What’s it like being a fat person in Roller Derby?
Hey, so: what’s it like for you being a fat person in Roller Derby?
I want to know. Because, in mainstream society, it’s a pretty crappy experience being a fat person.
Some social experiences fat people have to deal with are:
Fat folx have less access to clothing.
Unlike for straight size folx, fat folx often have to buy online, get custom clothing, or waste time trying to find something that is suitable for their needs because mainstream stores don’t cater for size diversity.
Fat folx are kept from travel.
If you’re fat and a thin person complains, you could be chucked off your flight without a refund.
Doctor’s prescribe weight loss to fat folx for no reason.
Despite not being qualified to talk about nutrition or weight science, doctors will weigh you for your common cold, prescribe you weight loss shakes for your knee problems, and stigmatize you for your size instead of checking in on your chest pain. People die because of this.
Fat folx are not represented in a positive light.
In mainstream media, large body types are used as the butt of a joke or as a “before” picture in weight loss ads. Public perceptions of fat bodies are generally negative.
Dating is complicated for fat folx.
Fat folx experience being ridiculed in the dating sphere for their size and have to always be figuring out: do they like me? Or am I just a part of their fetish? Fat femmes are also more likely to be told to be grateful for any romantic attention they get, even if it’s unwanted.
Fat folx are health trolled.
Despite being unhealthy and problematic, diets, ‘healthy’ lifestyles, and weight loss is suggested to fat folx all the time. Sometimes it’s so bad that fat folx actually do attempt intentional weight loss through various methods.
Fat folx bodies are considered part of an “epidemic”.
Despite having always existed, fat bodies are considered a new thing and part of a recent ob* epidemic that is causing fat panic in our culture. The stigma this rhetoric has created is an independent health risk factor.
Being fat is a marginalized identity.
Even though it’s not true, people think that being fat is bad and thin is good. Even though it’s not true, people think fat is unhealthy and intentional weight loss is healthy.
Even though it’s not true, people think fat is shameful.
So, if being a fat person, person of size, or whatever descriptor that suits you the best is like this in the real world and in our dominant culture, then what is it like for you in the Derbyverse?
What is your lived experience with this?
In life or derby:
Have you experienced any of the points above?
Have you ever felt the need to lose weight? Have you done it for Derby?
Have you been on a diet for Derby?
Have you ever had your size judged before your skill set?
Have you ever felt like it’s your size that’s the problem when advancing through the levels of the sport or when learning skills?
Does your league only use thin people in their marketing? How does that make you feel?
Do you watch Champs and not see yourself represented in the teams? What is that like?
Have you experienced fatphobia? In life? In Derby?
Do you identify as a fat person?
Have you tried really hard to not be a fat person?
Have you stopped trying really hard to not be a fat person?
Have you tried really hard to reject patriarchal beauty standards around size?
Do you think about these things?
If you answered ‘yes’ to just one of these questions or if any small part of this piece resonated with you, I would really like to talk to you about what it is like being fat in Roller Derby.
Also:
Are you a skater, official, participant in Roller Derby in some way?
Are you familiar with fatphobia and want to talk about it?
Do you know much about diet culture, weight stigma, and want to help me teach Derby about it?
Do you work under a Health at Every Size banner? Do you work with sports or athletes?
I’d like to hear from you too.
Submission Call Out
For more information on the project, check out my Submission Call Out post.
Please tell me who you are and your story! Email me at: Sasha@SashaRoseFitness.com
