Fat Bubble: Scottee
Thanks for joining me in the Fat Bubble, where each week I share fat experience and lift up fat leaders and resources, to grow and strengthen our fat affirming bubbles.
Last week, a weight lifting acct I follow pointed out the absurdity of the new 'trend' of 'leggings legs', and how brands themselves reinforce this with the names they give their leggings eg sculpting, slimming, etc etc. It's an account I broadly enjoy for weights content, and it was an opportunity to point out that the accounts mentioned were not size inclusive anyway. So my comment went along these lines:
'as a fat woman with a good rel with my body, this stuff is pretty theoretical to me, as I will never have a thigh gap, and these brands will never carry my size. So a shoutout to Girlfriend Collective and Superfithero for never pulling shit like this, and for being more size inclusive - I really hope that people enraged by this vote with their money, and support more inclusive brands!'
And, within minutes, the first comment was from someone asking if the brands were truly inclusive, if they didn't carry her size [a size 8]. To clarify size ranges, Girlfriend Collective goes from an XXS-6X (therefore, including her, but not including anyway above approx size 32), and Superfithero carry L-7X (excluding her, but including people in bigger bodies up to a UK40).
Now, I've been fat and feminist for as long as I've had access to the internet, so I've learned not to argue with strangers in comments sections, but I was frustrated, and it's a routine frustration. Fat people deal with systemic, structural, constant gatekeeping in the fitness world - from hostile workout environments, to calorie obsessed trainers, to patronising comments from random onlookers, to simple and basic access to clothing and equipment. We're talking about a pervasive exclusion of fat people, all the while lambasting fat people for not being active enough. We're not talking about one mainstream brand that isn't including us; we're talking about 50.
My intention when commenting wasn't to try and convert anyone in a slimmer body, it was to try and reach anyone in the comments section who is hunting around for leggings and a sports bra in a bigger size and not being able to find one. If it was helpful to even a couple of people, terrific. But it does leave ya weary when you share a little resourcing out there in the world, and you're instantly met with comments about not being inclusive enough to slim bodies. (I mean, it's almost as if this constant focus-diverting and balloon-pricking from strangers led me to crave my very own little corner of the internet where I could JUST share fat stuff 'cos it's my corner and I make the rules, huh?!)
All this is the backdrop for me then being DELIGHTED to see that one of my perennial fat faves, Scottee, has just launched a new yoga platform, Wonkee (I loveeee the name!). We love to see fat stuff by us for us! We love to see inclusive, progressive, yes-you-can-sit-with-us energy - as he describes it on the Wonkee Club website, it's yoga for the 'fat, mad, neurodivergent, sad, sensitive, soft natured and queer amongst us'. And we love to see fat bodies moving in a way that feels good, if it feels good, with support and guidance from peers and pros.
Scottee is a super talented artist, performer, and yoga educator, who has always delivered interesting and thoughtful projects and I know this is going to be more of the same goodness. So do go and engage with this new content, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Speaking of seeking out ethical, inclusive brands, it's an opportunity to share a reminder that the BDS movement is continuing it's critical campaigns, in response to the ongoing sieges in Palestine. When I was listening to Doppelganger by Naomi Klein this week, she referred to something as 'being forced to be complicit in [horrific world events]' and it felt so resonant with our heartbreaking, hoarse throated opposition to the Palestinian genocide, which is still being ignored by world leaders. The BDS Campaign gives us even a little control in who we support and how we use our financial power - if you haven't already taken a look, you can find more information here.
Until next time friends, wishing you safety and joy.
Vicky