But I still attended the Ugly Conference.

And, in my opinion, none of the people in attendance were ugly; but it is not my place to tell someone how they identify.  Their experience is their experience.

Another person at the conference, the ever wonderful Sondra Solovay said while she did not identify as ugly, she has been called a monster and she embraces that term.

I agree.

I am not ugly, but I am a monster.

Monsters are big, and strong, and frightening (to those who don’t get us).

Monsters can do amazing things.

You do not want to f*ck with a monster.

That is the identity I embrace.

I embrace my inner and outer monster.

I am monster.