I need to get something off my chest, and it's probably going to upset some people.
I think chub chaser culture is gross.
I feel objectified, fetishized, and generally 'icky' when approached by chub chasers. It reduces me down to one physical trait of my body and conveys the message that a) I am Not Normally Attractive™️ and b) My only value is in my size.
I want to clarify that this is *not* about people who happen to have an attraction to big guys. That is not what I mean. I'm specifically talking Chub Chasers™️ and this gross focus specifically on Being Fat.
It isn't fat acceptance, it isn't body positivity, it's being in an exhibit at the zoo and having people point at me and gawk at me. And you know how I know it isn't about body positivity? Well, I have a story.
My ex husband was a chub chaser, though he didn't feel inclined to mention this until well into our marriage. (Could it be because it might be shameful?) And after I learned what it is to be a chub chaser, the culture, the attitude, I tried to accept it. (I was conflicted and originally waived off my discomfort as having to do with my own self image issues.) We talked about it, he became more vocal about it, then he started going to conventions.
These were mostly excuses for chub chasers and 'chubs', the big guys who liked getting chased, to meet up and have orgies for a weekend. However, one thing that they did do is put on a little show and have an election for "Mr. Chub" and "Mr. Chaser" of that convention/year. One such year, someone was voted Mr. Chaser, walked up receive the award, and he was booed off the stage. Why was he booed, you ask? Because he was also fat. See, in this world, chasers are supposed to be the skinny ones. Odd for a community that excuses itself by saying its about body positivity and fat acceptance. So perhaps that's not really the case?
I have discussed this at length with my trans partner, I feel confident in saying that it is a similar mindset to trans chasers. The interesting difference is that trans chasers are mostly aware that being a chaser is BAD. Meanwhile, chub chasers have conventions, there are hookup apps centered around it, they shout it with their whole chest, they're *proud* of it.
It's almost like being fat is still something that most people, as progressive as they are, feel comfortable shaming, judging, and objectifying. Fatness is something that is predominantly still an acceptable reason to shame, gawk at, objectify, or moralize someone.
There has been a number of times that the message I've received from Chasers is "you should be grateful someone wants to fuck you." Which coincidentally, is also a common motto of trans chasers. But yeah, I'm sure it's all about body positivity.
And if you're a 'chub' and you enjoy participating in chub chaser culture, to this, I say, "Cool, dude. ✌️" If that's your thing, then you do that, but I will not be made out to be some kind of self-hating prude or something. I think that you're settling for objectification, but that's between you and God.
So yeah, call me judgemental or problematic or whatever you want, I just don't care anymore. I'm sick of getting thrown scraps and told to be grateful for it. Fuck chasers of every kind. 🖕
I'm revisiting this because of something that has happened recently.
I'm playing the villain in a play currently, set in 1890(ish). Notably, my fatness does not play a role in the villainy - I'm not portraying a metaphor for greed or stupidity, which is usually the case when a fat guy is the villain. But also, I'm playing a very *sexy* villain.
I don't say that to hype myself up, though I will touch on that as well. My character has sexual chemistry with the female protagonist and that is a major part of the plot. Their flirtation and dance around the topic is a key aspect of their relationship. It's not played for laughs, it's not gross (until my villainy is revealed), and it's not a mockery. I am a sexual interest of the leading lady (who is SO HOT OH MY GOD).
And I have been told many times by all kinds of people that I am HOT. Cishet women, gay men, bi women, trans guys, bi men, *straight* men. "Dude, when you said [insert line from show], that was so fucking hot." "Oh my God, when [moment in show] happened, that was hot as fuck."
People have mentioned my tone, demeanor, voice, costume, body language, and many other contributing factors to what has made me sexy in this show. But you know what they haven't mentioned as being part of it? My fatness. Not one person has said, "Yeah, watching a big/fat/chubby guy say/do that was so hot." Or "Yeah, you being a fat bad guy is so hot." But also, no one has said,"Yeah," even though you're fat, you still manage to be hot."
So, I will continue to say that chub chasers are fetishizing fat people, and I am not interested. You can be hot and fat - it is not mutually exclusive. But I will not be told I'm hot *because* I'm fat or *despite* being fat.
