Freelance photographer Jackie Molloy recently attended the Philly FatCon, a gathering where people can observe their body. She talks about her weekend’s private thoughts.
I knew I was in the right place as soon as I exited the airplane.
There were other persons who resembled me and had curvy bodies that took up space. From the major area, where people were mingling and shopping throughout the industry, I could hear the voices and laughing.
For NPR, Jackie Molloy
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
There was artwork depicting chubby systems with belt bellies and visible stretch marks. larger-bodied people celebrating themselves on” I am system targets” blockchains.
There were racks of colorful clothing that began in length XL and rose from it. A comfort if you are over a length 16, clothing that people could really consider on and take home with them.
For NPR, Jackie Molloy
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
At Philly FatCon, a fat-focused event where attendees can appear as they are and celebrate their body, I had just arrived.
Adrienne Ray, Kenyetta Harris, and Donnelle Jageman came up with the agreement in response to the second monthly Plus Swap, a plus-size clothes exchange based in Philadelphia that was established in 2021.
For NPR, Jackie Molloy
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
Celebrities, experts, and brands participated in panels this trip where they shared their personal experiences and offered guidance on a variety of subjects, including fashion and overcoming fatphobia.
There were heath classes that covered everything from dance courses like Twerk- lesque and” Free the Jiggle” to breath and move yoga. The teachers were all larger than average and made the groups adaptable for those who required it.
Queen Nzinga, who taught the Twerk-lesque group, has been a dance her whole life and was told that, despite her talent, she was too fat. This comment was met with nods of understanding from both parties. Currently, Queen performs comic as” Philly’s Twerk Queen.”
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
” This is how I discovered how to heal myself. I’ve always believed that I am less than because of my pounds. I believed it to be a flaw, but it was actually my strength, Queen said.
She blasted City Women in her class and instructed students to stir anything they could. People cheered each other on as they strutted across the floor, connecting not only with themselves but also with their bodies, creating a lively power in the space.
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
Queen told us,” We do n’t have places like this where we can just sit fat in a room.” ” We are the “normal systems,” they say. America is overweight. And people adore fat people, but that is n’t widely known enough. There is a flip side to being overweight where folks live loudly.
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
fostering constructive debates about obesity
The CDC estimates that nearly 40 % of Americans are overweight, but I hardly ever see myself or my society mentioned outside of conversations about weight loss.
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
Just 48 articles about obesity had been written or published by conventional information sources between December 1, 2021, and November 30, 2022, according to a quantitative assessment of one month of national media coverage by the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. Only 24 articles discussed large liberation or justice in any way.
The widespread misconceptions and prejudices that people have about people who live in larger bodies are a result of that kind of policy.
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
However, the truth is that there are many obese people who live violently and freely, and occasions like the one in Philadelphia keep happening, providing a secure setting for the celebration of larger people.
For NPR, Jackie Molloy
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
Participants and visitors at the convention discussed the unfavorable remarks made both in man and online.
These comments are attributed to Megan Ixim, a fat activist who sees them on Instagram and says they do n’t understand why fat people exist instead of hating themselves.
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
The event was centered on the themes of body acceptance and body positivity, but it also acknowledged that these themes are part of a wider spectrum because some people do n’t feel at home in their bodies and are forced to embark on journeys of liberation and self-discovery in an effort to get there.
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
Folks I met that told me what about this event surprised them the most.
32-year-old Assétou Xango reflected on their own internalized fat bias and said,” I was confronted with my own inner narrative about fat bodies and what I thought they can and ca n’t do, what they are able and unable to wear. It’s difficult to avoid having internalized fatphobia when you’ve been typecast in a sure way for just existing because many people who live in large systems do.
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
The agreement even included a market with dozens of vendors who were fat-friendly.
It was wonderful to see so many products, including plus-size women’s earrings and postcard paintings, that resembled me.
The third annual Plus Swap + Shop, where individuals bring clothes they hardly ever use and business them for recycling, was held on the final day of the agreement.
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
People who have chubby body have been denied the opportunity to shop in person for years. It is nearly impossible to shop for clothing in person or in dressing rooms because diverse brands scarcely carry extended sizes in stores.
Participants commented on how nice it was to really try things on and have a wide variety of options available for people of their size.
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
The changing rooms were welcoming and trustworthy, really like going shopping with a friend. Carmen Guzman-Francesco claimed to have received six products from the transfer, including a pricey costume that she is excited to wear.
This was incredible. There are some things that fit me that are n’t my friends’ or mom’s hand-downs.
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
This was the first large protocol I had ever attended, and it was unique in Philadelphia.
With cranes, a ramp, and sturdy metal chair to support people in attendance, the founders made an effort to make the event, which was held at Temple University, as visible as possible. However, some felt there was n’t enough room in the board room.
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
” However, the cycle continues; even at occasions that are specifically focused on taking up space, it costs more money for us to do so!” Donnelle Jageman explains.
They hope to find a larger room the following year and book available and size-inclusive equipment.
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
Someone who lives in a larger figure is aware of how frightening it can be to be one of the overweight people in the world because false assumptions are frequently made about you and your health and because they are frequent goals of harassment, intimidation, and discrimination.
Every state already allows discrimination against overweight people at work.
The largest city to outlaw discrimination based on a person’s height and weight in employment, accommodation, and public accommodations was New York City earlier this year. The fresh legislation goes into effect on November 22.
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
Another Philly Fat Con participant, Emily Broniszewski, told me the occasion was “amazing, you’re thus protected from being bullied.” Oh, no one here is making fun of me, you’re saying.
I believe that’s all we really want as large people—a place to feel valued and free to come as we are.
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
Victoria Hagan might have best described the experience as follows:” As someone who has been overweight my entire life—since I was 7—waking up and realizing I’m going to an event where I do n’t have to question feeling safe and not feeling judged was very special.
For NPR, Jackie Molloy
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For NPR, Jackie Molloy
Freelance photographer and writer Jackie Molloy resides in New York City. Visit @jackiemolloyphoto to observe her on Instagram.
This piece was pictures edited by Keren Carrión, a visuals director and producer at NPR.
This piece was wording edited by NPR writer Zach Thompson.
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