NAAFA Community Voices Blog
Sharing thoughts and ideas from fat community.
Blog postings are shown in date order of posting (newest to oldest). You may search by author, tag or use the following categories: Events, From the Newsletter, Guest Posts, History, Legislation, LGBTQIA+, Medical, Press Releases, Resource Guides, Videos, Webinars.
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NAAFA 2021 Year in Review
As I reflect on this year, I’m so proud of folx on the NAAFA team at every level, not only of our accomplishments, but also of the ways we have challenged each other, worked through difficult issues, grown and created opportunities for others to grow. We got soooooo much done this year. I’ve outlined some highlights here, but they are really only a fraction of all we achieved. We hope that our work is evident to our community, and more than that, we hope each of you finds it meaningful in one way or another.
Media and Research Roundup - November 2021
For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media and Research Roundup. This issue features: “Obesity” studies, metabolic outcomes, anti-fatness and racism and more!
FAT PIG - The Opera
Fat Pig, is an unprecedented operatic performance that you have to see. Victory Hall Opera presents FAT PIG: a new chamber opera featuring the first romantic lead in opera to be written specifically for a plus-size woman.
The world premiere chamber opera written by Matt Boehler, commissioned by Victory Hall Opera, will be held for two performances only; January 22 & 27, 2022, 8:00pm ET at V. EARL DICKINSON THEATER AT PVCC, 501 College Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22902.
NAAFA Chronicles 69: May 1986
The NAAFA Chronicles reflect a piece of fat acceptance/fat activist history. This month is the May 1986 issue of the NAAFA Chronicles and discusses weight loss surgery, media and publicity watches, and looking for expert witnesses in a Human Rights case.
The Artful Tradition of Native American Beadwork
Native American beadwork has been a lifelong tradition passed down through the women in my family for generations. As soon as my daughter was able to properly thread a needle and sit at a table without tipping over the beads, she too was indoctrinated into this unique method of cultural expression. It takes a calm mind, good spirit, steady hand and sometimes a quality magnifying glass to create the intricate patterns the world has come to recognize as North American Indian beadwork.
Anti-Racism Resources - Indigenous Heritage Month
Each month, we will be featuring educational resources on the NAAFA Community Voices Blog. Some resources will be historic information about systemic racism. Others will be resources on doing the internal work of understanding ourselves and how we play a part in that system. There will also be actions that can be taken to directly oppose racism. This month’s Anti-Racism Resources focus on Indigenous People in honor of Indigenous Heritage Month.
NAAFA Recognizes Indigenous Heritage Month
Every November, we receive the reminder that American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month (as referred to by the United States government), also called Indigenous Heritage Month, provides the opportunity to recognize, reflect, and amplify Indigenous people, cultures and the historic and current impact of Native American activists and actions in the United States.
Media and Research Roundup - October 2021
For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media and Research Roundup. This issue features: debunking the science of the cause of fatness (or are they?), the real stats about COVID-19 risks to fat folx, Fat Studies focuses on fat activism and more!
Fat Girls Rock! So why aren't there more in Rock Music?
Finding a famous plus size female guitar player in the history of rock music can be a rare challenge. There are way too many slim female guitar players on Instagram and Tiktok. I barely see any fat girls screaming with an electric guitar. Fat liberation and plus size positivity needs to be seen in rock music. It is crucial. I live for rock music and I’m very passionate and vocal about being a fat girl in rock.
Media and Research Roundup
For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media and Research Roundup. This issue features: A plus-size ballet dancer, fashion updates, a study on metabolism and energy during and after exercise, and insecticide ban and more!
NAAFA Chronicles 68: April 1986
The NAAFA Chronicles reflect a piece of fat acceptance/fat activist history. This month is the April 1986 issue of the NAAFA Chronicles and discuss weight loss marketing, media and publicity watches, and whether or not NAAFA should publish commentary on health issues.
#FIGHTFORINCLUSIVITY: A Call to Action for Fat Fashion Equality
#FIGHTFORINCLUSIVITY is a social media campaign created by plus model, fat fashion influencer and fat activist, Saucye West to challenge plus size consumers to take their power back. As Saucye always says, “The consumer is the real influencer.” This is a call to action for consumers not to shop with brands retailers and designers that do not offer clothing past a size 3x/4x and to support brands and indie designers that are truly inclusive.
FATT Chat #4: Vanessa Chica
Welcome to FATT Chat! The acronym stands for Fat Acceptance Tales & Techniques and underlines the very intention for this series. The hope is to create fat visibility with first-person fat liberation stories, as well as foster fat acceptance in others by sharing fat positive resources and strategies. In FATT Chat, you’ll find interviews with NAAFA members and non-members alike who will share their personal stories of fat acceptance and the real life techniques that have and continue to help them in their own lives. You’ll also find all resources discussed in an easy-access list at the end of each interview.
With that, please enjoy this FATT Chat featuring Vanessa Chica!
Anti-Racism Resources in Celebration of Latinx Heritage Month
September 15th through October 15th, National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in the U.S. As an organization, NAAFA recognizes this period as Latinx Heritage Month. These anti-racism resources look at the history of racism against Latinx people in the U.S., fighting racism in the Latinx community, and allyship in supporting Latinx people.
Media and Research Roundup
For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media and Research Roundup. This issue features: IG recommending weight loss to teens, wheelchair assistance when flying, and more.
NAAFA Chronicles 67: March 1986
The NAAFA Chronicles reflect a piece of fat acceptance/fat activist history. This month is the March 1986 issue of the NAAFA Chronicles and discuss a weight discrimination law suit in Arizona, a plus-size fashion layout in Vogue and more.
NAAFA Recognizes Latinx Heritage Month
Latinx Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15 and it’s a time of celebration for Americans to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of US residents whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. As it has in the past, this month NAAFA will shine a spotlight on some Latinx folks who have been working in Fat Liberation.
Anti-Racism Resources - Back to School
Summer leads to preparation for the upcoming school year: buying books and helping students focus on education and learning. The anti-racism resources we share this month are aimed at BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students and white allies who want to help. You can find more resources on the NAAFA website at https://naafa.org/antiracism-resources.
Media and Research Roundup
For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media and Research Roundup. This issue features: pandemic weight gain, an incident when medical researchers disagree, a profile of seven fat black social media influencers and bloggers, and more.
NAAFA Chronicles 66: February 1986
The NAAFA Chronicles reflect a piece of fat acceptance/fat activist history. This month is the February 1986 issue of the NAAFA Chronicles and discusses the genetics of “obesity”, an adoption study, and more.