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.
New Healthcare Advocacy Resources from NAAFA
For many years, NAAFA’s toolkits, guidelines, and info sheets for self-advocacy have been cited as among our most important offerings. Team NAAFA has been working hard to update these resources. The first of many new materials to come are available just in time for Fat Liberation Month. In this feature story, our executive director, Tigress Osborn, shares what NAAFA’s Medical Advocacy Committee has been up to and what’s coming next!
Featured Video - July 2026
In our July Video of the Month, NAAFA Executive Director Tigress Osborn shares highlights from her July road trip along a stretch of Route 66 and to other parts of the Midwest. She drove over 2,000 miles, hosted NAAFA Community Connect events in four cities, co-sponsored a pool party, met with civic leaders in two cities, and saw more corn than she's ever seen in her life. Check out some scenes from her many stops and see if you can spot some familiar faces!
Updates from Our 2025 Scholarship Winners
Dr. Paul Ernsberger dedicated decades of his professional life to research on metabolic syndrome, diabetes, weight cycling, and the medical harm caused by diet obsession and weight bias. The Paul Ernsberger Research Scholarship (PERS) is granted to graduate students whose research contributes to the continuation of Dr. Ernsberger’s legacy. Read updates from four of our 2025 awardees and learn how the scholarship is aiding them in their pursuits.
Media & Research Roundup - July 2026
The Media & Research Roundup is a series, compiled by Bill & Terri Weitze, of the latest in news and research affecting fat community. In this edition, check out an article about the intersection of fat oppression and trans oppression, a study about stigma created by weigh-ins at medical offices, and more!
Anti-Racism Resources - July 2026
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 edition we invite you to join us in exploring resources about Disability Pride Month.
Conferences, Symposiums, and Assemblies - Oh, my!
Between April and June of this year, our Executive Director joined six fat community gatherings covering fat studies, weight stigma, weight-neutral healthcare, and pop culture. In this piece, Tigress reflects on the role fat and fat-centric gatherings play in creating and supporting fat community and fat liberation.
Featured Video - June 2026
In our June Video of the Month, NAAFA Executive Director Tigress Osborn takes us through her personal collection of books by and about fat, Black authors, and about the intersections of fatness and Blackness. Watch the video here!
Thank You for Helping the NAAFA POD Grow!
In May, 111 people either joined the NAAFA POD or increased the amount they commit to giving monthly. Each of those 111 Passionate Ongoing Donors brought in a $100 bonus donation to NAAFA! This is a huge success and we’re so grateful!
Media & Research Roundup - June 2026
The Media & Research Roundup is a series, compiled by Bill & Terri Weitze, of the latest in news and research affecting fat community. In this edition, check out an interview with the writer of children’s book My Body Is My Home, various studies and articles about the harms of weight stigma, and more!
Anti-Racism Resources - June 2026
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 edition we invite you to join us in exploring resources about 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Month.
Wild and ferocious generosity: Our team tells why we give to NAAFA each month
Each May, the NAAFA Board works hard to recruit new members to our group of Passionate Ongoing Donors. All of our board members give to NAAFA in an amount that is meaningful and accessible to them, just as we hope others in our community will do. Here, members of Team NAAFA share why they give their time and money to NAAFA.
Meet the newest NAAFA Artist, acclaimed illustrator Barry Deutsch!
We first introduced NAAFA friends to Barry Deutsch on the NAAFA Webinar Series in 2022. Now, Barry is back, and this time he’s created custom artwork for our latest batch of stickers. Learn more about Barry here, and if you haven’t already joined the NAAFA POD, be sure to sign up today! A monthly donation of $5 or more by June 1 will get you two thank you stickers created by Barry!
Is Southwest Customer of Size changing back?!?
This week, prominent news organizations like People magazine and the Washington Post said Southwest Airlines has responded to pressure from passengers and advocates to revert back to some of their former Customer of Size Policies. But as our own Tigress Osborn told the Washington Post, “If they think they’re done and now have won all the fat people back, no, absolutely not.”
Media & Research Roundup - May 2026
The Media & Research Roundup is a series of the latest in news and research affecting fat community. Compiled by Bill & Terri Weitze. This edition features an interview with Ashley Graham, information on weight stigma in healthcare environments, an article about Emma Copley Eisenberg’s activism and new book Fat Swim, and more!
Anti-Racism Resources - May 2026
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 edition we invite you to join us in exploring resources about Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
New Tax Provision for Donors in 2026
New tax provisions will allow charitable donations to be deducted for more filers, including those using the standard deduction. Our Administrative Director, Darliene Howell, shares more info about these changes and explains why it motivates her to donate more to NAAFA.
Featured Video - Spring 2026
Our featured video is the much anticipated Part 2 in our series of interviews with Fat Con attendees from January in Seattle, WA. This one happens to feature our Executive Director, Tigress Osborn, and NAAFA donor, Lindsey Fowler, plus lots of other fabulous conference participants. NAAFA Board Member, Tamra Dozier-Garland asked each attendee how they’re practicing the conference theme of #FatDefiance and this is what they had to say.
Media & Research Roundup - Spring 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 the founder of Body Liberation for Public Health based in Oregon, information on workplace weight stigma, an article about schools including weight discrimination in anti-discrimination education, and more!
Anti-Racism Resources - Spring 2026
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 edition we invite you to join us in exploring resources about Organizations & Initiatives Fighting Anti-Blackness.
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.