DUers...what about a Fat/Weight Acceptance group?

[Biased Liberal Media]

I know it was brought up before...but I am proposing it. Skinner gave me the rules and I am wondering if people are interested in it as well, maybe a group to start putting forth ideas on how to raise awareness on tolerance for those who have weight issues. Maybe we could turn it into a Weight Acceptance group- for both underweight and overweight people. (I am trying to be thoughtful here...)

What do you think?? I would love to see it here, share stories of what you have gone through, share vents about discrimination you have faced...I think it may help out a lot of DUers in the end.

Thanks. :)

[mcscajun]

1. Count me in!

Abso-Fraggin-LUTE-ly!

Although I really think we need to maintain focus on the Fat Acceptance.

[Biased Liberal Media]

2. You know

I like you. I am gonna add you as a buddy. :)

[ikojo]

3. I brought it up around Christmas and got

some response but I don't think I got response from ten donors.

I'd prefer that it be limited to overweight people. Overweight people have a struggle in today's society and it would be good to have a forum to go to where things relating to being big could be discussed.

[Biased Liberal Media]

4. I can see your point...I have this problem myself

but I would like to TRY to be fair...i mean, if we ask for a "fat acceptance" group and get enough people interested, it would be great, but what if those who were discriminated against because they are underweight don't get enough people interested?? It's just not fair to me.

I don't know. I'm torn on it. What does everyone else think? Keep them separate or together?? It's a serious question...trying to be fair here.

[ikojo]

12. IMHO, I don't think we have to strive

for fairness and representation for all when we are struggling against prejudice. I don't think people who are too thin are told they should not leave their house. Every bite they put in their mouths is not monitored. People don't go up to underweight people and tell them to do this and that.

IMHO, underweight people, especially women, are held up as the IDEAL and worshipped in this country. I can totally see underweight men having problems because they are not buff.

Also, I'd like to point out that while women tend to struggle with weight prejudice, men are invited to this group. Overweight men also face discrimination if they are fat.

[Biased Liberal Media]

16. I agree and disagree on a few points

but for the sake of keeping it nice in this thread I will make a general question below on wwhether this should be FAT/WEIGHT ACCEPTANCE.

I agree with you wholeheartedly on men being included- Mr. Biased Liberal Media is a big man himself but doesn't do too well on forums, and I think everyone who is interested should be included too.

[mcscajun]

18. Well put.

I believe "underweight" people have issues, but not at the level of 'acceptance' issues fat people have.

And yes...Men and Women will be welcomed here. :)

[Biased Liberal Media]

21. So is it totally irrational that I'm trying to play fair here??

LOL...if the majority want a FAT acceptance group that is completely fine with me. I just want to make it a bit fair...if you know what I mean?

[mcscajun]

24. No...you're not irrational.

I believe we all want to be fair and inclusive, but there are some things that do work better being exclusive.

True, it's not like there'll be a lock on the door...so we won't be having secret handshakes or private discussions, but it's a matter of perspective, IMHO.

[Biased Liberal Media]

29. I have been trying to think of a response to this

and what it boils down to is, I agree. Maybe it's not fair, but looks like the majority wants it as a Fat Acceptance group. If that is what it is, then that is what it is. I'm fine with either, but being obese, I know what it's like to be discriminated against, and the pain and shame that goes along with it.

I'm just hoping we'll get enough people interested...I believe in this group, wholeheartedly. We NEED to raise awareness.

[alittlelark]

67. Underweight people tend to fall into 2 categories

1-anorexia/bulemia
2-thyroid issues (and don't accuse then of an eating disorder - they are already hyperthroid and on the edge)

I am hyperthyroid, but am fortunately doing oriental medicine to deal w/it.... w/ western med, they wanted me to take waste from a nuclear power plant - eat it - and avoid my kids for 2 weeks. Uh, yeah....

Us skinnies have our own issues... and if the hyperthyroid is raging - you have no idea how bad it can get.

[bicentennial_baby]

76. Um no...

and then there's those of us who eat pretty much normally and continue to be underweight...Yes, I've had my thyroid checked, thank you.

[alittlelark]

100. I was always in that category, until I got a full range thyroid test

The basic one your doc gives you is superficial at best..... a good endocrinologist has his own personalized test scans.

[Nikia]

104. A couple more underweight categories too

3. People who are naturually underweight but don't have any measureable health problem.
4. People who have some kind of disease or disorder that prevents them from physically consuming enough calories or absorbing them.
5. People who are hungry because they are too poor to buy enough food to maintain their weight, especially if they have problem 3 to some extent.
6. Some athletes. Athletes, such as endurance runners, tend not to get a lot of crap because they often do appear to be healthy despite their thinness.
For some strange reason though, society seems to consider women 5-10lbs underweight as ideal. My own male gastro doctor told me that as long as I was still menstrating regularly and my blood tests came back normal than I am not too thin and have nothing to worry about.

