
- Social
- Scientific
- Legal
The social part is about seeking a body positive perspective for ourselves and a weight diversity perspective in society. We object to the stereotype that stigmatizes fat people and we believe everyone deserves selfesteem.
The scientific part of the moment is about skepticism towards the pathologization of weight. We are interested in a critical review of the evidence that suggests fat is a disease and that all fat people are unhealthy.
The legal part of the movement is all about Fat Rights. As a marginalized group we experience discrimination. We desire legal protection of the civil rights for every shape and size.
The details of what fat acceptance means vary from person to person. Another take on "absolutes" for the the fat acceptance movement can be found on BigFatBlog.com.
We encourage self-acceptance and self-education for individuals within the movement. We build community at conferences and through online tools like blogs, forums, and email-lists.
Members write books and produce projects that promote fat acceptance. Organizations lobby for legislation that protect against size discrimination.
Who are the people of Fat Acceptance?
Anyone who disagrees with bias or discrimination based on size can be a part of the fat acceptance movement. But the majority of the movement is made up of fat women.
There's also an overlap from other movements. Like feminism, LGBT, and Eating Disorder Recovery.
Over the years, fat acceptance has gone by a variety of names. Like Fat pride, Fat liberation, Size acceptance, Fat Studies, Body Positive, BBW, Fat Underground, and so on.
Sometimes a different name can imply a different perspective on the movement. At other times people use these names interchangeably.
Different perspectives on Fat Acceptance?
Fat Acceptance is made up of strong people with even stronger opinions. It can be hard to get us all to agree. The following are various perspectives within the movement.
*Anti-weight-loss
Changing your body through weight loss is not loving your body. So, attempts at weight loss go against fat acceptance ideals. This perspective promotes a position of anti-diet, anti-weight-loss-surgery, and anti-eating disorder.
*Pro-Health (HAES)
Fat people can be healthy without weight loss, through exercise and nutrition. Showing that you are fat and healthy battles the stereotype of fat.
*Pro-Liberty
It's my right to live my life and to love my body no matter what shape they are in. If fat or health is a choice, no one gets to dictate what choice I make.
*Skepticism
The link between fat and health are not as conclusive or definitive as is being presented by the media. Not all fat people are unhealthy and some thin people have the heath problems attributed to fat. For those willing to look, there is a well documented "obesity paradox."
Within the fat acceptance movement, we do not encourage our members to gain weight or participate in the fetish of feederism. The social movement is not a place for dating or giving a home to Fat Admirers.
A minority of those within the movement participate in these practices in their private life but it is publicly frowned up on.
For anyone new to the movement, you should know there are some topics heavily debated within the fat acceptance community.
*Ranking discrimination.
Saying things like "fat is the last accepted discrimination." In general, this is strongly frowned upon.
*Thin privilege.
The the idea that thin people can't understand the plight of fat people because we live in a world that rewards thin and discourages fat. Some feel this is a reason why thin people can not be the face of the movement. Others feel focusing on thin privilege stops us from coalition building.
*The right to diet-talk.
Because of the different perspectives within the movement, there are some people that believe in fat acceptance but are not anti-diet. But almost all of the prevailing communities within fat acceptance are firmly anti-weight-loss. In general, diet-talk is considered a no-no.
*Weight judgment. Saying someone is "not fat" or "too fat" to be a part of the fat acceptance movement is generally frowned upon.
*Fat as feminism. Although the movement is made up primarily of women, fat bias is something that affects men too. Some feel that men are excluded when fat acceptance is presented as a feminist issue.
*Thin bashing. Some feel that thin people are our enemy. Others feel that fatphobia affects everyone and thin people could be our allies if they were more welcome.
*Eating Disorders. Some feel that talking about "binging behavior" feeds the fat stereotype. Others feel they deserve to talk openly about their experiences even if that includes eating disorder behavior.
*Good fattie or Bad Fattie. Some feel that if you are not exercising and eating healthy then you are feeding into the fat stereotype. Others feel that no one should be ableto dictate our behaviors.
*Experience with weight. Some feel that ANY talk about weight is bad. Others feel that talking about our experiences and feeling about weight loss and weight gain is a part of our journey to self-acceptance.
Pattie Thomas wrote ablog post, "Top 10 Things I am tired of Discussing,"which gives her take on many of these topics.
National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance
Association for Size Diversity & Health - ASDAH
International Size Acceptance Association - ISAA The Fat Rights Coalition - COFRA Council on Size & Weight Discrimination - CSWD
Rudd Center - Weight Bias & Stigma
HELP CONTRIBUTE TO THIS FAQ! Contact - elizebeth (dot ) turnquist (at) gmail (dot) com - if you have suggestions for this FAQ.
I blog at Fierce, Freethinking Fatties!
