If you happen to be disabled, over the age of 40, not “attractive” or “sexy” in a narrowly defined cultural sense, and so much more.

So many of us are desexualized, and not just fat folks. There’s so much societal programming and anti-fat bias out there to combat. ST: How important can it be for plus sized and fat people to see themselves and their sexualities - including their own sexual appeal - represented in mainstream media?ĮC: It’s absolutely vital. I suggest everyone to read, Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobiaby Sabrina Strings, and Fattily Ever Afterby Stephanie Yeboah When we think of fat acceptance and the body positive movement it’s imperative that we also acknowledge where it began, why, by whom and that anti-fat bias is a direct result of colonialism.

It started with fat, black queer folks in New York who organized a support and activism group called NAAFA (National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance). People think this idea of fativism is a recent one, but it’s not. Do you think the world is finally ready to embrace fat bodies and their complexities?ĮC: I do! But I also think more attention needs to be paid to the origin of the fat acceptance movement. I can think of Euphoria’s Kat Hernandez (Barbie Ferreira), singer Lizzo, actress Aidy Bryant, TV host James Corden, models Ashley Graham and Paloma Elsesser to name a few. ST: We have been seeing more plus-sized people in the media, be it on catwalks or on TV shows, and not as the butt of a joke.

So, when I was approached to write a sex position book for fat folks, I decided to make it the book I wish I’d had when I was starting to have sex in a fat body. I couldn’t find any books out there that spoke directly to my situation and I knew I couldn’t be the only one out there. In a conversation with Scarleteen, Chase talks about the book, how the media is changing its portrayal of fat people, the relevance of the word “plus size,” and her personal experiences with her own body acceptance and sexual journey.Ĭurvy Girl Sex book cover Scarleteen (ST): What inspired you to write Curvy Girl Sex? Can you talk a bit about why we need books like it so much?Įlle Chase (EC): I was inspired by my own experience as a fat person on a journey to find my sexual self. With her book Curvy Girl Sex: 101 Body-Positive Positions to Empower Your Sex Life (Fair Winds Press, 2017) Chase gave us a guide for methods, positions and sex hacks for fat lovers with a range of different body types, centering all kinds of people who have long had their sexuality marginalized, denied or erased. A certified sex educator, author and an advocate for body-acceptance and pleasure, she has been published by Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Huffington Post. Elle Chase is one of the leading voices talking about fat people's sexuality, from media portrayals to private life.

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