[bicentennial_baby]

78. You should get to know some underweight people

Because you obviously don't know much about us...I have lived under a microscope for years, and the comments never cease. I'm "not normal", unhealthy...there's "something wrong with me"....I must be sick...

It's not easy for some of us, either.

[Biased Liberal Media]

93. For what its worth...

that's why I tried to group them both togehter- we have similar issues when it comes to acceptance. However majority won out. You could always suggest a forum for ya'll.

This is meant with total respect...

:hug:

[Biased Liberal Media]

5. kick

[mcscajun]

6. I've sent the link to this thread to a few folks from related discussions

that took place over the last month.

Hopefully y'all can shake out a few folks as well. :)

[Biased Liberal Media]

7. Thank you so much for doing that

I should have thought of that myself!!! We just need 10 people with donor stars and we may have a group!!! :)

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Works for me. ~Jen from Dangerously Curvy Novels

http://curvynovels.com/

----------------------------------------------------------
Save this nation one town, county, and state at a time!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm#why

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. P.S. Just to be totally tacky, I am going to plug my book in this thread

because it features plus-size women. :)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1933157003/ref=cm_aya_asin.title/103-0822305-9093400?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

----------------------------------------------------------
Save this nation one town, county, and state at a time!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm#why

[katinmn]

99. That's your book? All right, GPV! Another author in our midst!

:)

[NightTrain]

10. Count my fat ass in!

;)

[Maat]

11. Count me in!

n/t

[mcscajun]

14. Nicely done.

:)

[ikojo]

13. So far we have six donors who are interested

in the Fat acceptance group....

Let's keep this kicked for the night owls among us.

[Biased Liberal Media]

15. Sweet

Thanks everyone!!! :)

[Biased Liberal Media]

17. QUESTION: should it be a FAT acceptance group only OR a WEIGHT acceptance

group?? (Weight would be for both under and overweight DUers or anyone interested.) The question was raised above, but I want to know what you all think it *should* be.

Thanks.

[mcscajun]

19. Fat Acceptance has enough of a struggle without 'broadening' the scope

of the issues. Yes, ALL Puns intended here. :)

[ikojo]

22. FAT acceptance group....

I don't see underweight people demonized even on DU the way fat people are demonized.

[DemBones DemBones]

20. Start a thread about fat people having to buy two seats on flights

and you'll surely find ten donors who'll sign on -- and flush out all the self-righteous skinny people as a bonus!

Trust me, we haven't had such a thread in months so it's well overdue.

:evilgrin:

[Biased Liberal Media]

23. Actually you must have missed the threads before

like: "Why are Americans so fat" and "Why are people obsessed with fat people?" or something like that.

Don't get me started on the Southwest debacle. I only fly Alaska Airlines and have had no problems so far.

[mcscajun]

25. You just reminded me of Southwest Airlines.

The bastards.

I routinely request a seat belt extension when flying, but I do NOT need (nor should I have to pay for) two seats. And the idea of being 'sized up' (literally) by some airline employee to see whether they can gouge me while humiliating me is sufficient to keep me from EVER flying with Southwest.

[Biased Liberal Media]

27. Same here

My dad usually pays for our plane tix to California if we go to visit and I told him why I don't want to fly Southwest and unbelievably, he agreed to it. Now we fly Alaska anytime we fly and it's been a good experience thusfar. I always ask for an extender and have NEVER had any discrimination on there. They have always been very kind to me.

[mcscajun]

26. But meanwhile...are you in?

:)

[CelticWinter]

28. Count me in

I have a few or more pounds I would love to shed

[mcscajun]

30. and CW makes seven

:)

[Biased Liberal Media]

31. kick

to keep this alive! Come on...we need 3 more donors!

[Biased Liberal Media]

32. another gratious kick

[TOhioLiberal]

33. I'm in...

..I think it's needed.

[soleft]

34. Count me in

[mcscajun]

35. And then there were...Nine!

Almost there...

[TOhioLiberal]

36. It's an excellent idea...

:yourock:

[Biased Liberal Media]

38. YAY! Thanks everyone! :)

[mcscajun]

37. It's 10:00 PM...do you know where your "kick" is?

KICK!

[Biased Liberal Media]

39. yet another kick!

