NAAFA NEWSLETTER ARTICLES
The NAAFA Newsletter is our monthly electronic publication updating our community on NAAFA plans, programming, and other important news. The newsletter is edited and approved by the Board of Directors Communications Committee.
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Bill Fabrey, NAAFA’s Founder
In 1969, Bill Fabrey gathered a few friends and started what was then known as the National Association to Aid Fat Americans. He dedicated the rest of his life to working to make a better world for fat people. Two weeks ago, Bill died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 84. Read more about his work with NAAFA, his commitment to other fat rights causes, and what Bill said about how he hopes people will remember him.
Anti-Racism Resources - January 2026
Each month, we feature educational resources in the NAAFA Newsletter to support our community in working to dismantle racism. Resources may include historical information, tools for personal reflection, or information about how to get involved and make change. Many of the resources we suggest will be introductory resources, and this information is never intended to be full coverage on the complex and nuanced topics that are chosen each month.
This month we invite you to join us in exploring resources about racism and diet culture.
Video of the Month - January 2026
Our featured video is from NAAFA’s Noon Year’s Eve party. Enjoy the musical stylings of Nicholas David from The Voice, groove with DJ Saucye, and hear from Burlesquer Mone’t Ha-Sidi, lifestyle content creator Danielle G, our host Matt Simko, and our Executive Director Tigress Osborn as we bid farewell to 2025.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Outgoing Board Members
All of us at NAAFA extend our deepest gratitude to two incredible board members who completed their terms in 2025. Their contributions were vital in building our organizational capacity, because dedicated volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. Read more about Marcy and Tegan’s work with NAAFA and the impact it will continue to have.
Media & Research Roundup - January 2026
The Media & Research Roundup is a series of the latest in news and research affecting fat community. Compiled by Bill & Terri Weitze. This issue features an interview with Peg Elam of Pearlsong Press, information on Southwest’s policy changes, an article about a fat-positive yoga studio in Ireland, and more!
Meet NAAFA’s First-Ever International Intern!
We are so happy to introduce our community to Ieva Miltina (she/her), NAAFA’s first-ever International Intern! Ieva (pronounced “Yeh-vah”) is the recipient of a Professional Internship Program Scholarship from the Baltic American Freedom Foundation (BAFF). Ieva chose NAAFA because she is a fat liberationist and scholar who hopes to learn more about the American fat rights movement. She’ll be stationed in Phoenix alongside our Executive Director, supporting NAAFA and the Campaign for Size Freedom, researching fat labor, and getting to know local fat community through Fat Babes of Phoenix. Read more from Ieva about life in Latvia, how she found fat liberation, and her hopes for her time in the US.
Anti-Racism Resources - EOY 2025
Each month, we feature educational resources in the NAAFA Newsletter to support our community in working to dismantle racism. Resources may include historical information, tools for personal reflection, or information about how to get involved and make change. Many of the resources we suggest will be introductory resources, and this information is never intended to be full coverage on the complex and nuanced topics that are chosen each month.
This month we invite you to join us in exploring resources about Fascism.
Video Feature - EOY 2025
Our featured video is a clip of Tigress Osborn, our Executive Director, and Anna Ardelean, our Advocacy Coordinator, testifying to the Joint Judiciary Committee of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for Bill S.1249/H.1919, “An Act Prohibiting Body Size Discrimination.” You can view the entire hearing here.
Media & Research Roundup - EOY 2025
The Media & Research Roundup is a series of the latest in news and research effecting fat community compiled by Bill & Terri Weitze. Editor’s note: our newsletter was on hiatus this Fall, so this month’s edition includes articles from September through December.
Community and Connection
This year, NAAFA returned to IRL events for the first time in years. Learn more about why we started our Community Connect series and what’s in store for the future.
Anti-Racism Resources - September 2025
Each month, we feature educational resources in the NAAFA Newsletter to support our community in working to dismantle racism. Resources may include historical information, tools for personal reflection, or information about how to get involved and make change. Many of the resources we suggest will be introductory resources, and this information is never intended to be full coverage on the complex and nuanced topics that are chosen each month.
This month we invite you to join us in exploring resources about Latiné Heritage Month.
Video of the Month - September 2025
Our video of the month is a clip from NAAFA’s Fat Liberation Month Wrap Party. You’ll hear Rawiyah Tariq share what it’s like to perform for fat audiences and how they take that feeling with them into other environments. You’ll also hear Rawiyah sing Feeling Good by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, sung in the style of Nina Simone.
Media & Research Roundup - September 2025
The Media & Research Roundup is a series of the latest in news and research effecting fat community compiled by Bill & Terri Weitze.
CONTENT WARNING: Some articles featured in the Media & Research Roundup may refer to stigmatizing events or use stigmatizing language. Websites hosting the articles linked below may allow advertisements for weight loss products and/or otherwise problematic ads.
Becoming Anti-Racist Every Day
On the fifth anniversary of the Anti-Racism Resources feature, Darliene Howell (NAAFA’s Administrative Director) reflects on how the monthly feature came into being and how we need to make being anti-racist a priority in our everyday lives.
Anti-Racism Resources - August 2025
Each month, we feature educational resources in the NAAFA Newsletter to support our community in working to dismantle racism. Resources may include historical information, tools for personal reflection, or information about how to get involved and make change. Many of the resources we suggest will be introductory resources, and this information is never intended to be full coverage on the complex and nuanced topics that are chosen each month.
This month we invite you to join us in exploring resources about the intersection of racism and anti-fatness
Video of the Month - August 2025
Our video of the month is a 2-minute teaser for the film, Your Fat Friend. Everyone who uses our link to rent the film on Jolt during Fat Liberation Month will be helping raise funds for NAAFA!
The Fat Liberation Month Virtual Auction is LIVE!
Details of all 40+ items are at naafa.org/auction. Don’t miss your chance to win a treasure and support NAAFA!
5 favorite findings from historic NAAFA newsletters
Ivy Archer (they/them) recently spent time going through NAAFA’s earliest newsletters during their work as NAAFA’s Summer Archival Intern. Read about the findings Ivy thought were the most interesting.
Meet our 2025 Scholarship Award Winners
This is the fourth year that the Dr. Paul Ernsberger Research Scholarship has been offered and we had a number of great candidates! Find out more about them and their academic goals.
Media & Research Roundup - August 2025
The Media & Research Roundup is a series of the latest in news and research effecting fat community compiled by Bill & Terri Weitze.
CONTENT WARNING: Some articles featured in the Media & Research Roundup may refer to stigmatizing events or use stigmatizing language. Websites hosting the articles linked below may allow advertisements for weight loss products and/or otherwise problematic ads.