I Need Fat Acceptance Because...

This project started at the NOLOSE conference in Portland, OR in July, 2013, as a platform for folks to share with the world why fat acceptance is vital to all of us. We are continuing and expanding the project beyond NOLOSE to allow more folks to share their need for fat acceptance.

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I need fat acceptance because I’m sick of feeling panicked about my body. I’m tired of the misconceptions about health that are rife in the media and even education; health is not simply about being fat or skinny. Health comes in all shapes and sizes.  I need fat acceptance because I don’t believe people should be discriminated against for the way they look. I need fat acceptance because without it, we will continue to dehumanise ‘fat’ people and trap them in a cycle of poor self-esteem, hopelessness and ostracism.

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I need fat acceptance because I want to feel validated when I love my body. And because I want to see more hot fat guys in media. ;)

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I need fat acceptance because without it I might still think people were right to hate me. I LOVE MY FAT BODY!!! :)

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I need fat acceptance because I shouldn’t have to worry that if I go to a doctor about a knee injury caused by a car accident it will get turned around to being about my weight. My knee does not hurt because I am fat. My knee hurts because I got hit by a fucking car. (Conveniently glossing over the fact that being fat saved me from worse injuries)

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I need fat acceptance because I shouldn’t hate myself just because other people don’t feel comfortable around me. I need fat acceptance because I’m tired of not being able to eat anywhere but my room because I’m so scared of being judged for eating- something necessary to sustain life. I need fat acceptance so we can just accept each other and stop assuming we know someone or judge them based on their looks. I need fat acceptance because my friend is starving herself because this society has made her think that a size seven pair of jeans means she isn’t worthy of love. I need fat acceptance because who the hell are you to think you’re superior just because you’re thinner.

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I need fat acceptance because no one should wish to be someone else because of a number on the tag of their pants. Age is just a number? So is size!

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I need fat acceptance because fat bodies are regarded as public property and open for comment, judgment, and regulation. 

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I need fat acceptance because fear of fat did me more harm than actually being fat.

(Photo by Michael Baxter)

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I need fat acceptance because I’m sick of living in a world where everyone feels its ok to berate you, attack you, and shame you for the size of your hips….butt…. Body. It’s not safe to exist openly in a world like this.

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'They started shouting at me about my weight at first'

I need fat acceptance because I do not want to be physically attacked because of my fat body.  I need fat acceptance because it is dangerous to live fatly in Portland.

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I need fat acceptance because everyone should wear whatever they want and feel good about being naked. 

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I need fat acceptance because I don’t want to fear fat or food any more.

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I need fat acceptance because I’m sick (pun intended) of my body being pathologized. I want to live in a world where *all* bodies are respected. 

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I need fat acceptance because loving my fat body is not wrong.

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I need fat acceptance because posting a pretty picture online of me smiling and being happy should NOT inspire hateful and shaming comments. I should NOT be terrified to show who I really am and what I really look like. 

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I need fat acceptance because I am always the fattest person in the room and I am never ashamed. I love my body and I want everyone to love their body too!

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I need fat acceptance because fat shouldn't be and isn't the worst thing a person can be.