[Biased Liberal Media]

40. Yer sick of it but I'm kickin it again!

[Biased Liberal Media]

41. Damn this board moves quick at this time of night!

KICK!

[scarlet_owl]

42. Count me in.

[Biased Liberal Media]

43. Thank you! That makes 10...now...we need a mission statement...

What do you all suggest??

[Maat]

45. I'm open - just PM me with the thread link when you have it ready..

and I will approve it (as in ... Skinner will want 10 'yeah's'). Did I put that right?

[mcscajun]

46. Just a couple of sentences I threw together...

...for a start:

The Fat Acceptance Group is a place for all fat people to discuss the issues that impact their daily lives as fat people, and to explore and pursue bringing awareness of them to the DU community. We are not a diet group, but accept and support everyone's goals for their own health, both physical and emotional. We welcome those who are not fat but who share our goals to participate in this group.

On edit: added final sentence.

[Biased Liberal Media]

47. I like this. Let's use it...anyone else agree??

[TOhioLiberal]

48. Sounds good...n/t

[Biased Liberal Media]

49. I think we need majority right?? To make it a missino statement?

how does that work again?

[mcscajun]

50. Probably should ask Skinner...or someone else who's created a group.

I dunno...I can look around, though.

[mcscajun]

51. The Details on what comes next

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=206x10

[Biased Liberal Media]

52. I guess we have to wait til everyone approves of the statement then?

I'll go ahead and contact everyone who said they were interested to see if they approve of it...and then I'll submit it to Skinner.

Thanks!

[Biased Liberal Media]

53. OKay, PMs sent to everyone!

[mcscajun]

54. You might want to ask them to voice their approval within the thread.

It might be an issue in getting the group off the ground.

:)

On edit: WOW you moved fast! Faster than I could send this.

[Biased Liberal Media]

56. Gotta love copy/paste!

Yeah I sent the link as well! :)

[Maat]

55. Perfect! Aye!

Yeah! I approve! Good writing! Look forward to posting on it! AND...most of all ... a hearty thanks for the work!



On edit:
Yep. This is how I did it. Only I had one thread to assess interest, another to firm up the mission statement, and one for mission statement approval, then I posted a thread/request for consideration to Skinner and Co. Skinner had a question. We resolved things, and then he set it up. No reason it can be done at once, is there?

(I worked to get the Seekers on Unique Paths Group going.)

[NightTrain]

57. Looks good!

:thumbsup:

[eridani]

101. Ditto, approved by me as well. n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

58. Message approved by me

----------------------------------------------------------
Save this nation one town, county, and state at a time!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm#why

[AlienGirl]

68. I like it!

:thumbsup:

Tucker (4'10" and 130 lbs, who is dating everythingsxen, 6'4" and 400-ish lbs)

[alittlelark]

69. I accept, and think it is a great idea!

[Kire]

70. sounds just fine and dandy

you asked for my two cents

[Allenberg]

75. Yeah, I'd agree with that.

[indigo32]

83. Very Nice

consider this my approval

[Missy Vixen]

84. I accept the mission statement

I'm in.

Looking forward to the new group,
Julie

[scarlet_owl]

94. I approve! Great job!

[CelticWinter]

95. Looks good to me

you have my approval.

[ikojo]

96. I likeit...thanks for doing this!

[indigo32]

44. I'm in

sounds like a good idea

[Missy Vixen]

59. I am adding my name

I hope that this will put the group over the top. In the meantime, people come in all shapes and sizes; to say that one is better than the other is ridiculous and unfair.

Julie

[Biased Liberal Media]

60. Thank you very much

if you could, please take time to read over the mission statement and tell us in that thread if you agree (I have to present this to Skinner for approval).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x2412409#2414642

Thank you!

[Allenberg]

61. This beer-bellied man

sez okay.

[Biased Liberal Media]

63. Thank you

if you could, please take time to read over the mission statement and tell us in that thread if you agree (I have to present this to Skinner for approval).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=2412409&mesg_id=2414642&page=

Thank you!

[Kire]

62. as long as we tombstone anybody who tries to give nutrition advice

I'm in.

[Biased Liberal Media]

64. I agree!!! Also...

if you could, please take time to read over the mission statement and tell us in that thread if you agree (I have to present this to Skinner for approval).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=2412409&mesg_id=2414642&page=

Thank you!

[mcscajun]

81. Ah yes...

...that's exactly what we'd like to avoid...preaching and advice.
:)

nicely put, btw.

[alittlelark]

65. I'd support it... it is a great concept

I have a few relatives I would be able to turn on to it.


