TheQuartering [7/27/2023]
“Some people are not in love with their body every day, but this is the body that they exist in,” one of the organizers said.
Three Philadelphia women have taken the contemporary wave of authenticity a notch higher by organizing FatCon, a conference tailor-made for people with a higher-than-average body mass index. As per reports in the Philadelphia Inquirer, this first-of-its-kind conference aims to communicate that a significant number of Philadelphians are comfortable with their body size and are proud of it.
Philadelphia, with its reputation for indulgent food items like cheesesteaks, hoagies, roast pork sandwiches, scrapple, and pizza, already attracts attention for its contribution to the gastronomical landscape. It’s reported that 68% of adults in Philadelphia are overweight or obese, as are 41% of youth between the ages of 6 and 17.
Donnelle Jageman, Adrienne Ray, and Kenyetta Harris are pioneering a movement that supposedly celebrates body diversity with Philly FatCon, a unique convention scheduled for October at Temple University. The convention is meant to go beyond buzzwords like “body positivity” and “body neutrality” to promote an atmosphere where individuals can celebrate their bodies without apology.
The organizers aspire to make FatCon a judgment-free zone, fostering community spirit among individuals who often feel overlooked due to their size. The event aims to provide an alternative perspective to navigate a world fraught with so-called fatphobia. With panel discussions on fashion, coping with fatphobia, and social media influencing, topped off with a keynote address by “The Fat Sex Therapist,” the conference seems to be more inclined towards self-expression and acceptance rather than focusing on health, exercise, and weight loss. There is a fat-friendly fitness class, though. The convention will conclude with a Plus Swap + Shop event, providing attendees the opportunity to acquire plus-size clothing items.