by Angel Austin

Ash Nischuk (she/her),  aka @ash.fatlip on Instagram, is a queer, fat, disabled influencer, podcast host, writer, and creator who has been an advocate for fat liberation for at least a decade. She's also the Founder and Editor of Vast Magazine, an online publication created for all people, by fat people. In 2016, Ash expanded the concept of the “fat spectrum” by adding the category of “Infinifat,” a term which she coined to describe people of any gender who are larger than U.S. women’s clothing 34/36. (See Editor’s note for more on terminology). Identifying as Infinifat herself, she's been an example of what it means to fight against all fat oppression and marginalization, but especially as they're experienced by those on the fattest end of the spectrum (Superfats and Infinifats). 

Ash remains active online and has been consistently supportive, is always ready to share resources, to listen attentively, and to help in any way she can. Change is inevitable, though, and Ash has observed some pretty major shifts in this community. There have been significant wins, painful losses, and some scary, agonizing times, especially over the last couple of years. I was able to speak with Ash recently about what life has been like for her, feelings she has about maneuvering online given the elusiveness of "safety" as an infinifat person, and her thoughts on the current state of the fat liberation movement. 

AA: Ash! How are you, friend? I mean this very genuinely. How are you right now, in this moment?

AA: Can you take some time to very generally sum up what's been going on in your life?

AA: How are you feeling about your own journey to fat liberation right now?

AA: What are you feeling about the fat liberation movement now overall? Where do you see it going? 

AA: Is there a solid fat community in your opinion? Please explain. What are some things we're getting right? What are we getting wrong? 

AA: What do you want for the fat community? What do you dream? In a perfect world, how would it be? 

AA: If you wrote a love letter to the fat community, what are some of the things it would say?

Ash's presence in my life and in this community has been integral to my personal liberation. It's been a brutal year for Ash and for so many of us. Online attacks, tragedy, grief and loss on many fronts, sickness, financial hardship, and just existing have been difficult to navigate. Being fat, especially Superfat or Infinifat, adds another layer of oppression and difficulty. We have survived to the degree to which we can establish reliable community. We relate to each other. We lean on each other. We hold space for each other. We need non-fat people to see us, be our accomplices in this work, or get out of our way and leave us alone. 

Author’s note: If you're fat (especially Superfat or Infinifat) and finding it difficult to negotiate life (online and/or offline) or just need some resources that offer clarity and additional support, I recommend the resource list by Val&Co found here. Reference the information found at the end of the post (Content warning for other info on the page, which includes descriptions of anti-fat trolling and discussion of fat death. The resource section is clearly marked RESOURCES). Know that you're not alone. You are valid. You are seen and appreciated. You are worthy of respect. You deserve to be heard. You belong in this community. 

Editor’s note: Size acceptance and fat liberation circles have been talking about the stratification of different fat sizes for decades, including using the term “supersize” to describe people on the largest end of the spectrum. NAAFA and Nolose Conference, BBW Bash events, and other fat liberation groups and fat-friendly gatherings often held special workshops or affinity spaces for supersize participants.  In 2006,  the term "superfat" was created at a Nolose Conference in 2006 , and is documented in the essay Community Origins of the term “Superfat” by Cherry Midnight and Max Airborne). Ash’s 2016 article, Beyond Superfat: Rethinking the Fat Spectrum, identifies four categories of fat based on US women’s clothing size: Fat, Midfat, Superfat, and Infinifat. She also discusses the term “Lane Bryant fat,” coined by author Roxanne Gaye to identify a distinction between people who can shop in some popular plus size stores and those who are not served by plus size retailers.  In 2019, Fluffy Kitten Party's article Fategories – Understanding the Fat Spectrum helped popularize the category breakdown as discussed by Ash. Have other citations for the history of discussing the fat spectrum? Let us know at blog@naafa.org. 

Angel Austin (she/her) is the Black, Infinifat, and disabled founder of Sacred Space for Fat Bodies. She is dedicated to the creation of and increased access to self-care experiences for superfats and infinifats. She fights to make their voices heard and for their overall well-being as they are often excluded from participation and representation, even within the framework of fat liberation. She serves as a board member of ASDAH, Body Reborn, and Me Little Me Foundation where she shares the benefit of her lived experiences as a Black, Infinifat woman that give her a unique and insightful perspective. She enjoys writing, singing, and cuddling with her giant Rottweiler puppy, Boomer Bronson Austin. She lives in  Austin, Texas with her partner of almost 12 years. Learn more about Angel’s current projects here. 

OPINION DISCLAIMER: Any views or opinions stated in the NAAFA Community Voices Blog are personal and belong solely to the blog author. They do not represent the views or opinions of NAAFA or the people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.