My story is no story - genetic weight maintanance at low ideal for 5'7"

[Biased Liberal Media]

66. Thank you

if you could, please take time to read over the mission statement and tell us in that thread if you agree (I have to present this to Skinner for approval).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=2412409&mesg_id=2414642&page=

Thank you!

[Behind the Aegis]

71. Question

I don't see any issue with a room like this. I will lend my support and star (I don't think you need it at this point). But, would topics like eating disorders also be welcomed? I know we are not supposed to dispense health advice, but support is another thing. I don't want to take away from the purpose of the group, so if you feel this topic should be else where, I am OK with that.

[Biased Liberal Media]

72. Actually I feel that is a topic that does belong elsewhere

we're basically looking for ways to band together and talk about being obese and the social stigmas that come right along with them. Not necessarily eating disorders.

I think it would be a good idea to start a suggestion for an Eating Disorders forum...that would be a great idea and I'd back it up too!

[Behind the Aegis]

73. Quick response

I appreciate your input. I didn't want to imply eating disorders and weight are the same thing, but I know that eating disorders cross all boundaries. I kinda stuck my foot in my mouth the other day about weight issues, so I am trying to be as sensitive as possible.

[Biased Liberal Media]

74. Oh no I totally understand

what you are saying!!! Thank you very much for supporting us!

[eridani]

79. Eating disorders is a separate issue IMO

There are quite a few people who are fat because they refuse to develop eating disorders. Count me in on fat acceptance, though.

[ecstatic]

77. I support that idea

I've been losing and gaining back the same 30 lbs for 5 yrs now. I'm tired.

[eridani]

80. And while we are at it--

--how about a close analysis of how Michigan managed to get a law barring discrimination against fat people?

[mcscajun]

82. Wha-ha-hat???

:wtf:

Sounds Like a First Topic to explore when the group gets approved, for certain.

Totally glad I don't live in Michigan, but that doesn't change my feeling about it. :wtf:

[Biased Liberal Media]

87. Really??

That's horrible.

[soleft]

85. I'd be interested in seeing something like this added to the MS, thanks

I think there needs to be something included about breaking
>cultural stereotypes of what is considered attractive and
>acceptable, developing awareness that there are messages in
>the media and society that are designed to make people feel
>bad about themselves. People come in all shapes and sizes and
>health and love are possible at any size right now.

[mcscajun]

89. Will this do?

The Fat Acceptance Group is a place for all fat people to discuss the issues that impact their daily lives as fat people; cultural stereotypes related to appearance and attraction, the pervasiveness of messages in the media and in society that seek to diminish us as men and women and undermine our well-being; to explore and pursue bringing awareness of these issues to the DU community. We are not a diet group, but accept and support everyone's goals for their own health, both physical and emotional. Health, happiness, and love come in all sizes. We welcome those who are not fat but who share our goals to participate in this group.


BiasedLiberalMedia (damn what a long name) -- do we need another round of approvals for this? Are we ready to send to Skinner?

[soleft]

91. Awesome - I totally am on board with this Mission Statement

[Biased Liberal Media]

92. I like it. I'll send it to skinner

I don't think so...but I'll ask just in case...

[Bertha Venation]

86. I'll weigh in.

:ducking:

[Biased Liberal Media]

88. No need to duck! :)

We'd love to have you.

[mcscajun]

90. I like your sense of humor.

:)

[salvorhardin]

97. Good going

Incredibly well worded mission statement.

I showed my support for this in another thread, but I'll gladly do so again here.

[bobbieinok]

98. agree/approve

[eridani]

102. OK, when this group gets started, we need to have a betting poll

How many days/weeks will it take the mods to chalk up 50 deleted messages?

[HEAVYHEART]

103. Me

Count me in. Great idea for a forum!

[StrongbadTehAwesome]

105. It looks like you probably have enough people already, but

count me in as another who likes the idea and the mission statement. I also like that we're keeping the groups separate.

I'd like to see and would "sign on" for an underweight group as well - they certainly face similar issues at times - but I just think combining them into one group might pave the way for a flamefest. I just remember a thread about a month back in the lounge discussing a plus-size model...wasn't pretty. People were on there talking about how "fat women are unnecessarily glorified on this board." WTF? I wouldn't want to see any weight-acceptance group degenerate into that.

[imenja]

106. What does being a donor require?

Is that just support from 10 paying members or do we have to contribute additional funds?

[mcscajun]

107. Just being a donor already is sufficient.

:)

[imenja]

109. count me in

I think the group should be about size acceptance generally. I don't think we should limit it according to a person's size: large, small or medium. The spirit of the idea is what is important.

[imenja]

108. delete

duplicate