Read a very good article by Cat Pausé (Changing the language) about how the British Psychological Society wants to change how we talk about fat people – they recommend using “identity first” language.

I.e., instead of obese people say people with obesity or people living with obesity.

These yahoos actually think this change will reduce fat shaming and fat stigma.

Sure, that’ll do it.

At least they acknowledge how harmful fatphobia, fat shaming, and fat stigma are.  How this general hatred of all things is both physically and mentally harmful.

Personally, someone needs to tell the British Psychological Society – not helping!

As Cat Pausé rightly points out

“[T]his suggested language change is based on the idea obesity is a disease to e cured and fat people are not a natural part of the world.  This serves to reinforce stigma, rather than prevent it.”

I agree this kind of language negatively medicalizes being fat.  It plays into the idea that being fat is a choice.

First, I think you will be hard put to find any fat person who self-identifies as obese.  I am not this fat obese old lady.

Nope.  Fuck that.

I am not this old lady with obesity.

Double-fuck on that.

I am this FAT old lady.

Words matter.

Words have meaning.

When I say I am fat, I am letting people know that (a) I know I have excess adipose tissue; (b) I am comfortable with and in my own skin; (c) you can’t hurt me with the word fat – I own that word, it’s mine; and (d) I am not ashamed of being fat.

I believe the suggestion by the British Psychological Society mostly shows how uncomfortable they are in dealing with and talking to fat people.

I don’t believe, given their suggested language, that the British Psychological Society really cares about reducing stigma, what they want are rules of language that make them feel more comfortable.

Personally, I don’t give a shit about your comfort when it comes to discussing my body, or the bodies of my fat compatriots.

Fuck you.

You are (presumably) psychologists – deal with your own issues and don’t try to foist them on me and my body.

Fat stigma is a complex and deeply rooted problem.

We need to learn that the problem is society’s attitude about fat, not the fat itself.

I am hoping that we are moving toward a future of self-acceptance and self-identity; where diversity is welcomed.

And I hope that body size is part of the accepted and welcomed diversity.

I believe that we each have the right to self-identify, and I would never tell someone who is fat that they have to describe themselves as fat if they find it hurtful.

I would, however, encourage that person to look at why they are uncomfortable with the word fat and if they are able, work toward accepting it – because it is amazing how freeing it is to be able to use the word without negative connotation.

I feel it bears repeating:

When I say I am fat, I am letting people know that (a) I know I have excess adipose tissue; (b) I am comfortable with and in my own skin; (c) you can’t hurt me with the word fat – I own that word, it’s mine; and (d) I am not ashamed of being fat.